It began in Japan with the name Manê no Tora (Money Tigers), but is known in most of the world as Dragon's Den, its British name. In the US, it is called Money Sharks; in Israel, Hakrishim (The Sharks); and in Spain, Tu Oportunidad (Your Opportunity).

But whatever it is called, there is no doubting the international success of the television format which sees would-be entrepreneurs lay out their pitch in the hope of winning the investors' cash to fund their ideas.

Now, the Anglican mission agency CMS (Church Mission Society) is adapting the idea for a missional Dragon's Den, which will take place at the Greenbelt Festival at the end of August.

CMS has already whittled down the entrants to a five-strong shortlist who will pitch their ideas to a group of Christian dragons.

The shortlisted ideas are: a 'hope bank' for council estates (social housing) in the North of England; antenatal classes with a spiritual dimension; an ethical cleaning business in London that pays a living wage; a design hub creating products for export providing recovering addicts with a positive working environment; and a reconditioned community centre for health and well-being.

The dragons who will listen carefully to the proposals, are Shannon Hopkins, who set up social enterprises on both sides of the Atlantic, property developer Steve Baker, Becca Stevens and Caleb Meakins.

"We've had a fantastic response to our request for ideas that are both transformative and have the potential to be financially self-sustaining," said Jonny Baker, director of mission education at CMS. "I am really looking forward to our successful entrants pitching their idea to our very own dragons! My hope is it will inspire others to become more creative as they seek to positively influence their community."

CMS will be running a number of preparatory sessions throughout the weekend-long Greenbelt Festival. Jonny Baker will offer "an invitation to see differently" on the opening evening on Friday 22 August; and Andrea Campanale will take a session on communicating vision on the Saturday. On Sunday, Shannon Hopkins will help people to spot a good idea; ahead of the Dragon's Den pitches on Bank Holiday Monday.

The competition winner will receive a free place on CMS’s missional entrepreneurship week in Devon in November. This residential will give practical advice on writing a mission statement, devising strategies for implementing new ideas, setting and evaluating appropriate and manageable objectives and will help participants secure funding.