The producers of ABC's popular “Shark Tank” television show are expecting to draw a large group of entrepreneurs from across Virginia during an open casting call this spring in Portsmouth.
Innovators and inventors can present their pitches at The Event Center inside Rivers Casino Portsmouth at 9 a.m. April 12
Showrunners said hopeful contestants wanting to make an appearance on the program historically travel great distances to attend a casting call, so you can expect applicants from the D.C. area, the Carolinas and from up and down the rest of the East Coast.
"Show us your passion and personality when pitching, as it really goes a long way when you are excited about what you have created," Mindy Zemrak, a supervising casting producer of "Shark Tank," said in a statement. "We are very excited to travel to the Portsmouth area and see how entrepreneurship is thriving."
Portsmouth is playing host to the first casting call ever to be held in Virginia for the Emmy Award-winning series, which is entering its 16th season. Businesses backed with deals offered by the uber-affluent "Shark Tank" panelists over the years have gone on to make $8 billion in retail sales, according to the program.
Those wishing to attend must complete an application beforehand and be prepared to complete their business pitch in one minute or less. No panelists from the show will be in attendance during the casting call.
One recent company with Richmond ties to appear on the program was No Limbits, which makes clothing for amputees, wheelchair users and has expanded to other garments for specific disabilities. The company led by Erica Cole earned investments from Mark Cuban and guest judge Emma Grede during Cole's 2022 appearance on "Shark Tank."
