Top 50 Worst Shark Tank Pitches Ever

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most memorably misguided products and presentations to appear on the high-pressure reality show “Shark Tank.”
#50: TEC
Scott Jordan set the standard for biting back at the Sharks in 2012. The former corporate lawyer presented stylish travel clothing engineered with dozens of pockets to store items without bulging. Anyone with an unsightly excess of gadgets may find Technology Enabled Clothing easily worth the $500,000 for 15%. But Jordan was actually pitching a patent that other companies had allegedly been infringing on. While Mark angrily dismissed this legally risky investment, Kevin and Robert made offers for the retail business. The insulted Jordan responded with smug retorts like “You’re out!” He stormed off with nothing. TEC and the company SCOTTeVEST have since become a great success, but this awkward clash between a lawyer and investors remains one of the show’s most infamous moments.
#49: ViewSPORT
Who wants to draw more attention to sweat patterns during a workout? Actually, Ben Wood had a strong idea for fitness clothing that reveals graphic designs when exposed to water. ViewSPORT would theoretically encourage wearers to break a sweat during exercise. Unfortunately, Wood couldn't generate a clear image even when he had to spray his exercise demonstrator with water. He was practically perspiring as the Sharks criticized the amount of moisture required. Though Wood had plans to improve the technology and clothing designs, none of the investors was interested in the gimmick. Thankfully, ViewSPORT later landed a $6.9 million contract with the US Army. So there was some gain to come out of Wood’s painful experience on “Shark Tank.”
#48: unPack
Don't you just hate having to pack clothes for a trip? Well, how about wearing somebody else’s? Aaron Liskov and Andrew Zahornacky pitched a service that delivered rental clothes to frequent travelers, ostensibly to cut down on travel stress and costs. But with washing and retrieval fees, unPack costs around $20 per day. And it was only bringing 37 active users and one location to negotiations for $500K for 40% equity. Mark deduced that the uneasy entrepreneurs really wanted someone more qualified to rework their business. The other Sharks brought up overhead issues and the necessity of luggage for personal items. unPack couldn't land an offer, or a solid market. In 2017, Liskoc and Zahornacky packed in their business.
#47: MuteMe
Even with the rise of the remote workforce, many haven't gotten the hang of toggling their audio in conference calls. The Kickstarter-funded MuteMe aimed to make things easier with a button that controls a device’s microphone. Parm Dhoot and Tye Davis have an interesting product, but the Sharks see it as relatively easy engineering. What's worse is that the company only saw decent numbers in selling to physical retailers. The overall lack of modern vision convinced the Sharks to opt out. Dhoot later explained on Reddit that he actually declined an offer from Lori, which was edited out of the episode. Many satisfied customers agree on MuteMe’s value, but its clunky pitch drowned out a sound investment.
#46: Trippie: The Airport App
Anyone who’s been in an airport recognizes the value in an app to help travelers get around. College athlete Ryan Diew had a promising solution in “Trippie: The Airport App.” But he didn’t have the charisma or resources to navigate the Tank. Diew’s lame skit about airport chaos didn’t make up for the fact that “Trippie” was still in development. And the defense that he didn’t have a “rich uncle” to help out seemed to offend Robert. The Sharks tried to let Diew down easy, until he came back to desperately plead his case. Viewers were torn between sympathy for the underdog and disappointment in his behavior. The good news is that his app took off in 2019, despite the initial televised turbulence.
#45: CoinOut
In 2018, Jeff Witten aimed to change the concept of change with an app that would earn users reward points at the scan of a receipt. But a $20 monthly subscription and 3% transaction fee sounds like a turn-off for consumers. The Sharks questioned CoinOut’s business model and market relevance, but appreciated Witten’s moxie. That is, until the arrogance became overwhelming. Robert was ultimately pressured into making a deal that eventually fell through. Of course, success can be as random as the flip of a coin. Or maybe it's just a matter of hustling investors and selling customers’ information. In 2021, CoinOut was acquired by and retooled into a free app by the market data company IRI.
