‘Shark Tank’ is coming to Brownsville with an open casting call

Brownsville startups have a chance to pitch their ideas in front of ABC’s top sharks with a casting call to be held April 19 at the 3 Black Cats Cafe on Belmont Avenue.

Shark Tank, the venture capital-as-TV show, is in its eighth season on ABC. At least two Brooklyn companies have been on the show. Vending machine startup Vengo received one of the largest funding rounds in the show’s history, banking a $2 million deal with Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner. Eco-friendly party supplies company Susty Party actually passed on a deal offered by O’Leary in 2014 and went on to raise a bigger round at a higher valuation after the show.

Could a Brownsville startup be next? Companies will be selected to pitch to the show’s casting team on a first come, first serve basis. The show is partnering with Values Partnership and several Brownsville organizations for the event, which is a stop on the lamentably named Shark Tank Diversity Tour.