In hunt for ‘unicorn’ companies, new show invites audience to invest

May 07, 2021

Mom-and-pop investors will join Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and a Long Island securities executive in hunting for potential billion-dollar “unicorn” companies on a new streaming show.

“Unicorn Hunters,” which debuts Monday, will make crowdfunding pitches available to millions of homes in a new form of populist capitalism.

Unlike the popular “Shark Tank,” where panelists like Mark Cuban and Kevin “Mr. Wonderful” O’Leary evaluate, and invest in, startup companies, “Unicorn Hunters” offers a path for investors big and small via new government regulations.

“What we’re talking about is crowdfunding,” said Alon Kapen, a securities lawyer at Uniondale-based Farrell Fritz PC. “Companies are pitching to the entire world.”

Executives of early-stage companies appear on the show and make their case for investment to a rotating panel, whose initial cast also includes NSYNC vocalist and investor Lance Bass.

The show will stream on outlets including Amazon Prime, Vimeo and YouTube.

“The main difference between this new program and ‘Shark Tank’ is suggested by the title: ‘Unicorn Hunters,’ ” said Kapen. “They’re going to let viewers invest.”

Kapen said “Shark Tank” is “far removed” from the way an early-stage investment deal typically is done, where considerations of potential market size and entrepreneurial record are paramount.

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