25 of the Most Successful Products from ‘Shark Tank’
Since premiering in 2009, Shark Tank has made a business out of making businesses. The highly rated ABC series permits entrepreneurs to pitch their product ideas to a panel of potential investors, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, “Queen of QVC” Lori Greiner, and acerbic Kevin O’Leary. Good products find encouragement and investment capital; questionable inventions face withering scorn and a long walk back to the dressing room.
Of the hundreds of items to be featured on the show over the last 14 seasons, a relatively small percentage have gone on to great success. (Many deals, in fact, dry up during the due diligence stage.) Here are 25 of the most successful Shark Tank products, including several that could make excellent gifts for someone special in your life.
Table Of Contents
- 1. Squatty Potty; $25
- 2. Bombas Socks; $13
- 3. Scrub Daddy; $4
- 4. Ring Video Doorbell; $100
- 5. Simply Fit Board
- 6. Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix; $25
- 7. Safe Grabs Original Microwave Mats; From $32
- 8. ReadeREST Magnetic Eyeglass Holder; From $14
- 9. Tipsy Elves
- 10. The Comfy Wearable Blanket Hoodie; From $50
- 11. Cousins Maine Lobster
- 12. Stasher Silicone Food Storage Bags; From $8
- 13. Lovepop Greeting Cards
- 14. Bala Bangles; $55
- 15. PhoneSoap UV Cell Phone Sanitizer & Dual Universal Cell Phone Charger; From $50
- 16. Bubba’s Q
- 17. Bedjet Mattress Pad; From $489
- 18. Sand Cloud Sand-Proof Beach Towel; $48
- 19. Copa Di Vino
- 20. CBS Foods
- 21. Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler; $25
- 22. FiberFix Repair Tape; $12
- 23. Bottle Breacher Bottle Opener; $17
- 24. Mission Belt; From $47
- 25. InstaFire Fire Starters; $8
1. Squatty Potty; $25
A plastic stool meant to facilitate more efficient emptying of the colon, the Squatty Potty made a splash when it was featured on the show in 2014. The company moved more than $1 million in product in the 24 hours following broadcast—that was in addition to Greiner’s $500,000 investment. In 2016, the company topped $30 million in sales. Creator Bobby Edwards cites his chronically constipated mother, Judy, as being the inspiration. Loads of other “toilet stools” have followed, and scientific papers have been written confirming that they do indeed help make pooping easier.
Buy it: Amazon
2. Bombas Socks; $13
In 2011, founders Randy Goldberg and David Heath learned that socks are among most requested items at homeless shelters. This fact propelled them to create Bombas with the simple idea of making the perfect pair of socks, and donating a pair to a shelter every time one is purchased. In Shark Tank’s sixth season, the founders pitched their company to the Sharks, asking for $200,000 in exchange for a 5 percent stake in the business. Daymond John ended up investing the amount for a 17.5 percent stake. The brand has expanded into creating shirts and underwear and has donated over 50 million clothing items to shelters.
Buy it: Bombas
3. Scrub Daddy; $4
In what is likely the single biggest nonedible success story to emerge from Shark Tank, inventor Aaron Krause convinced Greiner to invest $200,000 in his smiley-faced sponge. (The mouth is good for cleaning utensils.) But the Scrub Daddy is more than just a vessel to tackle dried-on chili from pans: Rinsed under hot water, it gets pliable enough to use on counters. Run it under cold and it firms up to tackle baked-on messes. As of 2017, Krause has sold more than 10 million sponges and logged more than $50 million in sales.
Buy it: Amazon
4. Ring Video Doorbell; $100
The doorbell-camera hybrid Ring was sold to Amazon in 2018 for $1.1 billion, but during a 2013 appearance, CEO James Siminoff faced a lineup of Sharks who could barely keep their eyes open. (Only one, O’Leary, even bothered to make an offer.) Mark Cuban later stated that he would decline the opportunity again if given the chance, citing a high valuation as a stumbling block. The Amazon sale also paid off for Shaquille O’Neal, who agreed to be a pitchman for the product in 2016 in exchange for equity.
