CBC today announced that globally recognized business and cybersecurity leader Robert Herjavec will return for Season 17 of DRAGONS’ DEN after a decade away from The Den. One of the original founding Dragons on the series, Herjavec rose to investor fame over six seasons in Canada on CBC before going across the border as one of the founding Sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank. Herjavec will claim the sixth spot in the Den this fall, joining fellow Dragon investors Arlene Dickinson, Michele Romanow, Manjit Minhas, Vincenzo Guzzo and Wes Hall.
“Ten years ago, I left Canada to take on the world! Today, I run a global, billion-dollar company with 800 people, and I’m back home to where it all started,” said Herjavec. “Canada is a land of entrepreneurs and Dragons’ Den is where they come for inspiration and knowledge. Look out Canada – I’m back in the Den and ready to invest.”
“Robert has worked incredibly hard to become known around the world as an innovator in the world of tech and cybersecurity, and we are thrilled to bring his expertise back home to Dragons’ Den,” said Jennifer Dettman, Executive Director, Unscripted Content, CBC. “Robert’s entrepreneurial success story continues to grow and he is extremely well positioned to help emerging Canadian businesses reach their full potential.”
In addition to his work on DRAGONS’ DEN and Shark Tank, Herjavec is a trusted cybersecurity expert and has served as a Cybersecurity Advisor for the Government of Canada, participated in the White House Summit on Cybersecurity and is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce Task Force for Cybersecurity. He also is an accomplished writer and speaker, with his books having all appeared on bestsellers’ lists.
A Croatian-Canadian immigrant, Herjavec and his parents moved to Canada from former Yugoslavia with very little to make their way in a new country. From delivering newspapers, to waiting tables, to launching a billion-dollar, global computer company from his basement, Herjavec’s drive to achieve has led him to the fulfillment of a better life in a classic rags to riches story.
DRAGONS’ DEN is now accepting applications from Canadians entrepreneurs for the opportunity to pitch their business in the Den. Details on how to apply and the virtual audition process can be found at CBC.ca/dragonsden.
Production on Season 17 of DRAGONS’ DEN’s will begin later this spring at CBC in Toronto. Tracie Tighe is executive producer and Molly Middleton is senior producer.