‘Shark Tank’ casting call is coming to Va.

Virginia entrepreneurs, “the sharks” are coming for you.

The casting team of ABC’s “Shark Tank” will hold its first-ever casting call in Virginia at Rivers Casino Portsmouth on April 12. The show is getting ready to film its 16th season with venture capitalists Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary.

On the show, entrepreneurs pitch the sharks on their business ideas, offering equity for investment, with the sharks offering mentoring and guidance as well as critical investments.

In Virginia, auditioning entrepreneurs will be asked to give a one-minute pitch to a member of the casting team. The first pitches begin at 10 a.m. April 12 and applications are available online and at the site. Contestants may line up as early as 8 a.m., and wristbands will be distributed between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Other casting calls for the show are scheduled in California and New York.

According to a 2019 USA Today article, the show gets 35,000 to 40,000 applicants each season, and about 1,000 advance to a second round of vetting. Just a fraction of those move on to filmed pitches, with even fewer being featured on the TV series.

Zack Miller, author of “Anomaly: How to Finally Stand Out from the Crowd” and co-host of the “Fervent Four” podcast, encourages entrepreneurs to pitch.

“I’m a big fan of raising your hand, no matter what, and figuring it out later. You never know what opportunity can arise or happen because you just raise your hand and show up,” he said.

He suggested contestants research other “Shark Tank” castings so they are aware of what could come up. “Find people who have done it to get a glimpse inside,” he said.

He also suggested doing something to stand out from the crowd, because unless you’re first or last, you’re just going to blend in with many others. “It doesn’t have to be meat on your body like Lady Gaga at the Grammys,” he clarified.

Tim Ryan, executive director of Innovate Hampton Roads, said when he teaches people to pitch, he talks about people being visual learners and also that, when pitching, it’s not necessarily about the product, but the story being used to pitch your product.

“With a bigger stage like that, it forces you to bring your ‘A game,'” he said.