Considering the participation ratio, people often think that Shark Tank is a male-dominant platform. However, this is not true. While I agree that the ratio of female participants is lower, it’s surprising to know that the success rate of female entrepreneurs has been higher than that of male counterparts.
While the competition for investment had been tough, women-led businesses had a success rate of 45.3% (a percent higher than their male counterparts). Isn’t it amazing?
Shark Tank has always encouraged female entrepreneurs to pitch their businesses to established investors. However, understanding the relevance of this show for independent women is only possible when we take a detailed dig into the historical numbers.
Hi! I’m Daniyal Durrani, the lead reviewer of Shark Tank and an auditor & financial advisor in one of the leading consultancy firms in the world. It took us countless hours to research and gather important data for this article. We analyzed the pitches, outcomes, and trends across all 15 seasons. Without wasting any time, let’s start.
Women-led businesses’ appearance and participation stats are low compared to male entrepreneurs, but the success rate is higher. Male and female entrepreneurs have failed to cross the 50% success rate. However, overall success rates of both genders have been neck-and-neck. The details are mentioned below.
Shark tank Female Entrepreneurs Success rate over the seasons
Around 45.3% of female entrepreneurs have succeeded in receiving investment on Shark Tank, as opposed to the 44.56% success rate of male entrepreneurs. The Shark Tank Season 1 witnessed a 50% success rate of women enterprises, which doubled the percentage of deals struck by male entrepreneurs. The success rate improved to 56% in Season 2, but Season 3 saw it decline to 44%.
The success rate of female entrepreneurs increased to 50% in Season 4. However, it dropped to 38% in Season 5. The investment earning ratio of female entrepreneurs increased to 48% in the next two seasons, which further improved to 57% in Season 8.
During Season 9, the success rate of women-owned businesses peaked at 67% and stayed in the 60s during the next Season. The success rate decreased to 48% in Seasons 11 and 12 but improved to 67% in Season 13. The rate remained stable at 48% and 55% in the two subsequent Seasons.
The success rate of the major industries
The most booming industries in which the female entrepreneurs pitched to the Sharks were health & wellness, food & beverages, and fashion & apparel. The overall success rate in these industries was 60%. Consumer products and service items were comparatively less successful, with a 50% hit rate. The results regarding technology and novelty items were the least favorable, as the success rate fell below 30%.
Overall success rate
There have been around 340 episodes so far. That means around 1360 companies have appeared on Shark Tank so far. Shark Tank has seen 584 lucky businesses that impressed the investors and convinced them to fund the cause. So, if we estimate the overall success rate, we can say that it has been around a 43% success rate (both male & female). These cases consist of 207 women-owned businesses and 377 men-owned enterprises. The success rate of women enterprises is 35.4% out of 100% of victorious pitches. The low success rate is understandable because the number of female entrepreneurs participating in the show was lower than that of their male counterparts.
If we compare female vs male entrepreneurs’ success rates, around 45.3% of female entrepreneurs have succeeded in receiving investment on Shark Tank, as opposed to the 44.56% success rate of male entrepreneurs. Although it seems a minor difference, but don’t forget that the ratio of female participants was quite lower than that of males. This means that females, being lower in number, have a better success ratio than male entrepreneurs.
Shark Tank Season 1 Stats
The Shark Tank Season 1 laid a solid foundation for female entrepreneurs where women outperform men evidently. Women-owned businesses’ success rate was higher than contemporary male-owned businesses. The participation ratio of female entrepreneurs was 1:3 because only 10 women appeared on the show, compared to 30 men.
The high success rate encouraged the businesswoman because the Sharks were more supportive in offering them equity. However, the average ask from female entrepreneurs was higher than the rest of the seasons. Female entrepreneurs had a 50% success rate during the Season, while their male counterparts had a miserable success rate of 23%.
Highlights of the Season
The Season’s highlight was Emmy the Elephant (later called “Ava the Elephant”), a healthcare business owned by Tiffany Krumins. She received around $50,000 from Barbara Corcoran for 55% of the stake in the company. This equity demand goes to show how brutal the Sharks were in the first Season.
