First there was a Japanese TV series, then there was Dragons’ Den in Britain. In the US there was the wildly successful Shark Tank. Now, in Biz Tank, you can “Meet the Moguls” — and they are all Orthodox Jews.
The format of the programme is the same worldwide: successful investors play slightly scary hosts to would-be entrepreneurs who are seeking funding and business advice.
Now, according to the New York Daily News, eight Orthodox men have set themselves up as Frum Dragons — and are being deluged with bids.
One successful bid came from Holocaust survivor Ervin Hoffman, 91, who devised a Velcro button to help arthritis sufferers. The Moguls liked it and invested $100,000 in his invention, now patented and available on Amazon in the US.
Other proposed products were a tablet to soothe morning sickness in pregnant women, and — somewhat reinventing the wheel — a gift certificate that can be used in many shops.
The Moguls will deal with anyone, not just other Orthodox Jews, but producer Joel Klein said that the show gives a vital life to people in the religious community who might not have access to mainstream investment.
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