Shark Tank is the leading reality TV show where inventors compete to appear on the show to pitch their product and (hopefully) walk away with a lucrative investment or distribution deal.
More common than not, their products and pitches end up being ripped to shreds by the sharp teeth of the judges (successful entrepreneurs such as Mark Cuban or Barbara Cochrane).
They may walk away empty-handed, but hopefully, take away from the experience some advice as to what the inventor needs to do differently in order to be successful. In any event, it is good exposure and may prove to be good publicity to drive buyers to their websites.
Inventors are all clamoring to get on this reality show for their 15 minutes of fame to start, save or grow their businesses.
Shark Tank is appropriately named because when you embark on the business of inventing and selling your product; you are quite literally swimming with “sharks.” The most successful marketers and distributors in the product industry have negotiated thousands of licensing contracts, and their revenues are in the billions. They think fast and they talk even faster, and their ability to negotiate deals on behalf of their companies has catapulted them into a league of their own. The companies who distribute products such as Snuggies®, ShamWow®, Thigh Master® and Red Copper® pans, are responsible for the bulk of the products you see advertised on TV, on home shopping channels, or on the shelves of Target or Walmart. These are the great whites of the industry and when working with them, you will likely receive only a small fraction of product revenues (if any), if you don’t know the key terms to include in your licensing agreements.
Consultants or inventing schools that charge you an upfront fee or a monthly consulting fee to help launch your product or get you on Shark Tank are happy to take your money even if your product (1) is not unique (e.g., it has been done before); (2) does not have a big enough market to generate considerable profits; or is too costly to manufacture. There are also plenty of inventor-mentors who are happy to share their experiences (at no cost to you) to steer you in the right direction. A consultant who charges fees (usually a percentage of royalties) on a success basis only is the better way to go when embarking on the inventing journey.
Are you Shark Tank ready? Tracy Hazzard, CEO of Hazz Design, Podcast Host, Brand Strategist shares the following stories followed by Stephan Palios helpful summary of Shark Tank deals – what the inventors asked for, what they received and how the business turned out.
Shelly Ehler is an inspiring entrepreneur and the inventor of the ShowNo towel. Her towel has also been featured on The TODAY Show, The View, and Good Morning America. She was featured on Season 3 of Shark Tank, and her product and presentation were such a hit that she had three “Sharks” fighting over her. Shelly is the only entrepreneur in the show’s history to ever leave with a check in her hand from Lori Greiner. Ehler had been hand-sewing her towels,
borrowing to prepare for what she thought would be the ride of a lifetime, and felt like she was patiently waiting on the verge of success she had been dreaming about as she poured blood, sweat, and tears into her business. Then she went on Shark Tank and was handed a check! Sounds like the ultimate Shark Tank success… right? Wrong!
“Don’t cash that check,” Ehler was told following the show. However, that was not the call Shelly was expecting to receive from Lori Greiner. Shelly’s mouth hung open as Greiner listed her concerns on the other end of the line. “Your business is too new, the deal we made isn’t the deal I want to make now…blah, blah.” As Ehler listened to the words that were her new reality, she could feel the anxiety and stress wash over her. Entrepreneurship can be full of angst, desperation, and a constant stream of a steady inner voices asking you if you’re worthy enough to “be here.” In that moment, those very same entrepreneurial fears planted firmly in Ehler’s mind because she put her trust in a “Shark.” But “Sharks” prey on eager bait, and this story isn’t the only one where we can see the damaging effects of Shark Tank on entrepreneurs and inventors who are just trying to make their dreams come true for themselves, and their families.
“Whatever you think,” said Shelly. The new deal on the table offered Ehler a 70/30 split, with the latter being her percentage. In her gut, she knew this deal wasn’t fair, but she was met with aggression when she spoke out. When she started asking me questions like, “Do you know what I can do for you?” or, “Do you know how much I charge for my time?” Then, she followed that up with statements like, “Shelly, I am going to do this for you; I went all in.”
The other offers that the other “Sharks” made to Ehler on the show were now off the table, but she was under the impression, based on conversations with Greiner, that the ShowNo Towel was going to make them millions. When she looked at everything from this angle, Ehler felt like maybe she could live with a 30% deal. So, with a nod and a few famous last words, “Whatever you think,” she sealed the fate of her towel. And then things went even further downhill, and ultimately, her ShowNo Towel was a no-show in revenues and eventually, went out of business.
The thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that those “Sharks” aren’t there to promote the entrepreneur and make the entrepreneur money. The “Sharks” are there to promote themselves, their businesses, their business acumen, and to solidify their business legacy. The guests on the show, the inventors and creators, are just part of that plan. I think viewers believe Shark Tank is the embodiment of the American Dream, but if we take a closer look, we can see that the show is more the embodiment of self-promotion, greed, and a “whatever it takes” type of attitude, no matter who gets hurt in the process basically, it’s entertainment at the inventor’s expense.
Stories like Ehler’s make me cringe because the minute she took that deal, she was at the mercy of someone who was using her and her life’s work to self-promote, and at any cost. Just like with Ehler, it is very common for the deals made on the show to fall through. When you watch, you just assume that those deals that they air are the deals that actually happen, and oftentimes, that just isn’t the case, once the camera stops rolling.
It’s so much easier to take innovation (as in EXPLOIT) than it is to innovate; which is one of the biggest reasons why I am weary of any reality show, or “opportunity” like Shark Tank, where
innovators eager to grow their business expose their products (oftentimes without patent, trademark, or copyright protection) and end up as shark bait.
