Gil Oved - the group co-CEO of The Creative Counsel, the South African advertising agency that was bought over by French mega agency Publicis Groupe for a reported record-breaking eight-digit Rand figure – is one of the five business moguls who will be bankrolling budding entrepreneurs in M-Net’s new reality television series Shark Tank South Africa.
M-Net and series sponsor Telkom South Africa announced today that the young multi-millionaire agreed to be a “Shark” on the local version of the two-time Emmy-winning show that will hit our screens in October this year.
In Shark Tank South Africa dreamers with big business ideas or revolutionary products have the opportunity to obtain the much-needed funding for their enterprises. But first, they have to persuade the panel of cutthroat Sharks that their plan is solid and worth an investment. If more than one of the Sharks takes the bait, it can lead to a fierce bidding war after which the entrepreneur has to decide which big fish is offering the best deal.
“Who would not want to swim with a Shark like Gil?” asks M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. “He is a well-loved and energetic serial entrepreneur who has proven that he is passionate about supporting disruptive thinkers with well-thought-out visions. Gil is a smart hustler who knows how to boost businesses in just the right way. We are honoured to have him as one of our Sharks!”
Gil, who holds two business degrees, graduating with a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and Bachelor of Commerce cum laude, started his illustrious business career along with high school friend Ran Neu-Ner, armed with nothing but a telephone and the Yellow Pages. In 2001, they founded The Creative Counsel, and 14 years later their humble two-man operation grew into the largest communications and advertising group in Africa, with an annual turnover of over R700 Million, employing over 1000 full-time employees and creating tens of thousands of part-time jobs.
These days, Gil is also a board member on South Africa’s second biggest venture capital tech fund, Grotech, giving him insight into South Africa’s most exciting venture capital companies.
Shark Tank South Africa is not Gil’s first stint in front of the television cameras. He hosted a youth show in his teens and, after matriculating, he illustrated his entrepreneurial spirit by creating his own television production company. Viewers of M-Net’s sister channel Mzansi Magic will have also seen how Gil gave several entrepreneurs a break into the world of business on Dragon’s Den.
But what will Gil, the Shark, be looking for?
“On Shark Tank South Africa, I am keen on investing in companies with unique – and local - IP. I am interested in products, services, technology and brands that need channel marketing, branding, distribution, mentorship, guidance and access to capital,” says Gil. He also adds a word of caution: “I want to see hunger and passion and exciting entrepreneurs focused on innovating and making a difference. Respect the opportunity to present on the show, know your numbers, take the time to package your business case.”
Local entrepreneurs who want to make a splash in Shark Tank South Africa now have an extension for submitting their business ideas! Entries for the series will only close on Sunday, 31 July 2016, giving potential future contestants a full extra week to enter Shark Tank South Africa.
You can enter more than one business pitch to get onto Shark Tank SA. Simply click here 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.