Like Air Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 15
The siblings impressed the Sharks on Season 15, Episode 11, but did their healthy Puffcorn, Like Air become a nationwide success?
For decades, people have been looking for better-for-you snack options, and many brands have tried to meet that demand. On Shark Tank Season 15, Episode 11, siblings and self-described “snacktrepreneurs” Steve Atieh, Allison Lin, and Kevin Atieh, who founded Like Air, presented their kernel-free Puffcorn snack to the Sharks.
Puffcorn is an extruded corn snack made without hard kernels or hulls, giving it a softer, lighter texture than traditional popcorn.
The siblings asked the Sharks for a $300,000 investment in exchange for 3.5% equity in their company, Like Air. Would the Sharks invest in the rapidly growing snack company and help take the business to the next level?
About Like Air
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Like Air |
| Founders | Steve Atieh, Allison Lin, and Kevin Atieh |
| Industry | Healthy Snacks |
| Product | Healthy popcorn puffs (Puffcorn) |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Investment Asked | $300,000 for 3.5% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban |
| Deal Outcome | $300,000 for 10% equity |
| Valuation (Asked) | Approximately $8.57 million |
The siblings started the company in 2020 to create better-for-you snacks. Unlike regular popcorn, their Puffcorn had no kernels or hulls, just the puffy part.
By the time of their Shark Tank appearance, Like Air had come a long way in just a few years. It became available nationally at Kroger, Meijer, HEB, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Giant, Wegmans, and Amazon. All of its snacks were gluten-free, nut-free, made with non-GMO corn, and contained no artificial ingredients. At only 50 calories per cup, according to the company, Like Air contained about half the calories of traditional buttered popcorn.
The snacks came in Classic (Butter & Salt), White Cheddar, Pancake, and Cinnamon Bun flavors. Two 4-ounce bags sold for $12.99 on the company website, while Kroger sold individual bags for $3.98. Amazon also offered a three-pack with one of each flavor for $19.95.
Like Air Shark Tank Pitch
Steve, Allison, and Kevin entered the Tank confidently and explained that America was a snacking nation. Allison said their snack was made for everyone, from 6 months to 100 years old.
She explained that Like Air Puffcorn featured a light texture that melted in the mouth. Unlike popcorn, it contained no hard kernels, so it would not get stuck in your teeth. It was made from non-GMO corn, was gluten-free, free of allergens, and contained no artificial ingredients.
The founders highlighted that the snack contained only 50 calories per cup while still delivering plenty of flavor. They offered four varieties, including two savory options, Classic and White Cheddar, and two sweet options, Pancake and Cinnamon Bun, which had half the sugar of leading kettle corn brands.
Allison ended the presentation by asking which Shark was ready to help Like Air reach new heights.
Shark Questions and Business Numbers
The Sharks sampled the Puffcorn, and Robert Herjavec immediately praised it, saying, “Oh wow, this is SO good!” The rest of the Sharks also enjoyed the product. Kevin O’Leary even called it one of the best low-calorie snacks he had seen on Shark Tank in 15 years.
Steve explained that they produced the snack by combining ground corn with a little oil and water before puffing it through a machine.
The founders shared that Allison came up with the idea after having her first daughter because she wanted better snack options for both children and adults. She partnered with her brother Steve, while Kevin also joined after working in investment banking and high-growth startups.
The retail price of each bag was $3.99, while wholesale pricing was $2.50. Each bag cost 88 cents to produce. The company had recently invested in its own dedicated packing and production line.
Before appearing on Shark Tank, the founders had raised $800,000 (verify this funding date, as it appears to predate the company’s 2020 founding) and later secured another $3.5 million at a $23.5 million valuation.
Sales grew rapidly, reaching $100,000 in 2020, $2.5 million in 2021, and over $5 million in 2022. Although they lost $190,000 in 2022 due to salaries, shelf placement, and distribution costs, they projected more than $10 million in sales for 2023.
They explained that they were selling in Kroger stores and were working on expanding into Albertsons while continuing to invest heavily in growth.
What Makes Like Air Unique?