Stress Free Kids was a series of books centered on children to ensure a healthier mental condition. The business was owned by Lori Lite, which received $250,000 for 50% of the company. Barbara believed in the prospect of the business.
Coverplay, a portable slip-over for kids, struck a deal with Barbara Corcoran. The business got $350,000 for 40% of ownership of the company.
Most successful industry
The most successful industries of Shark Tank Season 1 were health care and food. Female entrepreneurs earned a fair chunk of the deals in these industries, with a success rate of 50%. The consumer product businesses had a 40% success rate, while the technology sector performed miserably with a 10% success rate.
Female founders — especially diverse female founders — are less connected to investors. Therefore, it’s 10X harder to get warm intros to investors. Even when we get intros, we aren’t taken seriously, or we get less funding even for building a business in female categories like femtech and beauty. Sharktank data regarding the success of female entrepreneurs is in line with the research that has demonstrated that women-owned startups are a better bet.
Sindhya Valloppillil. Founder & CEO of Skin Dossier. She is a Contributing Writer for Forbes, TechCrunch and BeautyMatter, and her writing has appeared in Crunchbase, Fast Company, Business Insider, and more.
Shark Tank Season 2 Stats
The participation ratio of female contestants improved in Shark Tank Season 2. 18 women entrepreneurs pitched their businesses during the Season, while the male entrepreneurs were 32. The ratio stood at 9:16 in the favor of male contestants.
Despite lower participation, female entrepreneurs had a success rate of 56%, which was higher than the 44% male success rate on the show. Season 2 saw an increase in the deal-striking percentage of both the genders. However, the equity demanded by the Sharks continued to be higher than what the female entrepreneurs offered. The average equity ask during the Season was 35%, which improved from the previous Season but was not ideal.
Highlights of the Season
Tippi Toes got the first-ever deal from Mark Cuban. Being a business owned by Erik and Megan, Tippi Toes was a women-led company. It got $100,000 from Mark Cuban for 30%. It was a franchise business made for kids’ exercise.
Rebecca Rescate presented Sharks with her unique idea, where she trained cats to urinate on the regular toilet seat. Kevin Harrington and Barbara Corcoran competed to strike a deal with Rebecca. Rebecca accepted Kevin’s offer in the end. The CitiKitty performed well after Rebecca left the Tank.
Dominique McClain Barteet came to the show with One Sole Shoe, a shoe that enables buyers to swap colors when required. Daymond John offered her $500,000 for 35% of the company. One Sole became an international success after the Shark Tank appearance.
Most successful industry
The food and beverage industry peaked with a success rate of 70%. The childcare products succeeded in 60% of instances. The fashion and consumer product sectors shared a success rate of 50%. The technology sector continued to perform miserably.
“Shark Tank has empowered more women to forge leadership positions in STEM fields. Even off the screen, Shark Tank-inspired contests provide mentorship and funding to young women entrepreneurs.”
Season 3 was a much-improved version of the show, which provided pitching opportunities to more businesses. 120 businesses pitched their ideas to Sharks during the Season. The number consisted of 72 male and 48 female contestants. The participation ratio of 2:3 remained in the favor of male contestants.
Shark Tank Season 3 marked the first instance where female entrepreneurs had a lower success rate. Women-led businesses had 44% success, while male entrepreneurs improved it to 56%.
The average equity asks continued to improve in Season 3, as usual demand from the Sharks was 30%. The product businesses with stable sales were offered royalty deals.
Highlights of the Season
Shelly Ehler appeared in episode 4 and struck a deal with Lori Greiner for her company ShowNo Towel. The business later signed an agreement with Disney to provide full cover for changing into a swimming suit in public. It was Lori’s first deal on the show and marked the start of her support for female entrepreneurs.
Maddie Bradshaw started a kid jewelry business when she was 10. The business grew when her mother and younger sister joined her. Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec offered them $300,000 for 30% of the company. The M3 Girl Design expanded but closed in 2015 after making $5.2 in sales. The business made it possible for Maddie to study at Harvard in 2019.
