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☆ Want to Understand America? Watch ‘Shark Tank.’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Jordyn Holman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

“Shark Tank” Over the Years Season 1 (2009-10) The show premiered against the backdrop of the Great Recession. “‘Shark Tank’ is not a game show,” said Kevin O’Leary, a cutthroat investor known sarcastically in the tank as Mr. “Shark Tank” debuted less than a year after the subprime mortgage crisis devastated the global economy. But those kinds of companies are rarely reflected on “Shark Tank” for one simple reason: They don’t make for good TV. “The buyer gave us a shot at Target because of the ‘Shark Tank’ appearance.”“We turn you into a rock star and you become part of the ‘Shark Tank’ culture and the lore of ‘Shark Tank’,” said Mr. O’Leary.

Persons: Tod Wilson, Mark Cuban, Shark Lori Greiner, ”, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Corcoran, Mark Burnett, Lehman Brothers, “, Daymond John, John, ” Mr, Wilson, Ms, Angela Lee, Halle Tecco, Jamie Siminoff, Siminoff, O’Leary, Siminoff “, Mr, Robert Herjavec, Burnett, Herjavec, TJ Maxx, Lori Greiner, Greiner, Michael Jones, Taryn Jones Laeben, ” Tod Wilson, Lee, Sarah Paiji Yoo, Dave Heath, Ann Crady Weiss, Hatch, Weiss Organizations: ABC, Sharks, QVC, Amazon, Bombas, Corcoran Group, “ Tigers, “, Twitter, Marketplace, Valley . Producers, Las, Columbia Business School, Halle, Four, Smart Tire Company, TJ, Tank, Tank Venture, Science Inc, Forbes, IRL Ventures, Educators, Blueland Locations: Angeles, Valley, Manhattan, America, Britain, Canada, United States, Houston, Somerset, N.J, Las Vegas, cybersecurity, Target, U.S, Los Angeles, Wegman’s, Minneapolis, Queens

☆ CEO sold her house, liquidated 401(k) to start a beauty tech company—then she got a 6-figure ‘Shark Tank’ offer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Seven years ago, Dawn Myers saw Lori Greiner invest in a woman-owned hair company on ABC's "Shark Tank." She felt inspired, and started her own hair company catering to curls and coils. Today, Myers is the founder and CEO of Washington D.C.-based The Most, a parent company for brands Richualist and The Most Curls. Myers, a lawyer by training, said her lack of beauty, tech and engineering experience made it hard to attract investors. She ultimately raised $1.1 million in venture capital while undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, a Richualist spokesperson tells CNBC Make It.

Persons: Dawn Myers, Lori Greiner, Myers Organizations: Washington D.C, The, CNBC

☆ Mark Cuban offered a fellow 'geek' $75,000 on 'Shark Tank': 'I want you to myself'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mark Cuban and Justin Huang have a mutual love for education — and a mutual hate for killing bugs. The two hit it off on Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank," where Huang pitched his product, Cup-a-Bug, to the show's investor judges. A self-proclaimed "bug sympathizer," Huang created the contraption for a simple reason: "I'm just terrified of bugs, even from [childhood]. The investors encouraged him to take a minute to gather his thoughts and keep going, with Cuban yelling, "You're good!" Mark Cuban checking out the Cup-a-Bug on ABC's "Shark Tank."

Persons: Mark Cuban, Justin Huang, —, Huang, We've, Lori Greiner chimed, Cuban, Huang's, Chapman, Daymond John, Mark, Christopher Willard Organizations: University of California, Irvine, LinkedIn, Disney Locations: Irvine , California, Cuban, U.S

☆ CEO quit his 6-figure job at Microsoft—and landed a $300,000 'Shark Tank' offer for his new startup
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A self-proclaimed "serial plant killer" went on ABC's "Shark Tank" — and came away with a $300,000 offer for his houseplant health company Flora. Flora was founded in 2022 by Aabesh De, a former Microsoft employee who quit his "cushy" six-figure job to build a soil meter and accompanying app that alerts people about the health of their houseplants. "My dear mother gave me her prized rose bush plant that she had for years," De, 29, said on the show. "I would never go for a subscription model after buying [the soil meter]," she said. "I think you're smart as hell, and I like to invest in people who are smart as hell," Greiner said.