Buy it: Amazon
5. Simply Fit Board
Resembling something like a skateboard liberated from its wheels, the Simply Fit board is a core balance device meant to strengthen abdominal muscles. In a 2015 appearance, co-founders Gloria Hoffman and Linda Clark convinced Greiner that it was a wise investment, but Greiner felt she had to act fast: Without a patent, copycats would become a problem. Sales went from $575,000 to $9 million in a matter of months, with placement in Home Depot and Walmart, although the board is currently sold out at those locations and on Amazon.
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6. Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix; $25
It can be hard to break the habit of reaching for Bisquick pancake mix, but Utah-based Kodiak Cakes is making an impressive effort in that direction. The flour-based mix—which adds more whole grains and protein than your average grocery store offering—was featured on the show in 2013, with owner Joel Clark walking away empty-handed. (He didn’t want to give up more than 10 percent equity.) Bolstered by the attention and supported by health-conscious carb lovers, the company recorded $54 million in revenue in 2017 and is now the fourth-largest pancake mix on shelves. You can also find their premade waffles and pancakes in freezer aisles.
Buy it: Amazon
7. Safe Grabs Original Microwave Mats; From $32
If you’ve ever burned your hands transporting a hot bowl of oatmeal or soup from the microwave, Safe Grabs are for you. Inventor Cyndi Lee developed the idea after spending a lifetime nursing singed palms. The silicone mat is placed in the microwave underneath your reheated dish. When it’s done, the mat acts as an oven mitt, insulating your hands from the steaming leftover plate. You can also use it for handling hot styling tools or as a placemat for the dining table. Safe Grabs has done over $5 million in sales since appearing on the show in 2016, where Lori Greiner invested $75,000.
Buy it: Amazon
8. ReadeREST Magnetic Eyeglass Holder; From $14
Rick Hopper, a former supervisor at Home Depot, had his eureka moment in 2010 when he found himself misplacing his reading glasses. That frustration led to ReadeREST (“reader rest”), a magnetic pocket filler that allows glasses-wearers to clip their spectacles to their shirt when not in use. Unlike glasses kept loose in a pocket, the clip prevents them from slipping out and crashing to the floor when a person bends over. Hopper accepted an offer from Greiner and subsequently sold $100,000 in product the first time it appeared on QVC. They’ve since done more than $27 million in sales.
Buy it: Amazon
9. Tipsy Elves
Ugly holiday sweaters might appear to belong only on thrift store shelves, but Tipsy Elves co-founders Nick Morton and Evan Mendelsohn managed to convince Shark Robert Herjavec to invest $100,000 for a 10 percent stake in their business during a 2013 appearance. Peddling the clothing—which now includes everything from swim trunks to ski suits, and that features hideously charming or charmingly hideous designs, depending on your perspective—has paid off for everyone, with sales exceeding $10 million in 2015. Three days before taping the show, Mendelsohn went to Panda Express and found a curious prediction in his fortune cookie: “An investment opportunity will find you.”
Find them: Amazon
10. The Comfy Wearable Blanket Hoodie; From $50
In 2017, brothers Brian and Michael Speciale headed to Shark Tank with an idea for a “blanket that’s a sweatshirt” (now known as The Comfy) and the hope that it would resonate with one of the Sharks. They went into the show asking for a $50,000 investment that would amount to a 20 percent stake in the company. Finally, the duo accepted an offer from Barbara Corcoran for $50,000 and a 30 percent stake.
Buy it: Amazon
11. Cousins Maine Lobster
Hoping to bring an authentic Maine lobster roll experience to the West Coast, cousins Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis started their Cousins Maine Lobster food truck in Los Angeles in 2012. That success captured the interest of Shark Tank producers, who invited the two on the show. Shark Barbara Corcoran invested a total of $55,000, which helped facilitate a growing number of the trucks and led to total sales in excess of $20 million. Consumers outside of their vehicle reach can also order live, claw-snapping Maine lobsters from their website.
