Future Circus Shark Tank

Mixed Reality

Future Circus Shark Tank

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Table of Contents

In an era where traditional circuses are waning, Future Circus emerges as a beacon of innovation, blending technology with live performance to captivate modern audiences.

Origins

Future Circus is the brainchild of Brent Bushnell, co-founder of Two Bit Circus, and Aiden Wolf, an augmented reality (AR) pioneer. Their mission: to reimagine the circus experience by integrating mixed reality (MR) technologies, creating immersive environments where the physical and digital coexist seamlessly.  

Bushnell’s fascination with virtual reality (VR) began with the Oculus Kickstarter campaign, leading Two Bit Circus to develop early VR experiences for venues like Dave & Buster’s and Samsung. These endeavors laid the groundwork for Future Circus’s ambitious projects.

Future Circus Shark Tank

Summary

Future Circus aims to revolutionize entertainment by converting underutilized spaces—like malls and parking lots, into “downloadable theme parks”. Entrepreneur Brent Bushnell sought $500,000 for 5% equity.

Brent did not land a deal on Shark Tank due to concerns about timing, valuation, and his history with investors.

After appearing on Shark Tank, Future Circus continued to make progress while awaiting its episode’s broadcast, launching Super Adventure Land in February 2025 at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. In March, the company expanded further with new installations in San Francisco, including locations at Fort Mason Center and Yerba Buena Gardens.

Shark Summary

Mark Cuban
No offer
Daniel Lubetzky
No offer
Kevin O’Leary
No offer
Lori Greiner
No offer
Barbara Corcoran
No offer

Future Circus Shark Tank Experience

Future Circus Shark Tank Pitch

On Shark Tank, Bushnell and Wolf presented Future Circus as the future of live entertainment. They highlighted the limitations of traditional circuses—declining interest, ethical concerns over animal performances, and lack of interactivity. Their solution: an MR experience that combines the thrill of live performance with the limitless possibilities of digital augmentation. 

The pitch emphasized the scalability of their model, the potential for high audience engagement, and the novelty of their approach in the entertainment industry.

Pitch Summary

Season and Episode
Season 16, Episode 15
Air Date
April 4, 2025
Entrepreneurs
Brent Bushnell
Product
Future Circus aims to revolutionize entertainment by converting underutilized spaces—like malls and parking lots, into “downloadable theme parks”.
Investment Sought
$500,000
Equity Offered
5%
Valuation
$10 million
Initial Sales
2024 (Year-To-Date): $9,000. 2019 Sales: $8 million. 2020 Sales (Projected): $10 million, but shut down due to COVID.
Retail Plans
Future Circus plans on re-opening their location with the investment and finish building their technology.
Final Deal
No deal

*After the filming of a Shark Tank episode, investments are subject to thorough audits and evaluations. During this time period, the terms of the investment can be altered or canceled by either party. As a result, the deals presented on the show may not always come to fruition for various reasons. This site does not guarantee the accuracy of any final investment figures.

Dreampark

In February 2025, Future Circus unveiled Dreampark in Santa Monica, a 30,000-square-foot MR theme park. Visitors navigate through mapped environments, encountering augmented elements like virtual coins, obstacles, and interactive signage integrated into the real world. This fusion of physical movement and digital interaction offers a unique, immersive experience.  

Looking ahead, Future Circus plans to expand Dreampark’s concept to other cities, utilizing common public spaces like soccer and basketball fields. By leveraging these standardized layouts, they aim to create “downloadable theme parks,” making MR experiences more accessible and scalable. 

Future Circus Shark Tank

Enhancing the Circus Experience

Future Circus isn’t alone in merging technology with traditional circus arts. For instance, the German Roncalli Circus has replaced live animals with 3D holographic projections, offering cruelty-free performances that still captivate audiences.   

Similarly, Shocap Entertainment’s “LiViCi” project combines live acrobatics with real-time XR streaming, allowing audiences to experience performances in-person, online, or through VR headsets. This multi-platform approach broadens audience reach and engagement.

Future Circus Shark Tank

Final Thoughts

The demand for interactive and immersive experiences is growing. Traditional circuses are struggling to attract modern audiences, with many seeking more engaging and technologically integrated forms of entertainment.  

Future Circus aims to fill this gap by offering customizable, immersive experiences that resonate with today’s tech-savvy consumers. By expanding into various cities and utilizing common public spaces, they plan to make MR entertainment more accessible and widespread.

Future Circus

Learn More

FAQs

What is Future Circus?

A mixed-reality entertainment platform transforming vacant spaces into interactive, game-based attractions.

Who founded Future Circus?

Entrepreneur Brent Bushnell, with co-founders Aidan Wolf and Kevin Habich.

Was Future Circus funded on Shark Tank?

No, all five sharks declined to invest during Season 16, Episode 15.

How much did Future Circus ask for?

$500,000 for 5% equity, valuing the company at $10 million.

What happened to Future Circus after Shark Tank?

Future Circus launched Super Adventure Land in Santa Monica and expanded into San Francisco locations.