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The basics:
‘Shark Tank‘ producers will host open casting call March 18 in Philadelphia
Entrepreneurs will deliver one-minute pitches for chance to appear on Season 18
Philly stop will be show’s only East Coast casting event this season
Think your business idea has the teeth to cut it on “Shark Tank”? Your next shot is right around the corner – or, rather, across the Delaware.
Casting producers for ABC’s business-themed TV series will return to Philadelphia March 18 for an open audition of local entrepreneurs, who can pitch their products, services and ideas.
While the “Sharks” – cast members including entrepreneurs Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and more – will not be on hand at the event, participants will have the opportunity to deliver a one-minute pitch about their business, product or idea to the casting team for a chance to appear on the show.
The open casting call will take place March 18 at The Event Center at Rivers Philadelphia in Fishtown. Contestants may begin lining up at 8 a.m. Numbered wristbands will be distributed from 9 to 11 a.m., with pitches expected to begin about 10 a.m.
Applications are available at ABC.com and onsite. Successful participants may be selected to appear on Season 18 of “Shark Tank,” organizers said.
Another shot
The March event in Philly will be the only East Coast casting call “Shark Tank” will hold for Season 18, which is expected to begin airing later this year. The event will take place in collaboration with WPVI-TV/6abc.
Interested?
“Shark Tank” applications are available at ABC.com and on-site.
More than 900 people lined up for last year’s casting call in Philly, when producers heard over 460 pitches. Entrepreneurs who pitched in 2025 are welcome to try again.
“We were blown away by last year’s turnout and the quality of the entrepreneurs that presented to us. Returning to Philly was a no-brainer, and we can’t wait to see what innovative brands and entrepreneurs will impress us with in March,” said Mindy Zemrak, supervising casting producer of “Shark Tank.”
New Jersey alumni
Michael Silva, a Rutgers alumnus who invented tailgating game QB54 with brother Frank, appeared on “Shark Tank” in October 2025. He was one of hundreds who pitched his idea at last year’s event in Philly.
Michael Hauke, part of the Margate duo behind Mad Mutz, talks about the flavored mozzarella sticks brand on an episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank.” – PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER WILLARD/PROVIDED BY DISNEY
Other “Shark Tank” participants from the Garden State include:
Mad Mutz – a flavored mozzarella sticks brand co-founded by the owner of pizzeria Tony Boloney’s
Rinseroo – slip-on hose attachment invented by Lisa Lane and son Jake Lane
Robo Burger – a Newark-based company that launched the first fully autonomous burger vending robot
Like Air Puffcorn – a Madison-based healthy snack brand created by siblings Allison Lin, Steve Atieh and Kevin Atieh
Scrub Daddy – the Pennsauken-based brand known for the smiley faced, scratch-free cleaning sponge, founded in 2012 by Aaron Krause