Episode 347: A Dealmaker's Love-Hate Relationship with Shark Tank

If you think Shark Tank shows you how real investment deals work, it's time to look deeper. After 35+ years of structuring actual deals, I have some thoughts. Don't get me wrong. Shark Tank has done incredible things for entrepreneurship awareness. It's entertaining. It introduces people to concepts like customer acquisition costs and business valuations. But as someone who negotiates real deals, the show misses so much of what actually happens. Mark Cuban's "shot clock" negotiations? Not how real investors operate. The focus on simple equity percentages? Real deals involve preferred shares, liquidation preferences, board seats, anti-dilution rights. Those dramatic handshake commitments? Studies show 30-40% of Shark Tank "deals" never actually close. And we rarely hear follow-up on companies that struggle or fail. Compare this to The Pitch podcast, which features real investors evaluating real companies with full follow-up on what happens after the cameras stop rolling. We'll dive deep into this (and so much more) in this episode of the DealQuest Podcast! What Shark Tank gets right about deal basics The crucial deal terms that never get discussed on TV Why most "Shark Tank deals" don't actually close How The Pitch provides authentic deal education And much more So if you're an entrepreneur considering investment or anyone fascinated by how deals really work, you'll want to hit play on this one.• • •FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE:https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/sharktank• • •FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/http://coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!