#44: Rent-A-Grandma
Grandparents do tend to be the best babysitters. Granted, that's partly because their services are usually free. Todd Pliss still may have been onto something with a service that would hire out grandmothers as qualified babysitters. The logic behind Rent-A-Grandma was fairly sound, but the profit margins weren't great. And let's just say there were unsettling factors implied by a policy to provide up to three replacement grandmas. Pliss’s visibly uncomfortable disposition made this pitch all the more bizarre. He walked away with nothing more than the Sharks’ amusement. Well, Pliss wound up having the last laugh. Thirteen years later, Rent-A-Grandma is holding up better than the owner's early negotiating skills.
#43: Besomebody
Kash Shaikh shows how confidence can be a lucrative commodity. Mind you, that was after his appearance on “Shark Tank.” He presented Besomebody as a marketplace platform where users could receive mentorship in their passion projects. From an abrasive attitude to an extravagant entrance with star athletes and Bollywood dancers, Shaikh had all the motivational speaking gimmicks. But his ego soon derailed talks with Mark. The rest of the Sharks then dismissed the brash businessman and his steep ask of $1 million for 10%. The Besomebody app was later discontinued after being sold to Utivity Holdings. Meanwhile, the company saw amazing success shifting toward job training and business consultation. Clearly, Shaikh's skills are better suited for motivation than negotiation.
#42: Samson Martin Maternity T-Shirt
“When are you due?” has to be an exhausting question for expecting mothers. Kim Preis cut to the chase with maternity t-shirts printed with babies’ due date. It's not like maternity clothes aren't popular in spite of their short-term value. But the Sharks didn't see enough uniqueness or stability in the company Samson Martin’s product. They were particularly put off by a decline in initially strong sales after six years of operation by 2011. Preis had celebrity endorsements, but no investors. Her anxious pitch fell apart with the realization that she really wanted the Sharks to save her business. Samson Martin shut down the following year, and is now considered a cautionary tale about expecting a village to raise your brand.
#41: NicePipes
Yoga attire may be a bit too breathable for certain climates. A veteran worker in the yoga industry, Lisa Binderow had designed arm and leg warmers compatible with that wardrobe. But maybe she should have kept her cool while working with the Sharks. Most backed out over skepticism of NicePipes’ $1 million valuation. Barbara offered the $100K Lisa wanted, but for 30% equity over asking. The deal was also contingent on a partnership with “Shark Tank” alum Grace and Lace. Lisa couldn't take the heat, and left with nothing. As of 2025, she is still enjoying solid, independent success with NicePipes. Sometimes, the most valuable thing “Shark Tank” can provide is a warning about entrepreneurial flexing.
#40: Chill Systems
Aren’t you tired of lugging around bulky coolers? The Sharks seem more tired of coolers as a product, even with Chill Systems’ innovative concept. Brian Bloch and Chase Mitchell present a lightweight carrier that can sustain cold from the freezer all day. It’s superficially a nice idea, but the Sharks aren’t exactly chill about it. Kevin pushes his anger management to the edge to slam the cooler as too big for freezer storage and too small for a party. He also feels it has too much plastic material to be a strong eco-friendly alternative. Mark and Robert are more upset about the presentation leading with the product’s profit losses. Shortly after getting the cold shoulder on “Shark Tank,” Chill Systems was put on ice.
#39: Copa di Vino
Some great product pitches fall apart at the end. Copa di Vino suspiciously suffered that fate twice. James Martin appears in Season 2 with premium wine in a stylish, resealable cup. The Sharks are very impressed, but unsure if the wine or the cup’s patent is on the table. Kevin makes a $600,000 offer for the latter, but Martin shockingly declines. The following year, he comes back, his business booming. Kevin, Mark and Robert make a joint offer that’s twice the asking price. And again, Martin walks away! The popular theory about this infamous “Shark” arc is that it was just a ploy to promote Copa di Vino. Considering its continued success since, it does pay to troll the Sharks sometimes.
