Shark Tank has featured almost every type of business you can think of. Entrepreneurs have entered the Tank with food products, clothing brands, fitness equipment, technology, beauty products, toys and many other interesting ideas. However, some industries have clearly performed better than others.

I analyzed 1,514 businesses from Shark Tank Seasons 1–17 and placed every company into one primary industry. The Sharks accepted 938 deals and committed $275.739 million in investment and financing during these seasons. The numbers gave us a pretty interesting picture of what types of businesses the Sharks like the most.

So, which industry received the most money on Shark Tank? Which industry secured the most deals, and which one had the highest success rate? Keep reading to find out!

Overall Industries’ Performance on Shark Tank

The Sharks accepted 938 deals from 1,514 pitches during the first 17 seasons. This gives the businesses in our database an overall on-air deal rate of approximately 62%. The Sharks committed a whopping $275.739 million through investments, loans, credit lines and other accepted financing.

Food & Beverage easily received the biggest portion of that money. There were 272 Food & Beverage pitches, and 165 managed to secure a deal. The Sharks committed approximately $53.88 million to these businesses.

That means Food & Beverage received around 19.5% of all Shark Tank money in our database. Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products came second with approximately $35.74 million, while Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation received $27.45 million. Fashion & Apparel and Health & Wellness followed with approximately $25.28 million and $21.48 million, respectively.

However, there is an interesting thing here. Receiving the most money does not necessarily mean an industry had the highest chance of getting a deal. Some smaller industries actually had better success rates than Food & Beverage.

Which Industry Has Received The Most Money On Shark Tank?

Food & Beverage has received more Shark Tank money than any other industry. The Sharks committed approximately $53.88 million to food and beverage businesses during Seasons 1–17. That represents around 19.5% of all accepted investment and financing.

Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products came second with approximately $35.74 million. Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation followed with $27.45 million, while Fashion & Apparel received around $25.28 million. Health & Wellness completed the top five with approximately $21.48 million.

Why did Food & Beverage perform so well? The reason is pretty simple. The Sharks can taste the product, understand the customer and quickly calculate the cost, selling price and margin.

A food company can also prove its market with actual sales. If customers are already buying the product and coming back for more, the Sharks know there is demand. Good retail potential can make the opportunity even more interesting.

However, I did not classify every business related to food under Food & Beverage. Coffee Joulies, for example, was connected with coffee but actually sold a kitchen accessory. Therefore, Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products was the better category.

BRUW had a similar case because the company sold a coffee-filtering product instead of coffee itself. BEERMKR sold an appliance used to make beer, so it also belongs under Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products. These classifications might look like small changes, but they make a big difference when more than 1,500 businesses are compared.

Which Industry Got The Most Deals On Shark Tank?

Food & Beverage also received more accepted deals than any other industry. Out of 272 pitches, 165 Food & Beverage businesses secured a deal. This gives the industry an overall deal rate of approximately 60.7%.

Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products came second with 146 accepted deals. Fashion & Apparel received 104 deals, while Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation secured 98. Baby, Children & Education followed with 89 accepted deals.

Food did not just win because hundreds of food companies appeared on Shark Tank. The industry also finished first or tied for first in accepted deals during 12 of the first 17 seasons. That is a pretty impressive record.

However, Food did not have the highest deal rate. Some industries managed to convince the Sharks more frequently despite appearing fewer times. So, which industry had the best success rate?

Which Shark Tank Industry Has The Highest Deal Rate?

Industrial, Manufacturing & Construction had the highest meaningful lifetime deal rate. Ten of the 14 businesses in this industry secured a deal, giving it a 71.4% success rate. The number is impressive, although the category had a much smaller sample.

Automotive & Transportation came next with a 69.2% deal rate. Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation had a 69.0% success rate, while Baby, Children & Education managed to secure deals on approximately 68.5% of occasions. All three industries performed better than Food on a percentage basis.

However, sample size matters here. Food & Beverage appeared 272 times and still maintained a 60.7% deal rate. Industrial and manufacturing businesses appeared only 14 times.

Therefore, I would not say Industrial, Manufacturing & Construction is automatically the easiest type of business to pitch on Shark Tank. Food had a lower percentage but proved its strength over a much bigger number of pitches. Both numbers tell a different story.

Which Industry Received The Most Actual Shark Investment?

Getting a deal on television does not always mean the money was eventually invested. Shark Tank agreements normally go through due diligence after filming, and several deals change or completely fall apart. This is why on-air money and actual investment should not be treated as the same thing.

I separately tracked supported actual investment where there is enough public evidence that the investment happened or continued. Unknown private deals were not given an estimated amount. This keeps the figures conservative instead of assuming that every television deal closed.

