If you’re a fan of reality TV shows, then you’re probably familiar with Shark Tank. This show features entrepreneurs who pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors (aka “the sharks”). If the sharks like the idea, they may invest in the company.
If you’re interested in watching Shark Tank Australia, you can catch it on the Nine Network. The show airs on Sunday nights.
So far, there have been four seasons of Shark Tank Australia. Season five is currently in production and is set to air later this year.
Recently, the Australian version of Shark Tank debuted on television. The cast of this show is made up of some very successful entrepreneurs, including Andrew Banks, Janine Allis, and Naomi Simson. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at each member of the Shark Tank Australia cast!
Shark Tank Australia
The Seasons Overview
Since its inception in 2015, Shark Tank Australia has been one of the most popular television programs in the country. The show features a panel of successful business people who are looking to invest in new and innovative businesses. Each week, a group of entrepreneurs pitches their business ideas to the Sharks in the hope of securing an investment.
The show has been a huge success, with many businesses going on to achieve great things after appearing on the show. Here’s a look at some of the most successful businesses from Shark Tank Australia.
Sarah Harris hosted a show with a panel of wealthy investors, known as “sharks”, who heard entrepreneurs’ pitches for businesses or products. If the Sharks liked what they heard, investment deals could be made on the show.
However, if all “shark-passed”, contestants went home without any deals. In 2018, an investigation by Fairfax Media showed that out of fifty pitches during the 2017 season, only four turned into closed deals – even though there were twenty-seven total deals offered [2].
The drama of pitch meetings and the interaction between entrepreneurs and tycoons have been compared to Shark Tank. Sharks were paid for their time, but they also put their cash into it.
An interesting fact: Shark Tank was the second series produced in this style to air on Australian television. The Seven Network aired a previously failed adaptation, Dragons’ Den (2005).
Sharks
The show features a panel of successful businesspeople who are looking to invest in new and innovative businesses. Each week, a group of entrepreneurs pitches their business ideas to the Sharks in the hope of securing an investment.
The Australian “Sharks” are:
- Andrew Banks;
- Naomi Simson;
- Steve Baxter;
- John McGrath;
- Glen Richards;
One of the most successful businesses to come out of Shark Tank Australia is Aussie Bodies. The company was started by two sisters who were looking to create a healthy snack alternative for people on the go. After appearing on the show, they secured investment from Andrew Banks and have gone on to be one of the leading health food companies in Australia.
Another successful business from Shark Tank Australia is YouFoodz. YouFoodz is a meal delivery service that delivers fresh, healthy meals to your door. They appeared on the show in 2016 and secured an investment from Glen Richards. Since then, they have gone on to be one of the most popular meal delivery services in the country.
Ratings and Reception
Shark Tank Australia has been a huge success, with many businesses going on to achieve great things after appearing on the show. The show has been a hit with viewers, averaging over 500K viewers per episode. It has also been nominated for numerous awards, including the AACTA Award for Best Reality Television Series.
About The Cast of Shark Tank Australia
Sarah Harris
Being both the wife of a small business owner and a working mum, Sarah Harris empathizes with the entrepreneurs she meets on Shark Tank. The host of the Ten series says that what makes Shark Tank so “inspiring viewing” is its ability to allow everyday Australians to achieve their goals while also giving insight into how difficult it is to run a small business. Her husband, IT company owner Tom Ward, exposed her to the challenges that many small-business owners must endure [3].
Steve Baxter
He started his career by joining the army and participating in its apprenticeship program, where he became an engineer. Baxter has also appeared on all four seasons of Shark Tank Australia.
After his military career ended, he invested his money into the internet service company SE Net in 1994. He went on to launch PIPE Networks, River City Labs, and Right Pedal Studios. Steve’s main source of wealth is PIPE Networks, which he sold for $373 million to SP Telemedia after it became a successful business.
He was also one of the two investors who collaborated with arguably Shark Tank Australia’s most successful company, QPay, on a deal. As a result, Baxter has a net worth above $50 million [4].
Janine Allis
She started the company in 2000 with only two stores, but it has now expanded to over 500 locations in 15 countries.
Allis was born in South Africa and moved to Australia when she was 19 years old. After starting her first business at 25, she quickly learned that being an entrepreneur is not easy. However, she persevered and built Boost Juice into the success it is today.
Janine has been a “shark” on Shark Tank Australia since its inception in 2015. In addition to her business acumen, she also provides valuable insights as a mother of four kids.
Retail Zoo was founded after success with Boost Juice, in which she took part ownership. Cibo Espresso and Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill are two of her other enterprises, all of which are run by Retail Zoo.
Janine Allis’s most successful Shark Tank deals include The T Lady, Her Fashion Box, and Pentablock. It is estimated that her wealth is around $70 million.
Andrew Banks
Andrew Banks is the co-founder of Talent2 International, one of the world’s largest recruitment companies. He started the company in his parent’s garage in 1979 and it has since grown to over 35 offices across 15 countries [5].
Banks has been a “shark” on Shark Tank Australia since its inception in 2015. His experience as a successful entrepreneur and investor makes him a valuable asset to the show.
In addition to his work with Talent International, Banks is also an active angel investor. He has made investments in companies such as Canva, Atlassian, and Freelancer.com. As a result, he has an estimated net worth of $300 million.
Naomi Simson
Naomi Simson is the founder of RedBalloon, an online experience company. She started the company in 2001 with the mission to “add a little more joy to the world”.
Simson has been a “shark” on Shark Tank Australia since its inception in 2015. Her experience as a successful entrepreneur and investor makes her a valuable asset to the show.
In addition to her work with RedBalloon, Simson is also an active angel investor. She has made investments in companies such as Canva, Atlassian, and Freelancer.com. As a result, she has an estimated net worth of $100 million.