#38: Minus Cal
Crom Carmichael and Barrett Jacques believe they found a solution to dietary dilemmas. Minus Cal provides tablets and protein bars that use the chemical choleve to filter out fat. Robert isn't crazy about the taste, but Mark isn't swallowing the data. He and Carmichael get into a huge argument over whether the product actually works. This brings a sour tone to the lively and confident presentation, especially as Minus Cal has not yet gone to market. None of the Sharks is willing to take the risk. This proved to be the right call when the product was later released to scathing reviews and accusations that it was a scam. Minus Cal went belly-up not long after that.
#37: LIFTiD
Ken and Allyson Davidov should have been sharper when pitching LIFTiD. The neurostimulation device uses small electrodes in a headband to stimulate the brain’s frontal lobe. The couple is more abrasive than persuasive in their explanation of this admittedly far-fetched technology. Mark immediately dismisses the idea, while his peers fail to notice the effects in their samples. The headband supposedly requires mental engagement and up to 20 minutes of use to be effective. The Sharks don't need that much time to rule this harebrained product too risky. But maybe they should have thought that through. LIFTiD became a big success, and was named the Best Product of 2019 by Gadget Flow. If only the Davidovs’ “Shark Tank” pitch was that stimulating.
#36: Amber Charging Station
Charging your phone in a public space is an uncomfortable situation. Is locking your phone up supposed to be more comforting? Kyle Byrd and Bill Shuey think so when they pitch Amber. Their advanced public charging stations would allow patrons to securely charge their devices after paying a service fee and registering a thumbprint. But venues may not consider the one-time purchase of $2,000 to be a worthy investment. Granted, one station costs $1,000 to make, with the security doors still in development. Byrd and Shuey clearly aren’t ready for the Sharks, who have reason enough to dismiss them for thumbprint scanners’ notorious unreliability. Whether because of this infamous incident or the product itself, Amber was locked out in 2015.
#35: Tycoon Real Estate
The Sharks know the difference between crowdfunding and big investments. Experienced entrepreneur Aaron McDaniel still thinks real estate can be a layman’s game. His platform Tycoon Real Estate walks users through investing in property developments. The pitch doesn't get far before Mark bails. The other Sharks at least let McDaniel finish before condemning these high-risk online deals’ expense and lack of transparency. Mark makes it clear that he thinks the whole thing is a scam. Kevin likes the concept enough to take 50% equity, hoping to make the business more secure. The suspiciously slick McDaniel declines after being scolded, even by the one potential investor. Nonetheless, Tycoon wound up booming. McDaniel has since sold it and pursued other, legitimate ventures.
#34: Vestpakz
If your kid has a million dollar idea, letting it mature may not be the best idea. Michael Wooley learns this lesson when he brings Vestpakz to “Shark Tank.” This backpack/vest hybrid was invented by his daughter when she was in the sixth grade, and later won major accolades. Still, it’s only grossed $10,000 after two months in 75 Walmart stores. The children modeling the product have to leave the room while the Sharks school Mr. Wooley. They end up in stitches when he reveals that the Vestpakz was invented in 1999. This terrific product’s underwhelming sales was the consequence of taking too long to go to market. Thus, Vestpakz failed to get an offer, and went out of business soon thereafter.
#33: Underease Underwear
There's just no salvaging a pitch for certain products. Buck and Arlene Weimer are very compelling in their presentation of Underease Underwear, a brand of undergarments engineered to trap flatulence. The Sharks respect the couples’ confidence enough to hold it in. …The laughter, that is. Still, there are concerns that the market is too niche and that the well-made underwear is inherently unattractive. A sharp decline in sales over the past year reflects this observation. The Sharks politely pass… on the investment opportunity, that is. Underease Underwear did enjoy the “Shark Tank Effect” after the Weimers’ appearance, but the sweet smell of success was short-lived. The company simply ran out of gas in 2021.
