Money Tigers was the Japanese television programme that originally inspired the format of BBC's Dragons' Den.
The Japanese show, known as Money no Tora in its original title, featured entrepreneurs seeking financial backing from successful businesspeople. Its basic pitch-and-investment structure became the foundation for international adaptations.
Dragons' Den is therefore not an entirely standalone British invention. The UK version keeps the core idea of entrepreneurs offering a share of their businesses in exchange for investment, while changing the panel, branding and presentation for a British audience. The US adaptation is known as Shark Tank, which is a common neighbouring fact but a different title.