Arlene Battishill and Desiree Estrada asked for $300,000 for 15% of their protective motorcycle accessory company, GoGo Gear. Daymond offered them the money for 65% of the company, which was a surprise. However, the company is still operating and making millions of dollars annually.
Most successful industry
The pet products had an 80% success rate. These were the show stealers in Season 3, as almost all the entrepreneurs got a deal from the Sharks. The fashion and apparel industry had a 70% success rate, followed by the food & beverages industry with a 60% success rate, while the consumer products industry had a 50% success rate. Similarly, the technology and gadgets industry had a 40% success rate.
“I am delighted to see this important research highlighting the success of female entrepreneurs on Shark Tank! The statistics can be disheartening when you learn how few female founders get venture funding. Yet, as this study demonstrates yet again, women do have incredibly high success rates when it comes to founding and running businesses. It’s wonderful to have SharkTankInsights delivering this sort of data to a broader audience so that we can see percentage of women founders getting VC backing go up up and up! Thank you!”
MeiMei Fox, Founder & CEO of Your Bestselling Book | 2x NYTimes Bestselling Author
Shark Tank Season 4 Stats
The participation of businesses was reduced from 120 to 88 in this Season. The participation ratio was 4:7 in favor of male business owners. 56 male-led companies appeared on the show, which is higher than the appearance of 32 female entrepreneurs.
The success rate of businessmen was 46%, while businesswomen’s rate was slightly higher at 50%. The average equity ask on the show was 25%, which was better than the three initial seasons.
Highlights of the Season
Lani Lazzari came to the Tank with Simple Sugar, an organic scrub to flourish the skin. Mark Cuban invested $100,000 in the business for one-third of the ownership. He did not have experience in the beauty product industry, but he could relate to the skincare issues because his children were facing them.
Tracey and Danielle Noonan introduced the mail-ordered cupcakes delivery in a glass jar. Wicked Good Cupcakes got Kevin O’Leary interested in their margins. The company struck a Royalty deal with Kevin. The royalty continued in perpetuity.
Rebecca Rescate revisited the Tank with her partners, Chris and Dane. This time, she brought Hoodie Pillow, a company that merged the bedding and apparel industries. All the Sharks competed for the deal, but Rober Herjavec ultimately closed it. This deal confirms that Sharks are more confident about working with experienced entrepreneurs.
Most successful industry
The health and wellness industry had a 70% success rate, the highest throughout the Season. The next best type was the food and beverage industry at 60%. The consumer goods had a moderate success of 45%. However, the technology products underperformed again.
“Embarking on transitioning from full-time parenting to a full-time career as a mompreneur is like stepping onto a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and triumphs. Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room: mom guilt. It’s that nagging voice questioning if you’re doing enough for your kids while pursuing your career dreams. Spoiler alert: you are! Embrace the messy juggle of balancing work and family life, and remember that perfection is overrated. I’d also recommend surrounding yourself with fellow mompreneurs who understand your unique challenges. As mompreneurs, our to-do lists are longer than a CVS receipt. Prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and embrace the power of saying no. Yes, declining that PTA bake sale committee invitation is okay if it means preserving your sanity. Remember, you can do anything, but not everything—so choose wisely. With the right mindset, support system, and a dash of humor, you can conquer the world, one diaper change at a time. So strap on your superhero cape, fellow mompreneur, and get ready to soar!”
Jennifer Palumbo, Founder & CEO of Wonder Woman Writer | Writer (Forbes, Time, HuffPost, Parents Magazine, ScaryMommy, etc.) Stand-up Comic and Television Addict.
Shark Tank Season 5 Stats
As many as 120 participants pitched their business to Sharks this Season. 72 out of these were male, while 48 were female. The participation ratio remained 2:3 in the favor of men.
Men dominated the participation aspect and also outperformed women in the success rate. Men had a 44% success rate, which is considered below par. Women entrepreneurs had an even worse success rate of 38%.
Sharks offered funds at an average equity demand of 25%, lower than the preceding seasons. Royalty deals were primarily provided to companies selling consumer products.