#32: Esso Watches
Even con artists know that products should have some apparent evidence of legitimacy. Ryan Naylor claims that the Esso Watches’ silicone-based engineering regulates ions to bolster wearers’ energy. This is seemingly demonstrated with a test of Lori’s balance with and without the watch. But that isn't enough to convince Mark that this isn't just another placebo scam. The lack of decisive health benefits and lab testing sure convince the other Sharks to follow his lead. Naylor even admits that he didn't fully come up with the technology’s design. Thus, Kevin offers to balance Esso if Naylor admits that it could be a scam. The confident hustler is willing to die on that hill. Following massive backlash afterwards, his company tumbled.
#31: His & Her Bar
Snack bars can be a great source of energy. Jennifer and Michael Gallagher’s can especially boost performance in one area, due to its aphrodisiac ingredients. But does this make His & Her Bars unique enough to tempt the Sharks? The unpleasantly spicy taste wasn't much of a selling point. As the Gallaghers struggle to make the bars seem more valuable, their gratingly hyperactive tone takes a turn. Michael bursts into tears as he recounts past failures, health concerns, and the costly investment in this venture. The story is sympathetic, but not really relevant. It breaks the Sharks’ hearts to turn down the underdeveloped brand. A slight sales boost thereafter couldn't spice up the company enough to save it.
#30: Pavlok
How do you know that your pitch went poorly? Well, getting kicked out of the tank is a pretty good indication. Maneesh Sethi pitched Pavlok, which is essentially a dog collar for humans. Cleverly named after the famed scientist Pavlov, Pavlock is a wearable device meant to break certain bad habits. When the user presses the button, the Pavlock gives them a small shock, thereby preventing them from doing said habit. Yes, the Sharks laughed too. Not only is the product ridiculous, but Sethi gets angry when he’s confronted. Lori says he just wanted to get on TV, and Kevin calls him an a-hole before kicking him out. So, yeah, it didn’t go well.
#29: Squeeky Knees
Parents might buy anything if it means making life just a little bit easier. But maybe not the Squeeky Knees. This product is made by Ivan Barnes and Lisa Evans, who asked for $80,000 for 20%. It’s a small pad placed on a baby’s knees, thereby preventing their knees from getting hurt as they crawl around. The pads also make an annoying squeaking noise, which alerts the parents to the child’s location. No one liked the product, and the couple even argue with Mark when he questions their dedication to the company. But the worst sting probably comes from Mr. Wonderful, who says the product “sucks” and quickly bows out.
#28: BedRyder
George Conway strolls into the tank with BedRyder, which is essentially a toddler’s car seat for pickup truck beds. Yep, these bad boys are drilled directly into the truck, thereby allowing adults to safely and legally ride in the back. But not only do they look a little off-putting, they cost nearly $800! While Robert and Barbara are more receptive to the idea, Lori and Kevin make their displeasure known. Lori calls out the product for possibly being dangerous. Kevin thinks along the same lines, claiming that the BedRyder is just asking for legal trouble. Maybe they’re right. Maybe we just aren’t meant to sit in the back of pickup trucks.
#27: Haven
Who doesn’t cringe in embarrassment when a presentation goes horribly wrong? Enter Clay Banks and Alex Bertelli of Haven, a special lock that is meant to secure doors better than a standard deadbolt. It’s a fair idea, but the presentation is an iconic disaster. Bertelli hopes to prove the flimsy nature of a deadbolt by kicking down a prop door. It does not go well. He continuously kicks the door to no success and even grabs a nearby stand to ram it, still to no success. Meanwhile, the Sharks howl with laughter, drowning out Banks’s desperate attempt to continue the presentation. Mark calls it the “best pitch ever” and later called it the funniest pitch in the show’s history. We can’t argue with that.