Buy it: Cousins Maine Lobster
12. Stasher Silicone Food Storage Bags; From $8
Kat Nouri entered Shark Tank asking for a $400,000 investment for 5 percent equity in her company, Stasher. The reusable silicone bags act as a replacement food storage option for items like sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables that would ordinarily be thrown into a single-use plastic bag. In the first year, the company did $1.6 million in sales, mostly through the brand’s website. After a few negotiations, Nouri and Mark Cuban settled on a $400,000 investment for 15 percent equity in the brand. Now, the product has become a household essential and is only getting more popular.
Buy it: Amazon
13. Lovepop Greeting Cards
Whether you’re looking for Mother’s Day cards or a memorable birthday greeting, Lovepop has got you covered. The brand, which specializes in 3D pop-up cards, was founded by Wombi Rose and John Wise, who previously worked as naval architects. During a trip to Vietnam, they discovered kirigami, a paper art form, and inspiration for their future company took hold. In 2015, they received a $300,000 investment from Kevin O’Leary in exchange for a 15 percent stake in the company; they netted about $40 million in revenue for 2022.
Find them: Amazon
14. Bala Bangles; $55
Co-founders Natalie Holloway and Max Kislevitz took Bala Bangles—their innovative, wearable wrist and ankle weights—to the Tank for the show’s 11th season and received offers from all of the Sharks. But in the end, it was Mark Cuban and guest host Maria Sharapova who took it home: Although Holloway and Kislevitz initially asked for a $400,000 investment in exchange for 10 percent equity in the company, they received a combined $900,000 investment from Cuban and Sharapova, for 30 percent equity. For the company, which had already done $1.2 million in sales, it was a big win—since appearing on the show, its now valued at about $10 million, as of 2023.
Buy it: Amazon
15. PhoneSoap UV Cell Phone Sanitizer & Dual Universal Cell Phone Charger; From $50
Germs are truly everywhere and we pick them up as we continue to touch things like doorknobs, toilets, and pens throughout our day. Dan Barnes and Wes LaPorte created PhoneSoap to charge phones while simultaneously “scrubbing” phones clean of bacteria and germs using a UV light. They entered Shark Tank asking for a $300,000 investment for a 7.5 percent stake in the company. After hearing many concerns from several Sharks, Lori Greiner offered the duo a $300,000 investment, but for a 10 percent stake, which they accepted. Now, the brand has multiple models to choose from at a variety of price points so everyone can have a clean phone.
Buy it: Amazon
16. Bubba’s Q
Former NFL player Al “Bubba” Baker pitched his Bubba’s Q boneless ribs to the Tank in 2014, with Shark Daymond John seeing potential in Baker’s signature meat-and-sauce combination and agreeing to invest $300,000 for a 30 percent stake. The company went from doing $154,000 in sales prior to the show to $16 million in 2017. The ribs can be found online, in Costco, and on QVC, and were also featured as part of a Carl’s Jr. menu. Baker owns patents on his process, making him the only person able to sell a deboned and cooked rib.
Buy it: Bubba’s Q
17. Bedjet Mattress Pad; From $489
Few entrepreneurs have flamed out as spectacularly as former NASA employee Mark Aramli, who appeared on a 2015 episode touting his BedJet, a climate-controlling mattress pad that allows users to adjust to their preferred temperature. The Sharks disagreed with his $2.5 million valuation and $499 price tag. Greiner later tweeted she was “pissed off” by his disposition. No one wanted to get in bed with him, but Aramli got the last laugh with $3 million in sales in the 18 months following the broadcast.
