Budding entrepreneurs get the chance to bring their dreams to fruition in this reality show from executive producer Mark Burnett. They present their ideas to the sharks in the tank -- five titans of industry who made their own dreams a reality and turned their ideas into lucrative empires. The contestants try to convince any one of the sharks to invest money in their idea. When more than one of the sharks decide they want a piece of the action, a bidding war can erupt, driving up the price of the investment.
"Adventure Capitalists" can succinctly be described as "Shark Tank" for outdoor enthusiasts. In each hourlong episode, hopeful entrepreneurs pitch the investors -- the titular "adventure capitalists" -- their ideas for new outdoor products. The investors then head out into the world, going on expeditions through a variety of challenging terrains, to experience the products firsthand to see if they live up to the entrepreneurs' claims. If the tests are successful, the potential backers can choose to make a large investment in each product. The investors who have the option to change the entrepreneurs' lives include former NFL player and TV host Dhani Jones, former Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom and American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson East.
Self-made millionaires Mike "Rooster" McConaughey -- brother of Oscar-winning actor Matthew -- and Wayne "Butch" Gilliam made their fortunes deep in the heart of Texas. Now, they're looking to share their wealth with other entrepreneurs by investing in their companies. Along with close friend Gil Prather, the investors invite ambitious entrepreneurs from across America to come to West Texas to make their case to secure funding for their ventures. Think of it as "Shark Tank" with cowboy hats instead of tailored suits. What the hopefuls don't realize, though, is that a good product and a positive balance sheet aren't enough to get an investment from McConaughey and Gilliam; the guys only make a deal after getting a true measure of an entrepreneur's character.
Steve Harvey hosts this seed-funding competition reality series in which two budding entrepreneurs go head-to-head to win over a live studio audience to fund their ideas, products or companies. In each episode, the audience represents the customer, with their vote determining the winner. Following the pitches, and before Steve Harvey reveals the results of the vote, one of the entrepreneurs receives the option to cash out and walk away for a lesser amount, forgoing the opportunity to win the whole cash prize for that round.
Since launching "The Profit" in 2013, serial entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis has expanded his portfolio of businesses significantly, having invested in a number of companies on the series. Now, he's searching for a partner who can help him manage his rapidly expanding empire. To find that person, Marcus is sticking with the same format that has led to his business expansion: a reality show. Although thousands of hopefuls from across America applied for the position, only 10 people have been invited to Chicago to take part in the final interview process, which plays out over the course of five episodes of "The Partner." At stake for the contestant who ultimately emerges victorious is the aforementioned role with Lemonis' company, which includes a $500,000 contract and an equity stake in the enterprise. Lemonis says he is looking for someone with the same drive and passion as the entrepreneurs with whom he has partnered.
Some people are born into a rich family and inherit millions of dollars. Other people aren't wealthy by birth and need to work hard to earn their own millions. That latter group can be divided further by job, into groups of white-collar millionaires and blue-collar millionaires. It's those blue-collar workers who have worked their way up the money ladder who are the focus of his half-hour series. The docuseries profiles men and women who have made their fortunes through a can-do mindset and hard work, often having to roll up their sleeves -- metaphorically, at least, if not literally. The show also highlights how they spend their hard-earned money when having fun off the clock.
Some inventions make lots of money for the people who create them, but others are less successful and eventually given up on by their inventors. In this series, some of those unsuccessful products are given a second chance to gain popularity. Engineers scour the country in search of items they think can make it big. They then locate the inventors, giving them resources and advice that can help take the products to the next level. After building, testing and perfecting the products, the inventors are given the opportunity to pitch their improved products with the ultimate goal of getting them on the market -- giving the inventors a second chance at making millions from their ideas.
Launching a startup is not an easy task. In this reality series, entrepreneurial millennials get help by spending a semester at Draper University. During the seven-week program led by billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper, he helps mentor the students who are looking to launch their own companies. Guest speakers also share their business knowledge and experience with the class. The candidates pitch their ideas to a panel of venture capitalists, hoping to get an investment that allows them to launch their businesses. The millennials face hard lessons along the way, but the payoff could be life-changing for the one who gets the seed money to launch a business.