In Canada, the TV series Dragons' Den is the equivalent to the U.S. series Shark Tank . The Dragons' Den series has produced versions in many countries, including Australia, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. It actually began in Japan, but the Canadian version that debuted on CBC Television in 2006, happens to be one of the most popular. Kevin O'Leary, a shark from the American Shark Tank, was also featured on Dragons' Den during Seasons 1 through 8. And American shark Robert Herjavec was a Dragon Seasons 1 through 6. Other Dragons have included Jennifer Wood, Laurence Lewin, W. Brett Wilson, and Bruce Croxon. Here is a look at each of the Season 9 Dragons, and how much each is worth.
Jim Treliving net worth: $640 million
Treliving is the only Dragon who has been with the show since day one. He is a former RCMP officer, experienced in franchising with Mr. Lube and Boston Pizza. Treliving and his partner, George Melville, have 350 Boston Pizza restaurants located throughout Canada. He is also involved with other T&M Group companies, such as Dermal Laser Centers and White Rock Commercial. In addition, he owns Kitchen Partners Limited, Stonebrook Benchlands, and Live. Treliving is chairman of the board of The Global Entertainment Company which owns the Central Hockey League.
Arlene Dickinson net worth: $80 million
Arlene has been with the show since Season 2. She is an author and venture capitalist. Dickinson is the CEO of Venture Communications and has won many awards including Calgary Business Owner of the Year and the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. She founded YouInc.com, which is an online network exclusively for entrepreneurs. Dickinson is also featured on the spinoff reality TV series The Big Decision.
David Chilton net worth: $20 million
Chilton became a Dragon in Season 7. He is an author and investor who runs his own financial planning business, as well as a publishing company. He is a former stock broker and he authored the book The Wealthy Barber, which reached 10% of Canadian households, and is Canada's all-time best-selling book. Chilton has also served as president and publisher of the Looneyspoons brand of low-fat cookbooks.
Michael Wekerle net worth: $100 million
Wekerle is a new Dragon for Season 9. He is a merchant banker who first worked at the Toronto Stock Exchange. "Wek" is the co-founder and CEO of Difference Capital Inc. and was previously a partner and co-founder of Griffiths McBurney & Partners. Wekerle also served as Vice Chairman of Institutional Trading at GMP Security. He is also a partner in the Canadian franchises of Mark Wahlberg's Wahlburgers and owns the Toronto music venue Mocambo.
Vikram Vij net worth: $50 million
Vij also joined the Dragon's Den in Season 9. He is an Indian-born chef as well as cookbook author. Vij co-owns the Indian cuisine restaurants Rangoli Restaurant and Vij's Restaurant with his wife in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has also launched a line of prepackaged curries and opened a 28,000 square foot food processing plant. Vikram and his wife have authored the best-selling cookbooks Vij's at Home: Relax, Honey, and Vij's: Elegant & Inspired Indian Cuisine.