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The hit ABC television show "Shark Tank" will hold an open casting call in Philly on Friday, Apr. 11. The Emmy-winning program will host it at The Event Center at Rivers Philadelphia, in partnership with Philly's ABC affiliate WPVI-TV.
This will be the first "Shark Tank" casting call in the city since 2017.
"We’re eager to return to Philly after so many years to see how the entrepreneur community has grown," said Mindy Zemrak, the supervising casting producer since the show debuted in 2009. "We can’t wait to see Philly's famous passion in every pitch."
Pennsylvania has seen plenty of success inside the Tank.
Perhaps most famously, Wynnewood native Aaron Krause landed a major deal with Lori Greiner in season 4 for Scrub Daddy, now the best-selling sponge ever. More recently, Reading-based Bro Glo secured an investment from Mark Cuban in Season 16.
South Jersey entrepreneurs have also linked up with Sharks.
Millstone Township mother-son duo Lisa and Jake Lane received a $343,000 investment in their bathroom cleaning product Rinseroo from Grenier in an episode that aired on Friday, Jan. 31. In 2024, the Brick Township-based soap company Sorsoap got $100,000 from Cuban.
Brick Township, NJ, company Sorsoap during an episode of ABC's "Shark Tank" that premiered on Friday, Apr. 12, 2024.
The show's casting team will be at Rivers starting at 9 a.m. and numbered wristbands will be handed out until 11 a.m. Pitches begin at approximately 10 a.m.
The Sharks won't be in Philly but contestants will have one minute to pitch their business, product, or idea to a casting team member. Those selected will move on to the next phase of the process, with callbacks expected in the summer.
Entrepreneurs can apply on ABC's website or register in person on the day of the event. Contestants may start lining up as early as 8 a.m.
Rivers will offer free parking and a complimentary shuttle between the main entrance and the Riversuites at The Battery hotel.
"Shark Tank is all about making dreams come true and helping entrepreneurs take their businesses and products to the next level," said Rivers general manager Susan Foster. "We're thrilled to host this rare local opportunity to land a spot on national TV and potentially secure a Shark's life-changing investment."
Season 17's returning Sharks include Barbara Corcoran, Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O'Leary. Guests and new Sharks may be announced later.
A casting call is also planned at Morongo Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California. That one will be held on Thursday, Mar. 13.
Season 16 of "Shark Tank" airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
You can click here to learn how to apply for the Philadelphia casting call for "Shark Tank".
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