BeSomebody Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 8
From a bold pitch on Shark Tank to a $20 million corporate training powerhouse, BeSomebody’s journey post-Shark Tank proves that a strong mission can outlast a failed app.
Kash Shaikh entered Shark Tank Season 8 Episode 7 with an app called “BeSomebody,” which connects people through shared passions and paid experiences. With big-name demos and even bigger energy, he asked the Sharks for a $1 million investment to take his “experience marketplace” to the next level.
But despite the hype and hashtag following, the Sharks weren’t biting. Still, Kash didn’t quit. Just months later, BeSomebody pivoted, sold the app, and relaunched as a corporate training powerhouse, bringing in over $20 million annually.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 8 Episodes.
About BeSomebody
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | BeSomebody |
| Founder | Kash Shaikh |
| Industry | Motivational/Educational Technology |
| Product Type | App connecting people with shared passions for paid experiences |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | $2 million in seed funding |
| Investment Asked | $1 million for 10% equity |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
| Valuation | $10 million |
Kash Shaikh appeared on Shark Tank hoping to inspire the Sharks to invest in BeSomebody, his motivational app that connects people with similar passions.
Shaikh, a former Procter & Gamble marketing executive and former director of global communications and social media for camera maker GoPro, started the business in 2012 to create what he calls an “experience marketplace.”
The idea is that you use the app to find people in your area who have a skill you wish to develop and pay them to share their experience with you. Shaikh calls people who use the BeSomebody app “passionaries.”
The founder first got the idea in 2009 while writing a blog called “Be Somebody While Traveling,” in which he traveled the world with P&G. The hashtag #besomebody and the blog grew to reach nearly 5 million people in 180 countries. By creating a community, he allowed app users in Austin, Texas, to earn almost $100,000 teaching people about their area of expertise or passion.
With $2 million in seed funding, he was hoping to make BeSomebody an educational platform, allowing people to share their passions and knowledge with each other. Shaikh says, “It allows members to live, share, and monetize their passions, so they become more than just a hobby.”
A technology app with such bold plans needs funding to grow. Will a Shark want to #BeAnInvestor?
BeSomebody Shark Tank Pitch
Kash entered the Tank seeking $1 million for 10% equity in his business. He had a world-famous ninja, Travis Bruer, to demonstrate.
Bruer came in to give Robert a “ninja lesson.” Then, Bollywood dancers entered to give “dance lessons.” Finally, Olympic soccer champ Christine Lily dribbled into the Tank for a soccer lesson. The Sharks were wowed by the presentation.
Then Kash told his story about how he started the business. He demonstrates the app. Next, Barbara asked about pricing. He said that when someone books an experience, Kash takes 20% of the cost, and the average experience is $40.
The Sharks appeared skeptical, and Kash said he had 5 million followers for his trademarked hashtag #besomebody. He had organized 2000 meet-ups until then.
What Makes BeSomebody Unique?
BeSomebody wasn’t just an app; it was a mindset that turned into a movement. At its core, the platform challenged the idea that passions are just hobbies. What set it apart wasn’t just the technology but the philosophy.
BeSomebody didn’t start with code; it started with a blog, a hashtag, and a belief that your purpose could also be your paycheck. It tried to humanize the gig economy by making it about people’s dreams, not just their availability.
Did BeSomebody Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
The Sharks had many concerns, including liability and exclusivity. Mark was super annoyed and was the first to go out. Barbara said Kash was abrasive, and she was out. Robert didn’t understand the business.
Lori said this is just another app that won’t make it, so she was out. Daymond was too concerned about liability, so he was out. Kevin said Kash blew it, but was not able to convince the other Sharks, so he was out. Finally, Kash walked away without a deal.
BeSomebody Shark Tank Update: What Happened After Shark Tank?
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. Kash sold the app to Utivity Holdings in February 2017, less than two months after the original air date, for an undisclosed amount. Unfortunately, Utivity was shut down in January 2018 due to insufficient demand.
However, less than four years later, he continued to use BeSomebody as a business, but he shifted the focus to corporate training using “AI-driven candidate matching and curriculum building software.”
According to a PR Newswire press release, in 2019, Besomebody, Inc. was named one of America’s top private companies by Entrepreneur Magazine, with nearly $20 million in yearly revenue.
In April 2020, Kash announced the launch of BSB Group International, “a new company formed to fully service its expanding client list of Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing startups.”
The company offered free marketing services to businesses in the Cincinnati area unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. BSB Group has offices in Cincinnati, New York, Houston, and Minneapolis.
In 2022, BSB Group continued to expand by introducing a sports division to help college athletes navigate new opportunities to profit from their names and images. The company has ventured into content creation with “The Besomebody Podcast” and announced plans for BSB TV, a digital channel dedicated to business growth.
As of May 2023, BSB still had an annual revenue of $20-$25 million.
Read more details about BeSomebody Experience Marketplace on the Shark Tank Blog.
Where Can You Download It?
The BeSomebody app, a platform for connecting people with their passions and monetizing them, has been shut down. While it was once featured on “Shark Tank,” Utivity Holdings acquired the app in 2017 and later shut it down in 2018 due to insufficient demand. Therefore, it is not currently available for download.
Quick Summary
- BeSomebody started as a passion-driven experience marketplace app but failed to secure a deal on Shark Tank.
- The app connects people with shared passions for paid experiences.
- After selling the app to Utivity Holdings and pivoting into a corporate training firm, founder Kash Shaikh turned the business into a $ 20 M+ powerhouse.
- The app is currently unavailable as it was shut down.
View the updates of other businesses that appeared on Shark Tank Season 8 Episode 7, alongside BeSomebody.
