Chalkless – Shark Tank Season 16
Greg Pope and James Pidhurney make their Shark Tank appearance with Chalkless. The product absorbs oil from athletes’ hands and enhances the grip.
Investors Hear Out The Chalkless Pitch On Shark Tank Season 16
Greg Pope and James Pidhurney appear on Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 5, pitching for Chalkless. The product is a grip enhancer that absorbs oil on the skin and shoes for athletes, the military, and everyday use. Once applied, it absorbs the oil and removes the slip from the grip.
Greg and James also add that their product is a revolutionary material that could alter performance outcomes in any sport. The duo starts by listing three things that athletes need to perform at their peak: focus, training, and grip. But athletes often take ‘grip’ for granted.
About Chalkless
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Chalkless |
| Founder | Greg Pope and James Pidhurney |
| Industry | Sports |
| Product | Grip Enhancer |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Investment Asked | $400K for 4% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams |
| Deal Outcome | $400,000 for 4% equity, plus a royalty of $2.50 per unit sold until $4 million is repaid, after which the royalty drops to $0.25 per unit in perpetuity |
| Valuation | $10 million |
Chalkless is a powder-like compound made from a unique but well-tested, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly material. It generates less mess and works even underwater. Additionally, the entrepreneurs claim it is the most significant innovation in grip technology in 70 years.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 16 Episodes.
Chalkless Shark Tank Pitch
Greg and James appear with the Chalkless pitch, seeking $400K for 4% equity. After they explain about the product, they call upon Rashuan Williams for a trial of Chalkless. He is amazed that even after sprinkling it on his palms, he does not feel anything at all.
Lori Greiner thinks it is like chalk, but more permanent than chalk. The entrepreneurs stop her and say that it is nothing like chalk, which is why the name is ‘Chalkless.’ The main difference is that they offer a subtractive material that tries to remove something.
Kevin O’Leary wants to know about the sales. The entrepreneurs reveal that this year’s sales have been $740K so far, which impresses the Sharks.
James claims that there is no other thing that focuses on grip, which allows them an opportunity to have a vast marketplace. Mark Cuban disagrees with this.
Their biggest market includes sports like golf, racket sports, and fitness. Chalkless’s price varies based on the product size, ranging from $35.99 to $24.99. However, the investors are annoyed when they refuse to reveal the cost of making the product on Shark Tank.
On facing criticism, the Chalkless founders say that their margins are 67%.
Did Chalkless Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
A furious Mark Cuban walks out of the Chalkless Shark Tank deal because they stated their blended margins but were unwilling to reveal their costs.
Lori wants to know if there is anything proprietary about Chalkless. The entrepreneurs say that they have two patents and two more pending. She then inquires about their backgrounds. James is a corrosion engineer, whereas Greg is a chemical engineer.
Barbara Corcoran is curious about how they got their customers in the first place. The entrepreneurs reply, ‘That’s our biggest problem.’ They have come on Shark Tank so that people get to know about Chalkless.
Guest Shark Rashuan Williams steps out of the Chalkless Shark Tank deal as he feels he is ‘not a good fit’ for the product. Barbara and Lori, too, step back from investing for similar reasons.
Stating that the $10 million is too high, Kevin O’Leary proposes a royalty deal at $400K for a 4% equity, along with a royalty of $2.50 per unit till he recoups $4 million in revenue. The royalty amount will then drop to 25 cents in perpetuity.
Following this, Kevin will get his social media team to lower Chalkless’ customer acquisition costs and increase its return on assets. Lori Greiner thinks it is not a bad offer, and the entrepreneurs agree. Kevin adds, ‘It’s why they call me Mr. Wonderful.’
While Greg and James discuss the deal, Mark feels they will not take it. Barbara thinks they will. Rashuan asks Kevin if he could join him in the deal to ‘take the bases down.’ He is willing to take $100K or $200K of it. Kevin is okay with him doing the deal for $200K, but he will not change the terms.
When the entrepreneurs complete their discussion, Kevin informs them that Rashuan will join him in the deal. Rashuan adds that he can get 20 to 30 athletes to promote Chalkless.
The entrepreneurs take Kevin and Rashuan’s deal of $400K for a 4% equity along with a royalty of $2.50 per unit till he recoups $4 million in revenue, which then drops to 25 cents in perpetuity.
Chalkless Shark Tank Update
Since its Shark Tank appearance, Chalkless has continued expanding its presence across the sports and fitness world. The brand’s patented grip-enhancing technology has been adopted by athletes and professionals in communities such as PGA golf, USTA tennis, NBA, NFL, pickleball (PPA), and CrossFit.
Chalkless remains active on social media, where it shares athlete testimonials, product demonstrations, and sport-specific use cases on Instagram. Its Facebook page highlights product updates and milestones tied to its Shark Tank exposure.
While the long-term status of the deal with Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams has not been publicly confirmed, Chalkless continues to market and sell its products through its official website and online channels. We’ll continue tracking the company’s progress and update this section as new developments emerge.
The estimated net worth of Chalkless is between $15 million and $16 million, as of 2025.
Where Can You Buy It?
Chalkless products are available for purchase directly from the company’s official website. Shoppers can choose from individual bottles, bulk packs, and professional dispensers.
The product is also available at select online retailers, including Amazon and specialty fitness and sporting goods stores. Availability may vary by region. For more updates, check out their social media pages such as Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Quick Summary
- Chalkless is a powder-like compound perfect for enhancing the grip of athletes across sports.
- Greg Pope and James Pidhurney seek $400K for 4% equity in the company.
- The Chalkless entrepreneurs face criticism when they refuse to reveal the costs of their products.
See what else is new! View other businesses featured in this episode.
