Loliware Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 7
Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker present Loliware, their line of edible cups designed to replace plastic, in the Shark Tank.
Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker hoped the Sharks would take a bite out of Loliware, their line of edible cups, in Shark Tank Season 7 Episode 2.
The founders met at Parsons School of Design in New York, and after graduating in 2010, they entered a Jell-O contest. After much experimentation, they created Loliware—cups you can eat when you’re done drinking out of them.
Made from a plant-based gelatin substitute, the Loliware cups are both edible and biodegradable. So the pair coined their product as a “biodegr(edible)” alternative to plastic cups.
They hope Loliware can help reduce the billions of tons of plastic that get dumped into landfills every year.
About Loliware
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Loliware |
| Founders | Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker |
| Industry | Eco-friendly products |
| Product | Edible cups |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | $10,000 from Kickstarter, $60,000 from angel investors |
| Investment Asked | $150,000 for 15% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Mark and Barbara |
| Deal Outcome | $600,000 for 25% equity |
| Valuation | $1 million (at the time of Shark Tank pitch) |
The invention, originally called “Jelloware,” created a lot of buzz. In 2011, the founders raised $10,000 on Kickstarter and renamed the product Loliware.
They got another $60,000 in angel investments from the Hot Bread Kitchen incubator in Harlem and filled an order from AOL for 600 cups for the Adweek Brand Genius Awards in 2012.
When Absolut Vodka asked them about ordering 60,000 cups for a concert, the women knew they were on to something. The cups look like regular, translucent plastic cups and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They taste like fruit roll-ups.
Loliware cups could hold a drink for 24 hours and typically had a shelf life of three months. The company also planned to eventually create a line of tableware to complement the cups.
Chelsea and Leigh Ann continued to receive many accolades and a lot of good advice. They won the Natural Products Expo “pitch slam” contest in March 2015. While it was a prestigious event, they won “goods and services,” but no cash.
In an interview following the win, they commented that they were still looking for investors. The pair also appeared with Marcus Lemonis on CNBC’s The Biz Fix. Lemonis urged them to focus on the biodegradable aspect of the product and gradually introduce flavors.
Lemonis thinks that if they get it right, they’ll have a HUGE business, but there’s still work to do before getting it ready for the market.
Loliware is likely looking for a Shark to help them reach the next level. Can they get one to bite?
Loliware Shark Tank Pitch
Chelsea and Leigh Ann entered the Shark Tank and asked for $150K for 15% equity in their business. They then ate a cup in front of the Sharks and pitched the edible nature of their product, stating they wanted to create a plastic-free revolution.
The Sharks tried cups with special drinks, and they liked them. Lori thought it was delicious and said, “It tastes like an adult fruit roll-up.” They explained how they make Loliware with vegetable gelatin and told the Sharks they have a $1.3 million letter of intent from a party supplies company.
As they continued to tell their story, the women revealed that their cost is 97 cents for a cup, and they sell it for $1.50. But they think they can get the costs down with volume.
By the time of their Shark Tank appearance, they had invested $20K of their own money and another $100K from friends and family. As they spoke, the Sharks began to circle.
Did Loliware Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Robert offered $600K for 25% equity if another Shark joined him in the deal. Mark immediately said, “DONE.” Kevin and Barbara wanted in.
Lori cleared things up by going out, and then Barbara said she wanted to go in with Mark, who said he’d work with either Shark.
Chelsea and Leigh Ann weighed their options. Mark and Robert offered $600K for 25% equity, and Mark and Barbara made an identical offer. Chelsea and Leigh Ann accepted Mark and Barbara’s deal—Robert was out!
The final deal was closed with Mark and Barbara for $600K for 25% equity.
Loliware Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. The deal with Mark and Barbara closed, and the products are listed in their respective investment portfolios.
What began as a playful edible cup concept has since evolved into a deep-tech materials company pioneering seaweed-based plastic alternatives.
Kickstarter and Indiegogo Campaigns
In January 2018, they raised $49,160 on Kickstarter and $85,008 on Indiegogo to pre-sell straws. The straws were shipped to backers a little over a year later.
The company’s social media hasn’t posted since May 2019.
Following their 2018 crowdfunding success, Loliware continued raising funds and evolving its technology. In January 2020, they raised an additional $6 million in venture capital at an undisclosed valuation.
As of August 2021, they did not have a consumer product ready for market, but the company is still listed on Mark’s site. The website says, “New site coming soon.”
In March 2022, the new website is up, but there are no products for sale. However, there is a form to fill out so they can email you with information about product availability.
Replacing Single-use Plastics
Initially made from vegetable gelatin, Loliware’s edible cups evolved into seaweed pellets that are biodegradable and designed to replace single-use plastics.
Briganti told Forbes, “I can literally walk into a plastic manufacturer tomorrow anywhere on the planet, and they can replace any single-use plastic with our pellet. There’s no startup capital required, no cap-ex—I’m not creating a technology that requires custom machinery. All the technology has to be built into the materials science, not into the processing.”
The business focuses on B2B sales, not consumer products. As of June 2023, the annual revenue of Loliware was $6 million.
As of 2024, Loliware continues to develop its seaweed-based bioplastics, expanding partnerships with global packaging manufacturers. Now, it also focuses on B2B sustainability solutions, not consumer tableware, positioning itself as a leader in regenerative materials.
Though the exact numbers are not publicly disclosed, the estimated net worth of Loliware ranges between $10 million and $15 million.
Posts About Loliware on Shark Tank Blog
Check out more details about Edible Cups of Loliware.
Where Can You Buy It?
To know more about Loliware products, visit their official website. You may check out their social media pages for any recent updates: Facebook and Twitter.
Quick Summary
- Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker pitched Loliware, edible cups made from vegetable gelatin, on Shark Tank.
- They sought an investment of $150,000 for 15% equity to help scale their business.
- The founders secured a deal with Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran for $600,000 for 25% equity.
- As of 2025, Loliware stands as a pioneer in seaweed-based bioplastics, reshaping how industries think about sustainable materials.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 7 Episodes.
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