Which Japanese television show inspired the format of the BBC series Dragons' Den?

The BBC series Dragons' Den was inspired by the Japanese television show Money no Tora.

Money no Tora, whose title is translated as Money Tigers, established the central format: entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors and seek funding in exchange for equity. The format was later adapted in several countries, with Dragons' Den becoming the British version.

The programme is sometimes confused with Shark Tank because both shows feature entrepreneurs pitching to investors. Shark Tank is the American adaptation of the same broad international format, rather than the Japanese programme that originated it.

The British series made the word “dragon” part of its identity, while other national versions use different investor imagery. This is why contestants on the British show seek dragons, whereas American contestants seek sharks.