There’s nothing like a good dose of Shark Tank to get your entrepreneurial juices flowing.

But what happens once the ‘sharks’ have approved and backed a product? Sometimes, resounding success.

Over the past eight seasons of the American version of the reality show, a “menagerie of business ideas ranging from absolutely brilliant to totally bizarre” have featured.

To honour the beginning of the ridiculously popular show’s ninth season, Business Insider put together a list of products that have hit the big time, proving your genius idea could get you that multi-million dollar deal if you play your cards right:

IllumiBowl

With this handy toilet light, stumbling in the dark when you have to go in the middle of the night is a thing of the past. The product claims to improve the aim for those who pee while standing, without having to switch the bathroom light on. Oddly enough, the illumination kind of adds to the ambience, don’t you think?

Zipit Bedding

This product is a godsend for those of us who dread tidying up our beds. Essentially a sleeping bag in the shape of a mattress cover, you’d be able to zip yourself in and be done with it. We can see this Season 5 pitch becoming really popular at dorms, but we have to ask: Is it really comfortable to sleep in a flat cocoon?

I’d respond with do varsity students at dorms know the difference between comfy and crummy at 3AM after a bender?

Floating Mug

Bookmark this one for your holiday gift shopping list: This elevated mug prevents water and coffee rings from appearing on your furniture — no coasters needed. The best part? It can be thrown into the dishwasher.

Yes! This mug is a winner, and I will fight if you disagree.

Scrub Daddy

This cutesy sponge is another pride and joy of the show. However, the smiley face is not the reason for its popularity. You’ll be getting two cleaning products in one: The patented FlexTexture material changes according to the water temperature, the sponge softens in warm water and hardens into a scrubber in cold temperatures. This little guy has generated $50 million since its successful run on the show, making it the most successful Shark Tank product of all time.

$50 million off the back of a sponge – why didn’t we think of this?

And now for a local favourite, Drilby

The Drilby hasn’t made its way to Shark Tank, but we know it would be successful if it did. The truly homegrown product, designed, created and manufactured by South Africans in South Africa, Drilby is not only a drill guide, but also catches all that pesky fine dusk.

Retailing at R99, it has already had many positive reviews – check here.

If you would like to get one now, pop over here and order it – delivered right to your door, shark free.

[source:businessinsider]