Why Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary Says Women Entrepreneurs Make Him the Most Money

Kevin O'Leary, a Shark Tank investor, said in an X video posted on Oct. 19, 2026, that about 70% of his hit deals involve women-run businesses and that most of his returns over 18 years came from them. He said these founders grow more slowly but more often hit targets and limit risk, which he cited as why he favors investing in them. O'Leary said Shark Tank investors get nothing until original capital is returned, so he prefers royalty deals and monthly distributions because most of these small companies will never go public. He told CNBC in 2022 that 75% of his returns came from women-run companies; the figures reflect one investor's portfolio, not a broad market study.