#26: Ledge Pillow
There’s a market for everything. Or so Amanda Schlechter hoped. She brought in the Ledge Pillow, a small memory foam pillow meant for women with large breasts. This small cushion is placed underneath the woman’s stomach, allowing her to comfortably sleep on a bed. The presentation gets off to a bad start, with snickering through the demonstration and sarcastically calling out the “big problem.” They also joke and laugh their way frequently through the whole thing, even while trying to talk business with Schlechter. It’s clearly not going well, and that’s before Mark calls her a “wantrepreneur” and declines the offer. Was this sexism in action?
#25: Go Cube
People like feeling alert and energized, and for many, that means coffee. But there are tons of products out there that purport to provide energy boosts, including what are called nootropics. The company NootroBox presented a chewable coffee called Go Cubes, which supposedly, among other ingredients, contains the same caffeine content as a standard cup of coffee. But the thing is, people like drinking coffee. And also, caffeine pills exist. None of the Sharks liked or even understood the product, with Kevin sarcastically calling them sugar cubes. They also gawk at the company's overall $40 million valuation and yell over their attempts to justify themselves. You’re asking for it when you go up against Big Coffee.
#24: Fitness Stride
The fitness industry is probably worth, like, a zillion dollars. Enter Stacy Erwin, who hoped to get a small slice of that big pie. He made the Fitness Stride, aimed at getting people into shape without going to the gym or even putting aside time for exercise. The Fitness Stride is basically a resistance band that users wear while walking around or doing chores. None of the Sharks bite on this one. Some complain of the valuation, arguing that $900,000 is way too high for a resistance band. Barbara doesn’t understand it. And Kevin calls it a “marketing nightmare,” as there are a billion similar products. Erwin strode away empty-handed.
#23: Wired Waffles
What did we just tell you - don’t compete with Big Coffee! Roger Sullivan hoped to get in on the energy-boosting business with his Wired Waffles. These are standard breakfast waffles infused with caffeine, the rough equivalent of two cups of coffee. There were numerous questions raised here, none of which got truly satisfactory answers. Is it safe? Not according to Lori, who feared young children eating 200 milligrams of caffeine. Is edible caffeine even a good idea in the first place? Not according to Daymond. Most importantly, do the waffles taste good? Not according to both Mark and Kevin, both of whom criticize the flavor. In other words, this pitch was a complete disaster.
#22: ArKeg
We don’t know what’s worse - the ArKeg itself or its silly name. The device is a combination video game arcade machine and beer dispenser. It comes pre-equipped with dozens of classic arcade games and a beer keg sits under the console, allowing players to dispense themselves a drink. There were deemed to be countless problems with this. The $4,000 price tag is a big one. Another is practicality - why not just pour yourself a beer beforehand, then play the game? Are you really saving yourself that much time dispensing it from the machine? Unsurprisingly, all of the sharks hated the ArKeg, with Lori calling it a gimmick.
#21: Sticky Note Holder
Have you ever thought to yourself, “man, I really wish I had a device that could attach post-it notes to my laptop”? No, you probably haven’t, because - well... post-its are already perfectly capable of sticking to things. It’s kind of a big part of their job description. Mary Ellen Simonsen, the woman pitching this wonderfully useless product, was asking the Sharks for half a million dollars in funding. Can you say delusional? To top it all off, she had made zero sales and didn’t even have a patent on her invention - which if you’re a regular “Shark Tank” viewer you’ll know is a recipe for a quick rejection.
#20: Eyebloc
Okay… so we get that the product/company is called Eyebloc, but rocking sunglasses inside is rarely a good look. So we were already skeptical by the time entrepreneur Craig Isakow suddenly started yelling and took them off. Granted, all of the concerns he raised about laptop and phone cameras are valid, and there’s admittedly something appealing about the simplicity of his invention to cover your laptop camera. Unfortunately, that same simplicity also significantly diminishes the worth of the product. Worse, Isakow himself oversold the device, coming across like a bit of an eccentric conspiracy theorist in the process. And people don’t like to get into business with eccentrics, especially when people can get the same results they’re selling with a simple piece of tape.