Dr. Glen Richards
Glen Richards, one of Australia’s richest men, was unsurprisingly chosen to be a judge on Shark Tank. Glen replaced John McGrath in season two.
Glen began his career as a veterinarian, but he eventually evolved into a savvy entrepreneur. In 1994, Glen founded Greencross, which is now the largest pet care company in the United States. In 2007, Greencross was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and acquired by TPG Capital in 2019.
He serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including as a director of Montserrat Day Clinics and PetBarn. OneWorld, one of his most profitable Shark Tank investments, is a furniture company. These companies have aided him in building a net worth of $400 million.
FAQ
Who is the richest in Shark Tank Australia?
The richest member of the Shark Tank Australia cast is John McGrath, with an estimated net worth of $460 million. He is followed by Naomi Simson, with an estimated net worth of $250 million. These two Sharks have a combined net worth of over $700 million [6]!
The other Sharks on the show are Andrew Banks (with an estimated net worth of $120 million), Steve Baxter ($100 million), and Janine Allis ($70 million). Combined, these five investors have a staggering amount of wealth – over $850 million!
With such a high concentration of wealth in one place, it’s no wonder that Shark Tank Australia is one of the most popular television shows. It’s must-see TV for anyone interested in business, investing, or simply seeing some of the richest people in Australia.
How did Steve Baxter make his money?
He is best known as a judge on the reality show Shark Tank Australia. But how did Steve Baxter make his money?
Baxter made his fortune through a combination of investments, property development, and technology ventures. He started his career as a software engineer, before moving into investment banking. From there, he co-founded several startups including internet service provider SE Net and web hosting company WebCentral Group [7].
In recent years, Baxter has become increasingly involved in the property market. He has developed several successful residential and commercial projects in Brisbane, Queensland.
Is Shark Tank Australia still airing?
In the show, aspiring businesspeople made sales pitches to a panel of “Shark” investors at Fox Studios Australia.
What is the most successful business from Shark Tank Australia?
Andrew Banks’ $2.5 million investment in coffee pod firm iCapsulate may have been the most notable failure of 2017 [8]. But there have been some big successes on Shark Tank Australia too.
The most successful business to come out of the show is probably Boost Juice, which was featured in season one. The company was founded by Janine Allis and has now grown to over 500 stores across 16 countries.
Are Shark Tank judges paid?
The answer is a resounding yes! The Shark Tank judges are all multimillionaires in their own right, and they’re not afraid to spend a little money to make a lot more.
Each of the Sharks has invested in the show, and they’re paid a percentage of the profits from any deals that go through. That said, it’s not all about the money for these successful entrepreneurs. They also get a chance to help budding businesses grow and achieve success.
How do Shark Tank investors make money?
The sharks make money from deals that go through on the show. If a business owner agrees to sell a percentage of their company for an investment, the sharks get paid back first, with interest. If the business is successful, the sharks can make a lot of money. But if it fails, they can lose their investment.
Shark Tank is also a great way for investors to gain exposure to their businesses. Many of the products and services that are featured on the show become very popular, and this can lead to increased sales and profits for the businesses that invest in them.
Who is the richest shark on Shark Tank India?
There are many sharks on Shark Tank India, but the richest one is Aman Gupta. He is the co-founder of Boat – the tech brand, established in 2015, which produces headphones, stereos, earphones, and chargers [9]. Apart from 10club and other investments, Kamal Gupta is also a part owner of Shiprocket, Bummer, and 10club. He is one of the panel’s wealthiest persons, with a net worth of $93 million as claimed by Times India.
Aman Gupta is the richest shark on Shark Tank India because he has made some very smart investments. He has a lot of experience in the tech industry, and he knows which companies are likely to succeed. He also has a good nose for spotting new trends and investing in them early.
Why is it called Shark Tank?
The show is called Shark Tank because the investors are like sharks. They are always on the lookout for new prey, and they are very skilled at negotiating deals.
The name of the show also reflects the fact that many businesses fail. Just like in the wild, only small percentages of businesses survive and thrive. The sharks eat the rest.
Shark Tank is a great show for entrepreneurs who want to get their businesses off the ground. It’s also a great way for investors to make money. However, it’s not all about money. The Sharks also get to help budding businesses grow and achieve success. In addition, that’s something that everyone can be proud of.
Why is Shark Tank so popular?
There are a few reasons why Shark Tank is so popular:
- First, it’s a great way to learn about business. The show gives entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their businesses to successful investors. It also teaches people about negotiation and how to value a business;
- Second, the show is entertaining. It’s exciting to watch people try to convince the sharks to invest in their businesses. And it’s always interesting to see which businesses make it and which ones don’t;
- Finally, Shark Tank is inspiring. It shows that anyone can be successful if they have a good idea and are willing to work hard. It’s also a reminder that there are people out there who are willing to invest in new ideas and help them grow;
Is Shark Tank India scripted?
No, Shark Tank India is not scripted. The entrepreneurs who appear on the show are real, and they are pitching their businesses to real investors. The show does have some elements of drama, but that’s because it’s edited for television. In reality, the negotiation process is often long and tedious. In addition, sometimes, the Sharks will make offers that the entrepreneurs refuse.
Useful Video: “I’d Never Invest In Someone With THAT Attitude!” | Shark Tank AUS
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_Tank_(Australian_TV_series)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_Tank_(Australian_TV_series)
- https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/sarah-harris-on-shark-tanks-recipe-for-success-ng-b88600344z
- https://techiegamers.com/shark-tank-australia-net-worth/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Banks
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McGrath_(entrepreneur)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Baxter_(entrepreneur)
- https://www.mamamia.com.au/shark-tank-australia-deals/
- https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3167564/shark-tank-indias-richest-investors-ranked-ashneer-grover