Business TV Shows that Guarantee Success

Which entrepreneurial TV shows are you most likely to be guaranteed success for your business?

Business TV shows can play a pivotal role in the success and growth of new or start-up companies. They provide the opportunity to seek potential investment, obtain guidance from knowledgeable entrepreneurs, and increase the exposure and market awareness of the featured companies. 

At BusinessNameGenerator, we wanted to discover which shows, from UK favorites like The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den to the popular US show Shark Tank, reigned supreme. 

We analyzed the victorious companies that pitched ideas and went on to reap the rewards, comparing them against a ranking function that scored each element out of 10 to give an overall score of 50. This looked at the following:

• An active or inactive business.
• Total social followers: Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
• Estimated valuation of the company at the time of the show.
• Estimated value of the company now.
• Percentage difference in revenue from the company first appearing on the show and now.

So, which TV shows were revealed as the most likely to set a company up for success?

Shark Tank is the Most Successful Business Show 

Shark Tank is crowned the most triumphant business TV show for entrepreneurs looking to take their businesses to the next level. With countless companies entering the tank, securing investment and going on to achieve great success –  it’s no surprise that the show has produced the top 9 most thriving companies to ever go on a business TV show. 

Leading the way as the most successful company to emerge from a business TV show is sock and apparel company Bombas, scoring 49.10 out of 50. The company, which is still active, is worth a jaw-dropping £398,265,000 ($500,000,000), making a 12400% increase from £3,186,120 ($4,000,000) when it first aired on Shark Tank. The business is also quite the hit on social media, boasting 290,337 followers with 255,000 on Instagram, 29,000 on LinkedIn, and 6,337 on TikTok. 

Earning the second spot for its success is the flushable wipes business Dude Wipes, with a score of 48.40/50. Cofounders Sean Riley, Brian Wilkin, Ryan Meegan, and Jeff Klimkowski first appeared on Shark Tank with a valuation of £955,836 ($1,200,000), and have since grown the company by 24900% to the 2024 value of £238,959,000 ($300,000,000). The company has even developed a loyal social media following with 415,300 followers across its social platforms. 

BeatBox Beverages joins Dude Wipes in a tied second place, boasting a total score of 48.40/ 50. Selling ready-to-drink alcoholic party punch, the business came into the tank in 2014 with an already strong valuation of £2,413,486 and has seen huge success with the business now worth £159,306,000, with a respectable social following of 253,300. 

Shark Tank has also been hugely beneficial for companies Scrub Daddy in 4th place (scoring 47.80/ 50), Red Dress Boutique in 5th (47.50/50), Tipsy Elves in 6th (46.70/50), Grace and Lace in 7th (45.80/50), Boost Oxygen in 8th (43.70/50) and Cousins Maine Lobster in 9th (43.60/50).

Following Shark Tank which occupies the top 9 positions for successful companies, Dragons’ Den places 10th with the travel towel business Dock & Bay, scoring 43.00/50. 

The dynamic duo Andy Jefferies and Ben Muller presented their travel towel business with a valuation of £750,000 and bagged themselves a dragon. The company has seen a 164% increase since the show, making it worth £1,976,982. Dock & Bay’s success shows no signs of slowing down and has even got quite the social following, with 110,828 followers. 

The Apprentice takes 17th place with the success of the company Hyper Recruitment Solutions, giving it a score of 40.70/50. 

The company, which is run by Ricky Martin, is still active and thriving, with a current valuation of £2,055,963. Coming into the show with a valuation of £500,000, the company’s value has increased by 311%, and racked up a social following of 37,354 in the process. 

Companies with the Biggest Value Boosts Since Show Airings

Appearing on a business TV show can lead to substantial success for many start-up companies seeking additional investment – but which companies have experienced the biggest growth in value since the shows aired?

The texture-changing sponge company Scrub Daddy has seen the most significant value boost since leaving the US show Shark Tank, with a percentage increase of 30900%. This huge increase saw CEO Aaron Krause take the £796,530 ($1,000,000) business and turn it into a company now worth £246,924,300 ($310,000,000). 

The business securing the second-biggest increase in value was Dude Wipes with a 24900.00% difference. The company came in with a valuation of £955,836 ($1,200,000), and after securing investment, grew the business significantly, now being valued at £238,959,000 ($300,000,000). 

The famous Reggae, Reggae Sauce landed third place for its growth in value since leaving Dragons’ Den, with an increase of 23900%. Owner Levi Roots first entered the den with a business valuation of £125,000, but the world soon got a taste for his sauce, leading to a company now worth £30,000,000. 

