‘I’ve gotten beat’: Mark Cuban initially lost money on his 85 Shark Tank investments. What you can learn from his time on the show

“I’ve gotten beat,” the billionaire told the Full Send podcast. Cuban invested millions of dollars over hundreds of episodes since joining the show in 2011, and announced in the fall of 2024 that he was stepping down after 16 seasons.

While initially he accounted for a net loss on a cash basis in 2022, after his final episode aired in 2025, Cuban told CNBC he earned up to $35 million in cash returns and that his mark-to-market equity from those businesses is worth “at least $250 million (1).” Since this metric measures the fair market value of investments, that number represents paper gains, not cash in hand.

So, what can you learn from his time there? This rare look behind the scenes of the reality TV show offers everyday savers and investors three key lessons.

Startups are risky

Investments popularized by shows like Shark Tank can best be described as angel investing, venture capital, or startup investing. That’s because the ideas presented on the show are usually from early-stage companies with a short track record and an eye-catching idea, rather than from established businesses.

When considering Cuban’s track record relative to how this asset class generally performs, his investment success rate isn’t unusual. While there’s a common myth in the startup world that 90% of startups fail, Harvard Business School estimates the figure is closer to 75% (2).

Regardless, most startups are more likely to fail than deliver outsized returns.

Make safe bets

Even with a high failure rate, the high-risk nature of startup investing can be a thrill for high-net-worth investors like Cuban, with well-diversified portfolios and plenty of assets to play with. But for the average investor who is looking for a secure retirement, it’s probably better to consider guaranteed returns and low-risk investing.

For instance, a high-yield account like the Wealthfront Cash Account can be a great place to grow your emergency funds, offering both competitive interest rates and easy access to your cash when you need it.

A Wealthfront Cash Account currently offers a base variable APY of 3.30%, and new clients can get a 0.75% boost during their first three months on up to $150,000 for a total APY of 4.05%. That’s more than 10 times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC’s February report.

With no minimum balances or account fees, 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times. Plus, Wealthfront Cash Account balances of up to $8 million are insured by the FDIC through program banks.

Start small and be consistent

New investors will want to gradually become comfortable with the inherent risks of investing, since invested cash can go up or down. Investing is emotional, so starting small means you can experience those ups and downs on a nominal amount of income and test your risk tolerance.

Acorns allows you to build up your investing muscle using small amounts of cash.

Whenever you make a purchase with your linked debit or credit card, the app automatically rounds up the total cost to the nearest dollar and invests the change in a diversified portfolio. You can also link these investments to your IRA, ensuring you’re maximizing your retirement savings with every purchase you make.

Then there’s Moneywise’s top picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2026. It’s another great way to compare options for growing your savings safely.

Established businesses are safer alternatives

Instead of focusing on early-stage companies with lofty expectations of future returns, everyday investors could turn their attention to established firms with robust track records.

For instance, Cuban acquired a majority stake in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks for $285 million from real estate developer Ross Perot Jr. — 20 years after the brand was established. It’s gone on to be one of his most successful investments.

While you might not be able to buy a sports team, there are plenty of other investment opportunities that can be both accessible and fruitful.

Always research your investments first

Stock picking is notoriously risky, but there are ways to make safer investments and benefit from the wisdom of experts.

Moby, an investment advice platform, can help you reduce the guesswork when selecting stocks and ETFs. In four years, across almost 400 stock picks, Moby's recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by nearly 12%, on average.

With their easy-to-understand market research, you can become a wiser investor in just five minutes, all with their 30-day money-back guarantee.

Diversification is important

Yet another key lesson from Cuban’s investments is that he spreads his money across different bets.

Cuban’s portfolio stretches far beyond the companies he’s chosen on Shark Tank. His business empire includes stakes in companies ranging from generic pharmaceuticals to tech and entertainment. His well-diversified approach could be one of the reasons why the entrepreneur has continued to build wealth despite several missteps and failed ventures along the way.

The lesson for ordinary investors is clear: diversify.

Invest in residential real estate

Real estate has historically been a robust market for investors. But since prices have soared, it has become increasingly hard to break into this market.

Luckily, new investing platforms are also making it easier than ever to leverage residential real estate.

If diversifying into multifamily and industrial rentals appeals to you, you could consider investing with Lightstone DIRECT, a new investing platform from the Lightstone Group, one of the largest private real estate companies in the country with over 25,000 multifamily units in its portfolio.

Since they eliminate intermediaries — brokers and crowdfunding middlemen — accredited investors with a minimum investment of $100,000 can gain direct access to institutional-quality multifamily opportunities. This streamlined model can help reduce fees while enhancing transparency and control.

And with Lightstone DIRECT, you invest in single-asset multifamily deals alongside Lightstone — a true partner — as Lightstone puts at least 20% of its own capital into every offering. All of Lightstone’s investment opportunities undergo a rigorous, multi-stage review before being approved by Lightstone’s Principals, including Founder David Lichtenstein.

How it works is simple: Just sign up with your email, and you can schedule a call with a capital formation expert to assess your investment opportunities. From here, all you have to do is verify your details to begin investing.

Founded in 1986, Lightstone has a proven track record of delivering strong risk-adjusted returns across market cycles with a 27.6% historical net IRR and 2.54x historical net equity multiple on realized investments since 2004. All told, Lightstone has $12 billion in assets under management — including in industrial and commercial real estate.

As such, even if multifamily rentals don’t appeal to you, Lightstone could still serve you well as an investment vehicle for other real estate verticals.

Get started today with Lightstone DIRECT and invest alongside experienced professionals with skin in the game.

According to a 2025 Deloitte survey, nearly 75% of commercial real estate leaders plan to increase their investments over the next 12 to 28 months (3). Most respondents cited commercial real estate’s inflation-hedging benefits as their reason for increasing their stakes.

Keep in mind that owning a share of commercial property does hold some risk — for instance, you could receive no returns, and these assets are often illiquid. Speak to a professional to determine whether this kind of investment is right for you, especially if you are retired or close to retirement.

Leverage gold as a safe haven

Then there’s gold. The precious metal remains a solid performer and the backbone of many wealthy investors’ portfolios. Its steady performance has made it a safe haven for many investors.

During the 2008 stock market crash, gold prices rose as share prices tumbled — cushioning the portfolios of investors who were savvy enough to diversify with this commodity.

With a gold IRA, you can build up your retirement fund with an inflation-hedging asset.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.