GOB Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 17
From mushroom roots to earplugs, can this eco-friendly idea in Shark Tank Season 17 cut through the noise of a crowded market?
Noise is around us. It is at concerts and on city streets. The sound of our partner snoring is noise. Many people use earplugs to block out this noise. What if earplugs are actually making things worse?
Lauryn Menard, the founder of GOB, was on Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 14. She showed the sharks a kind of earplug. This earplug is better for the earth and asks for $250,000 in exchange for 5% of GOB. Her idea made people think. Can mushrooms really replace plastic in something we use every day, like earplugs?
About GOB
| Category | Details |
| Business Name | GOB |
| Founder | Lauryn Menard (San Francisco, CA) |
| Industry | Sustainable Consumer Goods |
| Product | Mycelium-based biodegradable earplugs |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded / Early-stage |
| Investment Asked | $250,000 for 5% equity |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
| Deal Outcome | No investment secured |
| Valuation | $5 Million |
Lauryn’s journey started when she saw her mother lose her hearing. That made Lauryn think about taking care of her own hearing. This was important because her fiancé is in a band, and she was around that a lot.
She started wondering if the earplugs people usually use are the best option. Lauryn spent months looking into this. She came across a company that uses a part of mushrooms called mycelium to make earplugs.
The earplugs people normally buy are made from plastic that comes from petroleum. Companies make billions of these earplugs every year. They do not break down for hundreds of years, which is really bad for the environment because they add to waste.
Lauryn found out about GOB earplugs that are made from mycelium foam. GOB earplugs are great because they help reduce sound and are gentle on the skin. The best part is that GOB earplugs can even be composted at home. These earplugs lower the noise. Still let some sounds in, which is different from traditional earplugs that block out almost everything.
Each earplug costs about $0.10 to make. At venues, they are sold in packs of four for $5, targeting both individual buyers and larger business opportunities like live entertainment venues.
GOB Shark Tank Pitch
Lauryn started her pitch with energy and humor, talking about common noise problems before explaining the environmental impact of regular earplugs. When she suggested mushrooms as the answer, the Sharks laughed in surprise.
She showed how easy the earplugs are to use by putting them in. Daniel Lubetzky said that earplugs are usually uncomfortable, but these felt surprisingly nice. Robert Herjavec found the experience “very weird,” and Fawn Weaver agreed that they felt unusual but interesting.
Kevin O’Leary asked how well the earplugs work. He wanted to know about their noise reduction. Lauryn said they reduce noise by 20 dB. This range is from 10 to 30 decibels. So users can still hear some sounds. They won’t be in silence.
Some sharks reacted mixed to this. Fawn said many want earplugs that block out all noise for sleeping.
Lauryn shared some numbers. GOB made $40,000 in sales. They did this in two months after launching and didn’t use paid ads.
She also talked about a partnership. It’s with a live entertainment company. Even a small share of the market could mean money. It could be $15 million in revenue.
Lauryn’s plan was to grow in two areas. She wanted to grow business-to-business and retail sales. She talked about sustainability and her mission. Some sharks wanted her to focus on the product. They wanted to know what customers want. Not just the environmental benefits.
What Makes GOB Unique?
GOB is different because it combines sustainability with a new approach to designing and using earplugs, giving users an experience unlike traditional options.
- Made from mycelium, fully biodegradable and compostable.
- Reduces noise without completely muffling sound.
- Positioned for large venues and events alongside retail expansion.
Did GOB Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
The Sharks were not interested in making a deal with Lauryn. Daniel Lubetzky thought her mission was great. He did not like the product. He thought the product needed work and did not know its main benefits. So Daniel Lubetzky decided not to invest in Lauryn’s product.
Robert Herjavec was worried about companies that sell similar products. He said you can buy earplugs everywhere. He wondered if people would pay money for earplugs.
Lori Greiner did not think the earplugs were good enough. She said they do not block noise for people who want it to be very quiet. So she chose not to invest in the earplugs.
Kevin O’Leary did not like the price of Lauryn’s company. He said $5 million is a lot of money for the company. Kevin O’Leary also said it would be hard for Lauryn to sell her earplugs because there are ones available.
Fawn Weaver uses earplugs. She did not understand why people would buy Lauryn’s earplugs. She said she did not think the earplugs were good for people who want a lot of noise to be blocked out. So Fawn Weaver chose not to invest.
Lauryn’s earplugs are unique and good for the earth. She did not get a deal from the Sharks. Lauryn left the Shark Tank without a deal.
GOB Shark Tank Update
Lauryn did not get a deal. Being on Shark Tank helped people know more about her product.
Now Lauryn has an idea of how her product fits into the market. The big problem for her is making sure the product is good for the environment and also does what customers want it to do. This is hard to do in an industry like Lauryn’s.
She has to balance these things to be successful with her product.
Where Can You Buy It?
You can purchase GOB earplugs from the company’s official website. GOB is also working with venues that host events so they can sell their earplugs to more people in-store and at other locations.
Follow their Instagram and Facebook for more updates.
Quick Summary
- GOB makes earplugs from mushrooms.
- Lauryn wanted $250,000 in exchange for 5% of her company.
- None of the Sharks agreed to invest.
Curious about other businesses from Shark Tank Season 17? Explore more founder stories and deals to see which ideas made waves and which ones missed the mark.