#19: No Fly Cone
Heads up, crappy idea coming your way. Entrepreneur Bruce Gaither had an idea that involved using dog poop to attract flies to his trap. To bring his idea to life, he asked for $25k for a 15% stake. Sure, he gets points for bringing his adorable golden retriever onto the show with him, but a cute pup wasn’t enough to change the Sharks’ minds. Aside from the fact that this product can only be marketed to dog owners, the Sharks made the legitimate point that no one would want to use the device in their homes for obvious reasons. Even “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane’s endorsement couldn’t save this doomed pitch.
#18: Wink Frozen Desserts
Here is a simple fact of food marketing: if you can come up with an alternative version of a popular treat that tastes great but has fewer calories… people are going to buy it like crazy. The most crucial part of the phrase, however, are the words: “tastes great”. This low-cal substitute for ice cream had many selling points, including it being dairy-free, soy free, gluten free and vegan. But as the Sharks were quick to point out (much to their dismay, because some of them seemed genuinely interested), it didn’t taste good. And so all its virtues became somewhat moot. It’ll still sell, sure, but only to a much smaller demographic. And for that simple reason… the Sharks walked.
#17: Squirrel Boss
Any pitch that involves hurting woodland creatures deserves a great big NO, and that’s exactly what this one got. Michael DeSanti marketed his product as the world’s first “interactive squirrel-proof bird feeder.” The “interactive” bit is what’s key here. You see, the bird feeder isn’t exactly “squirrel proof” so much as it’s an opportunity for sadists to torture the small fluffy-tailed animals. Animal cruelty aside, the obvious problem here is that you’d need to be sitting around all day holding your zapper at the ready for this product to work. Unless this is a pitch exclusively for the unemployed or infirm, it didn’t really make a whole lot of sense to anyone. Don’t worry: no squirrels were hurt in the making of this episode. We think.
#16: PetPaints
Were we charmed by London the bulldog? Absolutely. Bring any animal into a room and you’ll almost immediately grab the attention of everyone in it. Three animals? Even better! But… founder Abe Geary might’ve been better off had he just let the animals do the talking. His opening attempt at hype was very over-the-top. And unfortunately, his wordplay wasn’t much better. The way he mixed metaphors was a real turn off, especially his big finale. When you force two sayings together, you often wind up saying nothing at all. The unfortunate thing is, the paint-you-can-safely-use-on-your pets product isn’t terrible. And when Geary speaks outside the Shark Tank, he’s a businessman who actually inspires confidence. His cheesy pitch was just a major misfire.
#15: Original Man Candles
When it comes to outrageously awful ideas, it’s hard to beat the Original Man Candle. These candles were created to market exclusively to, well, manly men. The idea is not only sexist, the smells are ridiculously silly, bordering on offensive. Silly comes in the form of smells like “fart” and “football” (whatever that smells like), and offensive in the form of “beach babe.” The Sharks didn’t care for the candles, and they made their opinions known. None of them believed there’s any money in the product, and Kevin was quite harsh towards the candles themselves, calling them “crap for tourists.” Once a Shark calls your product “crap,” you know you’re done for.
#14: Throx
There’s something about the idea of selling packs of three socks that seems more creepy than practical. What do you do with the extra sock until you need it? We’re kind of torn on this one because on the one hand, the mysterious loss of individual socks is a real problem in our contemporary society. On the other hand, though, a simple solution to this problem would be to just buy your socks in bulk so that they all look the same and the concept of “pairs” becomes irrelevant. While Edwin Heaven’s presentation was certainly magical, somehow this product seems like it would cause more problems than it would solve.
