Outside The Box
Through being showcased on the hit series Shark Tank, amazing products have gone from kickstarter to bestseller, many of which did so because they made so much sense. On the other hand, whether resulting in success or failure, the show has also seen some of the most ineffective, offensive, or just straight up bizarre entries possible.
The Ionic Ear
When Darrin Johnson entered Shark Tank in season 1, he wanted to take hands-free calling to another level, looking for $1 million in exchange for a 15% stake in his company. His idea to surgically implant a Bluetooth device in the ears of consumers with zero clinical backing was met with the Sharks’ shock and concern, resulting in him leaving without a deal.
However, someone else envisioned a world with no phones at all.
The NoPhone
Season 7 entrepreneurs Chris Sheldon and Van Gould hoped to cure phone addictions by selling a product that looks and feels like a phone but has no working features. Offering 15% equity for $25,000, the duo eventually left with no deal, as the Sharks didn’t see a future with it. Of course, the show has seen many tech accessories.
The Sticky Note Holder
In season 1, Mary Ellen Simonsen pitched the Sharks a laptop attachment designed to hold and organize sticky notes on computers, looking for $100,000 in exchange for 20% equity. Ultimately, the Sharks couldn’t see the point of it, and Mary’s lack of sales proved an issue, causing her to leave without a deal.
Bellybuds
Season 5’s Matt Von Waaden and Curtis Williams pitched their headphones, which attached to an expectant mother’s belly and played music for her baby, but ended up with no deal. While the concept could have potential, the Sharks saw several financial red flags, like the request of $500,000 for 12.5% equity, which they deemed too high.
Squeeky Knees
Lisa Evans and Ivan Barnes came to season 5 with their idea of toddler pants with knee-pads that both protected from harm and made a squeaking noise. This was so parents could always hear where their child was, but the Sharks remained unimpressed, ultimately declining the offer of 20% equity for $80,000. Surprisingly, these aren’t the only noisy pants.
DrumPants
In season 6, Tyler Freeman and Lei Yu pitched a set of sensors worn under clothes that, when tapped, could create beats through a Bluetooth speaker. The duo asked for $150,000 in exchange for 5% equity, and while Robert Herjavec and Daymond John countered with potential offers, Tyler and Lei’s clumsy negotiating caused the Sharks to pull out.
The Under-Ease
For their season 1 pitch, Buck and Arlene Weimer presented a pair of airtight underwear designed to force any passed gas through a built-in filter, removing the unpleasant smell. For a 25% stake, the couple requested $55,000, but none of the Sharks saw any serious potential, and all backed out. Of course, what pairs better than underwear and socks?
Throx
Making a significant impression on the Sharks, season 1’s Edwin Heaven presented the Throx—a concept that amounted to selling socks in sets of three. Arguing that selling an extra sock would solve the problem of losing one, Edwin requested $50,000 for 25% equity. He left without a deal, as the Sharks saw no value in the product.
Unshrinkit
In season 7, Desiree Stolar and Nate Barbera pitched Unshrinkit and eventually accepted Mark Cuban’s offer of $150,000 for 15% equity. Fortunately, he saw the unique usefulness of the product, being a chemical that helps people fit into their clothes by reversing any shrinking. Unfortunately, the following product takes a more misleading approach.
The Skinny Mirror
Looking for $200,000 for a 20% stake in her company, Belinda Jasmine pitched the Sharks a slightly distorted mirror in season 7 to make consumers feel thinner and better about themselves. However, after she revealed that her sales had mainly been to stores and hotels, the Sharks lost interest due to the product’s dishonest and unethical function.
Nerdwax
People have long struggled to keep glasses from sliding off their noses, which season 7’s Don and Lydia Hejny addressed when they asked $80,000 from the Sharks for 20% equity. Their product was an ointment applied to the nosepads of glasses to keep them on, and two Sharks offered separate loans, but the Hejnys declined and left without a deal.
Kisstixx
For season 3, Dallas Robinson and Mike Buonomo presented the Sharks with a flavored lip balm that would change flavors if combined—such as in a kiss. They asked for $200,000 for a 20% stake, and while the other Sharks were unsure, Mark Cuban counter-offered the same dollar amount for 40% equity, and the duo accepted.
The Kookn’ Kap
Season 5 saw the presentation of the Kookn’ Kap by Juli Deveau and Ozma Khan, designed to wear while cooking to keep food smells out of the cook’s hair. They requested $50,000 for 20% equity but left with no deals after the Sharks all either felt the product was outside their wheelhouse or simply not worth it. However, this isn’t the only cap on this list.