Highlights of the Season
ScreenMend, a business owned by Brian Brooke and supported by his daughters, revolves around fixing the window panes. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner joined to help Brian with the Big Box Store distribution. Mark wanted the daughters to study business and grow (a perfect example of helping women).
Theresa Fraijo and her husband present Sharks with organic vegetable and fruit snacks for kids, Veggie Mama. Theresa struck a deal with Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran for $70,000 for 20% of the company. The business grew under Barbara’s leadership and earned continuous profits.
Melissa Carbone pitched for her horror entertainment company, Ten Thirty One Production. Melissa received $2 million from Mark Cuban for 20% of the company. It was Mark’s biggest investment in the show thus far.
Most successful industry
The most popular industry in the Shark Tank Season 5 was consumer products, with a 65% success rate. Health and wellness had a 60% success rate, while food and beverage stood at 55%. The technology sector achieved a moderate success rate of 44%.
“The Shark Tank Insights’ findings that female entrepreneurs seem to be making decisions based on environmental-social-governance (ESG) values is both inspiring and perfectly aligned with what I have found in my hundreds of interviews for Electric Ladies Podcast, Forbes and other articles, and as a consultant, speaker and executive. Women leaders and entrepreneurs tend to prioritize the impact the investment, business and/or career decision will make on society, not just to their personal bottom line.
These women are inspiring, committed, tenacious and innovative. They turn their personal stories, struggles, talents, expertise and experiences into successful business ventures that make the world a better place, lift up lives, and help address climate change. Women leaders and entrepreneurs are more accountable, transparent, and authentic – and, studies show, generate much higher returns than male-only founded or managed companies (some studies show as much as 63% higher). Perhaps women’s focus on creating value to the society at large – an environmental and social profit (or ESG-profit), if you will – and not just generating a financial profit, is the secret sauce that supports these women in generating those higher returns.”
Joan Michelson, MBA, ESG Consultant, Electric Ladies Podcast, Forbes Contributor, Speaker (@joanmichelson. Electricladiespodcast.com)
Shark Tank Season 6 Stats
The Shark Tank Season 6 also saw 120 entrepreneurs participating in the show. Among the participating businesses, 78 were owned by men, while 42 involved female entrepreneurs. The participation ratio was 7:13 in favor of male entrepreneurs.
This Season saw a more evenly spread-out success rate as 47% of male businesses struck deals with the Sharks. Female businesses had a success rate of 48%, a touch higher than male participants.
The average equity ask from the Sharks remained at 25%, which was acceptable compared to the high equity demand in the first two seasons. The high-risk businesses with the least expected investment recoupment were offered royalty deals. These consisted of 15% of the deals on Season 6.
Highlights of the Season
Sleeping Baby, a baby swaddle company owned by Stephanie Parker and her husband, received $200,000 for 20% of the business. The couple did not compromise on their organizational culture and refused to officialize the deal with Daymond John.
A special moment during Season 6 aired on TV when Alice Brooke and Bettina Chen pitched for Roominate, a construction set for young girls. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner offered them $500,000 for 5% of the company. Mark asked the duo to involve his daughters in the business.
Diana Harbour and her spouse asked for an investment in Red Dress Boutique, an affordable fashion brand that sent dresses through mail order. The duo closed the deal with Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec for $1.2 million for 20% of the company. The company faced site crashing issues, but Mark helped Diana resolve them.
Most successful industry
The educational toy industry had around a 60% success rate. The food and beverage industry continued to impress with a 50% success rate. Around 45% of consumer product businesses struck deals during the Season. However, the Technology sector had a disappointing deal rate of 30%.
Shark Tank Season 7 Stats
Shark Tank Season 7 had the same number of participants as the previous Season (120). Both genders’ participation ratio was maintained at 7:13 in favor of male entrepreneurs.
Surprisingly, the success rate of female entrepreneurs was the same at 48%. However, male entrepreneurs enjoyed a success rate of 56%, which improved from the previous Season. Male-owned businesses were more successful than females.
The average equity ask was 25%, so the Sharks were less greedy than in the initial seasons. The royalty deals were not very popular during Season 7.
