Many museums, zoos, and public venues seek ways to draw in families and educate through interactive experiences. Yet a big problem persists: traditional displays can feel static and less engaging, especially for kids who crave wonder and movement. Static skeletons and placards don’t capture imaginations or hold attention. Live animals are limited by costs and care demands. The gap between education and excitement often leaves visitors wanting more.
Dino Don Animatronics offers a solution. Don Lessem and Valerie Jones bring life-sized, robotic dinosaurs to exhibits, giving audiences the thrill of seeing T. rex roar or a triceratops move in real time. Their dynamic displays have proven to boost attendance by up to 50%. By fusing paleontology, storytelling, and technical innovation, Dino Don turns museums into immersive experiences.
Their pitch to the Sharks invited one to consider not just a product, but a prehistoric encounter. This is the story of how Dino Don secured a partnership with Mark Cuban and grew into a multi-million-dollar touring phenomenon.
Dino Don Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Don and Valerie were looking for an investment of $500k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $5 million. Don and Valerie successfully secured a deal with Mark Cuban for an investment of $500k for 25% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $2 million. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Dino Don is around $2.93 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Daymond John
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Robert Herjavec
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
$500,000 for 25% equity
N/A
Yes
Don Lessem and Valerie Jones Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Don Lessem built his reputation studying dinosaurs worldwide. When the first Jurassic Park movie needed scientific guidance, Spielberg turned to Don. Over the years, Don excavated some of the largest dinosaur fossils and captured imaginations through his many books.
In partnership with Valerie Jones, who brought fundraising, logistical, and nonprofit management skills, they founded Dino Don, Inc. Their aim was to create lifelike robotic dinosaurs that move and respond, transforming exhibitor spaces into interactive journey experiences. Their animatronics were rented out to zoos, museums, and outdoor events.
Don and Valerie operated a touring model, sharing gate revenues with venues, especially during the pandemic when attendance was low.
By the time they appeared on Shark Tank, Dino Don had built 150 animatronics and amassed a collection of real fossil skeletons. With revenue nearing $1.8 million, they came looking for a strategic partner to help scale, invest in technology, and reach new markets. Their ask was $500,000 for 10%, though they ultimately accepted 25% with Mark Cuban’s involvement.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
The Sharks were intrigued by the animatronics, but cautious about the challenges ahead.
Kevin O’Leary found the revenue vs. profit unclear. He said Don was “all over the map” in strategy and feared the plan wasn’t precise enough. Kevin stepped aside.
Daymond John admired the dinosaur appeal but didn’t see how he could add value. He exited the discussion.
Lori Greiner appreciated the creativity but struggled to visualize scaling the operation in a retail sense. She chose not to invest.
Only Mark Cuban remained. He recognized Dino Don’s entertainment value and saw crossover potential with concert and event venues. When Don and Valerie waited to evaluate the best deal, Mark offered $500,000 for 25% equity. They accepted a shared timeline with that arrangement.
Though the initial ask was 10%, they understood that equity was the key to serious support. Thus, the deal closed with Mark as their partner.
Product Availability
Today, Dino Don, Inc. offers highly detailed, full-size animatronic dinosaurs ranging from small raptors to 110-foot titans. Each one moves, breathes, and interacts with audiences. They also offer Ice Age creatures, giant insects, dragons, and specialty animals.
Schools, parks, zoos, museums, and theme parks can rent exhibits tailored to them, be it “Giant Dinosaurs,” “Ice Age Giants,” or touring shows across continents. Each venue sees themed experiences, educational programs, and interactive storytelling curated by Don and Valerie’s team.
Individuals and organizations can also purchase models directly or book the traveling exhibit for a show in designated locations. Their website lists current tour stops, shows in Zurich, Tulsa, and beyond, emphasizing immersive educational events.
What Happened To The Dino Don After Shark Tank?
The “Shark Tank effect” hit hard. Website visits surged instantly, and bookings nearly doubled from pre-show levels. Cuban’s investment went into motion-control upgrades using Numatic tech, staffing up technicians, and expanding tour capacity. By early 2022, Dino Don had grown from 150 to more than 400 animatronics, now including dragons and Ice Age creatures, with a presence in Europe and North America.
Revenue doubled from $1.8 million in 2020 to over $4.2 million in 2021 and continued to reach nearly $5 million by 2023. Mark suggested the business could hit $10 million annually within two years, and their touring shows at Six Flags New England and Over Texas in 2023–24 confirm entertainment expansion.
A strategic move from museum-only displays to event and theme park formats broadened their reach. They also launched new robotic creatures, maintaining a presence in the U.S. and Europe. Their current net worth hovers around $2.93 million, with strong growth and high margins.
Dino Don’s Shark Tank journey shows how passion, science, and storytelling can combine to create a dynamic business. Don Lessem’s legacy as a paleontologist was teamed with Valerie Jones’s strategic leadership. Together, their animatronic dinosaurs captured the imaginations of children and adults alike.
Seeking $500,000 for 10% equity, they ended up partnering with Mark Cuban at 25%, a partner who shared their vision for building entertainment experiences, not just leasing machines.
Since then, Dino Don has added hundreds of robots, doubled revenue to over $4 million, and moved into global touring exhibits, theme parks, and live events. Their animatronics now breathe life into venues worldwide, offering immersive educational entertainment. Dino Don is not only thriving, but it’s redefining how we showcase prehistoric life to modern audiences.
Their story proves that the right idea, backed by expertise and storytelling, can turn animatronic dreams into a roaring reality.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