Like Air stood out in the better-for-you snack market through a combination of product quality and nutrition:
- Kernel-free popcorn puffs that featured a light texture that melted in the mouth.
- Made with non-GMO corn, gluten-free, nut-free, and free of artificial ingredients.
- Only 50 calories per cup with both sweet and savory flavors.
- Positioned as a healthier alternative to traditional popcorn.
Did Like Air Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Kevin O’Leary believed the founders were impressive but said 3.5% equity was too small for him, so he declined.
Barbara Corcoran admired the business but believed they would need significantly more capital than expected and decided not to invest.
Robert Herjavec praised the company’s growth and execution but also passed because the small equity stake did not interest him.
Lori Greiner offered $300,000 for 7.5% equity if the investment was non-dilutable. The founders countered by offering 7.5% equity that would be dilutable.
Lori then invited Mark Cuban to join the deal, believing his experience scaling consumer brands would complement her retail expertise. Together they offered $300,000 for 10% equity, and the siblings accepted.
Like Air Shark Tank Update
After appearing on Shark Tank, the company experienced a significant boost in sales, with store sales doubling during the week the episode aired.
Although there was no evidence that the deal with Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban officially closed by the first rerun in June 2024, the founders shared that collaborating with the Sharks had been valuable because grocery buyers responded positively to the exposure.
The company finished 2023 with more than $10 million in sales and continued expanding its retail footprint.
Retail Expansion
Like Air became available in more than 8,500 stores nationwide, including Costco, CVS, Albertsons, Safeway, Walmart, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Kroger, Meijer, HEB, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Giant, Wegmans, Winn-Dixie, Big Y, and many other major supermarket chains.
The company also introduced new products and flavors after the show. Sour Cream & Onion was initially launched as a BJ’s Wholesale Club exclusive, while additional limited-edition flavors such as Spicy Ranch, Pumpkin Spice, Maple Cinnamon Churro, and Dill Pickle were later introduced. The brand also launched 100-calorie single-serve packs to expand its product lineup.
Awards and Recognition
Like Air earned several major recognitions following its Shark Tank appearance. In 2024, it ranked No. 55 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America after achieving 5,002% growth over three years. It also ranked as the fifth fastest-growing company in the New York metropolitan region, the second fastest-growing company in New Jersey, and the fourth fastest-growing food and beverage company.
The momentum continued in 2025. Like Air won a Good Housekeeping Best Snack Award, while co-founder Allison Lin was named to Inc.’s Female Founder 500 list. She also appeared on The View, where women-owned businesses were featured.
The company expanded its social media marketing through Instagram and TikTok by running frequent giveaways, sharing user-generated content, and partnering with brands for promotional campaigns. These efforts helped strengthen brand awareness beyond its Shark Tank appearance.
As of 2025, Like Air remained in business and continued growing nationwide. Its products were available across all 50 U.S. states through major retailers, Amazon, and its official website. The company also expressed interest in expanding internationally into markets such as the Middle East and Asia while working toward becoming one of America’s leading snack brands.
Where Can You Buy It?
Like Air became available through major grocery retailers across the United States, including Kroger, Meijer, HEB, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Giant, Wegmans, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Albertson’s, Big Y, Winn-Dixie, and many other supermarket chains.
Customers could also purchase Like Air directly from the official website. Get more updates from Facebook and Instagram.
Posts about Like Air on Shark Tank Blog
If you’d like to learn more about the brand and its products, check out our in-depth article, Like Air Puffcorn: A Delightful Snacking Experience, where we take a closer look at what makes this healthy snack stand out from traditional popcorn.
Quick Summary
- Steve Atieh, Allison Lin, and Kevin Atieh pitched Like Air, a healthy kernel-free popcorn puff snack. The founders sought $300,000 for 3.5% equity.
- Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban invested $300,000 for 10% equity.
- Like Air differentiated itself with its low-calorie, gluten-free, non-GMO, kernel-free snack and rapidly growing retail presence.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 15 Episodes.
Curious about the other businesses featured in Shark Tank Season 15 Episode 11? Explore more updates and see which ideas made a splash in the Tank.
