I was forwarded this email from one of the producers before it aired back in 2009. No mention of equity. They probably wised up after they saw how successful some contestants were:
From: TrXXX <XXX@gmail.com>
Date: May 27, 2009 12:46:22 PM PDT
To: TriXXX <XXX@gmail.com>
Subject: Shark Tank on ABC
It's incredibly hard to get a small business loan from a bank right now. This show provides the opportunity for a smart entrepreneur or inventor to pitch a product/idea or established business to a group of billionaire investors. We are looking specifically for a up and coming fashion designer, someone who has a line but wants to expand their business.
The premise of Shark Tank is simple: you would approach a panel of billionaire investors (see list below) to explain how much money you would need and how much stake they would receive in turn, and get your company, project or invention more capital to either get started or expand the business. The panel invests their own money if they decide to go with your proposal, and the outcome could be an amazing opportunity.
If you are interested in being on this show or have an email list you can circulate this announcement to, please do so. We are trying to extend this opportunity to as many people as possible.
Directions: each interested person should email me directly (XXX@gmail.com) with the following information:
Name
Occupation
Description of Business/Invention (non-confidential)
Phone number
Email
Photo
Once I receive this, I will send an email that you need to reply to. From there, you can receive an application. Don't wait, we are filming this show in July and are screening applicants now.
Panel of Investors:
Robert Herjavec (Tech Genius)
Daymond John (Founder of FUBU clothing)
Barbara Corcoran (Real Estate Mogul)
Kevin O'Leary (Venture Capitalist)
Kevin Harrington (Infomercial King)
This does not mean anything - mentioning this upfront would give you time to think whether the deal is fair.
People who want you to sign a bad contract won't state this upfront. I'd rather expect something along the lines "Oh yeah and we also need your signature on this" after you have already invested your time and it seems rude to refuse those people who were so nice to you.
I'm actually in discussions with Shark Tank about appearing on the next season right now. I've passed the phone interview and am in the video application stage. No mention of equity thus far. I may drop a note to my contact there and see if I can get him to comment on this post.
From: TrXXX <XXX@gmail.com> Date: May 27, 2009 12:46:22 PM PDT To: TriXXX <XXX@gmail.com> Subject: Shark Tank on ABC
Hello,
My name is TrXXX and I'm contacting you from Mark Burnett Productions and ABC regarding a new show called Shark Tank. See the trailer here: http://abc.go.com/primetime/sharktank/index?pn=index
It's incredibly hard to get a small business loan from a bank right now. This show provides the opportunity for a smart entrepreneur or inventor to pitch a product/idea or established business to a group of billionaire investors. We are looking specifically for a up and coming fashion designer, someone who has a line but wants to expand their business.
The premise of Shark Tank is simple: you would approach a panel of billionaire investors (see list below) to explain how much money you would need and how much stake they would receive in turn, and get your company, project or invention more capital to either get started or expand the business. The panel invests their own money if they decide to go with your proposal, and the outcome could be an amazing opportunity.
If you are interested in being on this show or have an email list you can circulate this announcement to, please do so. We are trying to extend this opportunity to as many people as possible.
Directions: each interested person should email me directly (XXX@gmail.com) with the following information:
Name Occupation Description of Business/Invention (non-confidential) Phone number Email Photo
Once I receive this, I will send an email that you need to reply to. From there, you can receive an application. Don't wait, we are filming this show in July and are screening applicants now.
Panel of Investors:
Robert Herjavec (Tech Genius) Daymond John (Founder of FUBU clothing) Barbara Corcoran (Real Estate Mogul)
Kevin O'Leary (Venture Capitalist) Kevin Harrington (Infomercial King)
This show has been previously produced in Japan, the UK and Canada under the name, "Dragon's Den." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVo6e7Y8wBo <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVo6e7Y8wBo>;