‘Shark Tank’ just got some competition.
A new business-themed reality program will let everyday TV viewers watch entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas — and then invest in them from the comfort of their living room.
‘The Startup Hour’, set to debut in 6 markets in May, utilizes custom designed technology called “Textinvesting,” executive producer Jonathan Block tells TheTVPage.com.
“We will be including the viewer in a much more interactive way than what traditional television has offered until now,” he says.
Block admits only certain pre-screened and pre-approved investors will be able to bankroll projects at the start, but he expects that pending legislations (called The JOBS Act) will clear the way for everyone participate within a year.
‘The Startup Hour’ will be filming pitches from entrepreneurs at the upcoming South By Southwest Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas.
The program is set to debut in Orlando, Boston, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Austin and Kansas City on May 15.
Read more about ‘The Startup Hour’ at TheTVPage.com.