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KIND Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky is joining ABC's "Shark Tank" as a regular shark in his sixth season with the show.

Why it matters: The long-running program serves as a way for startups to get business advice, press and potentially investment dollars. Season 16 begins Oct. 18.

This interview was edited for clarity, style and length.

"There's something very special about 'Shark Tank.' Particularly during our times where there's so much division, 'Shark Tank' is about building and building together."

"I used to watch it with my kids before I went on. ... All generations watch it. It breaks through all demographics."

Why do you think the show has staying power? 

"The format is really sticky. ...  People are actually leaving the show feeling that they learn something and being superbly entertained throughout."

"You get an audience of millions of people that will really help put your product or service on the map, and it's kind of the gift that keeps on giving because on top of your premiere on ABC, there's reruns."

"The other reason is if you really strike a deal with a shark that cares about you, you get coaching that you normally could not get."

"I want to find an entrepreneur that I enjoy working with ... because in almost any journey you're going to have a roller coaster of situations ... and then also it has to be a good product or service and a good idea and in a attractive space that I think I can contribute to."

👑 Proudest investment: "HummViewer. This couple from Colorado, salt of the earth, sweet people, they had this crazy idea for how you could interact with hummingbirds. It's almost like a spiritual experience."

"Yellow Leaf Hammocks, which is probably the product I use the most from 'Shark Tank.' It's called the hammock throne, and it's just an incredible, relaxing experience." 

🤦 Facepalm investment: "My philosophy was we cannot do small deals of 1% to 5%. We have to go all in, and we need to own 30%, 40% of the companies to justify all of our time. ... Mr. Wonderful bypassed me [on] Blueland, a laundry detergent company ... because he agreed to only get 3%."

"Shark Tank" taps KIND Snacks' Lubetzky as regular

The founder shares his proudest investments, so far.

KIND Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky. Photo: Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images

Startups

KIND Snacks founder <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Daniel Lubetzky" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/21/daniel-lubetzky-and-lonnie-ali-fighting-hate-with-humanity" data-vars-content-id="2eded8a7-0263-4d89-a5c2-b32d9cbe4a26" data-vars-headline="&quot;Shark Tank&quot; taps KIND Snacks&#x27; Lubetzky as regular" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/21/daniel-lubetzky-and-lonnie-ali-fighting-hate-with-humanity" target="_self">Daniel Lubetzky</a> is joining ABC&#x27;s &quot;Shark Tank&quot; as a regular shark in his sixth season with the show.Why it matters: The long-running program serves as a way for startups to get business advice, press and potentially investment dollars. Season 16 begins Oct. 18.

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"Shark Tank" taps KIND Snacks' Lubetzky as regular

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