Over the years, I’ve had several clients who were featured on Shark Tank, made a deal with a “Shark”, and then their deal fell through… not quite “As Seen on TV” as we might think. Sometimes, as a result of the airing of the show, viewers flock to the website to place orders. So, while customer demand was created, without funding from a “Shark”, they can’t source or fulfill the orders unless they are going to do so from their garage. It is a soul-crushing experience. I hate it! Business and entrepreneurship, and neither is for the faint of heart, but at the same time, can we go on condoning abuse, greed, and predatory behavior?
Everything is so soft and lovely on television – even when the “Sharks” are ripping their prey apart, there’s a bit of humor and the entrepreneur seemingly leaves in one piece. Off the air, there’s no softness, there’s no editing, there’s no producer creating perfect dialogue, or heartfelt moments, or scenarios where participants leave with a check in their hand because the newest “Shark” on the show needs to appeal to a specific target audience to sell her current products and businesses.
“I’m part of an exclusive and prestigious club,” Greiner tells a pair of female entrepreneurs. “I’m a woman” (as though she is going all out to join the sisterhood of the traveling pants). And, just like that, we can see how easily “Sharks” can manipulate the wide-eyed show participants with all the feelgood, hoorah type of attitude that TV allows.
Off the air, businesses are crushed because, rather than putting an expert in their tank, they chose a “Shark.” Statistically, in the marketplace, you’re more likely to fail than you are to succeed, and that depends on your definition of success.
• 14 out of 15 HSN and QVC products fail to make money and/ or fail in the marketplace.1
• 7 out of 10 consumer products fail in the marketplace.2
I have an 86% success rate, and when you look at statistics like this side-by-side, it’s easy to see why it makes more sense to seek out an expert in your product or service area, versus taking such massive risks to appear on reality television for your friends and family to see. It isn’t that Shark Tank is all bad. Plenty of businesses are still running, plenty of deals actually go through, plenty of entrepreneurs live to tell about their swim with the “Sharks”… but I can tell you this right now – it isn’t what you think, it isn’t what it looks like, it doesn’t happen overnight, and it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. What you see on TV is one very minuscule piece of one very large puzzle. Some contestants get the writing on the wall much quicker in the process and are able to swim away before there is blood in the water. Kiersten Parsons Hathcock, TV network executive turned self-taught carpenter and furniture designer, won a deal on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2010. Her furniture company, Mod Mom, captured Robert Herjavec’s attention, and after her pitch, she patiently awaited his call. When the call finally came, like Shelly, it certainly wasn’t the one she was expecting either. Herjavec’s change of heart, citing her business still being too small, left her reeling.
Luckily, Hathcock had family and friends who were able to invest; however, a lot of entrepreneurs are not in this fortunate position, and a lost opportunity, like the one Mod Mom
suffered, is the end of the road. She was able to keep going on her own, and her furniture line was recently picked up by Little Colorado.
Another entrepreneur who experienced a similar bait and switch scenario with Herjavec was Megan Cummins, who went in the tank to pitch You Smell, her luxury soap company. On the show, Herjavec offered Cummins investment in exchange for 20% of her company, but when he sent her the contract, he was asking for 50% of her business, for the same investment amount. Cummins, reeling from the bait and switch, turned the deal down, and was able to sell her business in 2014. After selling You Smell, Cummins launched Sparklepop and is on track to be one of the fastest growing small businesses in the States.
As previous contestant Jordan Scott puts it, in his book, Shark Bites, “There is nothing else on Earth like being in the tank.” This is true for multiple reasons. First, the process of getting a fair and sensible valuation on the show is not in any way how valuations are done in the real world. Second, you would never sit in a room with potential investors and be devalued in the manner of which we see on the show. Oftentimes, investors aren’t looking for the check marks that the “Sharks” make sticking points about on the show, and in a lot of ways, this kind of false representation of how business actually works, is damaging, especially for new entrepreneurs who are learning it all as they go. Third, I’ve had a handful of clients who got deals on Shark Tank, and were in no way ready to make those deals, but nobody told them that.
When you don’t have the experience to know what’s missing, and you don’t have the systems and processes in place to take advantage of the swell of growth that could potentially be coming your way, it’s easy to take missteps; creating unnecessary vulnerabilities and taking unnecessary risks. This might not seem like a big deal to a “Shark” with a portfolio that is bursting at the seams, but for these entrepreneurs, this is their livelihood, their baby, their everything… they’ve emptied bank accounts, they’ve taken loans, and they’ve borrowed from friends and family. When the dust settles, it isn’t the “Sharks” who look those people in the eye, it isn’t the “Sharks” who repay those loans at exorbitant interest rates, and it isn’t the “Sharks” who nurse the wounds. With all of that being said, let’s take a look at the top 5 signs that you are ready for the tank:
❖ You have market proof and traction.
➢ Do you have a reachable market?
➢ Can you show who your competition is and how you’re different?
➢ Do you have quantifiable data?
❖ You are profitable. Entrepreneurs don’t need to have a million dollars in sales to be ready for Shark Tank, but you do need to show solid profitability or the immediate potential for profit.
❖ You know your hook. A perfect pitch is one that is clear, speaks to the unique elements of a business, and has a hook to really grab the attention of listeners.
