Maya Nazareth stepped onto the stage during Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 4, carrying her line of women’s fighting gear. Her idea grew out of her own training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
During her training, she came to terms with the fact that it was tough to find gear made with women’s bodies and movement in mind.
Nazareth came to the tank seeking investment for her Philadelphia-based company, Alchemize Fightwear. The company creates athletic gear designed for women who train in combat sports such as martial arts, wrestling, and boxing.
Each piece is made with movement, comfort, and durability in mind, so women can train without feeling limited by their clothing.
The fit comes from real data gathered from women who train. That means the gear supports you whether you are drilling techniques, sparring hard, or competing.
Every piece is shaped by feedback from athletes who use it day after day. Their feedback guides the design, so every piece is built with real training needs in mind.
The 300k Shark Tank Deal From a Crazy Pitch
Nazareth walked in looking for a $250,000 investment for a 5% equity stake in her company. She mentioned that the company had reached $1.8 million in total sales by the time the episode was filmed. She also shared that close to $500,000 of that came from 2024 alone.
They were projected to hit $875,000 in 2025, with profits landing somewhere around 3% to 5%.
Kevin responded quickly and challenged the $5 million valuation. Alexis didn’t agree with his take and felt the brand had far more room to scale. But still Alexis had some constructive criticism to offer.
Ohanian told her she was stepping into a space filled with brands so loved that people get them inked on their skin. He added that her own brand would need to be strong, memorable, and powerful enough to stand out in a very loyal market.
Then Lori stepped in and shifted the mood. She reviewed the numbers on the spot and became the first to speak up with a deal. She joined forces with Alexis, and the pair offered $250,000 for 20% of the company.
The Sharks Unite on a Fresh Offer
Nazareth wasn’t comfortable giving away that large a share of her company. She swung back with a counter and offered 10% instead.
Things got more interesting when Kendra Scott also showed interest in the product. Ohanian and Greiner teamed up with Kendra and put a new deal on the table, offering $300,000 for 15% of the company. Each of the Sharks will have a 5% equity share.
Daymond John spoke up and warned her that passing on a partnership with three Sharks would be a blunder, to say the least.
Nazareth tried to nudge the equity to 12 percent, but the three investors stuck with their original terms.
Alex Ohanian boldly told her that if the company reaches the kind of scale he believes it can, she won’t be looking back wishing she kept a mere 3% extra equity. And Nazareth shook hands with the trio on that.
Alchemize’s Plans Beyond The Tank
Nazareth has kept any updates about the deal under wraps since the episode aired. She told CNBC Make It that she can’t speak about the deal just yet.
The young founder also said that they plan to use the funding to grow their marketing and bring the brand to a wider audience.
Ever since the episode aired, the company has gone on to add an East Coast Women’s Grappling Retreat-2026 collection along with training camps for more than 200 women. You can buy Alchemize Fightwear gear for yourself through the brand’s official website.
Alchemize’s crazy story from a 300k Shark Tank Deal is still unfolding, but it’s already clear that Nazareth is building far more than a clothing line. She’s creating space for women who want gear that actually supports the way they train.
