ESAI Shark Tank Update | Season 16
Julia Dixon impressed the Sharks with ESAI, her AI-powered college admissions platform. She landed a deal with one of the investors to make personalized application support accessible to every student.
ESAI appeared on Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 19, to address a growing problem. Gaining admission to top colleges has become increasingly challenging due to rising competition. Earlier, it was just the college tuition that burned a hole in our pockets, but now, even getting accepted into college is also very expensive.
College advisors often charge substantial fees. Nevertheless, parents rely on them; otherwise, they must navigate heavy, expensive prep books. ESAI was created to offer elite-level support to every student.
Julia Dixon, a former independent college counselor and University of Michigan graduate, spent years helping students with college applications. She noticed that personalized support, like essay coaching and application guidance, was often only available to those who could afford it.
Wanting to make this help accessible to all, she launched ESAI in 2023, an AI-powered platform that guides students through writing meaningful college essays by asking the right questions and helping shape their stories.
Would the Sharks like to invest in their venture?
Check Other Shark Tank Season 16 Episodes
About ESAI
| Category | Details |
| Founder | Julia Dixon |
| Product Type | AI-Powered College Admissions Platform |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | $1.25 million |
| Investment Asked | $250,000 |
| Equity Offered | 5% |
ESAI Pitch
Julia opened her pitch by highlighting a problem every parent and student faces today: getting into college is no longer just about tuition, even the admissions process has become a luxury. She pointed out that high-end college consultants charge thousands, creating a barrier for many.
That’s where ESAI comes in.
ESAI, short for Ethical, Gamified AI, is an advanced platform designed to democratize elite admissions coaching using AI. From identifying a student’s strengths to matching them with fitting colleges, from brainstorming essays to providing financial aid guidance, ESAI is a comprehensive tool that mimics what a top-tier admissions consultant would do but for a fraction of the cost.
The entrepreneur even got a laugh from the Sharks when she featured Mark Cuban’s college photo on her screen. With long curly hair, the gentleman was quite a catch!
Julia Dixon described how her app supports users in getting through the college admissions process, from finding the right institution to planning finances, from writing the perfect essay to adding a personal touch to it. According to her, ESAI has got it all.
Julia made it clear that they are not just another chatbot. When Kevin O’Leary asked a very valid question, why can’t people just use any AI tool for this purpose? Julia had an answer ready. While other tools may utilize similar underlying technology, ESAI is trained using a proprietary coaching method.
As a former college advisor, Julia recognized that many students are unaware of their unique strengths. Believing that each student possesses distinct qualities, she developed an app to help them identify and apply to institutions that align with their individual profiles.
Valuation
Julia revealed that ESAI had raised $1.25 million from top-tier VC firms before entering the Tank. At the time of taping, the company had just begun monetizing, but still reported $70,000 in early sales, a promising start for a newly launched platform.
However, the valuation raised eyebrows.
- Kevin liked the mission but balked at the valuation, especially since ESAI was still new in the revenue department.
- Lori hesitated due to the early stage and the already substantial capital raised.
- Barbara voiced concern about long-term user retention on a platform like ESAI.
- Robert also passed without making an offer.
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What Makes ESAI Unique?
ESAI is an Ethical, Gamified AI platform. It helps you with every step of the admission process and costs only a tiny fraction of what you’d otherwise pay a tuition advisor.
- It supports students in their journey to discover schools and programs.
- It helps you craft college essays that stand out from the crowd.
- The app also helps you find the best financial options available.
- They have a Story Strategist tool that enables students to create a personal narrative for their college essays.
Did ESAI Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
After listening to the pitch, the Sharks started offering deals:
- Mark Cuban offered $250K for a 10% stake.
- Kevin also made the same offer of $250K for 10%.
The entrepreneur didn’t want to lower the valuation that much. So, she countered with $250K for a 5% stake plus 2.5% in advisory shares. Luckily, Mark was convinced by the offer. She secured a deal with Mark Cuban.
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What Happened to ESAI After Shark Tank?
More people are now interested in ESAI. They have more users. It seems like their services are growing. They probably have a clear plan. Based on their current performance, they could do well in the education technology world.
Where Can You Buy It?
ESAI is available directly through its official website. Users can explore various features, sign up for a plan, and get started with personalized college admissions support. The platform currently provides a monthly subscription priced at $49.99.
Quick Summary
- Julia Dixon pitched her company, ESAI, on Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 19.
- ESAI is an ethical, gamified AI platform that helps students navigate the college admissions process.
- The entrepreneur succeeded in securing a deal with Mark Cuban.
Check out other businesses that participated in Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 19 alongside ESAI.
FAQs
1. What is ESAI and how does it help?
ESAI is an AI-powered platform that helps students with every step of the college admissions process.
2. Who is the founder of ESAI?
The founder of ESAI is Julia Dixon. She created the platform to make elite college admissions support accessible to more students.
3. Is ESAI worth it?
Yes, ESAI offers personalized, affordable, and comprehensive college admissions support, making it a valuable tool for students.
