Mark Cuban initially lost money on his 85 Shark Tank investments. What you can learn from his time on the show

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Mark Cuban became a billionaire by starting and selling aggregate businesses, but astir cognize him champion from his clip connected the deed ABC amusement Shark Tank. As an capitalist connected the world show, helium took a accidental connected astatine slightest 85 startup ideas pitched by contestants.

But successful a 2022 interview, Cuban revealed that his wide suite of concern deals connected the amusement really made a nett loss.

“I’ve gotten beat,” the billionaire told the Full Send podcast. Cuban invested millions of dollars implicit hundreds of episodes since joining the amusement successful 2011, and announced successful the autumn of 2024 that helium was stepping down aft 16 seasons.

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While initially helium accounted for a nett nonaccomplishment connected a currency ground successful 2022, aft his last occurrence aired successful 2025, Cuban told CNBC helium earned up to $35 cardinal successful currency returns and that his mark-to-market equity from those businesses is worthy “at slightest $250 cardinal (1).” Since this metric measures the just marketplace worth of investments, that fig represents insubstantial gains, not currency successful hand.

So, what tin you larn from his clip there? This uncommon look down the scenes of the world TV amusement offers mundane savers and investors 3 cardinal lessons.

Investments popularized by shows similar Shark Tank tin champion beryllium described arsenic angel investing, task capital, oregon startup investing. That’s due to the fact that the ideas presented connected the amusement are usually from early-stage companies with a abbreviated way grounds and an eye-catching idea, alternatively than from established businesses.

When considering Cuban’s way grounds comparative to however this plus people mostly performs, his concern occurrence complaint isn’t unusual. While there’s a communal story successful the startup satellite that 90% of startups fail, Harvard Business School estimates the fig is person to 75% (2).

Regardless, astir startups are much apt to neglect than present outsized returns.

Even with a precocious nonaccomplishment rate, the high-risk quality of startup investing tin beryllium a thrill for high-net-worth investors similar Cuban, with well-diversified portfolios and plentifulness of assets to play with. But for the mean capitalist who is looking for a unafraid retirement, it’s astir apt amended to see guaranteed returns and low-risk investing.