In the shark tank with Marnus Broodryk
A new type of shark is circling the waters and waiting to bite into the next big business deal. Terence Pillay catches up with business mogul, Marnus Broodryk, one of the sharks on MNet’s Shark Tank.
Shark Tank South Africa, is a brand new reality show on MNet. Based on the US version of Shark Tank and the British Dragon’s Den, entrepreneurs get the chance to face a panel of successful South African business moguls, known as the “sharks”, who are willing to invest their own money and time in “deserving and potentially lucrative business ideas”.
The trick is in convincing these highly critical and experienced sharks that it will be worth their while to bankroll your business, product or invention.
“It’s indeed the opportunity of a lifetime for everyone who needs some funds to make their money-making dreams come true,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. "But take note, these Sharks have sharp teeth.
You will need to tell them how much capital you’re asking for, in exchange for what percentage of equity in your business. Then the Sharks will grill you about your product, business forecasts, and competition and growth ideas before even considering an investment.
If you stand your ground, have your facts straight and show promise, however, the rewards will be worth the sweat, and you’ll be swimming with the big fish!”
One of the most entertaining sharks in the tank has to be business mogul, Marnus Broodryk. Marnus’ story is made-for-TV. A young, self-made millionaire, Marnus was just 14 years old when he started his own business.
This, he says, paid for his school fees, and allowed him to start his first business, designing websites. By the time he turned 22 he was a self-made millionaire, and today this 31-year-old entrepreneur has launched a number of multi-million rand companies.
Marnus is also the CEO of The Beancounter, a hugely successful accounting firm that deals mainly with SME businesses.
On Shark Tank, Marnus uses his own money to invest in businesses he believes would be the “next big thing”; in so doing giving a young entrepreneur that much-needed springboard into the business arena.
But Marnus says he doesn’t just invest with his mind. He also looks at ideas that he is personally passionate about.
The trick is in convincing these highly critical and experienced sharks that it will be worth their while to bankroll your business, product or invention.
“It’s indeed the opportunity of a lifetime for everyone who needs some funds to make their money-making dreams come true,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. "But take note, these Sharks have sharp teeth.
You will need to tell them how much capital you’re asking for, in exchange for what percentage of equity in your business. Then the Sharks will grill you about your product, business forecasts, and competition and growth ideas before even considering an investment.
If you stand your ground, have your facts straight and show promise, however, the rewards will be worth the sweat, and you’ll be swimming with the big fish!”
One of the most entertaining sharks in the tank has to be business mogul, Marnus Broodryk. Marnus’ story is made-for-TV. A young, self-made millionaire, Marnus was just 14 years old when he started his own business.
This, he says, paid for his school fees, and allowed him to start his first business, designing websites. By the time he turned 22 he was a self-made millionaire, and today this 31-year-old entrepreneur has launched a number of multi-million rand companies.
Marnus is also the CEO of The Beancounter, a hugely successful accounting firm that deals mainly with SME businesses.
On Shark Tank, Marnus uses his own money to invest in businesses he believes would be the “next big thing”; in so doing giving a young entrepreneur that much-needed springboard into the business arena.
But Marnus says he doesn’t just invest with his mind. He also looks at ideas that he is personally passionate about.
Marnus, is also the popular host of a financial segment on Winslyn on kykNET.
Shark Tank SA is is broadcast on M-Net channel 101 on Sundays at 6pm.
Want to get an idea through to Marnus to look at? You can email Terence Pillay at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter: @terencepillay1 and tweet him your thoughts.