❖ You know your numbers. It is cringe worthy to watch episodes where entrepreneurs don’t know their numbers because, as an entrepreneur, you should know this information like the back of your hand, no excuses. If you don’t know your numbers, you are putting yourself in a very vulnerable position because, how can you ask for your value if you don’t know your numbers? And how can you realistically pitch a plan for profitability, if you don’t know your margins?
❖ You have a plan. If you know your plan for the future, have a vision for the business, and can show long-term potential in an investment, this is a great indicator of preparedness and sustainability.
If you can read through these readiness signs and know, without a doubt, that you can check each box, you might be in a position to join the other 45,000 annual applications for Shark Tank. But I have to ask, if you can check these boxes, why aren’t you protecting your business and going it alone? If you have a foundation to launch, why not launch where you are, build your business organically, and control the process each step of the way?
So many entrepreneurs think the other entrepreneurs have more knowledge or more access, but I can tell you that (for the most part) everyone is just out there hustling and figuring it out, day in, and day out. When I go back and watch Ehler’s pitch to the “Sharks,” it kills me when she gets a check on the spot. I find myself talking to the screen, “Don’t take the check…don’t take the check.” “This is a huge red flag.” In Ehler’s mind, it proved out her worth; however, in hindsight, it’s clear that if someone is willing to hand you a check on the spot, your business is probably worth more. 192 sleepless nights, anxious energy, and not speaking to a soul about the fact that she might be on Shark Tank were torture for Ehler. But finally, her episode aired… and then nothing happened. Ehler and I talked about lessons learned, entrepreneurship, and how her vulnerability and excitement were used against her in an effort to take her business out from underneath her. “The last offer Greiner made me was a royalty deal.
My attorney said it was one of the worst he’d ever seen and it would have left me with nothing. At that point, I knew it was time to walk away, and at least keep what was left of my pride. I couldn’t help but take it personally and I felt like the biggest failure. Now that I’ve had some time to heal and get a better perspective, I see a lot more. I don’t think [Lori] ever had any intention of letting me have that money. She was new on the show, wanted to make a splash, and I felt the check hand-off was a production-value stunt to help her make a name for herself. When the dust settled, I really had nothing left, and it took me 3-years to come back and start rebuilding with a renewed vision.”
Of course, Ehler isn’t the only one. There are entire Facebook “support” groups, hiding in the shadows, dedicated solely to building some sort of common-ground comradery to help heal the wounds of those who suffered “Shark” bites. But too many victims don’t speak up because they haven’t even begun the healing process. When you go up against a “Shark” (or an entire tank full of them), nothing can prepare you, no matter how much you tell yourself otherwise, to be ripped to shreds, to have your creation ripped to shreds, to be manipulated, and preyed upon. Nothing is going to help ease the anxiety and the voice that questions your worthiness. No one is going to hold your hand, and help you navigate the murky waters… but hey, if things get really bad, there is a show therapist who might offer some couch time.
There are two really common misconceptions about Shark Tank that I want to debunk as I close this out. One, you have to know that the show is not for the entrepreneur. The show is for the
promotion of the “Sharks,” their portfolios, and their brands. I know I mentioned this, but I really want you to think about this the next time you find yourself settling in for an episode of Shark Tank. This perspective shift will change the way you watch, feel, and perceive the show, as well as the “Sharks”.
Secondly, a “Shark” is not going to launch your product or business for you. Plenty of entrepreneurs, or even viewers, have this idea that being “seen” on TV is a magic bullet, but it isn’t. If any part of your potential success dream is resting on this misconception, you really should consider talking to a product launch expert to get a more realistic idea of how this process really works. Episode after episode, I’ve seen these points hammered home, and this just proves that the show isn’t a full story and totally honest depiction of the possibilities. The entrepreneurs and creators I meet oftentimes have this vision of quality and building something that feels like an extension of their values, world view, and passion for impact. I wish more entrepreneurs would commit to that vision and stay the course. Slow and steady really does win the race. I believe “Sharks” attempt to remove the entrepreneur (along with some integrity) from the process to force it into their brand or their system. Next time your best friend from college tells you that you should go on Shark Tank because you’d be totally perfect for that, ask her how she feels about swimming alone in murky water with a bunch of sharks while playing the movie, Jaws, in the background.
* * *
Tiffany Krumins, who refers to herself as an “accidental entrepreneur”, had an entirely different experience with Shark Tank and one that catapulted her into a successful entrepreneur with the help of a “Shark”, Barbara Corcoran. Tiffany worked as a caregiver for a boy with Downs Syndrome. He had a difficult time taking medication; so much so that he had to be restrained in order to take even the smallest of pills. She had a lightbulb moment. He loves stuffed animals so, why not incorporate that into the medicine-taking routine? That night she went home and took different materials and created an elephant out of sponges and fabrics and fitted the inside with a recordable greeting card. She recorded her voice on the card as a talking elephant. When she took it to work the next day, she said, “Gibby, this is your little buddy. She is going to help you take your medicine today.” At the moment, something just clicked with him; it was as if he was never fearful of medicine. He listened to this elephant’s soothing directions and took his medicine. With that aha-ha moment came the next thought: “What do I do to make this available to kids everywhere?”
