A lot of people—too many, perhaps—learn about investing in startup companies by watching shows like Shark Tank or Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch. Sure, the investors pictured do sometimes end up offering money in return for a stake in one of the companies. And sure, some of those companies go on to experience success they might not otherwise have enjoyed. For the most part, however, these shows are a bit of fantasy created and played out on television for the sake of entertainment.