Persons: Aabesh De, De, we've, weren't, Robert Herjavec, Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary, O'Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Greiner, You've Organizations: Microsoft, CNBC Locations: Flora

☆ Mark Cuban didn't want to invest in this $2.5 million 'Shark Tank' company—here's what changed his mind
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Cuban didn't want to invest in Genius Litter — until a bidding war between his "Shark Tank" co-stars annoyed him into changing his mind. If it's a high pH or a low pH, it will tell you if there's a potential health issue," said van Meer. That allowed him to put $1 million of his own cash, plus another $1 million already raised from other investors, into launching Genius Litter. "I want to build and scale this business and then sell it [strategically]," said van Meer. van Meer asked, countering with 10% split evenly among the three investors.

Persons: Mark Cuban, Ramon van Meer, van Meer, Van Meer, Robert Hervajec, Emma Grede, Herjavec, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary, Lori, O'Leary, Van Meer wasn't, Greiner Organizations: ABC Locations: Austin , Texas

☆ 15-year-old lands $100,000 'Shark Tank' offer for idea he had at age 8: 'You're a great example for kids'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

You don't have to be a high school graduate — or an adult — to win over investors on ABC's "Shark Tank." "You're a great example for kids out there who want to be entrepreneurs," Mark Cuban added. "They're going to help us [with] prototypes, manufacturing, distribution ... They're going to get us in stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger and Costco." There's no way they're not going to buy you out."

Persons: Nathaniel Wellen, Wellen, Lori Greiner, Mark Cuban, Nathaniel —, Greiner, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, O'Leary, " O'Leary, Robert Herjavec, Herjavec, You've, Robert Organizations: Target, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, CNBC Locations: Los Angeles

Fishwife, a trendy tinned seafood company, was valued at around $5 million on Shark Tank. Millstein said on the ABC program that her premium preserved fish company has grown to about $5.8 million in annual sales. "I don't know these people, I don't eat tinned fish, and I am here for this drama," one viewer commented. The Shark Tank episode aired this month, but it was filmed in the summer of 2023, per an ABC spokesperson. On Shark Tank, Millstein reeled in Nelson and Greiner, receiving $350,000 in exchange for 6% to 8% of the company.

Persons: Becca Millstein, Caroline Goldfarb, —, Rebecca Millstein, Condé, Goldfarb, Fishwife, Millstein, Lori Greiner, Candice Nelson, Casey Lewis, Lewis, Greiner, we're Organizations: Service, Vogue, The New York Times, ABC, Fishwife, Google, Securities and Exchange Commission Locations: writeups, The, Millstein, Nelson

☆ 'Shark Tank' founder fumbled a 6-figure deal due to stubbornness: 'I'm not willing to compromise'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sometimes, striving for perfection can stunt your success — or, at least, keep you from landing a six-figure deal on ABC's "Shark Tank." Kelly, 36, is the founder of Anchorage, Alaska-based Heather's Choice, which sells lightweight, packable meals — just add hot water — and ready-to-eat snacks for outdoor adventurers. An adventurer herself, Kelly started the company in 2014, and raised $1.3 million in fundraising by the time of the episode's taping, she said. Heather's Choice had its first million-dollar revenue year in 2022, indicating an upward trajectory, Kelly noted. Instead of building upon the smaller and cheaper packaroon, the investors advised Kelly to market her meals to a wider audience, like students and working professionals.

Persons: Heather Kelly, Kelly, Heather's, You've, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Candace Nelson, packer, Heather Locations: Anchorage , Alaska, Alaska

☆ Why Mark Cuban is leaving 'Shark Tank'—and 3 of his biggest moments on the show
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It's official: Mark Cuban says he's leaving ABC's "Shark Tank" after more than a decade on the show. His 12 years — and counting — on "Shark Tank" have produced memorable moments, ranging from laugh-inducing to heartstring-pulling. Here are three of the most notable ones:The largest offer in 'Shark Tank' historyDuring Season 6, Cuban made the biggest offer in "Shark Tank" history to Arum, Soo and Dawoon Kang, the sisters behind dating app Coffee Meets Bagel. "How many people can say they baited a Shark ... even better, the biggest Shark, and [still] came away with a deal?" Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank."