About six months later, Tiffany saw a casting call for Shark Tank. It was the pilot episode of the show and the casting read, “Do you have the next big million-dollar idea but you don’t have the funding to make it happen?” She submitted her idea and, one week later, she was accepted on the pilot episode of Shark Tank. After signing the deal with Barbara, Tiffany was thrust into the product launch world -everything from designing and filing her trademark and patent and designing packaging to negotiating with manufacturers. While Barbara was extremely supportive, her background was in real estate so, this was her first product launch, too. Although there were bumps and hiccups along the way, Barbara profited from her gamble on
Ava the Elephant® and eight years from her ah-ha moment, Tiffany succeeded in obtaining a lucrative licensing deal. Most recently, Tiffany branched out and launched Mom Genius which aims to combine the excitement of Shark Tank with access to genius, kid-inspired products and to nurture other inventors.
So, folks, there are always tales of woe and tales of success in product launching. Even though the success stories don’t happen overnight. Shark Tank has evolved quite a bit from the original pilot episode to the big hit reality show it is today and even those that walk off the show as a winner may still find themselves swimming the backstroke as the Sharks don’t always deliver on the promises they make on national TV.
Shark Tank Said Yes – But What Happened Next?
Guest Submission – Stefan Palios
Many entrepreneurs dream of raising money from famous investors like Mark Cuban or Barbara Corcoran. It’s one of the reasons Shark Tank is so popular. But little do people know, a lot goes on after the Sharks say “yes”. There are even full blogs, like Sharkalytics and SharkTankBlog, dedicated to tracking these companies. It can be crazy to see how things go when the cameras turn off.
From failed investments to businesses disappearing, we’ve rounded up some of the most interesting businesses based on data from Sharkalytics – and looked into what happened after the founders made a deal with the Sharks.
A pie to tamper with
Company: Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory
Industry: Specialty Food
What the company does: Retail and wholesale pie factory with two retail locations in New Jersey.
Who Pitched the Sharks? Tod Wilson
Season 1, Episode 1
What the founders asked for:
$460,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $4,600,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $460,000 in exchange for 50% equity stake
Implied valuation: $920,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John
Company status: MIXED.
Note: The North Jersey Record reported that Tod Wilson was arrested in 2017 on charges of witness tampering. However, the company still seems to be in operation based on an active Twitter account and listing on Google Maps.
Reinventing the wheel
Company: Shark Wheel
Industry: Outdoor Recreation
What the company does: Shark Wheel’s wheel design is not circular, it’s Q-shaped, to put it as simply as possible. It goes on all sorts of things – skateboards, strollers, and more.
Who pitched the Sharks? David Patrick and Zack Fleishman
Season 6, Episode 29
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $2,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $225,000 in exchange for 7% equity stake
Implied valuation: $3,000,000
Other terms: Kevin, Nick and Mark also get a 10% royalty on sales until $500,000 are recouped.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, and Nick Woodman
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: According to Crunchbase, the company raised a further investor round of over $600,000. They are still in operation today and sell their wheels online.
Disappearing broccoli
Company: Broccoli Wad
Industry: Novelties
What the company does: A rubber band that works as a money clip.
Who pitched the Sharks? Johnny Gennaro & Vinny Pastore
Season 2, Episode 4
What the founders asked for: $50,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $250,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $50,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $125,000
Other terms: Closing conditions called for the product name to be changed to the Vinny Wad and for Vinny Pastore’s resemblance to be on the product. Barbara’s investment bought her a 40% stake; half went to Vinny for becoming the face of the product.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Barbara Corcoran
Company status: FAILED.
Note: The company disappeared shortly after the deal was done, according to 2paragraphs.com, and the founders moved onto other projects.
No pollution cars for cities
Company: Zero Pollution Motors
Industry: Automotive
What the company does: Zero Pollution Motors is launching the AIRPod vehicle, a small zero-pollution vehicle designed for use in cramped urban centers.
Who pitched the Sharks? Ethan Tucker and Pat Boone
Season 6, Episode 27
What the founders asked for: $5,000,000 in exchange for 50% equity stake
Implied valuation: $10,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $5,000,000 in exchange for 50% equity stake
Implied valuation: $10,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The business seems to be in operation, with their website (zeropollutionmotors.us) offering people the chance to reserve their AIRPod vehicle.
A face lift for your mouth
Company AngelLift
Industry: Cosmetics
What the company does: Angellift Dermastrips are over-the-counter facial lifting strips that are worn inside the mouth, over the teeth for 10-30 minutes a day.
Who pitched the Sharks? Aaron Bruce
Season 5, Episode 27
What the founders asked for: $500,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $5,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $500,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $3,333,333
Other terms: Lori’s investment is to be used solely for the purpose of funding QVC purchase orders. The deal is also contingent on proof of patent, proof that $3,000,000 of retail sales have been done, and finally, review of the clinical trials.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: MIXED.
Note: The Shark Tank deal didn’t end up happening, according to Sharklytics.com. The business appears to be in operation, but their social media has been inactive since summer 2019.
Lobster boys
Company Cousins Maine Lobster
Industry: Food
What the company does: A lobster roll food truck run by two cousins originally from Maine, operating in Southern California.
Who pitched the Sharks? Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac
Season 4, Episode 6
What the founders asked for: $55,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,100,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $55,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $366,667
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Barbara Corcoran
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The business is operational and growing after the Shark Tank investment went through.
Nutty for nut butter
Company: Wild Squirrel Nut Butter
Industry: Food
What the company does: Homemade peanut butters.
