XTorch Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 12
Keidy and Gene Palusky pitch XTorch, a solar-powered flashlight and phone charger, on Shark Tank Season 12. They walked away without a deal.
Keidy and Gene Palusky hope to light up the Tank with XTorch, their combination flashlight and phone charger, in Shark Tank Season 12 Episode 22.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 12 Episodes.
About XTorch
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | XTorch |
| Founders | Keidy and Gene Palusky |
| Industry | Portable Electronics |
| Product | Solar-powered flashlight and phone charger |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
| Investment Asked | $150,000 for 10% equity |
| Valuation | $1,500,000 |
The couple met in 2001 while they were both doing missionary work in the Dominican Republic. They were struck by the unreliable electric service the country had. They went on to Equatorial Guinea, where there was no electrical service at all in some places.
People in developing countries also rely heavily on cell phones for communication, and they need a reliable way to charge their cell phones.
Enter the XTorch, a solar charging flashlight, lantern, and phone charger. Gene, who made his fortune flipping houses and operating rental properties, cashed in his real estate holdings and invested $300,000 into the business.
In 2018, they gave away about 1,500 torches, sold 1,200 at cost to nonprofits, and sold about 200 torches for the full price of $60. In 2019, sales doubled, and in 2020, sales went up 350%.
The XTorch is a rugged flashlight that withstands drops on hard surfaces without breaking. The lanterns will stay lit for 48 hours on a full charge. They can also be charged with a regular electric outlet in about an hour. While they’re great for developing countries, they’re also handy for camping and power outages here in the USA. They sell for $49.95 on Amazon.
The company isn’t profitable yet – something that doesn’t bother the Paluskys. “I have all the money I’ll ever need,” Gene recently told a local news organization. Going forward, they want to donate 25% of their profits to developing nations. In order to continue their philanthropic endeavors, they’ll need to be profitable. A Shark could definitely help with that.
Video
XTorch Shark Tank Recap
Keidy and Gene enter the Shark Tank seeking $150,000 for 10% of their company. They explain their product and give their pitch. Gene actually smashes a block of ice that has an XTorch frozen inside it.
Gene needs to show Lori and the other Sharks how it works. It takes 22 hours to charge by solar and 1 hour by an electrical outlet. They cost $18.50 to make, and they sell for $55.95. In the next production run, the manufacturing cost will drop to $14. They spend a minute or so telling their backstory. They are trying to say how their flashlight is different, and the Sharks keep saying, “It’s a flashlight.”
When they tell the Sharks they give lights to non-profits, Kevin asks them if they’re a business or a charity. In 2019, they sold $$53,000 so far in 2021. They don’t have any patents.
Did XTorch Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Kevin thinks they should go directly to the consumer for $29.95, but he’s out. Mark calls it a good product, but they haven’t sold enough; he’s out. Daniel doesn’t like the price; he’s out.
Robert says he loves the product, but he wants to buy the entire company. He offers $400,000. Gene counters with $1 million. Lori then goes out. When Robert goes to $500,000, Gene goes to $750,000, and Robert goes out.
XTorch Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. During the weekend following their initial appearance, the company sold out of all 1400 units they had in stock. They are selling on their website only on a pre-order basis. This appears on their website as of July 2021:
DUE TO COVID-19, A WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF ELECTRONIC PARTS AND OUR APPEARANCE ON SHARK TANK, WE DON’T EXPECT TO HAVE THE XTORCH IN STOCK AGAIN IN UNTIL MID TO LATE OCTOBER AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL ORDERS UNTIL THAT TIME.
WE ARE VERY SORRY FOR THE DELAY, BUT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST.YOU CAN STILL PRE ORDER AND WAIT IT OUT WITH US OR YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU ONCE WE HAVE THE XTORCH IN INVENTORY AGAIN.
WHEN YOU PRE ORDER, YOUR CREDIT CARD WILL BE CHARGED $39.95 EACH
(20% OFF OF THE ORIGINAL PRICE OF $49.95)
THE DISCOUNTED PRICE IS REFLECTED IN THE CART AUTOMATICALLY.IF YOU WANT A REFUND, AT ANY TIME, JUST EMAIL US AT [email protected] AND WE WILL CANCEL YOUR ORDER AND REFUND YOUR CREDIT CARD.
By August 2022, they had ironed out the supply chain issues, and the products were readily available on their website and Amazon. Their most recent charitable endeavor was giving a bunch of flashlights to the residents of Vallières, a landlocked, remote city located in the hills of northern Haiti that has no electricity.
As of August 2023, annual revenue is around $1.5 million. The estimated net worth of XTorch is around $1.1 million. As of 2025, the company is out of business, and no new units are available.
Posts about XTorch on Shark Tank Blog
The X Torch – 3 in 1 Flashlight/Lantern
Where Can You Buy It?
XTorch products were available for purchase on their official website, Amazon, and other retailers. Check out their social media for past updates: Facebook and Twitter.
Quick Summary
- Keidy and Gene Palusky present XTorch, a combination flashlight, lantern, and phone charger, on Shark Tank.
- The product features solar and electric charging options, with rugged durability and a 48-hour light duration.
- After Shark Tank, XTorch experienced a surge in sales and continued its philanthropic mission.
Curious to know about more products from this episode? Check out other businesses that participated alongside Jiggy.