Persons: Mark Cuban, He's, he's, Dawoon Kang, Kang, Bagel, Cuban, Justin Crowe, Crowe, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary, O'Leary, Donovan, Trey Brown, Barbara Corcoran, Warren Buffett Organizations: Hollywood, NBA's Dallas Mavericks, CNBC, Cuban, Sharks, Golden State Warriors, Mavericks Locations: Cuban, Los Angeles

☆ Mark Cuban says he's planning to leave 'Shark Tank' to spend more time with his kids
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Cuban says he's leaving "Shark Tank" after more than a decade on the show. As of 2022, Cuban says he invested $29 million in "Shark Tank" businesses, Forbes reports. AdvertisementABC's "Shark Tank" will soon be down a billionaire if Mark Cuban makes good on his plan to leave the show. ABC declined to comment on whether "Shark Tank" will continue if Cuban leaves after season 16. AdvertisementIn 2022, Cuban told Forbes that he'd invested $29 million in at least 85 companies at that point in his time as a "Shark Tank" judge.

Persons: Mark Cuban, —, Cuban, Matt Barnes, Stephen Jackson, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec, Forbes, he'd Organizations: Forbes, Service, NBA, Hollywood, ABC, Cuban Locations: Cuban

☆ 82-year-old went on 'Shark Tank'—and landed a 5-figure offer: 'You're a star'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The 82-year-old co-founder of hunting manufacturer Air Boss Outdoors joined up with his business partner, Keith Lindsey, to pitch a product called the Krapp Strapp on Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank." The Krapp Strapp is a weatherproof strap designed to help hunters, campers and outdoorsmen relieve themselves more comfortably. Cuban gave Legg and Lindsey similar feedback, saying he'd only make them an offer if everyone else's proposals were "nasty." The Krapp Strapp duo accepted, garnering praise from Cuban. "Now, you two [Greiner and John] can say you help people do the deuce outdoors," Legg said, on his way out.

Persons: Bob Legg, Keith Lindsey, It's, Lindsey, Legg, Legg chimed, Mark Cuban's, Robert Herjavec, Kevin O'Leary, Strapp, Herjavec, he'd, Lori Greiner —, Daymond John, Greiner, Bob, Cuban, John, Warren Buffett Organizations: Air, Outdoors, CNBC, Cuban Locations: U.S, Jacksonville , Texas

☆ Couple had $18 in the bank when they started their company—now they have millions in revenue and a $400,000 'Shark Tank' deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

When James and Johanna Windon launched Buena Papa two years ago, they had just $18 in their bank account. Now, they bring in millions of dollars in annual revenue across three North Carolina restaurant locations, they said on Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank" — during which they landed a $400,000 investment offer from millionaire entrepreneur Robert Herjavec. Despite no prior restaurant experience, the pair "invested our life savings [of] $40,000," leaving just $18 behind, James said. Mark Cuban opted out, citing the difficulty of simultaneously operating restaurant locations and overseeing any number of franchisees. That left Robert Herjavec, who offered the Windons $400,000 for 20% of Buena Papa.

Persons: James, Johanna Windon, Robert Herjavec, Johanna, we're, bootstrapping, They'd, haven't, Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Corcoran, Herjavec Organizations: Buena Papa, Colombian, Buena, CNBC, Global Locations: Carolina, Buena Papa —, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Raleigh, Colombia, Miami, French, Buena Papa, Raleigh , North Carolina, United States

☆ 8-year-old CEO got a $50,000 'Shark Tank' offer from two billionaires: 'I believe you're going to be a winner'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

On Friday's episode, that kid was Gavin Batarse, an avid baseball player and the CEO of Glove Wrap. "Just place a ball in a glove and wrap it up with Glove Wrap. Some players wrap baseball gloves in rubber bands or stuff them under sofas. The potential market is large, spanning millions of kids and Major League Baseball players alike in the U.S. alone. The deal: $50,000 for a 22% equity stake in Glove Wraps.

