When Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec answered the most Googled questions about the show

Robert Herjavec, one of the longtime investors on Shark Tank, answered some of the most searched questions about the show in a video posted on October 12, 2024, titled Inside Shark Tank: Answering Your Most Googled Questions!. In the video, he addressed topics such as the show’s early days, how deals are structured, and what happens behind the scenes.

He also clarified common misconceptions, including whether the Sharks invest their own money and how the pitch process works. He also discussed the dynamics among the Sharks, their investment strategies, and what happens after deals are made. Throughout the video, he provided insights into how the show functions both as a business platform and as entertainment.

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Robert Herjavec breaks down the most Googled questions about Shark Tank

The early days of Shark Tank

Herjavec stated that he has been on the show since the beginning. He mentioned that many crew members, including the camera operators and stage managers, have also been there since the first season. He noted that during the initial filming, the crew was highly engaged in the show’s content.

"Our camera guys [have been here] since day one. I remember when we shot in the first season, they were filming, and they were so into it that they would forget to stop filming," he said.

Herjavec recalled how the show’s format gained popularity over time.

"When the show first started, people didn’t want to get on Shark Tank. And then when it became what it is, everybody wanted to get on Shark Tank," he stated.

He also mentioned that his experience on the Canadian version of the show Dragons’ Den led to his role on the show.

"I had a big tech company in Canada, I sold it for $32 million, and the network just called me. And Kevin and I started doing Dragons’ Den, and here we are 21 years later," he explained.

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How the deals work on Shark Tank

Herjavec clarified that the investments made on the show involve the Sharks' personal funds. He addressed a common question about whether the deals shown on television are real.

"Of course, we really use our own money," he said.

He also explained that some entrepreneurs use their appearance on the show as a platform for exposure, but the investment agreements are subject to further negotiation and due diligence.

"You have the option after airing to change the deal and do all kinds of things. Obviously, we don’t want to, but yes, the deals really go through," he stated.

He described the impact of the show on businesses, noting that it can significantly boost sales.

"What we tell people is if you do well on Shark Tank, the sales go boom, your server crashes. The whole [thing], that really happens here," he explained.

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The dynamics among the Sharks

Herjavec also discussed the personalities of the Sharks and their interactions on the show. When asked about the toughest investor on the panel, he indicated that it varies based on the situation.

"I don’t think anyone is the toughest Shark. People will say Kevin, but you know what? I’ve seen Kevin cry. I’ve seen Kevin get emotional. I’ve seen Kevin do stupid deals. I’ve seen Mark be really tough. So I think it really depends," he stated.

He also mentioned Mark Cuban’s approach to investing, saying,

"I would probably say Mark [has done the most deals] because Mark went through a phase of, ‘Ah, it’s just $200,000,’ he invested in everything."

Regarding his own reasons for staying on the show, Herjavec noted that it goes beyond financial incentives.

"People always say, ‘Why do you keep doing the show?’ The money’s interesting, and people that don’t know us think it’s to be famous and all this. But we help people. Little kids come up to me and tell me how much they love the show," he said.

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Behind the scenes of Shark Tank

Herjavec provided insight into what happens before filming. He described the daily routine of the Sharks, including reviewing emails and preparing for negotiations.

"What happens first is you have coffee, you catch up on your emails that you missed, because we’re all busy, super busy executives. And then we reach out to [entrepreneurs], we do due diligence. That’s when the hard work begins," he said.

He also discussed how relaxed the Sharks are during filming.

"Although [we have] done so many, we’re quite relaxed. The producers are going to make me look good even when I say stupid stuff," he said.

Herjavec mentioned that the show has been studied in academic settings.

"They teach us a course at Harvard and many universities, and they use Shark Tank," he stated.

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Catch new episodes every Friday at 8:00 pm ET on ABC, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to top investors and stream full seasons anytime on Hulu.