Is DNA Simple still in business? Business updates after Shark Tank

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  Business and Finance on Fri, Sep 19th, 2025 by legit

“Is DNA Simple?” – Nigeria’s New Reality‑Pitch Show That’s Bringing the Shark Tank to the West African Stage

The Nigerian entertainment scene has, over the past decade, evolved from a collection of soap operas and talk shows into a burgeoning hub for entrepreneurial storytelling. In the latest addition to this landscape, a fresh reality‑pitch programme has caught the public’s eye – “Is DNA Simple?”. As outlined in the recent Legit.ng feature, the series is a high‑energy, investor‑driven show that blends the format of the U.S. hit Shark Tank with a distinctly Nigerian flavour, offering local entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their ventures on national television.

What the Show Is All About

“Is DNA Simple?” follows the core premise of Shark Tank: entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of seasoned investors (the “Sharks”), hoping to secure capital, mentorship, and a partnership that can scale their operation beyond the local market. What sets the show apart is its explicit focus on “simple DNA” – a metaphor the producers use to describe businesses that are built on a clear, replicable core idea that can be understood instantly. The tagline, “Find your simple DNA, build your empire,” frames the narrative that many of Nigeria’s most promising startups already have a simple, powerful idea but lack the resources to grow.

The show’s creators – a partnership between the Lagos-based production house BlueSky Studios and the media network NTA+ – emphasize that “DNA Simple” is not just about fundraising. It also highlights the day‑to‑day struggles of African entrepreneurs, celebrating the ingenuity that thrives even in resource‑constrained environments. The programme, currently slated for a 12‑episode first season, is set to air weekly on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm across the country.

The Host and Panel of Investors

At the heart of the series is Kemi Adesina, a former investment banker who now hosts the show on a daily basis. Kemi is a familiar face in Nigeria’s finance and media sectors; her previous work includes hosting “Invest Nigeria” on CNBC Africa and running a consulting practice that has advised over 200 start‑ups. In the article, Kemi is quoted: “We want to create a platform where ideas meet money, but more importantly, where mentorship meets execution.”

The panel of “Sharks” boasts a mix of local business icons and diaspora investors. According to the article, the panel currently includes:

1. Seyi Ojo, founder of Kiosk, a fintech startup that has disrupted micro‑loans in Lagos.
2. Adaeze Iwu, an international venture capitalist from London’s Blue Ocean Ventures.
3. Chief Ayo Olatunde, a Nigerian billionaire in the agribusiness space who has recently started a fund for small‑holder farmers.
4. Bisi Akande, a celebrated fashion designer turned angel investor focusing on the creative industries.

Each investor brings a distinct skill set – from capital allocation to operational guidance – thereby offering a well-rounded platform for the contestants.

Format and Episode Structure

The Legit.ng article details the episode format: each segment begins with a 3‑minute pitch from the entrepreneur, followed by a 30‑minute “Investor Session” where the Sharks ask probing questions, evaluate the business model, and negotiate terms. In a twist that nods to the Nigerian tradition of “chit‑chat,” each episode also incorporates a “Community Insight” segment. Here, a local community leader or consumer representative weighs in on how the product or service might impact the everyday Nigerian household. This segment serves to keep the show grounded in the realities of the target market, an element that is absent from many Western formats.

After the negotiation, the winner receives the investment (or a portion thereof) and an invitation to a “Shark Lab” – a three‑month intensive programme that pairs them with a mentor and offers office space, legal support, and a seed fund to scale their operations. The show’s producers emphasise that the lab is not a guaranteed investment; instead, it is a “win‑win” opportunity for both sides to test the viability of the business in a controlled environment.

Why It Matters to Nigeria’s Economy

Legit.ng’s piece underscores that “Is DNA Simple?” arrives at a pivotal moment. Nigeria is home to over 2.5 million SMEs, and according to the World Bank, about 90 % of the country’s employment is generated by the informal sector. By spotlighting simple, replicable business models and linking them directly to funding and mentorship, the show could potentially serve as a catalyst for formalisation and scale‑up. The series also highlights the growing interest in the “African startup ecosystem” from international investors, a trend that has been spurred by the continent’s youthful population and digital connectivity.

The article further points out that the show’s producers plan to leverage the network’s online platform to allow viewers to follow the progress of contestants in real‑time. This digital layer adds a layer of interactivity: fans can vote on whether they want to see a particular entrepreneur in the final episode, and the public can submit their own product ideas for future seasons.

What We Can Expect Going Forward

The Legit.ng feature concludes with a look ahead. The creators hint at expanding the format beyond Nigeria to the wider West African market, possibly collaborating with the African Business Network and EconTalk to cross‑border showcase the most promising businesses. Additionally, a spin‑off called “DNA Simple: In the Lab” has already secured initial funding from a consortium of local philanthropists. The spin‑off will focus on early‑stage prototyping and product validation, giving contestants a more detailed, data‑driven foundation before they present to the Sharks.

Bottom Line

“Is DNA Simple?” is more than just another reality‑show. It’s a platform that bridges the gap between raw ideas and the resources required to realise them, while also engaging the Nigerian public in a conversation about entrepreneurship, investment, and economic growth. The Legit.ng article paints a vivid picture of a show that promises to be as entertaining as it is transformative. For anyone interested in the intersection of media and entrepreneurship in Africa, the series is definitely one to watch.

For readers curious to delve deeper, Legit.ng’s article links to additional resources such as the official NTA+ channel where you can find trailers and behind‑the‑scenes footage, as well as a companion article on Shark Tank that outlines how the U.S. format has inspired similar shows worldwide.