At the age of 14 Marnus Broodryk, who sometimes had to mow lawns and wash cars to pay for his school fees, started his first business, designing websites. By the time he turned 24 he was a self-made millionaire, and today this 30-year-old entrepreneur extraordinaire can boast that he has launched several multi-million Rand companies. For Marnus, however, making money is just as important as empowering others with the knowledge and resources to create their own successful enterprises.
That’s why Marnus, the affluent CEO of The Beancounter, an accounting firm that is making waves by disrupting the accounting industry in South Africa, has agreed go give away big money M-Net’s brand new prime-time Sunday night reality show Shark Tank South Africa (for which entries close on Sunday, 31 July). Marnus will be one of the five esteemed financial moguls who will dip deep into their own pockets on television to make aspiring entrepreneurs’ dreams come true.
Based on the two-time Emmy award-winning US series produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor US, Celebrity Apprentice), Shark Tank South Africa invites go-getters with potentially lucrative products or business ideas to pitch their plans for their Sharks’ consideration. If the Sharks like what they see, they then offer the entrepreneur a deal and if more than one of them is interested, a bidding war can ensue.
“If you’re focused, driven, do you homework and know your numbers, Marnus might just be the Shark who takes your business to the next level,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. “He passionately believes that entrepreneurship in our country will blossom and our economy will grow if successful business owners support newbies – and he is willing to put his money where his mouth is.”
Marnus, who is also known as the hosts of a financial insert on the kykNET show Winslyn, is keen to invest in business to business services or products, ideally with subscription models; business models with a focus on SMEs; technology companies; e-commerce; and companies with a social impact.
“I am willing to support anyone who stands out - even if I don’t necessarily relate to the product or service,” he says. “But you will have to show me a proven business or adequate traction. I have a strong financial background and have worked with hundreds of small businesses in South Africa and abroad. I do understand what makes and breaks a business – and that’s often not what you’re taught in university text books. You don’t have to know everything yet, but you need to show your desire to succeed with a strong pitch that will capture my imagination.”
If you want to get Marnus’ backing and go from business rags to riches, you have until Sunday 31 July to enter Shark Tank South Africa by simply visiting www.mnet.tv/sharktank to submit your 60 second video pitch. Stay up to date with all the latest Shark Tank SA news and conversations via Facebook on the M-Net Shark Tank page, on Twitter @MNetSharkTank or by using #SharkTankSA.
Shark Tank SA is sponsored in full by Telkom SA and will be broadcast on M-Net channel 101 from Sunday, 2 October at 18:00.