Persons: Gavin Batarse, Jon, Morgan Batarse, Gavin, sofas, Gavin didn't, Mark Cuban, Michael Rubin, " Rubin, Still, Rubin, he'd, Cuban, Mark, Morgan, Gavin isn't, Sofi Overton, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran Organizations: Baseball, Major League Baseball, Sporting Goods, Sharks, Wise, Products, Twitter, CNBC Locations: Orange County , California, U.S, Cuban

☆ These 'Shark Tank' founders 'desperately' needed a rebrand—they still snagged a $500K deal with Mark Cuban
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The company, called Gatsby Chocolate, appeared on Friday's season premiere of ABC's "Shark Tank." The appeal for Gatsby Chocolate was evident — lots of people have a sweet tooth, and a candy bar with less calories but "no compromise on taste" sounds like a no-brainer. But for Lori Greiner and guest shark Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes, it just didn't fit. While Lori entertained that notion, for a 25% stake, Cuban balked: "My brand is too big to be the face of the brand," the billionaire said. "Specifically, we're actively looking into 'Gatsby Chocolate: The good for you bar,' after discussing with Mark and Lori, so be on the lookout!"

Persons: Mark Cuban, Doug, Ryan Bouton, Ryan, Gatsby, Lori Greiner, Candace Nelson, Sprinkles, Greiner, Nelson, Kevin O'Leary, O'Leary, Daymond John, Z, Lori, they'd, Cuban, Ryan couldn't, We're, Mark, we're Organizations: Walmart Safeway, Cuban, CNBC

☆ 'Shark Tank' CEO who started with $500: This tip helped me top $4.9 million in revenue
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Today, she's made over $4.9 million in lifetime revenue — and a lesson from guest shark, Emma Grede, helped her do it. Philomina Kane was 26 years old when the clothing business she started with $500 landed her a six-figure deal on ABC's "Shark Tank." Grede's advice ended up proving immediately useful while Kane deliberated her "Shark Tank" deal. "Shark Tank was one of the best moments of my life," she says. Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank."

Persons: Kane, she's, Emma Grede, Philomina Kane, Lori Greiner, Emma, it's, Warren Buffett Organizations: CNBC, Kin Apparel, Apparel, Kin

☆ Mark Cuban rejected this 'Shark Tank' company—and said he'd take its ideas to one of its competitors
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

You don't often see an investor taking an entrepreneur's idea and giving it to a competitor, but that's exactly what Mark Cuban did on Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank." During the episode, Justin Crowe pitched his 3-year-old cremation alternative startup Parting Stone to investors, including Cuban. Eterneva currently focuses on turning ashes into diamonds, and Cuban viewed Parting Stones' offerings as a great second product line. Lori Greiner called Parting Stones "genius," and Kevin O'Leary said the category was right up his alley. Crowe rejected them all, saying that Parting Stone had both direct-to-consumer sales and business-to-business sales through funeral homes — and he'd only pay royalties from the consumer side.

☆ Mark Cuban called this CEO a 'great example' for any 'Shark Tank' contestant—he landed 3 offers and a $200,000 deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While on a camping trip, someone asked Thurmond to create a firepit that wasn't so "massive" and "cumbersome," Thurmond said. Cuban, himself a billionaire entrepreneur, seemed impressed by Thurmond's commitment to getting his product right. Thurmond asked the show's panel of investors — including Cuban — for $200,000 of funding, in exchange for a 10% equity stake in LavaBox. Then, Lori Greiner asked Thurmond a question: What's the most important thing to you in a partner? She offered Thurmond $200,000 for a 15% equity stake, adding a 75 cent royalty per product sold until making back her investment.

☆ 25-year-old 'Shark Tank' contestant sold ice cream from a roadside tent—now he has a $200,000 deal with Barbara Corcoran
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

When Jeremy Carlson was a college freshman, he started selling ice cream cones from a tent by the side of the road. The cooking style, which he discovered during a mission trip to the Czech Republic, ultimately led to two brick-and-mortar ice cream shops called Crispy Cones — and a $200,000 investment deal with Barbara Corcoran on Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank." Carlson's earnings as an Uber and Lyft driver, along with a Small Business Administration loan and $190,000 credit line, helped Crispy Cones move from a tent to a trailer to the two storefronts. Together, the couple asked for a $200,000 investment in exchange for 10% of Crispy Cones. Corcoran offered the Carlsons a more lucrative deal: $200,000 for 20% of Crispy Cones' equity.