#13: Ecomower
Andy Humphrey, creator of the Ecomower, is another entrepreneur who should have chosen his words more carefully. Though his manual lawn mower has curb appeal, the way he went about selling it rubbed some of the Sharks the wrong way. Yeah, Daymond John was NOT onboard. And as soon as he started tearing apart the pitch, even Sharks who initially seemed open to the concept began to express similar doubts. The major selling point was that this is a push mower that doesn’t require sharpening, but when Daymond and company grilled Humphrey about this supposed advantage, it quickly began to lose its competitive edge.
#12: “Track Days”
Pitching a feature length film to the Sharks seems ambitious to begin with, but when it sounded as bad as this, the creators were bound to get eaten alive. Making up the pitch team are a former stuntman, a writer and a producer. When they made their pitch, they had no script, no actors and no financial backing. The guys made sure to stress that this is not a movie about the popular sport of motocross, since they were told there’s no viable U.S. market for a motocross movie. No, this is a film about MotoGP, a lesser-known sport given little to no attention in the United States. They also mention that there’s never been a movie made about the sport but... maybe there’s a reason for that.
#11: Kymera Body Board
Honestly, we didn’t even need to hear a pitch to be sold on this electric watercraft. A still image with a description would have been enough. So… how did such a promising product sink so hard? Well, though the sharks seem onboard with the concept, the more they heard about inventor Jason Woods, the more obvious it became as to why the Kymera board wasn’t already a success story. He had no sales history and had apparently been at it for 10 years! Rarely has such a compelling product received a worse pitch. Thankfully, Woods went out and found himself a more business-minded partner, and years later, the Kymera board returned seeking redemption. Sure enough, Woods and partner Adam Majewski walked away with a deal.
#10: The Sullivan Generator
If we’re being completely honest, we’re just as baffled by this guy’s pitch as the Sharks were. He claims to have invented an electric generator that harnesses the spin of the earth to create electricity. Conveniently enough, the waste that this machine supposedly produces is...gold? Entrepreneur Mark Sullivan (who also markets himself as a songwriter and ladies clothing designer, among other things) says he has invented over 1000 products that make over a billion dollars a year in profits. Even so, it looks like the Sharks have a hard time believing anything this guy says, because it all sounds straight up crazy – especially if you know even a little bit about science.
#9: Elephant Chat
“Let’s address the elephant in the room”. Hey, we can appreciate the initial hook here, but apart from co-opting a popular saying, this business model just doesn’t have that much going for it. Acknowledging that you’re having issues in your relationship is difficult enough as is, but bringing a stuffed animal in to help… Well, it’s not hard to imagine many partners being very put off by the idea. It’s undeniably cute, but its application elicits eyerolls from a number of the sharks almost immediately. And we’re pretty sure that most viewers at home had a similar reaction. Communication is the key to a good relationship, we’re just not convinced this elephant needs to be part of it.
#8: Cougar Limited
Because what the world really needs is another energy drink... especially one with such a small – and kinda derogatory – target market. Not to mention, women between the ages of 35 and 55 hardly seem like the prime demographic of energy drink consumers. Also, how many women can there possibly be out there who self-identify as cougars? Okay, in case you’re unclear on the concept: this is an energy drink for women of a certain age who like to date younger men. The inventor, Ryan Custer, claims this is “the industry’s first gender specific functional beverage” but even that doesn’t seem to be true. This product pretty much has nothing going for it. And it really doesn’t help that according to Barbara Corcoran, the drink tastes like chalk.
#7: The Skinny Mirror
As the old saying goes, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. This product, pitched in season 7, takes that to a more literal conclusion by offering to trick your eyes into seeing yourself as being more slim than you actually are. Voila! The, uh, Skinny Mirror, even if it’s a not-so-skinny you. Entrepreneur Belinda Jasmine pitches her invention as a tool to help boost self-confidence, but Kevin O'Leary isn’t having any of it. Not only does he take issue with her lack of patent and blind faith in her brand identity, but he also appears to be offended by the concept. Jasmine, for her part, tries to keep the momentum going and a smile on her face, but the pitch quickly falls apart, and the tension in the room is palpable.