The Morninghead
Max Valverde’s Morninghead cap of season 5 functioned by splashing water inside before putting it on, then massaging one’s scalp to fix any unseemly bedhead. After offering 20% equity for $25,000, Max walked out without a deal as the Sharks felt his product was unnecessary. Of course, many products have targeted the sleep market.
The HoodiePillow
Introducing the HoodiePillow in season 4, Rebecca Rescate and Chris Hindley pitched their simple product—a pillow with a hood attached. After some skilled negotiations between the entrepreneurs and Sharks, starting with a request of $90,000 for 15% equity, the duo accepted an offer from Robert Herjavec of the same amount for 20%.
AFreSHeet
Season 7’s Maxwell Cohen pitched a waterproof bed sheet that, instead of being changed, had layers that could peel off and be disposed of. He requested $100,000 for a 20% stake but left without a deal, as the Sharks either saw no potential or believed the product wasn’t ready yet. Alternatively, some products focus on those waking up.
Wake’n Bacon
Looking for $40,000 in exchange for 20% equity, Matty Sallin entered season 2 with an alarm clock designed to awaken consumers with the smell of actual bacon cooking. With the Sharks seeing several food and fire safety flaws, Matty took his product and left without a deal. Similarly, this next item is for those that need a morning pep in their step.
Wired Waffles
Presenting a line of waffles infused with caffeine, season 4’s Roger Sullivan asked the Sharks for $75,000 for 25% equity. The Sharks tried his waffles, and all declined the offer, considering them bad-tasting at best and the caffeine a liability at worst. Still, this wasn’t the only edible caffeine on the show.
Go Cubes
During season 8, Michael Brandt and Geoffrey Woo presented the Sharks with chewable coffee cubes that allegedly enhanced the consumer’s mental faculties. Following their request of $2 million for a 5% stake, the Sharks found the pitch confusing and uninteresting, so they declined. Of course, the show has seen many unique snacks.
Chapul Energy Bars
Using crickets as a protein-rich ingredient, Pat Crowley appeared on season 5 with his new energy bar and offered the Sharks 5% equity for $50,000. While most of the Sharks were either disgusted or disinterested, Mark Cuban negotiated with Pat and eventually agreed on $50,000 for 15% equity.
Moberi
Season 5’s Ryan Carpenter sought $50,000 for 15% equity to expand his smoothie business of using a stationary bike to power its blender and allowing customers to do it themselves, optionally. The Sharks didn’t see the company going anywhere, so Ryan left without a deal. Fortunately, for this next beverage pitch, the Sharks were more interested.
BeatBox Beverages
In season 6, Aimy Steadman, Justin Fenchel, and Brad Schultz pitched the Sharks a brand of mixed alcoholic beverages that they made less boring with fun boombox-shaped packaging. After several offers from the Sharks, Justin countered Mark Cuban with a proposal of 33% equity for $1 million, which Cuban accepted.
The Arkeg
For the Arkeg, season 4’s Dan Grimm and Brant Myers requested $100,000 for a 35% stake in their company. Presenting a fully functioning arcade machine that doubled as a kegerator with a tap on the side, the duo only received confusion from the Sharks, who believed the product was too gimmicky. Of course, not all beverages have to be alcoholic.
Cougar Limited
For season 3, Ryan Custer presented the Sharks with his energy drink created for women—specifically those who consider themselves cougars—and offered 30% equity for $150,000. He eventually left without a deal as the Sharks found the drink’s taste chalky and the market strangely limited. Still, the show has seen its fair share of male-centric products.
The Original Man Candle
Requesting $50,000 for a 25% stake in his company, Johnson Bailey pitched the Sharks his line of “masculine” scented candles in season 2. Although including many scents such as “BBQ,” “Pot Roast,” “Golf Course,” and even the unfortunate smell of bad gas, most of the Sharks sat unimpressed, and Johnson left without a deal.
Man Medals
Pitching a series of novelty medals designed for husbands to receive after they’ve completed tasks like vacuuming, season 5’s Jim O’Brien requested $10,000 for 10% equity. Aside from noting his significantly low sales, the Sharks simply didn’t believe the product was anything special, and all declined.
The No Fly Cone
The No Fly Cone functioned by being placed over dog poop, then trapping any flies drawn inside, and creator Bruce Gaither entered season 4 to request $25,000 for 15% equity. Sadly for him, the Sharks believed it was either out of their wheelhouse or just nonsensical, and all declined. Unfortunately, this isn’t the only product centered around animal droppings.