Who pitched the Sharks? Erika Welsh and Keeley Tillotson
Season 3, Episode 14
What the founders asked for: $50,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $50,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $125,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Barbara Corcoran
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: According to a Forbes interview, the company is thriving. The founders are looking to add more products to the line and are doing millions of dollars in nut butter sales.
A deal for royalty
Company: Gift Card Rescue
Industry: Retail and E-Commerce
What the company does: A web-based company that buys back and sells some of the 10% of all unused gift cards each year in the US.
Who pitched the Sharks? Kwami Kuadey
Season 1, Episode 4
What the founders asked for: $150,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $200,000 in exchange for 50% equity stake
Implied valuation: $400,000
Other terms: Robert and Kevin O’Leary also get a 5% royalty with the deal.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec
Company status: FAILED.
Note: As reported by the Baltimore Sun, Gift Card Rescue shut down in 2016, not too long after their Shark Tank appearance.
Baby cups for everyone
Company: Lollacup
Industry: Baby and Childcare
What the company does: Lollacup is one well-engineered sippy cup. It comes with a valve-free, weighted straw that small children can easily learn to drink from, even when Lollacup is tilted.
Who pitched the Sharks? Hanna Lim
Season 3, Episode 12
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $666,667
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $100,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $250,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The company expanded into other baby products like plates and utensils, and the business seems to be going well.
Sweeping away the Sharks
Company: Sweep Easy
Industry: Home and Cleaning
What the company does: A new kind of broom with a built-in scraper.
Who pitched the Sharks? Shane Pannell
Season 2, Episode 6
What the founders asked for: $40,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $160,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $80,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $320,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin Harrington and Daymond John
Company status: MIXED.
Note: The Shark Tank deal ended up falling through, but founder Shane Pannell continued working. The business is still operating and you can buy the sweep easy brooms on Amazon.
STEM toys, ahoy
Company: Qubits
Industry: Toys
What the company does: Qubits is a new construction toy for kids.
Who pitched the Sharks? Mark Burginger
Season 1, Episode 14
What the founders asked for: $90,000 in exchange for 51% equity stake
Implied valuation: $176,471
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $90,000 in exchange for 51% equity stake
Implied valuation: $176,471
Other terms: Contingent on Daymond being able to get a deal with a major toy company
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Daymond John
Company status: MIXED.
Note: The deal ultimately fell through, but Daymond John remained a mentor to the company. They secured their own growth partnerships and are still operating.
They’re searching everyone
Company: Postcard on the Run
Industry: Online Services
What the company does: An easy-to-use mobile app that allows you to take a photograph from your phone and instantly send it as a real printed postcard.
Who pitched the Sharks? Josh Brooks
Season 5, Episode 1
What the founders asked for: $300,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $6,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $300,000 in exchange for 7% equity stake
Implied valuation: $4,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company status: FAILED.
Note: The company shut down in an announcement from 2015 after competition pushed them out of business, as reported on SharkTankBlog.com.
Greasy product, solid business
Company: Grease Monkey Wipes
Industry: Outdoor Recreation
What the company does: Individually-packaged degreasing cleaning wipes formulated for cyclists to easily remove grease and grime from working on bicycles.
Who pitched the Sharks? Tim Stansbury and Erin Whalen
Season 1, Episode 12
What the founders asked for: $40,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $100,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $40,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $100,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec
Company Status: SUCCESS.
Note: The company is still in operations after a successful Shark Tank deal.
Customers hear you!
Company: Origaudio
Industry: Electronics
What the company does: The Rocket, the company’s flagship product, can turn anything into a speaker through its vibrations.
Who pitched the Sharks? Jason Lucash and Michael Szymczak
Season 2, Episode 8
What the founders asked for: $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company Status: SUCCESS.
Note: Still operational, the company expanded into multiple different product lines and touts its high customer satisfaction on its website.
Bottles on bottles
Company: The Clean Bottle
Industry: Water bottles
What the company does: A water container that unscrews from the bottom as well as the top for ease of cleaning.
Who pitched the Sharks? Dave Mayer
Season 3, Episode 1
What the founders asked for: $60,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,200,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $60,000 in exchange for 8% equity stake
Implied valuation: $750,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company Status: MIXED.
Note: BicycleRetailer.com reported that the company was looking to be acquired in 2018, but recent news suggests that whatever the outcome, the company is running successfully.
Learn guitar quickly, apparently
Company: Chord Buddy
Industry: Music
What the company does: A two-month learning system that teaches which chords to play on the guitar.
Who pitched the Sharks? Travis Perry
Season 3, Episode 3
What the founders asked for: $125,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,250,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $175,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $875,000
Other terms: The deal stipulates that $50,000 of the investment will be placed in escrow, set aside to be used to make an infomercial.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The company’s website suggests it’s still running and boasts media coverage in Forbes, CNBC, ABC, and The Today Show, among others.
Sold it all to the Sharks
Company: Classroom Jams
Industry: Education
What the company does: An educational record label and publishing house designed to get students into learning about classic works of literature.
Who pitched the Sharks? Mark Furigay
Season 1, Episode 2
What the founders asked for: $250,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $2,500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $250,000 in exchange for 100% equity stake
Implied valuation: $250,000
Other terms: The inventor agreed to sell his entire company (each of the 5 sharks having 20% equity) with the agreement of receiving 5% royalties from all future sales, and an option to buy 1/6 of the company back.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin Harrington, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec
Company Status: FAILED.
