Lug Bug Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 10
Nathan Day pitched Lug Bug, an ergonomic handle for baby car seats, to the Sharks, seeking investment to address production and inventory challenges.
Nathan Day wanted the Sharks to get a handle on Lug Bug, his ergonomically correct baby car seat handle, in Shark Tank Season 10, Episode 2.
Would the Sharks see the value in his ergonomic invention and help him make it easier and safer to carry baby car seats?
About Lug Bug
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Lug Bug |
| Founder | Nathan Day |
| Industry | Baby Products |
| Product | Ergonomic clip-on handle for infant car seats |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Investment Asked | $300,000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Status | No deal |
Nathan Day created Lug Bug after suffering a shoulder injury while carrying his infant daughter in a traditional baby car seat.
As a father of three, he accidentally dislocated his shoulder when the car seat hit the back of his leg, forcing his wrist and arm into an unnatural position. The injury led him to seek both medical treatment and a better solution.
Nathan developed Lug Bug to make carrying infant car seats safer and more ergonomic. The handle clipped onto an existing baby car seat handle and pivoted, allowing parents to carry the seat with their palms facing inward like carrying a briefcase, creating a more ergonomic carrying position.
An NC State Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering study found that a handle promoting a neutral wrist posture could improve grip stability and reduce lifting effort. While some baby car seat manufacturers already offered ergonomic handles, many did not, creating an opportunity for Lug Bug.
Lug Bug was designed to fit nearly every baby car seat on the market and could support up to 100 pounds. Customers were backed by a 100% money-back guarantee if the product didn’t fit their car seat.
Each Lug Bug retailed for $39.99 and cost $5.92 to manufacture.
Lug Bug Shark Tank Pitch
Nathan entered the Shark Tank seeking $300,000 for 10% equity in Lug Bug.
He brought Robert Herjavec‘s wife onto the set, carrying their twins in baby carriers fitted with Lug Bug handles. She explained that they were much more comfortable to carry.
Nathan then demonstrated the product and handed samples to the Sharks.
He shared that Lug Bug had generated $238,000 in lifetime sales, with $198,000 of those sales coming during 2017. Nathan also revealed that he had invested $750,000 into patents and tooling to develop the business.
What Made Lug Bug Unique?
Lug Bug stood out by offering a simple ergonomic solution for parents carrying infant car seats.
- Allowed parents to carry infant car seats with a more natural wrist position.
- Clipped onto existing car seat handles and fit most models.
- Supported up to 100 pounds.
- Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
Did Lug Bug Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Kevin O’Leary asked whether major retailers like Target or Walmart had shown interest in the product. Nathan replied that the retailers wanted to test Lug Bug online before considering it for store shelves.
Robert Herjavec demonstrated his preferred way of carrying a baby carrier, as recommended by his pediatrician. He explained that he would not invest in a product he personally would not buy, and he decided to pass.
Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary said they liked the idea but were not confident there was enough consumer demand or future sales potential.
Barbara Corcoran complimented Nathan’s pitch but questioned why he had invested so heavily in patents before proving the business. Lori Greiner liked the concept but suggested that licensing it to a baby car seat manufacturer would be a better path.
The other Sharks also declined to invest, and Nathan left the Tank without a deal.
Lug Bug Shark Tank Update
Following the episode, Lug Bug initially gained attention for its ergonomic clip-on baby car seat handle, but the momentum did not last.
The company’s Facebook page has remained inactive since June 2017, and its website later listed all Lug Bug handles as sold out.
Despite founder Nathan Day continuing to list himself as CEO of Lug Bug on LinkedIn, there were no signs of active operations, no social media updates, and no retail activity for several years.
Nathan’s LinkedIn profile also listed him as the CEO of Cypress Development Group. This suggested his focus had shifted away from Lug Bug.
By 2021, Lug Bug appeared to be on hold. The situation remained unchanged in 2022. In August 2023, the company website went offline. This indicated the business had likely shut down.
Why Did Lug Bug Struggle?
Although Lug Bug received increased attention after appearing on Shark Tank, the company was unable to turn its online sales into long-term retail partnerships or widespread adoption.
Nathan mentioned during his Shark Tank pitch that retailers such as Target and Walmart wanted to test the product online before considering it for stores. However, those opportunities never developed into lasting retail growth.
Where Can You Buy It?
Lug Bug is no longer available for purchase. The company’s official website is inactive, and the product is no longer listed for sale through major online retailers.
It was previously sold through the company’s website and Amazon, but both sales channels are no longer active. Its Facebook page has also remained inactive for years, and there have been no recent announcements regarding a return to the market.
Posts about Lug Bug on Shark Tank Blog
Read our complete guide to Lug Bug to learn more about the ergonomic baby seat handle and the journey that led Nathan Day to Shark Tank: LugBug Ergonomic Baby Seat Handle
Quick Summary
- Nathan Day pitched Lug Bug, an ergonomic clip-on handle designed to make carrying baby car seats safer and more comfortable, and sought $300,000 for 10% equity.
- Despite positive feedback on the concept, none of the Sharks invested, citing concerns about product necessity, market demand, and Nathan’s heavy investment in patents before proving sales.
- Lug Bug briefly gained attention after Shark Tank but failed to achieve lasting retail growth. The website is now offline, the business appears to be closed, and Nathan has shifted his focus to Cypress Development Group.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 10 Episodes.
Curious about the other businesses featured in Shark Tank Season 10 Episode 2? Explore more updates and see which ideas made a splash in the Tank.
