The upcoming season of Shark Tank Australia will feature five new judges (aka “Sharks”), including its first woman of colour.
Jane Lu, the CEO of Showpo, an online fashion boutique — is among five new Sharks appearing in the 2023 season of the show.
The 36-year old mother of two said she is excited about joining the Tank as one of the imminent CEOs to adjudicate the value of emerging Australian entrepreneurs.
“Shark Tank is the most incredible show in helping dreams come true, and I am so excited to be able to be part of this journey,” Lu said.
“I want to help businesses that sell online get to that next level of growth through my expertise and experience in retail, marketing and building a strong brand!”
Lu, who emigrated to Australia from China at the age of 8, began her career as an accountant before launching her online fashion boutique store in 2010.
Six years later, she appeared as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. Lu is also the woman behind Like Minded Bitches Drinking Wine — a women’s entrepreneur community on Facebook which currently has over 170,000 members.
Joining Lu among the other Sharks in the new season of Shark Tank is Dr. Catriona Wallace.
The mother of five is the founder of Responsible Metaverse Alliance and said she is looking to approach her role on the show in a fresh, new way.
“I am not a classic Shark so will be really focused on diversity, inclusion, ethics and responsible business, as well as being able to share wisdom from my own epic fails and successes in business,” Dr Wallace said.
“Shark Tank offers Australian entrepreneurs a chance at funding and support that they may not be able to achieve otherwise, building the entrepreneurial community here, so I am all for that.”
Meet the five new Sharks on their way to help budding Aussie entrepreneurs boost their business. 🦈@sabrisuby, @catrionawallace, @daviefogarty, @thelazyceo and @robertherjavec
All new #SharkTankAU coming soon to 10 and 10 Play. pic.twitter.com/mYGoCb2bUP— Channel 10 (@Channel10AU) March 22, 2023
Dr Wallace, who is a leading expert in artificial intelligence (AI), works with government ministers across the globe to address the risks presented by emerging technologies.
She was also the founder of artificial intelligence fintech former ASX-listed company Flamingo Ai — which was sold off in 2020 for $200,000.
This week, she appeared as a guest speaker at BiiG (Business Improvement and Innovation in Government) conference in Brisbane, alongside biomedical engineer, inventor and television host, Dr Jordan Nguyen.
As the founder of King Kong Digital Marketing Agency, Melbourne-based entrepreneur Sabri Suby will also be offering his insights and knowledge to the entrepreneurs entering the Tank next season.
“People that show that they’ve got the resilience and grit to survive the long endurance sport of entrepreneurship,” Suby said.
“My first job was grinding peanut butter at a health food store for just $2.50 an hour. Fast forward to today, and my digital marketing agency is one of Australia’s fastest-growing businesses with over 200,000+ customers in 136 different countries.”
“It’s actually all about the execution, not the idea. As such, I won’t be betting on the horse (business) I’ll be betting on the jockey (entrepreneur).”
Suby, 37, is a father to three girls under the age of six and has “an incredible wife” who “typically” packs his lunch.
He has recently been in hot waters for an advertisement featuring a religious iconography of Mark Zuckerberg (labelled ‘Lord Zucks’) and Elon Musk (labeled ‘Saint Elon’ with the text: “Stop praying to the internet Gods for more customers. Instead, go to SellLikeCrazy.org. It will totally be worth it.”
The billboard has been banned by some outdoor media advertisers in Melbourne and Sydney.
Suby is also the author of the 2019 digital marking book, Sell Like Crazy: How to Get As Many Clients, Customers and Sales As You Can Possibly Handle.
The SVP of Content and Programming at Paramount Australia and New Zealand, Daniel Monaghan, said he is looking forward to the return of Shark Tank later this year.
“We’re so excited to bring the world’s number one business show back to Aussie screens,” Monaghan said. “Our five new Sharks come from diverse sectors of business, and their backgrounds and journeys to success are nothing short of inspirational.”
“We can’t wait for them to share their knowledge and provide invaluable takeaways to the entrepreneurs who enter the Tank.”
Davie Fogarty is also joining the Tank as a Shark in the upcoming season.
The owner of the Davie Group, one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing online retailers, runs ten consumer brands including The Oodie, Pupnaps, and Calming Blankets.
“I am hoping to share my experience and knowledge so they don’t make the same mistakes I did, which could potentially ruin their business,” the 28-year old said. “I strongly believe in Australia’s ability to become an entrepreneurial country.”
“I am looking for unique products that solve problems and improve the world. I am hoping to see a lot of hungry entrepreneurs walk into the Tank who know that if they work hard and are willing to learn, anything is possible.”
Finally, one of the original Sharks from Shark Tank US, Robert Herjavec joins the Australian team next season.
Since his appearances over the past 14 seasons on Shark Tank US, Herjavec has invested over $23 million in the show.
“I have a very near and dear attachment to this amazing country with my wife and kids being Australian,” Herjavec, 59, said. The is married to his former Dancing with the Stars partner, Kym Johnson.
“As we make a home here, I am looking to bring the power of my global investment expertise locally in order to find some amazing businesses and entrepreneurs to invest in.”
“Australia is one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial countries in the world – I’m looking to bring my international Shark Tank and investment expertise to find the next, great Australian business.”
Interested candidates for the upcoming season of Shark Tank Australia should check out how to apply here.