Season 1
This is where it all started. Shark Tank premiered in August 2009 with a pretty simple concept: entrepreneurs walk into a room, pitch their business to a panel of rich investors, and try to walk out with a deal. Nobody knew it would still be on the air over 15 years later.
The original lineup of sharks was Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary, and Kevin Harrington. Harrington was the infomercial guy and an original shark before Mark Cuban came along in season 3.
Some fun pitches from this first season include Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory, Ava the Elephant (a kids’ medicine dispenser shaped like an elephant), Lifebelt, Voyage Air Guitar which was a folding guitar for travelers, and Pork Barrel BBQ. The show was still finding its footing but the format worked right away. Entrepreneurs pitch, sharks ask tough questions, deals get made or don’t. Some of those handshake deals from the tank didn’t end up closing after due diligence, which is something that has stayed true throughout the whole run of the show.
Sharks this season
Main sharks
By the numbers
Every pitch
Episodes
| # Overall | # in Season | Name of Episode | Original Air Date | Production Code | U.S. Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Pilot | August 9, 2009 | 101 | 4,150,000 |
| 2 | 2 | Classroom Jams | August 16, 2009 | 102 | 5,590,000 |
| 3 | 3 | Turbobaster | August 23, 2009 | 103 | 5,450,000 |
| 4 | 4 | Gift Card Rescue | August 30, 2009 | 104 | 4,890,000 |
| 5 | 5 | Body Jac | September 6, 2009 | 105 | 3,350,000 |
| 6 | 6 | Element Bars | September 13, 2009 | 106 | 4,200,000 |
| 7 | 7 | Grill Charms | September 29, 2009 | 107 | 4,750,000 |
| 8 | 8 | Notehall | October 6, 2009 | 108 | 5,150,000 |
| 9 | 9 | Chill Soda | October 13, 2009 | 109 | 5,240,000 |
| 10 | 10 | The Bobble Place | October 20, 2009 | 111 | 5,920,000 |
| 11 | 11 | Romp N’ Roll | January 8, 2010 | 112 | 3,940,000 |
| 12 | 12 | The Factionist | January 15, 2010 | 113 | 4,430,000 |
| 13 | 13 | Lipstix Remix | January 29, 2010 | 114 | 4,400,000 |
| 14 | 14 | Send A Ball | February 5, 2010 | 110 | 4,650,000 |