Buy it: Amazon
18. Sand Cloud Sand-Proof Beach Towel; $48
Co-founders Brandon Leibel, Bruno Aschidamini, and Steven Ford had a rough start in 2014 when they created their company Sand Cloud, which sells thin beach towels made of Turkish cotton that are reportedly sand-proof. Then in 2016, they decided to try their chances on Shark Tank, asking for a $200,000 investment for 8 percent equity. Shark Robert Herjavec ended up giving the trio the $200,000 investment but for 15 percent equity. Since the episode aired, the brand has generated about $6 million in revenue annually.
Buy it: Amazon
19. Copa Di Vino
It’s rare to score even one opportunity to make a product presentation on Shark Tank: Having two is almost unheard of. Copa Di Vino founder James Martin first appeared in 2011 with his idea for single-serve wine glasses that are sealed to maintain freshness. While he failed to find a partner, Martin still profited from the attention, going from $500,000 to $5 million in sales. That success led to a second invite in 2017. Again, the Sharks were less than fond of his brazen approach to negotiation. (He took sips from his own supply.) But Copa is still doing fine; in 2020 the brand was acquired by Splash Beverage Group, and has since raked in nearly $6 million annually as of 2023.
Find it: Copa Di Vino
20. CBS Foods
Who doesn’t crave a juicy, delicious shrimp burger? All the Sharks, apparently, as this seafood offering failed to entice any investment offers when Shawn Davis pitched it in 2012. The exposure quickly led to offscreen offers for funding, however, and his Chef Big Shake banner went from $30,000 to $5 million in sales thanks in part to an expanded menu of chicken, popcorn, and other items. Davis originally formulated the patty for his pescatarian daughter, who is currently back to eating meat.
Find it: Big Shake's Hot Chicken and Fish
21. Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler; $25
Is it the greatest invention since the light bulb? Or at least the Snuggie? The Drop Stop is a foam-filled log that fits in the crack between a car seat and the center console. If a passenger drops their car keys or other items in the “Carmuda Triangle,” they will still be within easy reach. Co-founders Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon appeared on the show in 2012, secured a deal, and went on to sell 2.4 million Drop Stops for $24 million in revenue.
Buy it: Amazon
22. FiberFix Repair Tape; $12
When duct tape won’t do the trick, FiberFix promises to offer a sticky solution. The ultra-durable adhesive tape hardens into a steel-like texture, creating a permanent and water-tight covering for repairs on most surfaces. Lori Greiner invested and has seen the company collect $50 million in sales since co-founders Spencer Quinn and Eric Child pitched the product in 2013.
Buy it: Amazon
23. Bottle Breacher Bottle Opener; $17
If nothing else, the Bottle Breacher is a conversation starter. The bottle openers are actually hand-crafted, decommissioned .50 caliber bullets and intended to be symbolic of military support. (Co-founder Eli Crane is a Navy SEAL and operated Bottle Breacher with his wife, Jen, before selling the company in early 2022.) Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary invested in 2014 and watched as sales climbed from $150,000 to $15 million. A portion of revenue is directed toward a number of nonprofit military organizations.
Buy it: Bottle Breacher
24. Mission Belt; From $47
This reinvention of the belt does away with notches and instead uses a release clasp to keep the strap tight around the waist. The Mission Belt comes in a variety of styles and colors and guarantees you’ll never have a too-tight or too-loose fit. The accessory caught the attention of Shark Daymond John in 2012, who invested $50,000 in exchange for 37.5 percent of the business. Co-founders Zac Holzapfel and Jeff Jensen donate $1 from every belt sale to fund microloans that help those in need.
Buy it: Amazon
25. InstaFire Fire Starters; $8
Not everyone learned valuable fire-starting skills as a youth, which is where InstaFire comes in. The kits—which consist of volcanic rock, wood pellets, and paraffin wax—can produce flames up to 16 inches in height that will stay lit for up to 30 minutes. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner invested a total of $300,000 in 2016. After beginning with $378,000 in sales prior to the show, InstaFire is on track to earn upwards of $4 million annually as of 2023.
Buy it: Amazon
This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated for 2023.