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Many of the ideas that appear on the TV show Shark Tank just needed an investor with deep pockets to help them take off. From floral bouquets to home lab test kits to socks with a philanthropic mission, here is a countdown of the eight most successful products that got their start on Shark Tank.
Key Takeaways
- The money sharks invest is theirs, rather than being provided by the show, and they typically require a stake in the business in exchange.
- The top eight most successful Shark Tank products have each generated over $300 million in sales.
- Shark Lori Greiner has invested in two out of the 3 most successful Shark Tank ventures: Everlywell and Scrub Daddy.
- Bombas is the most successful Shark Tank product of all time.
- Some Shark Tank victors, like Bombas and Dude Wipes, have embarked on social missions as part of their sales model.
image source: Tipsy Elves
How Shark Tank Works
Premiering in 2009, ABC’s entrepreneur pitch show “Shark Tank” has seen it all. The premise of the show, which will start airing its 15th season in 2024, is simple. Inventors and entrepreneurs pitch their products to real-life investors, known as sharks. The sharks evaluate the products and decide whether to back the fledgling companies with their own money in exchange for a stake in the business.
From alarm clocks that wake you up with the smell of bacon to a scented candle that simulates the most alluring scents to attract a man (beer, pot roast, and barbecue), throughout the hundreds of episodes that have aired, the show has exposed its audience to some of the most unique inventions ever conceived.
Not every product that is pitched walks away with an investor. Not every product that wins an investor goes on to make it big. But some do, becoming national or global brands that do millions—even billion—of dollars in sales.
8. Tipsy Elves
Tipsy Elves is a holiday-themed apparel company. When co-founders Evan Mendelsohn and Nicklaus Morton made their Shark Tank pitch, the company was focused on producing ugly Christmas sweaters for holiday events. They have since expanded into apparel themed for other holidays, including Halloween, and other over-the-top clothing such as neon ski suits.
- Shark: Robert Herjavec invested $100,000 for a 10% equity stake
- Sales: $317 million as of May 2023
7. DUDE Wipes
DUDE Wipes are biodegradable, flushable personal wipes that are manufactured in the United States. The product is produced by DUDE Products, a company founded by friends Sean Riley, Jeffrey Klimkowski, and Ryan Meegan in Chicago. Before pitching on Shark Tank, the company landed a partnership to sell nationwide with Kroger, which helped persuade the Sharks that the product was worth investing in.
The company has since expanded to selling in WalMart and Amazon. They also partner with the organization Fight CRC to raise money and awareness for fighting colorectal cancer.
- Shark: Mark Cuban invested $300,000 for 25% stake in the company
- Sales: $341 million as of May 20234
6. The Comfy
The Comfy is a wearable blanket with a hood designed by co-founders Brian and Michael Speciale. The brothers were inspired by seeing one of their sons wearing an adult sweatshirt that covered his whole body. The Original Comfy was the design prototype pitched on the show; the brand has since expanded its product line to include Comfy blankets for children, as well as with branded characters and college logos.
- Shark: Real estate entrepreneur and investor Barbara Corcoran invested $50,000 for a 30% stake
- Sales: $550 million as of May 2023
Fast Fact: By the end of 2022, Cozy Comfort Company, the company behind the Comfy, had run into logistical and legal issues. Michael Speciale bought out both his brother and Corcoran and continued to run the company on his own.
5. Cousins Maine Lobster Food Trucks
Cousins Maine Lobster is a food truck-based restaurant brand that specializes in Maine lobster. It was founded by real-life cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac. Cousins Maine Lobster works on a franchise model, with food trucks located in 27 states, though they are known for the fact that their lobsters are all shipped directly from Maine.
Though the company is primarily known for its food trucks, it does have brick-and-mortar locations in California, Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey.
- Shark: Barbara Corcoran invested $55,000 for a 15% stake
- Sales: $585 million as of May 2023
4. The Bouqs Co.
Founder John Tabis created a floral company that partnered with smaller, eco-friendly farms and sold online directly to consumers. Though the founders didn’t reach a deal with any of the Sharks at the time of their Shark Tank appearance, Canadian entrepreneur Robert Herjavec invested three years later after purchasing flowers from the Bouqs for his wedding.
