In 2016, Don Lessem and Valerie Jones founded Dino Don, a company that creates life-sized robotic dinosaurs for museums and zoos.

In May 2021, they appeared on Shark Tank and secured a $500,000 investment from Mark Cuban for 25% equity, valuing the company at $2 million.

Following the show, Dino Don’s annual revenue grew to $4.2 million. The company has expanded its collection to over 1,000 species, including dragons and ice-age creatures, and has formed partnerships with institutions like Universal Studios.

As of 2025, Dino Don’s net worth is estimated at $4 million.

Dino Don Net Worth

Net Worth$4 million (2025)
Annual Sales Revenue$4.2 million (2025)
Shark Tank InvestorMark Cuban
Lifetime sales$15 million (2021)
FoundersDon Lessem & Valerie Jones
Employees11-50

Dino Don Pitch on Shark Tank

Company nameDinoDon
ProductLife-sized dinosaur animatronics
EpisodeSeason 12 Episode 25
Founders Don Lessem and Valerie Jones
Asked for$500,000 for 10% equity
Final deal$500,000 for 25% equity
SharkMark Cuban 
LocationMedina, Pennsylvania

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Dino Don Founder

Dino Don was founded by Don Lessem and Valerie Jones in 2016. Don Lessem is a writer. He has written more than 50 science books, which specialize in dinosaurs. And also, he was the founder of the Dinosaur Society and the Jurassic Foundation. The other founder, Valerie Jones is Don Lessem’s wife, and she is a non-profit fundraiser. Dino Don’s founders, Don Lessem and Valerie Jones, have an estimated net worth of around 5 million USD as of 2025.

Key accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
2021Appeared on Shark Tank Season 12, and shark Mark Cuban invested $500,000 in the startup for 25% share.
2022After appearing on shark tank Dino Don produced more than 1000 dinosaur species, which was 150 species before appearing on Shark Tank.
2022 They developed partnerships with Universal Studios and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in addition to Russia, China, Mongolia, and Argentina.

Conclusion

From their beginnings on Shark Tank to their current status as a thriving business, they have proven that with the right idea and execution, anything is possible. We can’t wait to see the future for DinoDon and its continued success.

ABOUT KESARA BANDARAGODA
Kesara Bandaragoda is a Sri Lankan-born media entrepreneur currently based in Dubai, with a lifelong passion for storytelling, innovation, and all things screen-worthy. Whether it's a mind-bending sci-fi epic or the latest startup pitch on Shark Tank, Kesara is all in. In fact, he was one of the earliest content creators to cover Shark Tank Australia online and has been tracking its businesses, products, and founders since 2019 — long before it was cool.

Kesara is the visionary CEO behind BrandFactory, a digital media company powering multiple content platforms that reach millions. When he’s not leading a team of creatives, he’s often geeking out over Marvel and DC universes, decoding Spielberg's directorial magic, or revisiting classics like The Shawshank Redemption, Interstellar, and Pirates of the Caribbean (yes, he's a Johnny Depp loyalist).

INDUSTRY FOCUS
Kesara’s writing and content leadership often focus on the intersection of entrepreneurship, entertainment, and emerging digital cultures. He’s particularly passionate about telling stories that celebrate founders, dissect business blueprints from media narratives, and spark curiosity in audiences across the globe.

FAVORITE MEDIA
A sci-fi enthusiast with a taste for high-stakes storytelling, Kesara’s favorite titles range from cerebral time-space odysseys to charismatic pirate adventures. He thrives in content that mixes real-world business insight with the spectacle of entertainment — think Shark Tank meets Black Mirror, with a touch of Marvel heroics.

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