Note: Despite the backing of the Sharks, the company doesn’t seem to have taken off.
A good barbecue time
Company: Pork Barrel BBQ
Industry: Specialty Food
What the company does: The company sells award-winning BBQ rubs and spices.
Who pitched the Sharks? Heath Hall and Brett Thompson
Season 1, Episode 6
What the founders asked for: $50,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $50,000 in exchange for 50% equity stake
Implied valuation: $100,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Barbara Corcoran
Company Status: SUCCESS.
Note: Pork Barrel BBQ made the most of their Shark Tank appearance, and still advertise it today on their website. The company has since expanded and is doing well.
Save the wine!
Company: Wine Balloon (now Air Cork)
Industry: Wine Accessories
What the company does: The company sells a product that preserves wine inside any already-opened bottle. It works by inflating a balloon inside the bottle to crowd out the air and prevent it from being in contact with the wine.
Who pitched the Sharks? Eric Corti
Season 3, Episode 4
What the founders asked for: $40,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $133,333
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $400,000 in exchange for 100% equity stake
Implied valuation: $400,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner
Company Status: MIXED.
Note: Despite the deal with the Sharks falling through, the company is doing well. They rebranded from Wine Balloon to Air Cork and are continuing to grow.
It’s pretzels AND candy
Company: The Painted Pretzel
Industry: Specialty Food
What the company does: The Painted Pretzel sells creative, gourmet chocolate-covered pretzel confections in brick-and-mortar retail stores and online.
Who pitched the Sharks? Raven Thomas
Season 3, Episode 6
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $400,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $100,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $400,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: After a successful Shark investment from Mark Cuban, the business has continued to grow.
Flavors combine when you kiss
Company: Kisstixx
Industry: Cosmetics
What the company does: Kisstixx is a fun lip balm that comes in pairs according to compatible flavors. Each Kisstixx lipstick packs a punch of flavor, and they’re paired to mix well when they come together in a kiss.
Who pitched the Sharks? Dallas Robinson and Mike Buonomo
Season 3, Episode 7
What the founders asked for: $200,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $200,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company status: FAILED.
Note: Shortly after their Shark Tank appearance, the founders moved on from KissTixx to other ventures.
Paddle, paddle, paddle
Company: Tower Paddle Boards
Industry: Outdoor Recreation
What the company does: Stand-up paddle boarding products.
Who pitched the Sharks? Stephan Aarstol
Season 3, Episode 9
What the founders asked for: $150,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $150,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Other terms: Mark Cuban gets 1st right of refusal for future business ventures
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The company did well in the Shark Tank and continued to do well after making a deal. They even landed a juicy Forbes.com feature, giving them huge press.
The vanishing nail kit
Company: Nail Pak
Industry: Cosmetics
What the company does: An easy-to-use package that consolidates nail polish, pads, file and polish remover.
Who pitched the Sharks? Barbara Lampugnale
Season 3, Episode 12
What the founders asked for: $50,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $250,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $50,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $125,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: FAILED.
Note: Despite amazing success after Shark Tank, completely selling out of their inventory, Nail Pak seems to have disappeared. The founder even moved onto another cosmetics company.
Safety AND convenience
Company: Bev Buckle
Industry: Accessories
What the company does: A belt featuring a buckle that opens to make a beverage holder.
Who pitched the Sharks? Jay Kriner
Season 4, Episode 1
What the founders asked for: $50,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $50,000 in exchange for 51% equity stake
Implied valuation: $98,039
Other terms: The owner can not take a salary from the $50,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Barbara Corcoran
Company status: MIXED.
Note: The business is still up and running, but it’s not certain that the original Shark Tank team is still behind it. According to 2paragraphs.com, the business went up for sale in 2015, but there’s no confirmation if someone bought it or the founders kept it running themselves.
Dip dunk drop
Company: Back 9 Dips
Industry: Specialty Food
What the company does: Back 9 Dips are buffalo chicken dips created with all white meat chicken breasts along with wing and dipping sauces.
Who pitched the Sharks? David & Nique Mealy
Season 4, Episode 4
What the founders asked for: $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $150,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $600,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec
Company status: FAILED.
Note: Unfortunately, the momentum from Shark Tank couldn’t save the business after a scandal involving using improper ingredients. They had to do a mass recall of their products and eventually went under.
Brothers in vitamins
Company: Marz Sprays
Industry: Wellness
What the company does: If you don’t like to swallow pills, you may feel like there aren’t any wellness supplements out there for you. Marz Sprays came up with a solution. Their supplements are designed and packaged as oral sprays.
Who picked the Sharks? Brandon and Keith Marz
Season 4, Episode 5
What the founders asked for: $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $2,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $200,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $800,000
Other terms: The entrepreneurs have the option to buy back half of Lori’s stake at 4X the price she paid for them.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: MIXED.
Note: Since the company was in the Shark Tank, they expanded their product lines into all kinds of sprays. Despite being sued by actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, the company still seems to be doing well.
Uni-cycling all over town
Company: SBU Unicycle by Focus Designs
Industry: Cycling
What the company does: Focus Designs is the maker of the self-balancing unicycle, or the SBU for short.
Who pitched the Sharks? Daniel Wood and David Martschinske
Season 4, Episode 7
What the founders asked for: $300,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $3,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $300,000 in exchange for 33% equity stake
Implied valuation: $909,091
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec
Company status: MIXED.