☆ 38-year-old mom launched a frozen yogurt startup from her kitchen—now she's a 'Shark Tank' CEO with a $1.5 million company
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The whipped, frozen Greek yogurt delicacy she put together became Sweetkiwi, a Dallas-based food startup founded in 2011. And on Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank," Eigbe and her business partner — her husband, Michael Kindele — landed a $250,000 investment deal with Robert Herjavec valuing the company at more than $1.5 million. She initially offered the Sharks 5% of her company for that $250,000 investment, noting that the money would go toward brand-building and marketing. The duo expressed confidence despite their industry's heavy competition, noting that Sweetkiwi pints have less sugar than most other frozen yogurts. Herjavec's final offer was $250,000 for a 16% stake in the company — which Sweetkiwi accepted.

☆ Mark Cuban offered $400,000 to a 'Shark Tank' startup he initially rejected—all because of his 2 daughters and wife
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mark Cuban typically only invests in companies if he can see himself — or his NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks — using their products. On Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank," he made an exception on behalf of his two daughters and his wife, making a $400,000 investment deal with San Francisco-based makeup company Youthforia. Robert Herjavec said he didn't understand what made the product unique, and Lori Greiner said she didn't use oil-based makeup. That's when Cuban came back in, saying he'd offer $400,000 for 10% without a royalty deal, because his daughters and wife would "understand" the product. O'Leary, growing frustrated, said he'd give $400,000 for 7.5%, but wanted a 75-cent royalty until he made $1 million.

☆ Recent college graduates create a $500 'human dog bed' going viral on TikTok for taking napping to the next level
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Since going viral on social media, the company has generated over $1 million in revenue, according to ABC7. Videos on Plufl's official TikTok account have garnered several million views and comments from users who are intrigued by the human-sized dog bed. I'll just get an actual dog bed," one user wrote. Plufl met the skepticism with their reasons for the pricing, noting the product is more than just a large dog bed. Amid the online success, Silverman and Kinoshita appeared on "Shark Tank" in October 2022 where they secured a $200,000 deal from Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner.

☆ 'Shark Tank'-winning CEO who started in a garage with $2,000 got a $250,000 offer from Cuban, Greiner
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Those details helped Lady land a $250,000 investment offer from Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner , a lucrative deal that took some effort to assemble. The second-generation Honduran-American launched her Concord, New Hampshire-based startup FryAway out of her garage with $2,000 in 2021. Greiner, Cuban celebrate after landing a $250,000 deal with Lady for a split 22% of FryAway. John echoed Greiner and Cuban, also calling Lady a "dream entrepreneur." "[Cuban and Greiner] are a power team, and I think the three us of are going to be absolutely unstoppable."

☆ Why Mark Cuban called 'B.S.' on a 'Shark Tank' company that was on track to bring in $14 million last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Like Cabinet Health, Cuban's company Cost Plus Drugs offers generic drugs at a fraction of the cost charged by major pharmaceutical companies. Cuban put those instincts to work on Friday's episode of ABC's " Shark Tank ," when the billionaire told sustainable wellness company Cabinet Health's founders he was suspicious of their lack of profit. Cabinet Health, which launched in October 2019, wants to reduce and eventually eliminate single-use plastics in medicine. The co-founders entered negotiations seeking $500,000 for a 2.5% stake in Cabinet Health, which would value the company at $20 million. He offered $500,000 for 10% of Cabinet Health, which would value the company at $5 million.

If you're on the fence about electric vehicles, Josh Aviv wants to alleviate one of your top concerns: "range anxiety." That's the nervous feeling EV owners or prospective buyers get when they're concerned that their electric vehicle won't have enough battery power to reach its destination. There are currently more electric vehicles on the road than ever before — with a record 6.6 million sold in 2021, double the previous year's total. SparkCharge has raised roughly $30 million from investors like Mark Cuban, Tale Venture Partners and rapper Pusha-T. The investments currently value SparkCharge at about $110 million, Aviv says.

☆ Mark Cuban rejected these ‘Shark Tank’ founders in less than 2 minutes: ‘Dumbest marketing move ever’
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

On Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank," billionaire Mark Cuban left a deal in less than two on-screen minutes for a different reason: the "dumbest marketing move ever." But they made their fatal error early: They gave Cuban, the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, an air freshener with the Golden State Warriors' logo on it. "You got to read your room," Cuban said, throwing down the air freshener. Ride FRSH had made $1.1 million in revenue in three years since launching, due largely to its subscription model. She offered $200,000 for 25% of Ride FRSH, contingent on their pending partnerships becoming official.

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