KIND Snacks Founder Daniel Lubetzky Is ‘Shark Tank’s First New Regular Shark In Over A Decade

Shark Tank is adding another business mogul for Season 16! After 5 consecutive seasons guest starring on—and investing in— Shark Tank, ABC’s Emmy® Award-winning show, KIND founder Daniel Lubetzky is officially joining Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary. He will be the show’s first new regular Shark in over a decade. Known for his enthusiasm and his thoughtful feedback, Lubetzky has become a beloved presence on the established panel of investors.

Though he leads with empathy while dealing with budding entrepreneurs vying for the best deal, Lubetzky does not hesitate to do what he has to do to secure a great investment. During his time on the show, he has made several smart deals with the teams behind products such as FitFighter, Tandm Surf, Toast-It, and HummViewer. Perhaps most notable is his $1M investment in Yellow Leaf Hammocks, the hammock brand that gives back to the Thai communities whose members hand weave its product. The company has over $20 million in lifetime sales as of November 2023.

As a Mexican American immigrant and son of a Holocaust survivor, Lubetzky knows the importance of the American dream . As he stated in a press release: “It’s an honor to be part of a production that continues to educate, entertain, and unite Americans, all in the spirit of building together. I am looking forward to partnering with entrepreneurs from all walks of life.”

“As a Guest Shark for the past five seasons, Daniel has earned his spot with the Sharks,” said Shark Tank EP Clay Newbill in a press release. He added that, in addition to being a “self-made founder of a multi-billion dollar company,” Lubetzky has an “authentic desire” to fund and mentor business owners. He concluded: “Daniel is a welcome addition to our panel.”

Even though Lubetzky has grown the KIND brand from an idea into an iconic multi-billion-dollar business, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. In addition to his Shark Tank investments and new role as a Shark, Lubetzky has also founded a global civic initiative, the Builders Movement, which seeks to empower people across the globe to overcome “toxic polarization” and divisive rhetoric through compassionate problem-solving skills.

Shark Tank Season 16 kicks off Friday, October 18 at 8/7c on ABC.