#6: Wake n’ Bacon
When you want to wake up to freshly made bacon you just set up a George Foreman grill at the foot of your bed...right? Clearly this inventor isn’t a fan of “The Office” because he came up with a pig-shaped device with the exclusive purpose of bedside bacon making. This is the first idea on our list that actually seems kind of appealing...until you think about the logistics of it. You have to put the bacon in before you go to sleep, and leaving raw meat unrefrigerated overnight seems like a recipe for disaster. Not to mention the whole thing seems like a serious fire hazard. But those problems notwithstanding, Matty Sallin should keep working on this one… We ARE intrigued.
#5: LICKI Brush
Where to begin? We get that people looooove their pets, but we draw the line at holding a giant fake tongue between your teeth and using it to lick a cat. And apparently, the sharks feel similarly. Husband and wife team Tara and Jason O’Mara know their stuff, and they’ve successfully gotten another product backed via Kickstarter. But when you start licking a cat during your pitch… it becomes really hard to take you seriously. The sharks are at once horrified — and more thoroughly entertained — than we’ve ever seen them before. We’ve no doubt that there are customers out there who love this product, but it’s just too niche.
#4: RoloDoc
Aren’t doctors supposed to be smart? Well, brothers and doctors Albert and Richard Amini manage to give a bad name to a well-respected profession – at least in the eyes of Mark Cuban. Their idea for a mobile app that connects doctors and patients isn’t fundamentally stupid in theory, but their pitch was so bad that there’s no way anyone would trust their business sense. They keep throwing in buzzwords like “social media” without an actual plan to back any of it up. It sounds like what they want to do is create a LinkedIn for physicians, but they have no idea how to get doctors to use their app or how to monetize it. The Sharks are understandably a bit harsh with their criticism.
#3: UroClub
For every problem, there is a solution. But when it comes to the problem of needing to pee while on the golf course, there MUST be a better solution out there. Presented by urologist Dr. Floyd Seskin, the uroclub is a hollow golf club that you urinate into. In Seskin’s defense, he does a lot right in his presentation. He’s professional, has a good sense of humor and has put in the work. And against the odds, he actually secures an offer - albeit a small investment for a majority share. But that doesn’t make this any less silly. This is a novelty product through and through. Plus, leak-proof or not, the idea of carrying a tube full of fresh urine around with you is seriously off-putting.
#2: Ionic Ear
One of the all-time worst pitches comes from “Shark Tank”’s very first episode all the way back in 2009. Apparently, back in the old days, Bluetooth earpieces were the must-have tech gadget, but this guy took it one step further so that you and your Bluetooth would never have to be apart. Pitching a surgically implanted Bluetooth device that’s inserted into the wearer’s ear canal, Darrin Johnson manages to creep the Sharks out and get some of the fastest “I’m outs” in the show’s history. The fact that the device has to be charged nightly by inserting a large needle into one’s ear definitely doesn’t help his cause. And neither does the fact that he didn’t actually get any doctors to approve his product. Surprise surprise, this product never took off.
#1: NoPhone
Oh boy. Where do we begin with this one? It’s just a fake plastic phone! We agree with the basic point that the omnipresence of smartphones is problematic. Glance away from your phone for a second and look around - most people within sight are likely staring at one. But this “placebo” type approach of giving people something to just hold in their hand completely fails to address any of the key factors that drive people to their phones: the hunger for communication and the promise of distraction, whether with entertainment or information. With all that being said, we have to give credit where credit is due. For an utterly useless product, Chris Sheldon and Van Gould put together one heck of an attempt to sell it.
What are your favorite products that sank on “Shark Tank?” Give us your own pitches in the comments.