Food & Beverage remained No. 1 with approximately $22.81 million in supported actual investment. Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products came second with approximately $16.16 million, while Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation had around $15.07 million. Fashion & Apparel followed with approximately $11.91 million.

Baby, Children & Education also performed well with approximately $8.34 million in supported actual Shark investment. Therefore, Food not only received the most money inside the Tank. It also had the highest amount of publicly supported investment after the show.

Which Industry Has The Best Capital Conversion Rate?

This is where things get interesting. A massive Shark Tank deal can push an industry to the top of the money ranking. However, if the deal does not close, the final result can look very different. The capital-conversion rate compares accepted television money with the amount supported as actual investment.

The small Other category technically had a 100% conversion rate, but it had only two accepted deals worth $450,000. Among the established industries, Travel, Hospitality & Experiences had the best conversion rate at approximately 70.4%. Around $6.07 million of its $8.62 million in on-air capital is supported as actual investment.

Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation converted approximately 54.9% of its television money. Media & Entertainment had around 48.7%, while Fashion & Apparel converted approximately 47.1%. Some industries looked much stronger on television than they did after due diligence.

So basically, getting a deal was only half the story. The entrepreneur still had to make it through the post-show process. Several huge Shark Tank deals never made it that far.

Shark Tank Industry-Wise Analysis

The lifetime statistics show which industries performed best overall. However, Shark Tank changed considerably from Season 1 to Season 17. Deals became bigger, valuations increased and technology became part of almost every type of business.

The Sharks also started using loans, credit lines and other financing structures more frequently. Some industries dominated for several seasons, while others suddenly jumped to the top because of one huge deal. Let’s see what happened season by season.

Season 1

Food & Beverage started its Shark Tank journey on a strong note. The industry secured six deals worth approximately $1.26 million, making it the biggest Season 1 category by on-air money. Baby, Children & Education also secured six accepted deals.

The Sharks were much more careful during the early days of the show. Technology was also very different, and several businesses required the investors to take a big risk on an unproven idea. Simple businesses with understandable numbers had an advantage.

Food fit that description pretty well. The Sharks could understand the product, market and selling price without much explanation. This became a recurring pattern in later seasons.

Season 2

Season 2 had a surprising winner. Industrial, Manufacturing & Construction received approximately $1.25 million, which was the most money for any industry. However, the entire amount came from only one accepted deal.

Fashion & Apparel actually received the most deals with five. Therefore, the industry with the most money was not the industry getting funded most often. One big offer completely changed the ranking.

The Sharks also started spreading their money across a wider variety of businesses. Fashion, children’s products and consumer products all managed to attract attention. The investment mix was already changing.

Season 3

Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation had an impressive Season 3. The category received approximately $885,000 and tied Fashion & Apparel for the most accepted deals with five each. Sports businesses were clearly getting the Sharks’ attention.

However, Season 3 also showed how easily companies can be put into the wrong industry. Miso Media used an app, but the business was really about music education. EZ VIP also used technology, but customers were paying for nightlife and VIP experiences.

Therefore, I did not classify a company as Technology just because it used an app. The main business purpose matters more. This same rule was applied to every season.

Season 4

Food & Beverage had a whopping Season 4. The industry received 12 accepted deals worth approximately $3.13 million. Food alone accounted for almost one-third of the entire season’s accepted capital.

Coffee Joulies was one of the interesting classification cases. The product was related to coffee, but the company did not sell coffee. It sold an accessory used with beverages, so Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products was a better fit.

RuckPack went in the opposite direction. The business had a health and fitness angle, but it sold a consumable nutritional drink. Therefore, Food & Beverage was the right category.

Season 5

Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation received the most money during Season 5. The industry collected approximately $2.8 million from only four accepted deals. One massive agreement played a major role in that result.

Rugged Maniac/Great Bull Run received a $1.75 million deal. That one offer represented a huge portion of all Sports money during the season. Without it, the industry ranking would have looked completely different.

Food & Beverage and Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products actually tied for the most deals with 10 each. Sports won the money ranking, but Food and Home businesses secured deals more frequently. This was another season where the two rankings told different stories.

Season 6

Automotive & Transportation jumped to first place during Season 6. The industry received approximately $5.55 million in accepted Shark Tank capital. However, there was a big catch.

Robert offered $5 million to Zero Pollution Motors, which made up most of the Automotive total. The deal later failed to close. That changed the picture considerably when actual investment was considered.

Food & Beverage performed much better under the supported actual investment measure. Around $4.46 million of Food capital is supported as actual investment. Automotive won on television, but Food had the better post-show result.