Highlights of the Season
Dollop Gourmet is a non-GMO frosting that is tailor-made for gluten-intolerant people. Heather Saffer got a deal with Corcoran to help her take the artificial frosting business to the next level.
Mai Lieu brought CreaProducts to the Shark Tank, where she offered beginner hair-cutting guides and accessories. Lori Greiner struck a deal with Lieu for 22.5% of the company. The sales increased to 5000% after Lieu left the Tank.
Most successful industry
The fashion and apparel industry was the most successful, with 70% of entrepreneurs striking deals. The food and beverage industry followed with 65% of cases of success. The health and wellness industries received funds on 60% of occasions. Consumer products had a moderate success rate of 50%. However, technology businesses continued to disappoint.
Shark Tank Season 8 Stats
The number of entrepreneurs participating in Shark Tank Season 8 was 88. Out of these, 58 were male, while 30 were female. The participation ratio of both genders was 15:29, which implies that double the number of men participated in the show compared to female contestants.
The success rates were slightly different. Around 53% of male-led businesses succeeded in striking the deals. The rate improved for female entrepreneurs as their companies got investments on 57% of occasions.
Highlights of the Season
Regan Kelaher and Shannon Zappala came to the Tank with Goverre, a spillage-proof and portable wine glass. The company struck a deal with three Sharks (Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec). The trio took one-third ownership of the business.
Cyndi Lee received investment from Lori Greiner at half the proposed valuation of her business, Safe Grabs. The company specializes in making microwaved mats. The mats worked as a utensil holder and splatter guard.
Goodhangups, a business known for designing and producing magnetic hangings as home decor, got a deal from Lori Greiner. Lori loved the concept and wanted to help the company fund its operations. She offered Leslie Pierson a combination of equity and debt investments.
Most successful industry
The fashion industry was this Season’s dark horse, with a 70% success rate. The fitness and food industries evened up at 60%. The consumer products had a moderate success ratio. The technology sector hit 40% (higher than most seasons).
Shark Tank Season 9 Stats
Only 60 entrepreneurs appeared on Shark Tank Season 9. Among these participants, 42 were male and 18 were female entrepreneurs. The appearance ratio of both genders was 3:7 in favor of male-led businesses. Men and women entrepreneurs appearing on the show had an identical success rate of 67%. The average equity ask was 25%, while the royalty offers remained the second-most popular funding source.
Highlights of the Season
Lori Greiner continued investing in women-led businesses as she partnered with Alex Rodriguez to invest in GloveStix. Krista Woods developed the sticks to reduce the unwanted odor from sports equipment.
Makenzie Marzluff struck a deal with Mark Cuban for investment in her food brand, Delighted by Hummus. Mark got 25% company ownership, while Makenzie Marzluff got the funds and strategic guidance to expand her business.
Jackson’s Honest was a company established by Megan Reamer to sell coconut oil chips. The idea was unique but catchy, so Rohan Oza agreed to invest $1.25 million for 15% of the company. The business got Oza’s experience in the food industry and the funds for expansion.
Most successful industry
The food and beverage industry had a 75% success ratio this Season, which was the highest for any industry on the show. The health and wellness industry followed up with a 70% success rate. The rate was 60% for the consumer product industry and 50% for the technology products.
Shark Tank Season 10 Stats
This Season, 120 participants pitched their business ideas to the Sharks. The participation ratio was 1:2 in favor of male-owned businesses. 80 male entrepreneurs appeared on the show compared to 40 female contestants.
The success rate of male entrepreneurs fell to 56%, while the same rate was 63% for women-led companies. Women performed better this Season, which improved the overall success rate. The average equity demand remained the same this Season.
Highlights of the Season
Allison and Stephen Ellsworth brought Mother Beverage on Shark Tank, which sells as a healthy soda. The couple got a deal from Rohan Oza, and the business has taken off ever since. They went out of stock within days after getting aired on TV. Oza helped them rebrand the soda to Poppi.
Keisha Smith-Jeremie invented a uniquely-flavored tropical fruit product named Sanaia Applesauce. Keisha received $150,000 from Mark Cuban for 25% of the company. The deal never materialized because Keisha could not collaborate with Mark. The company sold its products through Walmart but went out of business due to COVID-19.