Note: While the team behind Focus Designs (the maker of the Unicycle) all seem to still be involved, the Amazon product links are broken and the website returns an error.
On your way to a better life
Company: Better Life
Industry: Cleaning Products
What the company does: A line of plant-derived cleaning products.
Who pitched the Sharks? Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbs
Season 5, Episode 7
What the founders asked for: $400,000 in exchange for 7% equity stake
Implied valuation: $5,714,286
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $400,000 in exchange for 17% equity stake
Implied valuation: $2,352,941
Other terms: Lori offers the $400,000 as a loan, with the equity stake dropping to 7% when the loan is paid back.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The company still seems to be up and running, with more products on their site and updates to their blog.
Block that sun
Company: SwimZip
Industry: Baby and Childcare
What the company does: UV sun protection bathing suits designed for babies, toddlers, and children of all ages. A signature zipper down the front makes these suits easy to put on and take off.
Who pitched the Sharks? Betsy Johnson (Wanless)
Season 5, Episode 15
What the founders asked for: $60,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,200,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $60,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $300,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The company is alive and thriving. Its social media channels are continually active and the website shows multiple products (even for adults now).
The cookie monster approves
Company: The Cookie Dough Cafe
Industry: Specialty Food
What the company does: Gourmet cookie dough made to be eaten and enjoyed without baking.
Who pitched the Sharks? Julia Schmid and Joan Pacetti
Season 5, Episode 16
What the founders asked for: $50,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $250,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $100,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $333,333
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner and Steve Tisch
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The company has done well since its Shark Tank deal. It’s grown well and even expanded into Canada.
Supplement or construction material?
Company: FiberFix
Industry: Home Improvement
What the company does: An ultra-strength repair tape that is easy to apply and cures rapidly.
Who pitched the Sharks? Eric Child and Spencer Quinn
Season 5, Episode 6
What the founders asked for: $90,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $900,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $120,000 in exchange for 2% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Other terms: Lori will also fund purchase orders.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The deal went through and the company continues to operate. Its products are even available on Amazon.
Fashionable lunch?
Company: Yubo
Industry: Toys and Games
What the company does: Yubo is a new kind of lunchbox featuring unique changeable faceplates that allow kids to update the look of their lunchbox as often as they’d like.
Who pitched the Sharks? Cyndi Pedrazzi, Paul Pedrazzi, and Dan Harden
Season 5, Episode 10
What the founders asked for: $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $150,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $750,000
Other terms: 20% stake drops to 10% if the investment is repaid in 18 months.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec
Company status: FAILED.
Note: After 10 years in the business, the company announced in early 2019 that it was closing down.
What were they drinking?!
Company: Tipsy Elves
Industry: Holiday Cheer
What the company does: A collection of quirky and humorous Christmas-themed sweaters, sweater dresses, jumpsuits and accessories.
Who pitched the Sharks? Evan Mendelsohn and Nicklaus Morton
Season 5, Episode 12
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $2,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: Business Insider reported in 2018 that the company has sold over $70 million worth of product since appearing on Shark Tank.
Don’t get stuck on surge
Company: Invisiplug
Industry: Home Improvement
What the company does: A patented line of power strips and surge protectors designed to blend in to hardwood floors.
Who pitched the Sharks? Mike Barzman and Bryan O’Connell
Season 5, Episode 14
What the founders asked for: $125,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,250,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $125,000 in exchange for; 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,250,000
Other terms: In addition to the 10% equity stake, Lori is to receive a royalty of $1.00 per unit sold until her initial investment is recovered, then $0.25 per unit in perpetuity.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: FAILED.
Note: While some media claim the business is operational, the products are not available on Amazon or QVC any longer. Founder Mike Barzman was also arrested for threatening someone with a gun.
Sleep like a baby
Company: Sleeping Baby
Industry: Baby and Childcare
What the company does: Creators of the Zipadee-Zip, a onesie that provides a cozy, womb-like sleeping environment that babies need, with the freedom to roll around safely and freely.
Who pitched the Sharks? Brett and Stephanie Parker
Season 6, Episode 1
What the founders asked for: $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $2,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $200,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Daymond John
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: While the deal with Daymond John fell through, the company continues to operate – and even got a feature in Forbes.
Roommate or building material?
Company: Roominate
Industry: Toys and Games
What the company does: A line of toys that combines hands-on building, circuits, design, crafts, storytelling, and creativity.
Who pitched the Sharks? Alice Brooks and Bettina Chen
Season 6, Episode 2
What the founders asked for: $500,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $10,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $500,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $10,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: After success in the Shark Tank, Roominate was acquired in 2016 by toy company PlayMonster.
Golf until the end of time
Company: Kronos Golf
Industry: Recreation and Leisure
What the company does: An independent manufacturer of premium golf putters, Kronos undertakes a labor-intensive process that includes precision milling to within 1/1000 of an inch, delicate hand work, and a calculated approach to raw material selection.
Who pitched the Sharks? Phillip Lapuz and Eric Williams
Season 6, Episode 2
What the founders asked for: $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $150,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The deal with Robert Herjavec went through and the company is growing. It primarily sells to the Japanese market but hopes to expand into the US.
Strong by nature
Company: The Natural Grip
Industry: Fitness
What the company does: The Natural Grip is an innovative fitness product that provides comfortable and custom hand protection for fitness enthusiasts.
