#BadSharkTankPitches: a goldmine for knowing what not to do as an entrepreneur

If you’re a super fan of the show Dragons’ Den, you’ll know that it’s called Shark Tank in the US. You’ll also know that, no matter what name the show goes by, it occasionally throws up some spectacularly bad pitches.

Now, the shows producers obviously allow those people on for their entertainment value, but they also provide a valuable lesson in what not to do when pitching to potential investors.

Thing is, that requires actually sitting down and watching episode after episode of the show.

And if you’re an entrepreneur, chances are you’d be better off spending that time actually working on your business.

Something that’ll take up less of your time, and give you a laugh at the same time, is the hashtag #BadSharkTankPitches, which has been trending on Twitter for the past few hours.

Read more: Ventureburn goes behind the scenes on SA Florist’s Dragons’ Den deal

While a scroll through the hashtag shows that some people didn’t quite grasp the idea, it also illustrates what people imagine genuinely bad business ideas to be.

We’ve embedded a selection of some of our favourites below:

Make-up gun. #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight pic.twitter.com/IZzOZeqt8Z

— Simpsons Podcast! (@simpsonspod) August 4, 2015

Snake Snuggie #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight pic.twitter.com/vg9CMhmsEJ

— Carlos Marquez (@Dr_C_LOS) August 4, 2015

The Nic Cage Network — 24/7 Nic at Night and Day! #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight pic.twitter.com/YwRUStTKqi

— David Weiner (@TikiAmbassador) August 4, 2015

Toilets you sit on backwards with a tank pillow included. #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight

— TODD SPENCE (@Todd_Spence) August 4, 2015

What if we made REAL men… OUT of snow? #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight pic.twitter.com/uF4Edt4Gid

— Allie Goertz (@AllieGoertz) August 4, 2015

Service that lets you borrow orphans to take to the park to pick up chicks #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight

— MustBeTheMeds (@MustBeTheMeds) August 4, 2015

Behavioral Correction Babysitting Services #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight pic.twitter.com/JrcYRn5lES

— Jillian (@Pheramuse) August 4, 2015

Self-Watering Watering Can #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight pic.twitter.com/aJtIU6kMVg

— Kabir Iyengar (@kabiriyengar) August 4, 2015

Ear Wax: Quarter sized vinyl records for hipsters to insert into their gauge holes. #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight

— She Likes (@shelikesitloud) August 4, 2015

Your kids will take playing doctor to a new level with our "Little Curie" Home Radiology set! #BadSharkTankPitches @midnight

— Ken Marranzino (@kmarranzino) August 4, 2015