In fourth place for having the next largest value increase after Shark Tank is Ava the Elephant, with a difference of 17677.78%. Tiffany Krummins entered the tank with her elephant medicine dispenser prototype and a valuation of £71,688. Since then, the business has seen huge success, now valued at £12,744,480. 

Cousins Maine Lobster had the fifth-biggest value surge after featuring on Shark Tank, with a 13561% increase. Co-founder Sabin Lomac came in with his company valued at £291,530, but the lobster business has thrived since the show and is now estimated to be worth £39,826,500.

Tracking Monetary Rise of Companies Post-Appearance

Appearing on a business TV show can really kick-start a company’s success and lead to huge financial growth post-appearance –  so which businesses have benefited the most? 

Bombas has had the most monetary success out of all of the companies appearing on a business TV show, with a value of £398,265,000. First entering Shark Tank with a valuation of £3,186,120, the company’s founders secured a £157,196 ($200,000) investment from Mark Cuban and Daymond John – and it’s safe to say, the investment was worthwhile. 

Earning second place for having great financial success since leaving Shark Tank is Scrub Daddy with a company value of £246,924,30 ($310,000,000). The business entered the tank in 2012 with a valuation of £796,530 ($1,000,000), catching the attention of Lori Greiner who parted ways with £157,196 ($200,000) for a 20% stake in the company.   

The third-highest-value company to emerge from Shark Tank is Dude Wipes with a current worth of £238,959,000 ($300,000,000). The flushable wipes business’s first valuation came in at £955,836 ($1,200,000) and secured a £235,794 ($300,000) investment from Mark Cuban, for a 25% stake in the company. 

BeatBox Beverages ranked as the fourth-highest-value business to come out of Shark Tank, worth £159,306,000 ($200,000,000). The brand secured the second-biggest investment in the show’s history at £785,980 ($1,000,000) for one-third of the company, from Mark Cuban.

The lobster food truck business, Cousins Maine Lobster, bagged the fifth spot as one of the most profitable businesses to come out of the tank, valued at £39,826,500 ($50,000,000). First entering Shark Tank with a valuation of £291,530 ($366,000), the company left with a £43,228 investment from Barbara Corcoran.

Dragons’ Den Vs. The Apprentice

Despite The Apprentice being the superior UK business TV show when it comes to producing the most successful companies, with a total UK average score of 19.62 compared to Dragons’ Den scoring 13.65, the Den actually provides far more investments. 

With this in mind, we wanted to analyse the companies that had the best value, both during their time on the show and now. 

Coming out on top with a score of 27.90 out of 30 is The Wand Company from Dragons’ Den. 

Richard Blakesley & Chris Barnardo entered the Den with a promising business selling a universal remote in the guise of a wand, with a valuation of £666,666. The duo gained £200,000 investment for 30% equity in the company. The company is now worth a whopping  £3,430,249, seeing the valuation rise by 415%.

Ranking as the second most valuable business, both at the time of the show and now, is Dock & Bay with a score of 27.20 out of 30. 

Entering Dragons’ Den with a valuation of £750,000 and seeking £75,000 for a 10% stake, the company bagged a deal with Deborah Meaden and took the business to new heights. The company increased its value by 164%, now being worth an impressive £1,976,982. 

Emerging in joint second place alongside Dock & Bay is Gener8, also earning a successful 27.20/30. 

Entering Dragons’ Den in 2021, Sam Jones pitched his web browser extension that allows the user to be in control of their own data. Valuing his business at £600,000, Sam asked for £60,000 in return for 10% and managed to gain himself two dragons in the process, with Touker Suleyman and Peter Jones. With a company now worth £2,393,350, the business has seen a 299% increase since the show. 

Making it into the top three and landing third place is Hyper Recruitment Solutions from The Apprentice, scoring 25.60 out of 30. 

Ricky Martin won season 8 of The Apprentice, securing a deal with Lord Sugar to invest in his recruitment consultancy business. The company was valued at £500,000 at the time of the show, but has since seen significant growth by 311%, resulting in a current valuation of £2,055,963.

Which Entrepreneurial Titan Would You Want Backing Your Business?

Boasting company portfolios worth millions, TV business tycoons have the potential to help a company skyrocket. So, with TV shows allowing budding companies to come face-to-face with some of the greatest entrepreneurs, who is the best in the business? 

It comes as no surprise that business mogul, investor, and TV personality Lord Alan Sugar was crowned the entrepreneur with the highest net worth, coming in at an astounding £1,074,000,000,000. 

Famously known for his popular TV show The Apprentice, where one lucky candidate will successfully gain investment from him, Alan Sugar is certainly not short of thriving business ventures. Alongside his self-started businesses like Amstrad (a consumer electronics company) and Amsprop (his property company), Lord Sugar has also had success in his investment ventures, like digital marketing agency Climb Online and cosmetic clinics Dr Leah Clinics. 