Makeup Junkie Bags, the company owned by Meredith Jurica. The company manufactures specialized bags for makeup accessories. Lori Griner offered investment for a combination of equity and royalty consideration. The deal was never finalized, but the company is still in business.
Most successful industry
The food and beverage industry continued to perform better than the rest at a 70% success rate, followed by the health and wellness sector at 60%. The consumer product and technology sectors succeeded in around 50% of cases.
Shark Tank Season 11 Stats
Out of 120 entrepreneurs participating in Shark Tank Season 11, 78 were men, while 42 were women. The popular 7:13 ratio continued. The success rate of both genders was neck-to-neck this Season. Almost 46% of men-led businesses got the deals as opposed to 48% of female success rate.
The composition and type of deals remained similar to the preceding seasons as the average equity ask remained at 25%, and the royalty deals were the second most popular investment type.
Highlights of the Season
Adelle Archer presented the Sharks with the most unique way of preserving the ashes of their loved ones. Her company, Eterneva, converted ashes into diamonds. Mark Cuban felt an emotional connection with the cause, so he invested in the business.
SlumberPod, a company co-owned by Lou Childs and Katy Mallory, offered blackout tents made for babies. The owners asked for $400,000 for 20% of the company. Barbara accepted the deal as is.
Sophia Edelstein brought her company, Pair Eyewear, on the show. The customizable glasses for children were an excellent idea that Lori Greiner and Katrina Lake invested in. The combination of equity and royalty components worked for the business.
Most successful industry
The food and beverage industry continued to impress Sharks, so it had a success rate of 70%. The rate fell to 60% in the case of the health and wellness industry. Consumer products and technology sectors improved and reached the 50% mark this time. The fashion industry underperformed this Season.
Shark Tank Season 12 Stats
The participation number and the ratio of male and female entrepreneurs appearing on the show were the same as the previous Season. Male entrepreneurs had a higher success rate of 62%, but female entrepreneurs had the same success rate as the last session (48%).
The average equity demand reached around 20% during this Season, but the royalty deals were still the second most popular investment mode.
Highlights of the Season
Dr Anika pitched on the Tank to get investment for OpulenceMD Beauty, a brand specializing in developing and selling magnetic eyelashes. The authentic eye safety aspect helped Dr Anika secure a deal on Shark Tank Season 12.
Jiggy Puzzles provided a unique blend of puzzles and arts. The owner. Kaylin Marcotte asked for $500,000 for 15% of the company. Mark Cuban accepted the ask because he saw the scaling potential in the business.
Hug Sleep, co-owned by Angie Kupper and Matt Mundt, presented the Sharks with a blanket that provides a swaddle-like experience for adults. The business struck a deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, getting $300,000 for 20% of the company (double the initial ask).
Most successful industry
The success rate of the food and beverage industry was intact at 70%. The health and wellness industry followed it with 65% deal-striking instances. The consumer goods sector was 50% successful, while the technology sector had a miserable success rate of 25%.
Shark Tank Season 13 Stats
The number of participants has been reduced to 60 this Season (half the usual number). The male entrepreneurs appearing on the show were 42 compared to 18 females. The ratio remained in the favor of men at 3:7. The success rate of men-owned businesses fell to 56%, while the female entrepreneurs enjoyed a 67% success in this Season.
The average shareholding demanded by the Sharks ranged between 15 and 20%. The equity overshadowed the royalty deals asks.
Highlights of the Season
54 Thrones received investment from Kevin O’Leary and Nirav Tolia for its African shea butter skincare line. Christina Funke Tegbe got the much-needed strategic experience to expand the business.
Fish Fixe struck a deal with Lori Greiner to improve the business model of their seafood delivery service. Lori is known for effectively scaling retail businesses, so Melissa Harrington had the edge.
Shannon Rose presented the Sharks with Springer, a business selling travel water bottles and bowls for the dogs. Lori Greiner identified the potential in the business, so she offered them help to establish the retail channels.