Llama Brew
Intended as an alternative fertilizer using liquid llama manure, Llama Brew came from the minds of Aida Camwich-Lough and Phillip Lough, who pitched the product in season 1. After hearing the couple’s request for $125,000 for 10% equity, the Sharks eventually decided it wasn’t worth the investment, even if they liked the company’s eco-friendliness.
The CitiKitty
Before returning with the HoodiePillow, Rebecca Rescate entered season 2 with her product that trains cats to use a toilet instead of a litter box. After requesting $100,000 for 15% equity and receiving two offers, Rebecca eventually arrived at a deal with Kevin Harrington for the same amount at 20% equity. As seen on the show, cat products are a popular pitch trend.
The Licki Brush
In a pitch that made the Sharks laugh and cringe, Tara and Jason O’Mara entered season 8 with a cat brush emulating a giant tongue, intended to be held in the owner’s mouth. As one product of their PDX Pet Design company, the duo argued that it would help cats and owners bond, but the Sharks ultimately declined to deal.
I Want To Draw A Cat For You
In season 3, Steve Gadlin pitched his company, which provided personalized cat drawings made by Steve for customers to commission, and he requested $10,000 for 25% equity. While the other Sharks remained uninterested, Mark Cuban offered $25,000 for 33% equity, which Steve accepted. However, the following product turns pets into art themselves.
Pet Paint
As an alternative to costumes, season 5’s Abe Geary pitched a safe, temporary paint for use on dogs, and requested $200,000 for 20% equity. After reviewing his sales and other business decisions, only Barbara Corcoran offered $200,000 for a 60% stake, which Abe refused.
Elephant Chat
For couples that struggle with starting difficult discussions, Elephant Chat is a small stuffed elephant that one can put out to communicate a need to address the elephant in the room. Season 5’s Amanda and Jason Adams pitched this and requested $50,000 for 20% equity but left without a deal after the Sharks criticized the product's $59 price.
Elephant Chat Shark Tank response, Elephant Chat
The Pavlok
Pitched in season 7 to help its wearer kick any bad habit, Maneesh Sethi’s Pavlok watch delivers an electric shock to correct poor behaviors, and he requested $500,000 for 3.14% equity. Caught between being unimpressed and in disbelief, none of the Sharks made a deal with Maneesh. Unfortunately, this isn’t the only shocking presentation on this list.
The Squirrel Boss
To combat the issue of squirrels stealing from bird feeders, season 4’s Michael J DeSanti pitched a feeder that would shock any thieving critters at the push of a button. After hearing his request of $130,000 for a 40% stake, the Sharks declined, citing the inhumane function and impracticality, as the user would have to watch for squirrels to shock them manually.
The Shark Wheel
During season 6, Zack Fleishman and David Patrick pitched their cube-shaped wheels, arguing they were more durable and efficient. Hearing their ask of $100,000 for a 5% stake, three Sharks offered $225,000 for 7.5% equity and 10% royalties until $500,000 was repaid, which the two accepted. For those who dread transportation, this next item may be helpful.
The Carsik Bib
Presenting what was essentially a bib with a barf bag attached, season 2’s Les Cookson pitched the Carsik Bib, seeking $30,000 for a 15% stake in his company. Not believing in the product’s potential and seeing possible liabilities, all the Sharks declined Cookson’s offer.
Drive Suits
For those wanting to be a transformer, Drew Beaumier’s Drive Suits are wearable devices that transform into vehicles and actually drive. In season 4, he requested $150,000 for 20% equity, and after several Sharks declined, he made a deal with Kevin O’Leary of the same amount for 30% equity. However, this next item offers a different kind of driver.
The Uro Club
Dr Floyd Seskin’s season 1 pitch featured a hollow golf club for the user to discreetly relieve themselves in while golfing. He sought $25,000 for 51% equity, but most of the Sharks couldn’t see the value until Kevin Harrington offered the same amount for 70% equity, which Dr Floyd accepted. Still, one of the craziest inventions came just two seasons later.
The Sullivan Generator
With his generator, Mark Sullivan claimed he could use the Earth’s rotation to process saltwater and generate electricity while also spitting out manganese and gold as waste. Appearing more like a mad scientist, Mark’s data seemed questionable, causing all the Sharks to decline his request of $1 million for 10% equity.
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