Shark Tank-Inventors Take Note, Investors Just Might Invest

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Could she possibly have not known what's she's showing?

I think Shark Tank is a really great show. First, it's original. Second, it's well presented, excellently timed. Third, it is a competitive reality show that does a very good public service, that of bringing new inventions to fruition via the capitalistic assistance of investment.

Here's a concept that boggles: some bright American gets a new idea and follows up by designing, creating and investing their own sweat, dreams and limited funds in their next best mousetrap. The gubmint doesn't get involved with silly "green" inventions that only filter money back and forth from politician to capitalist crony back to the politician. No. A couple of successful entrepreneurs with some extra money to invest listen to the pitches of the wannabe inventors and decide whether to invest or not.

The inventor presents the initial proposed terms of investment, usually a dollar amount between 10 and 50 thousand for a percentage of the new company between 10 and 30%. The inventor then presents his or her product. It isn't indicated as part of the show, but these inventors have to have actually sold their product somewhere, it should be copyrighted, the product should be in some sort of production. You can't just put a and bunch of clothespins, glue and gild together and create a children's toy, bring it on the show, and expect that the bids will go from there.

Inventors must have invested some time in their product is what I'm saying here.

The history channel features a show called "Invention USA" that has the same sort of premise and I did a review, and quite enjoyed, this show as well.

I am forever thinking of things that need inventing and given time I have designed a couple of neat things myself. I believe if I had the time I could build an entire house out of bungee cords nothing keeps a life in order like a rubber band.

I have great admiration for inventors I do and they intrigue me.

Shark Tank has featured such inventions as a toilet seat type of potty thing that will teach cats to use the toilet, beach towels that serve as makeshift changing rooms, systems that usher VIPS to the front of long lines. The so-called "sharks" are a cadre of successful investors including Mark Cuban who did a stint on Dancing With the Stars but now is a Shark Star. The investors negotiate with the fledgling inventor, seldom taking the initial offer. Sometimes, in a most delightful turn for this viewer, the offered inventions captures the fancy of all of the investors and a bidding war begins between all the investors.

The show features, weekly, a successful product launched prior on Shark Tank, complete with happy details of success from the original inventor. In fact I have seen products for sale on one of those TV advertisements that were introduced on this show.


Shark Tank can be seen on ABC, Friday nights, at 8pm.