Season 7

Technology, Software & Electronics finally finished first by money during Season 7. The industry received approximately $3.625 million, or around 17.3% of all Season 7 capital. Technology businesses were clearly becoming more interesting to the Sharks.

However, Technology did not receive the most accepted deals. Beauty & Personal Care and Food & Beverage tied for first with nine deals each. So, Technology got bigger checks without getting the most deals.

The season showed that the Sharks were willing to invest in genuine technology businesses. However, the company still needed a good product and a clear market. Technology alone was not enough.

Season 8

Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products had an awesome Season 8. The category received approximately $6.4 million across 11 accepted deals. It finished first in both total money and deal count.

Around $3.4 million of that amount is also supported as actual investment. That made Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products one of the strongest categories of the season even after due diligence was considered.

Practical consumer products have always worked well inside the Tank. The Sharks can usually understand the problem and see where the product could be sold. Strong margins and retail potential make the business even more interesting.

Season 9

Food & Beverage returned to the top during Season 9. The category secured 12 accepted deals worth approximately $4.775 million. That represented almost one-quarter of all money committed during the season.

Food also led in actual investment with approximately $2.225 million. Therefore, the industry performed well both during the pitch and after the show. This was not just a television-money victory.

Technology also had a solid Season 9. The businesses were becoming more developed, and the Sharks were more comfortable investing in modern technology. The market had changed considerably compared with Season 1.

Season 10

Food & Beverage had another excellent season. The Sharks committed approximately $6.01 million across 14 Food deals. That represented around 27.8% of all Season 10 money.

Automotive & Transportation finished second, but the $3 million Moki Doorstep acquisition offer was responsible for most of its total. Unfortunately, that deal did not close. The Automotive ranking therefore looked much stronger on television than it did afterward.

Season 10 also needed several classification changes. BRUW and BottleKeeper belong in Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products, RewardStock belongs under Travel, Hospitality & Experiences, and Manscaped belongs in Beauty & Personal Care. These changes gave us a much cleaner industry picture.

Season 11

Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products received the most money during Season 11. The category got approximately $3.675 million in accepted investment and financing. Yellow Leaf Hammocks, FlexScreen, Outer and Knife Aid were among the businesses helping it reach first place.

Food & Beverage, however, received the most deals after the final classifications were applied. So once again, the money winner was different from the deal-count winner. This happened several times throughout Shark Tank.

Tanoshi and Vän Robotics are also good classification examples. Both used technology, but children’s education was the main purpose of the business. Pair Eyewear, on the other hand, fits better under Fashion & Apparel because eyewear was the actual product.

Season 12

Food & Beverage had one of its strongest seasons ever. The category received 16 accepted deals worth approximately $6.725 million. Food received more than 29% of all Season 12 investment and financing.

However, Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products secured even more deals with 18. This meant Food won the money ranking while Home products won the deal-count ranking. Both industries had an impressive season.

Season 12 was also full of difficult classifications. SparkCharge belongs in Automotive because it charges electric vehicles, while Codi and Hopscotch belong in children’s education. Mad Rabbit belongs in Beauty, and BEERMKR belongs in Home and Kitchen.

Season 13

Food & Beverage remained at the top during Season 13. The industry received approximately $4.75 million across 10 accepted deals. Fashion & Apparel also secured 10 deals, so the two categories shared the deal-count lead.

However, Food did not win when supported actual investment was considered. Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation finished first with approximately $1.3 million in supported investment. This again shows why the television numbers do not tell the whole story.

Season 13 also had an important money correction. Accepted credit facilities have to be included when they were part of the deal. After adding the Ade + Ayo and Browndages credit lines, the standardized Season 13 financing total became $22.475 million.

Season 14

Food & Beverage continued its impressive run during Season 14. The industry received 13 accepted deals worth approximately $4.085 million. Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products also secured 13 deals, so the two categories tied for the most deals.

Food also finished first in supported actual investment with approximately $2.655 million. Therefore, it won both the on-air money ranking and actual investment ranking. That was a pretty solid season for Food businesses.

However, several Season 14 deals still changed or disappeared after filming. Getting an offer from the Sharks did not guarantee the money. Due diligence remained the final hurdle.

Season 15

Food & Beverage became even more dominant during Season 15. The Sharks committed approximately $5.45 million across 14 Food deals. That represented around 34.8% of all money committed during the season.

RoboBurger’s $1.5 million loan had a big impact on the total. However, Food still would have finished first even if the RoboBurger deal was removed. The industry had plenty of other accepted investments.

Food also led in actual investment with approximately $1.45 million. Season 15 was another example of the category performing well under several different measures.