Shark Tank’s businessman Mark Cuban secured the spot of the second-most successful entrepreneur and investor, with an estimated net worth of £4,923,916,000 ($6,200,000,000).

Cuban has a whole portfolio of successful businesses, from his entertainment companies like Landmark Theatres and internet radio company Broadcast.com, to his sports venture of owning 27% of the Dallas Mavericks. Mark Cuban has also been victorious in his Shark Tank investments with drink company BeatBox Beverages, photobook company Groovebook, and standup paddleboard company Tower Paddle Boards. 

Finalising the top three for having the third-highest monetary success is stripy-sock-wearing, Dragons’ Den king Peter Jones, with a net worth of £450,000,000. 

The British entrepreneur founded one of the UK’s largest telecommunications companies, Phones International Group, alongside acquiring other businesses through buyouts, including photographic retail company Jessops and motorway services chain Welcome Break. His investments in the den have also been worthwhile, investing in the popular brands Reggae Reggae Sauce and The Magic Whiteboard, which have definitely made the dragon a return on his investment. 

Key Takeaways

Appearing on a business TV show can be a double-edged sword, offering both opportunities and challenges for aspiring entrepreneurs. On one hand, shows like Shark Tank and Dragons’ Den provide a platform for exposure, potential investment, and valuable guidance from seasoned investors and entrepreneurs. The success stories of companies like Bombas, Scrub Daddy, and Dock & Bay underscore the significant financial and reputational gains that can be achieved through these platforms.

However, the journey to success on these shows is not without its drawbacks. The competitive nature of pitching to investors on national television can be daunting, and not all entrepreneurs walk away with a deal. Additionally, the intense scrutiny of business models and strategies in front of a wide audience can expose vulnerabilities and invite criticism.

Pros of Appearing on a Business TV Show:

1. Exposure: Business TV shows provide a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products or services to a wide audience, which can lead to increased brand recognition and customer awareness.

2. Potential Investment: Securing investment from experienced investors or “sharks” can provide much-needed capital to fuel growth, scale operations, or launch new initiatives.

3. Guidance and Mentorship: Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to receive valuable feedback, advice, and mentorship from successful investors and entrepreneurs, helping them refine their business strategies and overcome challenges.

4. Networking Opportunities: Participating in a business TV show allows entrepreneurs to network with other participants, industry experts, and potential partners or collaborators, opening doors to new opportunities and connections.

5. Validation and Credibility: Successfully pitching on a business TV show can enhance the credibility and legitimacy of a company, validating its business model, business planning, products, or services in the eyes of investors, customers, and stakeholders.

Cons of Appearing on a Business TV Show:

1. Intense Competition: The competitive nature of business TV shows means that not all entrepreneurs will secure deals or receive positive feedback, leading to potential disappointment or rejection.

2. Public Scrutiny: Entrepreneurs expose themselves and their businesses to public scrutiny, criticism, and potential backlash, which can be challenging to navigate, especially if the pitch does not go as planned.

3. Time and Resources: Preparing for and participating in a business TV show can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, diverting attention and resources away from other critical aspects of the business.

4. Limited Opportunities: Not all business TV shows offer the same opportunities or align with the goals and values of every entrepreneur, requiring careful consideration and selection of the right platform for their business objectives.

Ultimately, the decision to appear on a business TV show should be carefully weighed against individual goals, resources, and readiness. While the potential rewards in terms of investment, growth, and exposure are enticing, entrepreneurs must be prepared for the challenges and risks that come with the spotlight. With thorough preparation, a compelling pitch, and a solid business foundation, appearing on a business TV show can indeed be a game-changing opportunity for those ready to seize it.

Methodology and data sources: 

To determine the best business TV shows that guarantee success, BusinessNameGenerator.com has taken a seed list of reality television business programmes (including Shark Tank, Dragons Den, and The Apprentice) and the companies featured on them and analyzed each based on the following criteria:

• Whether the business is active or inactive 
• Total social followers including Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn 
• Estimated valuation of the company at the time of the show
• Estimated value of the company now
• Percentage difference in revenue from the company first appearing on the show and now

A normalized ranking function was then applied to the findings to score each data point out of 10 to give an overall score out of 50.

The findings were then used to create a separate ranking table for UK-only reality business TV shows (The Apprentice and Dragons Den) to calculate the average score to determine which UK show guarantees the most success overall.

Lastly, the report looked at the net worth of the entrepreneurs featured on each reality business TV show to determine which were the most successful and prolific.