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Legal status
Must be a registered U.S. entity (LLC, corporation, or partnership).
Industry
Open to consumer goods, technology, health & wellness, food & beverage, and sustainable products.
Team size
1‑10 core team members (founders + key staff).
How to Submit a Pitch
casting Call Overview
- ABC officially announced that Shark Tank is opening casting for Season 18 – the most anticipated rollout of the year.
- The call targets early‑stage startups, innovative products, and scalable business models looking for equity deals on national television.
- Applications are accepted through the Shark Tank casting portal (casting.sharktankabc.com) and must include a 2‑minute video pitch, a concise business summary, and supporting financial documents.
Eligibility Criteria
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Business age | Launched ≤ 5 years ago (exceptions for breakthrough concepts). |
| Revenue | Minimum $100,000 annual revenue or validated pre‑sales for product‑first companies. |
| Ownership | At least 50 % owned by the applicant(s); no majority ownership by outside investors. |
| Legal status | Must be a registered U.S.entity (LLC, corporation, or partnership). |
| Industry | Open to consumer goods, technology, health & wellness, food & beverage, and sustainable products. |
| Team size | 1‑10 core team members (founders + key staff). |
How to Submit a Pitch
- Create a 2‑minute video that covers:
- Problem statement
- Unique solution & prototype demo
- Market size & traction metrics
- Funding ask & equity offered
- Upload the video to the casting portal (MP4, ≤ 500 MB).
- Fill out the online submission form:
- Business description (max 500 words)
- Financial snapshot (last 12 months)
- Team bios and roles
- Attach supporting documents:
- Pitch deck (PDF, ≤ 10 slides)
- Recent tax returns or profit‑and‑loss statement
- Confirm submission and await email acknowledgment (usually within 48 hours).
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Casting announcement: 12 Jan 2026
- Application window: 12 Jan 2026 – 31 Mar 2026
- Video review period: 1 Apr 2026 – 15 May 2026
- Final contestant selection: 1 Jun 2026 (announcement on Shark tank website)
- Filming schedule: July – September 2026 (multiple locations across the U.S.)
What Sharks Look For
- Clear market need – validated by customer testimonials or sales data.
- Scalable business model – evidence of unit‑economics that improve with volume.
- Founder passion and expertise – personal story that aligns with the product.
- Competitive advantage – patents, exclusive distribution, or proprietary technology.
- smart valuation – realistic equity request relative to current traction.
Common Pitch Mistakes to Avoid
- Overloading the video with technical jargon instead of storytelling.
- Presenting inflated financials or unverified projections.
- Ignoring customer acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV) metrics.
- Forgetting to address risk factors and how they will be mitigated.
- Submitting low‑resolution video or missing any required document, leading to automatic disqualification.
Tips from Past Contestants (Season 13‑15)
- Start with a hook – the first 10 seconds should answer “Why should I care?”
- Show, don’t tell – a live demo of the product works far better than static images.
- Practice the ask – rehearse the exact amount of capital and equity you’re offering.
- Be obvious about challenges – Sharks respect honesty and often provide strategic advice.
- Follow up promptly – after being contacted, send a refined deck and updated metrics within 48 hours.
Benefits of Appearing on Shark Tank
- National exposure: Average viewership of 3 million+ per episode.
- Potential equity deals: 45 % of Season 14 deals secured funding on‑air.
- Mentorship from veteran investors: Access to industry networks and operational guidance.
- Brand credibility: Post‑show sales spikes of 200 % reported by several winners.
- Media opportunities: Press coverage in major outlets (TechCrunch, Forbes, Inc.).
Next steps After Application
- monitor email for the “casting‑review” invitation (includes next‑round interview schedule).
- Prepare an in‑person pitch – if shortlisted, you’ll be asked to present to a panel of producers and a Shark.
- Gather product samples – ready for hands‑on demonstration during the filming day.
- Finalize legal documents – term sheet templates are provided by the production legal team.
- Stay active on social media – announce your participation to build pre‑show buzz (use hashtags #SharkTankSeason18, #EntrepreneurPitch).