Season 16

Season 16 finally gave us a different money winner. Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products received approximately $2.813 million, making it the biggest industry by on-air capital. Food & Beverage still received the most accepted deals with 10.

Several businesses also had to be moved from their older categories. BucketGolf belongs in Toys, Games & Crafts, while Firefly Recovery fits better under Health & Wellness. RigStrips belongs in Automotive because the product is designed for vehicles.

Card.io is a good example in the other direction. It is an app, but the app is made for fitness and running. Therefore, Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation is the better category.

Season 17

Food & Beverage returned to first place during Season 17. The industry received 11 accepted deals worth approximately $2.45 million. That represented around 18.1% of all Season 17 investment and financing.

Food also received the most accepted deals during the season. However, Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation had a strong result when actual investment supported was considered. Both industries had a pretty good Season 17.

Nude Foods Market was one of the interesting classification cases. The business sold groceries, but its zero-waste and packaging-free model was the main idea, so Sustainability & Environmental Products was a better fit. Cranel remained Food & Beverage because the company sold a consumable drink despite its wellness positioning.

Which Industry Won The Most Shark Tank Seasons?

Food & Beverage not only won the lifetime money ranking. The industry also received the most investment during nine individual Shark Tank seasons. Food finished first in Seasons 1, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17.

Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products finished first in three seasons. Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation won twice, while Automotive & Transportation, Technology and Industrial, Manufacturing & Construction each won one season. Food had a clear lead.

The deal-count record was even better. Food & Beverage finished first or tied for first in accepted deals during 12 of the 17 seasons. No other industry managed to stay at the top this consistently.

Why Do Food Businesses Perform So Well On Shark Tank?

Food businesses have several advantages inside the Tank. The Sharks can normally understand the product within a few minutes. They can taste it, see the packaging and understand who might buy it.

Kevin can ask about the selling price and margins. Lori can think about retail, while Mark can look at the sales and potential to scale. The business is usually easier to judge than a complicated technology company that still needs years of development.

Existing sales can also make a big difference. If customers are already buying the food and coming back for more, the company has proof of demand. This can help the entrepreneur convince the Sharks that the market actually exists.

However, food businesses can also be difficult. Manufacturing costs, shipping, distribution and low margins can quickly hurt the company. The product might taste awesome, but the Sharks still need the numbers to work.

Are Technology Businesses Unsuccessful On Shark Tank?

Technology businesses did not perform as badly as some older Shark Tank statistics suggested. Genuine Technology, Software & Electronics companies received 44 deals from 78 pitches. This gives the industry a success rate of approximately 56.4%.

The Sharks committed approximately $14.12 million to Technology businesses during Seasons 1–17. That is still a solid amount of money. Technology simply did not dominate Shark Tank the way Food did.

The bigger problem was classification. A company should not automatically become Technology because it uses software, an app or electronics. A fitness app is still a fitness business, while a children’s coding app belongs in education.

An EV charging product is mainly an Automotive business. A beauty device belongs in Beauty & Personal Care, while a smart kitchen appliance belongs in Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products. Once these businesses are moved to the right categories, the Technology numbers make much more sense.

What Type Of Business Has The Best Chance On Shark Tank?

There is no single type of business that guarantees a Shark Tank deal. Industrial, Manufacturing & Construction had the highest meaningful lifetime deal rate at approximately 71.4%. However, only 14 companies appeared in that category, so the sample was pretty small.

Automotive & Transportation followed with a 69.2% success rate, while Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation reached 69.0%. Baby, Children & Education was also strong with approximately 68.5%.

Food & Beverage had a lower deal rate of 60.7%, but the industry appeared 272 times. Maintaining a success rate above 60% across such a huge number of businesses is impressive. This is why I would still consider Food the strongest overall Shark Tank industry.

Conclusion

Shark Tank featured 1,514 businesses in our standardized Seasons 1–17 database. The Sharks accepted 938 deals and committed approximately $275.739 million in investment and financing. However, the money was not distributed equally across every industry.

Food & Beverage was the most successful Shark Tank industry overall. The category received 165 accepted deals and approximately $53.88 million in on-air money. Around $22.81 million is also supported as actual Shark investment.

Home, Kitchen & Consumer Products finished second in total money, while Sports, Fitness & Outdoor Recreation also had a strong record. Some smaller industries had higher deal rates, but none matched Food’s combination of deals, money and season victories. Food simply performed more consistently than the rest.

The classification audit also taught us something important. A healthy snack is still Food, a fitness app is still a fitness business and a smart kitchen appliance belongs in Home and Kitchen. Once the same rule is applied to all 1,514 companies, the Shark Tank investment pattern becomes much clearer.