- Shark: Robert Herjavec invested an undisclosed amount that was part of a round of funding that, in total, raised $24 million
- Sales: $640 million as of May 2023
3. Scrub Daddy
Scrub Daddy is a reusable scrubber in the shape of a smiley face that gets firm in cold water and soft in warm water. It is made from a foam polymer that was created by founder Aaron Krause when he worked for a manufacturing company and needed to clean his hands after repairing machinery.
The product was initially unsuccessful when Krause attempted to sell it to auto body shops as a hand scrubber, but years later, he was able to successfully market his smiley-faced scrubber as a multi-surface cleaner. Scrub Daddy was featured multiple times on QVC before its Shark Tank appearance in 2012.
- Shark: Lori Greiner invested $200,000 for a 20% stake in the company
- Sales: $926 million as of May 2023
2. Everlywell
Founder and CEO Julie Cheek created Everlywell to offer at-home lab tests. Consumers can use the tests at home, and the collected samples are then shipped to partner laboratories. The results are reviewed by physicians and delivered digitally within days. Her goal was to make lab testing more affordable, accessible, and convenient to patients.
After appearing on Shark Tank, the company grew through partnerships with CVS and Target. Everlywell eventually acquired PWNHealth and Home Access Health Corporation, forming parent company Everly Health.
- Shark: Lori Greiner offered a $1 million line of credit at 8% interest in exchange for a 5% stake
- Sales: $1.1 billion as of May 2023
1. Bombas
Bombas is, to date, the most successful Shark Tank product. The brand started out focusing on comfortable socks with a philanthropic mission. For every item purchased, the company donates an item to organizations that help homeless people. As of 2024, it has donated more than 140 million items.
Co-founders David Heath and Randy Goldberg were inspired to create Bombas after discovering that socks were the most needed items at homeless shelters. The company is a certified B Corporation, and has also expanded its product lines to include underwear, t-shirts, and slippers.
- Shark: Daymond John, founder of global hip-hop fashion brand FUBU, invested $200,000 for a 17.5% stake
- Sales: $1.3 billion as of May 2023
What Is the Most Successful Product on “Shark Tank”?
With $1.3 billion in lifetime sales, Bombas has generated the highest sales on “Shark Tank”. The company, which sells comfort socks and T-shirts, donates one item per item sold to help the homeless. With $200,000 in funding for a 17.5% stake, Daymond John, founder of apparel company FUBU, invested in the company. Bombas has since donated over 140 million items to community organizations.
Following Bombas is Everlywell, which has brought in sales of $1.1 billion, and Scrub Daddy, which has generated $926 million in sales.
What Shark Tank Products Were Rejected But Made Millions?
Ring, which is a doorbell that integrates with a smartphone and camera, allows you to see who is at your door when they arrive. The company was rejected on “Shark Tank”, but has since become a billion-dollar company thanks to an acquisition by Amazon.
Coffee Meets Bagel was pitched to the sharks in 2015. The dating app, which matches users based on Facebook connections includes a discount for a coffee or bagel on the date. Mark Cuban offered $30 million for the company, but the three founders walked away from the deal. After appearing on the show, the company raised $23.2 million, and has over 11 million users on its app.
How Much Has Lori Greiner Invested in Shark Tank?
Known as the “warm-blooded shark” Lori Greiner has invested over $9.5 million on the show. Greinier began making millions in the 1990s with products that organize jewelry.
Two of the three most successful Shark Tank products, Everlywell and Scrub Daddy, were backed by Greiner. Greiner’s Shark Tank investments have collectively earned over $1 billion.
The Bottom Line
Over the years, the Shark Tank stage has seen many great ideas and also a lot of duds. The countdown of its eight most successful products demonstrates there is still room for new ideas. No doubt, by offering exposure to millions of viewers and funding from shark investors, “Shark Tank” will continue to launch successful entrepreneurs and products.