Hang Hero Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 17
A simple household task turned into a full-blown Shark Tank Season 17, Episode 15 moment but could Hang Hero really nail a deal?
Hanging a picture sounds easy, until it is not. You get frames that are crooked with too many holes in the wall. Then you look for tools. This makes it one of those things that people put off, because it is frustrating. That’s where Hang Hero came in.
It is a tool designed to simplify picture hanging completely. Michael Van Horst and Ana Van Horst asked for $150,000 for 10% equity. They promised a faster, cleaner, and easier way to get it done in Shark Tank Season 17, Episode 15. But would the Sharks buy into it?
About Hang Hero
| Category | Details |
| Business Name | Hang Hero |
| Founder | Michael Van Horst, Ana Van Horst |
| Industry | Home Improvement |
| Product | Picture-hanging tool with built-in leveling and nail insertion |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Investment Asked | $150,000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured |
| Deal Outcome | $150,000 for 25% equity |
| Valuation | $1.5 Million (based on ask) |
Michael’s idea came from his time in real estate. He noticed his clients would leave pictures leaning against walls simply because they didn’t want to hang them.
Michael and Ana built Hang Hero from the ground up, balancing full-time work. Ana even shared how she works at a doctor’s office during the day and then helps fulfill orders at night.
Their journey wasn’t smooth. At first, they licensed it, earning $0.40 for each. After a while, Michael and Ana realized they were not making as much money as they could, so they decided to take Hang Hero back and do it themselves.
This change was a deal, but it also meant they had to start over with Hang Hero.
Hang Hero is designed to remove the hassle from hanging items on walls. To hang something, you just put the nail into a slot that has a magnet. Then line up the level and push the handle. The nail will go into the wall without a hammer.
Hang Hero works well for picture frames, clocks, or small things you want to decorate with. It can handle things that weigh up to 5 pounds.
The store price is $20 to $22. It costs $4.40 to make a Hang Hero. The idea is to make it easy to hang things, like using a stapler to attach papers.
Hang Hero Shark Tank Pitch
The pitch started with a relatable skit between Michael and Ana, showing how frustrating picture hanging can be. It quickly turned humorous, with Kevin O’Leary joking that they had won the “bad theater award,” while Lori Greiner called it the “best picture award.”
But things got awkward when the product demo didn’t work on the first try. The founders reset and demonstrated it again, this time successfully showing how simple the tool could be.
The Sharks were intrigued by the concept and even more impressed by the patents, four in total, including utility and design protections.
Then came the numbers. Sales were $240,000 in 2020. They grew to $851,000 by 2024. In 2025, sales revenue fell sharply to $40,000. This happened after they took back control from licensing deals. Sales dropped a lot.
That sudden drop raised concerns. Kevin O’Leary and Daymond John both pointed out that the business had essentially reset.
Still, the founders explained their long-term vision of moving from small royalties to full ownership and higher margins.
What Makes Hang Hero Unique?
What makes Hang Hero stand out is how it simplifies a task most people avoid altogether.
- Combines leveling and nail insertion in one tool
- No hammer, measuring, or extra tools required
- Designed for anyone to use, from beginners to homeowners
Did Hang Hero Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Most sharks loved the product but hesitated on the business.
Rashaun Williams liked the story but said it wasn’t his type of investment.
Kevin O’Leary thought the company was not ready yet.
Barbara Corcoran and Lori Greiner decided not to invest. They liked the founders and their presentation.
That left Daymond John. He connected with the problem because he remembered being a kid and having trouble hanging pictures. Despite saying it wasn’t his usual space, he saw potential.
Daymond John said he would put in $150,000 in exchange for 25% of the company. The founders wanted to give him 20%. Daymond John refused to change his offer. He believed he could save them years of struggle and wanted a meaningful stake.
They accepted the deal and called it “life-changing.”
Hang Hero Shark Tank Update
After the show, Hang Hero got a lot of attention online. They had 1.5 to 4 million views on TikTok.
The founders are now trying to get things going again. They had stopped signing licensing deals.
Now Hang Hero wants to make money and be in charge. They are using the internet to advertise and sell things directly to people.
The big problem is now getting back to where they used to be financially while still making a profit.
Where Can You Buy It?
Hang Hero is available on the internet and their official website.
As people learn about the product, it will likely be sold in big stores and on TV shopping channels again, making it even more widely available to everyone. Follow their TikTok for more updates
Quick Summary
- Hang Hero simplifies picture hanging with a built-in leveling and nail system
- The founders secured a $150K deal from Daymond John for 25% equity
- Despite a sales drop, the Sharks saw potential in rebuilding the brand
Hang Hero’s pitch had humor, heart, and a bit of chaos, but in the end, it landed exactly where it needed to.
Curious about other businesses from Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 15? Explore more founder stories and deals to see which ideas made waves and which ones missed the mark.
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