Money Tigers provided the format for the UK version of Dragons' Den.
The Japanese programme, known as Money Tigers, established the central idea of entrepreneurs asking a panel of wealthy investors to finance their businesses. The format was created for Japanese television before being adapted for other countries.
In the British version, contestants usually state how much money they want and what percentage of their company they are willing to offer. The Dragons then question them about sales, costs, valuation and future plans. The negotiation can end with an offer, a counteroffer or no investment.
The name Dragons' Den is used by many international versions, although the equivalent panel may have a different title elsewhere. The concept is also related to the global Shark Tank franchise. These programmes share a format lineage, but individual versions have different presenters, investors, businesses and broadcast histories. Money Tigers is therefore the specific Japanese predecessor associated with the Dragons' Den format.