Most successful industry
The food industry had the highest success rate, with 70% deals. The health and wellness industry remained the second-most successful type, with a 60% rate. The consumer product remained at 50%, but the fashion and technology sectors performed under 30%.
Shark Tank Season 14 Stats
The number of entrepreneurs that participated during this Season was 120. The number consisted of 78 male entrepreneurs and 42 females. Compared to the previous Season, the ratio improved to 2:3 in favor of female business owners.
The male entrepreneurs maintained their success rate of 54% from the previous Season, while female-owned businesses succeeded on 48% of occasions. The average equity demand during the Season was 20%.
Highlights of the Season
Tones of Melanin was a company owned by Ashley Jones. It sold collegiate fashion products for minority communities. Mark Cuban invested in the business because it had the potential to scale.
Justine Liu and Adrian Zhang pitched for investment in The Woobles, a company that manufactures crochet kits to make crafting easier. Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban saw potential in the business, so they offered the duo more than they demanded.
FryAway is a cooking oil solidifier-selling company owned by Laura Lady. The business primarily focuses on disposing of used cooking oil in an environment-friendly manner. Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban saw the potential in FryAway, so they partnered to acquire 22% of the company.
Most successful industry
The fashion and consumer products industries were top-performing, with a 60% success rate. 55% of the food and beverage industry companies struck a deal with the Sharks. The rest of the sectors performed moderately or below par.
Shark Tank Season 15 Stats
According to the viewership numbers, this Season was the most recent and popular one so far. Only 47 entrepreneurial teams participated in Shark Tank Season 15, out of which 31 teams had almost one male member, while the remaining 16 had at least one female owner. The overall participation in the show decreased, but the gender ratio was stable for male participants at 1:3.
The success instances improved slightly for each gender, with male entrepreneurs having a success rate of 55% and female counterparts having 50% results going their way. The average equity demand was the lowest in season 15, when around 20% of the equity was demanded. Kevin O’Leary frequently offered royalties to female-owned businesses with stable cash flows.
Highlights from the Season
A women-led business ‘Fishwife,’ owned by Becca Mellstein, appeared on the Tank to transform a derogatory term into a symbol of strength for women. Her seafood business got a deal from Lori Greiner and Candicd Nelson.
A military apparel brand ‘Torch Warrior Wear‘ earned a $150,000 deal from Lori Greiner. The owner, Haily McClain Hill, resiliently sustained hard times and fought her way out. She worked hard to make her grandma’s wish come true.
Ani Armstrong, a troubled entrepreneur from Iran, migrated to the USA after being jailed because a hair strand was showing. She launched VSeat to help people ride bikes without injuring the groin area. Robert Herjavec, being an immigrant himself, could relate to the situation. He offered VSeat a fair deal.
Most successful industry
The most popular industries during the Season were the food and fashion businesses. The food business has never become less relevant over the years. The fashion industry had the next best investment results as sharks funded unique apparel brands. The technology products and novelty items were the least attractive businesses for the Sharks.
Conclusion
The participation of male entrepreneurs has been more than that of females. Considering the participation ratio, people often think that Shark Tank is a male-dominant platform. However, this is not true.
While I agree that fewer female entrepreneurs appeared on the show, the success rate of female entrepreneurs has been higher than that of male counterparts. The support offered to troubled female entrepreneurs on the show has been impressive.
Sharks like Lori Greiner and Barbara Corcoran always supported the women-led businesses if it seemed feasible. Guest Sharks like Emma Grede and Candice Nelson also had soft corners in their heart for female contestants. Moreover, Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec have been great mentors for every entrepreneur.
Shark Tank is a land of opportunities for entrepreneurs. The decisions made and agreements reached are not gender biased. The analysis above makes the objectivity of Sharks evident. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
Hi. I’m Daniyal Durrani. A CA-finalist, CPA-UK, and Master in Economics, with a decade-long business studies experience. I work as an Audit and Business Advisory Manager in a globally recognized accounting firm. I have been watching Shark Tank for a long time and have always admired the innovative business ideas. The revolutionary solutions to unaddressed day-to-day problems presented on the show used to impress me like no other thing on TV. Read more About me.
