Drop Stop Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 4
Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon pitched Drop Stop, a solution to prevent items from falling between car seats, on Shark Tank Season 4. They landed a deal with one of the Sharks!
It could be so frustrating to lose your valuables in the gap between your car seats. You were just minding your business, driving, and then something dropped from your hand and disappeared into the “black hole,” never to return!
In Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 20, Drop Stop inventors Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon pitched the Sharks on their solution for keeping things out of the “Carmuda Triangle,” that little gap between a car seat and the center console.
Would the Sharks believe Drop Stop could solve a problem every driver faced and invest in the business?
About Drop Stop
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Drop Stop |
| Founders | Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon |
| Industry | Car Accessories |
| Product Type | Device to prevent items from falling between car seats and center console |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-Funded |
| Investment Asked | $300,000 for 15% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Lori |
| Deal Outcome | $300,000 for 20% equity |
Marc was inspired to invent the Drop Stop when he nearly wrecked his car after reaching for his cell phone, which had fallen into that gap as he was driving. He nearly killed a pedestrian and came within inches of smashing his car into a metal pole.
After that nearly fatal experience, Marc and his friend Jeffrey started brainstorming. They tried a bunch of different solutions to plug that gap, but they didn’t come up with anything until Marc had an epiphany.
He stuffed an automotive sponge into an old sock, cut a few slits in it (for the seatbelt receptacle), and tested it in his car; the Drop Stop was born. After a few years of developing the prototype, Team Drop Stop shot an infomercial and decided to swim with the Sharks.
Drop Stop Shark Tank Pitch
Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon entered the Tank with a compelling pitch. The entrepreneurs vividly explained the struggle of losing items to the dark holes of car seats. They had car seats arranged on the stage, where they demonstrated a real-life scenario.
They asked the Sharks, “Who had a two-year-old French fry stuck between the seats?” and “Who hadn’t struggled to get on their knees to retrieve something that just fell in between the seats?” Then, the entrepreneurs presented their product, designed to save the day.
After telling the tale of the inspiration behind their product, Mark Cuban asked them how much money their business could make. The entrepreneurs revealed they had sold over 250,000 units.
Kevin O’Leary was eager to know the value of those sales in dollars and questioned them further. In response, the founders proudly shared that their total sales amounted to $1.3 million.
Lori Greiner was interested in knowing how they sold the product. Marc and Jeffrey explained that they sold it through their website and catalogs. Apart from that, they had appeared on QVC 42 times.
Mark Cuban then asked about the selling price and manufacturing cost. The founders explained that it cost $4 to manufacture a set of two, and they sold it for $19.99.
What Makes Drop Stop Unique?
Did Drop Stop Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Kevin O’Leary was the first Shark to make an offer, but before that, Robert Herjavec wasn’t a true believer in Drop Stop, so he was out.
Daymond John liked the sales numbers, but he followed Robert out.
Mark Cuban liked the product and thanked Marc and Jeffrey for the sample, but he didn’t think he could add value, so he was out.
Kevin O’Leary offered $300,000 in exchange for a $2 royalty on every unit sold.
Lori Greiner emphasized her retail expertise and painted a picture of the company’s future success, encouraging the founders to partner with her. Kevin O’Leary countered with $300,000 for a $1 per-unit royalty.
Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon liked Lori Greiner’s vision and accepted her offer of $300,000 for 20% equity.
Drop Stop Shark Tank Update
Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon revealed in an update interview with Shark Tank Blog that they generated close to $500,000 in sales after the episode aired. They also appeared on The View, where they sold another $120,000 worth of Drop Stop.
Growth After Shark Tank
With Lori Greiner’s support, Drop Stop quickly expanded its retail presence. As promised, Lori helped the founders roll the product out to Walmart, Target, Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond, and other major retailers.
The company also became the number one selling automotive accessory on Amazon, further boosting its nationwide success.
The founders later appeared in an update segment, where they revealed that, within five months of their Shark Tank episode airing, the company had hired more employees and reached $5 million in sales, with projections of $15 million for the following year.
Lori also helped secure additional opportunities, including getting Drop Stop into 3,500 Walmart stores and donating more than 400 Drop Stops to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Continued Growth
Drop Stop also received a featured update in Beyond the Tank Episode 104, highlighting the company’s continued growth.
During another update, the founders revealed that the company had generated more than $24 million in lifetime sales. The LAPD also reported positive results after installing Drop Stop in 3,000 police vehicles, reinforcing the product’s real-world usefulness.
Later, during a Season 11 update celebrating Lori Greiner’s entrepreneurs who had surpassed $1 billion in combined retail sales, Marc and Jeffrey announced that Drop Stop had reached $40 million in lifetime sales.
Is Drop Stop Still in Business?
Drop Stop has become one of the most successful products featured on Shark Tank.
As of 2024, the company had sold more than 9 million units and generated more than $40 million in lifetime sales.
The business continues to operate successfully through online sales, retail partnerships, and strong customer demand.
Where Can You Buy It?
Customers can purchase Drop Stop through the company’s official website, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other major retailers.
For more company information, visitors can check the website and follow the brand on Facebook and X.
Quick Summary
Check out other Shark Tank Season 4 Episodes.
Curious about the other businesses featured in Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 20? Explore more updates and see which ideas made a splash in the Tank.
Thank you for inventing the Drop Stop. My father, just this week, dropped his keys in between the console and seat. He just purchased a car with a push button start and is trying to figure out what to do with the keys. We were on our knees in the car for a few minutes trying to find the keys. I am interested in purchasing this product for them.