Shark Tank Popularizing Entrepreneurship (Infographic) Can't get enough Shark Tank? We take a closer look at the facts and figures about the popular business show.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The popular reality television show Shark Tank showcases entrepreneurs seeking to persuade the investor "sharks" to give them money in exchange for a piece of their business.

The contestants, which airs Friday nights on ABC, come from a range of diverse industries and backgrounds. When choosing contestants, the show looks for everything from stay-at-home mom entrepreneurs to seasoned business owners generating millions of dollars, according to Clay Newbill, a show producer.

"My goal is to find the best people with the best ideas," said Newbill in an email. "Whether it be for a business or a product, I look first for something that makes me and my team say, 'Wow!' We actually call them 'wow' ideas."

Consider these facts and figures about the show.

Click to Enlarge+

Shark Tank Popularizing Entrepreneurship (Infographic)
Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

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