Who pitched the Sharks? Ashley Drake
Season 6, Episode 8
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 20% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $125,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company status: FAILED.
Note: Despite major early success, including being part of the Olympics, The Natural Grip has not updated Twitter since 2017 and the website fails to load.
Remix your lips
Company: Lipstick Remix
Industry: Cosmetics
What the company does: A way to save the lipstick that gets stuck at the bottom of the tube.
Who pitched the Sharks? Jill Quilln
Season 1, Episode 13
What the founders asked for: $105,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $350,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $105,000 in exchange for 50% equity stake
Implied valuation: $210,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin Harrington, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John
Company status: FAILED.
Note: After a successful run on Shark Tank, the company suddenly shut down in 2013 and has been defunct ever since.
Dance like nobody’s watching
Company: Tippi Toes
Industry: Baby and Childcare
What the company does: Dance education centers for children.
Who pitched the Sharks? Megan Reilly and Sarah Nuse
Season 2, Episode 1
What the founders asked for: $30,000 in exchange for 5% equity stake
Implied valuation: $600,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $100,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $333,333
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company status: MIXED.
Note: The deal with Mark Cuban fell through, but the business itself didn’t fail. The due are still running the company.
New toys all the time
Company: Toygaroo
Industry: Toys and Games
What the company does: A subscription toy service.
Who pitched the Sharks? Nikki Pope
Season 2, Episode 2
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $200,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $500,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban
Company status: FAILED.
Note: Despite securing two Sharks, the company ultimately failed. O’Leary said in a Forbes interview it was due to the founder’s inability to execute.
Get fit, will surf
Company: SurfSet Fitness
Industry: Fitness
What the company does: Surf-inspired exercise equipment and group fitness classes.
Who pitched the Sharks? Mike Hartwick and Sarah Ponn
Season 4, Episode 2
What the founders asked for: $150,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,500,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $300,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company status: MIXED.
Note: The deal worked with Mark Cuban, but one of the co-founders left the company in 2018. It still operates.
So much posture
Company: Posture Now
Industry: Wellness
What the company does: A patent-pending strap that keeps the wearer’s posture perfect.
Who pitched the Sharks? Mike Lane and Mark Franklin
Season 4, Episode 3
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $666,667
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $100,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $333,333
Other terms: Mark will get a $5 royalty on every unit sold until his investment is recovered. In addition, since the two entrepreneurs have full-time jobs outside of the company, Mark requires that one of them (Mike) quit his day job to fully dedicate himself to Posture Now.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company status: MIXED.
Note: While the website seems to still be up, the product is out of stock on Amazon and the company’s Twitter account has not been updated since 2017.
Have a cool baby
Company: Cool Wazoo
Industry: Baby and Childcare
What the company does: Cool Wazoo is a cover that redirects heat back to its source while serving five different functions.
Who pitched the Sharks? Ginelle Mills
Season 4, Episode 8
What the founders asked for: $65,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $260,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $65,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $260,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Lori Greiner
Company status: FAILED.
Note: With the Amazon store shut down and products being labelled as “sold out,” it doesn’t look like Cool Wazoo is still operating.
Fast ramen for the impatient
Company: Rapid Ramen Cooker
Industry: Food
What the company does: A bowl designed to cook ramen more easily in the microwave.
Who pitched the Sharks? Chris Johnson
Season 5, Episode 3
What the founders asked for: $300,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $3,000,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Other terms: In addition to the equity investment, the deal includes another $150,000 in the form of a loan.
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Mark Cuban
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: Despite the Shark Tank deal falling through, the company expanded its product offerings and is even sold through Walmart stores.
Surf AND skateboard
Company: Hamboards
Industry: Recreation and Leisure
What the company does: A surf-style skateboard company.
Who pitched the Sharks? Pete Hamborg
Season 5, Episode 4
What the founders asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 15% equity stake
Implied valuation: $666,667
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $300,000 in exchange for 30% equity stake
Implied valuation: $1,000,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Robert Herjavec
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: The deal on Shark Tank helped the company grow and it still seems to be operating today, based on an active and professional business website.
Carry your dogs
Company: Heart Pup
Industry: Pet Products
What the company does: A sling and dog carrier tote hybrid, HeartPUP allows the user to carry pets handsfree.
Who pitched the Sharks? Anastasia Heart
Season 6, Episode 3
What the founders asked for: $25,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake
Implied valuation: $250,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $50,000 in exchange for 40% equity stake
Implied valuation: $125,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Daymond John
Company status: SUCCESS.
Note: Since Shark Tank, Heart Pup has continued to operate and grow. She even models the product herself on the company’s social media pages.
Kids love it!
Company: Paper Box Pilots
Industry: Toys and Games
What the company does: Paper Box Pilots sells sticker kits that turn a plain old ordinary box into imaginative airplanes, fire engines and race cars.
Who pitched the Sharks? Noah Cahoon
Season 6, Episode 4
What the founders asked for: $35,000 in exchange for 25% equity stake
Implied valuation: $140,000
Deal they got on Shark Tank: $35,000 in exchange for 50% equity stake
Implied valuation: $70,000
Shark(s) that went in on the deal: Kevin O’Leary
Company status: MIXED.
Note: While the deal worked on Shark Tank and the company still appears to be running, many items are out of stock and the company’s social media has not been updated since 2018.