Herjavec backs Australian whisky brand
Robert Herjavec, an entrepreneur and personality on Shark Tank, has invested in The Ben Buckler Whisky Company as part of the brand's current seed-funding round. The Spirits Business reported the deal on July 28, 2026, noting that the company was co-founded in 2023 by TV personality Larry Emdur and Kristy Bloomfield, who serves as CEO. The investment was structured through a SAFE (simple agreement for future equity) instrument, with proceeds earmarked for product innovation, digital investment, direct-to-consumer sales, and international market development.
Visa's She's Next names Egypt winners
Visa announced the winners of the fourth edition of its "She's Next" program in Egypt on July 28, 2026, delivered in collaboration with Commercial International Bank (CIB) and, for the first time in Egypt, Shark Tank Egypt. Executive Bulletin reported that the program drew more than 2,500 women-led businesses, with nine finalists selected to pitch to a panel that included Shark Tank Egypt's Abdalla Salam and Ahmed Tarek, Visa's Malak El Baba, and CIB's Hany El-Dieb. PraxiLabs took first place and received USD 20,000, Up-Fuse took second for USD 15,000, and Kennah placed third for USD 10,000, splitting USD 45,000 in total prize funding.
Funding mechanics and company progress
The Ben Buckler deal uses a SAFE, a common early-stage funding vehicle that converts into equity at a later priced round. Bloomfield said the company is focused on "frequency rather than penetration" and on building what she described as a globally recognized Australian flagship spirit. The Spirits Business reports the company has produced, sold and sampled more than 10,000 bottles of whisky to date.
Show's expanding ecosystem
The two reported deals illustrate how Shark Tank personalities and affiliated brands extend their reach beyond the on-air pitch format. Herjavec's investment brings a TV-platform investor into the Australian whisky category, while the She's Next collaboration extends Shark Tank Egypt into education, mentorship, and grant funding for women entrepreneurs. The reporting comes amid continued activity in Australian spirits, where the ready-to-drink category generated AU$2.5 billion (US$1.76bn) in bars in 2025 following double-digit growth, according to The Spirits Business.
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