Dragons’ Den Dutch Version Coming to Viaplay

Viaplay is set to become the exclusive home in the Netherlands of the reality format Dragons’ Den this spring, marking the platform’s first local production in the country.

Produced by Vincent TV, the local edition of Dragons’ Den gives Dutch entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of renowned investors. This season, restaurant tycoon Won Yip, “avocado queen” Shawn Harris, investor Pieter Schoen, businesswoman Manon van Essen and serial entrepreneur Bas Witvoet will invest their money in promising startups.

Viaplay will launch in the Netherlands on March 1 with a combination of local and original productions, international films and series, kids’ content and premium live sports.

Since launching in 2001 as Money Tigers on Nippon TV in Japan, the format has been produced in territories on every continent. It is distributed around the world by Sony Pictures Television under such titles as Shark Tank, Lions’ Den and Dragons’ Den.

Filippa Wallestam, Nordic Entertainment Group’s chief content officer, said: “Viaplay’s pitch to Dutch viewers is simple. We offer local and original productions, the best of Hollywood, high-quality kids’ content and the most attractive sports—all on a single service that represents excellent value for money. Dragons’ Den is a proven format that blends the brilliant with the unexpected and which has both kickstarted great businesses and entertained viewers around the world.”

Vincent ter Voert, Vincent TV’s founder and producer, said: “In the Netherlands, entrepreneurs-to-be have been waiting for the opportunity to start building their dreams. Now is the time to take this great format to the next level with Viaplay.”