McMiller Shark Tank Update — Shark Tank Season 17
McMiller brings joy, inclusivity, and sustainable design to game nights with quirky, high-energy party games that stood out in their Shark Tank pitch.
David McGranaghan and Julian Miller entered the stage of Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 7, introducing their brand McMiller. McMiller Games is a sustainable party game company, which is perfect for game nights for people of all ages. Here is a closer look at their Shark Tank pitch.
Now, the question that loomed was whether the Sharks would invest and decide to play the midnight games or would they choose to pass?
About McMiller
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | McMiller |
| Founders | David McGranaghan and Julian Miller |
| Industry | Gaming |
| Product | Fun outdoor and indoor games |
| Investment Asked | $200,000 for 5% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Daniel Lubetzky |
| Deal Outcome | $200K for 9% equity, along with 99 cents royalty per sale |
| Valuation | $4 million |
McMiller Games started off in the year 2017, when a real-life couple, David and Julian, moved to Los Angeles, California. They both had built strong careers as actors and in the creative domain. Hence, when they put their minds together, the idea of fun board games for parties came effortlessly.
McMiller is a very creative and sustainable party game company that has launched different games for people of all ages. One of their greatest hits was: It’s Bananas. This game transforms people into a tail-swinging monkey, further completing goofy challenges.
Moreover, they have launched new products in their product line, including a hybrid indoor/outdoor game. The Fish Fight game is made from plant-based, plastic-free materials. Also, they have expanded their line-up by introducing a party-title game, Uproar, and a cozy family game, Cat Mitt.
Instead of designing complex titles, they create high-energy experiences that bring families and friends together. Besides, they got the same energy on the Tank. Let’s have a closer look at how the Sharks reacted after viewing their fun presentation and pitch.
McMiller Shark Tank Pitch
David and Julian came into the Tank seeking $200,000 in exchange for a 5% stake, further valuing the company at $4 million. They presented their multi-generational game in front of the Sharks, and interestingly asked Kevin O’Leary and Daniel Lubetzky to play.
What happened during their play of It’s Bananas was a fun history in one of the most memorable moments of Shark Tank.
Undoubtedly, the founders took the plunge to share more about their company, as Daniel asked about their new game, Fish Fight, which is their fifth. Significantly, their masterpiece, It’s Bananas, has sold 50,000 units, and their lifetime sales stood at $12.5 million, which created a ‘Wow’ moment on the Tank.
When Kevin O’Leary asked about their sales channel, they responded that most of their sales are direct-to-consumer via Amazon.
As always, Mr. Wonderful was curious to know about the year-on-year sales figures, which stood at $3.2 million in 2024, with a net profit of $120,000. In the year 2025, they are projected to earn $5 million, with a net profit of $750,000.
Consequently, they went viral in countries such as France, Germany, and Italy through It’s Bananas’ social media videos. They were selling it for $23.99, with a landing cost of $3, for a high profit margin. The Sharks were all perked up and ready to make an offer after listening to the impressive numbers of a bootstrapped company.
What Makes McMiller Unique?
There are various reasons why McMiller Games are unique and full of laughter. Let’s list some of them;
- A Clear Mission: The McMiller Games are designed for fun game nights and holidays, and for play during Christmas. Their games do not require you to go through a rulebook. Rather, they are fast-paced, offering plenty of chaos and immediate fun. The couple provided a refreshing departure from the traditional not-so-interesting games.
- Bringing Physical Comedy to the Table: As shown during their Shark Tank presentation, McMiller’s biggest differentiator was its physical movements. Unlike traditional tabletops, these games involve goofy actions and performance challenges.
- Bold Commitment: Unlike traditional games made of plastic materials, McMiller games are plant-based, use eco-friendly packaging, and are manufactured responsibly.
Did McMiller Get A Deal On Shark Tank?
Furthermore, after listening to their fun pitch and excellent financials, Kevin O’Leary bluntly said the company is not worth a $4 million valuation. One major concern was that their flagship product was It’s Bananas, while the other products were not tested.
However, Barbara Corcoran was very interested in the McMiller games and offered $200,000 for a 10% stake, plus a $2 royalty per sale until she recouped her investment. Also, Daniel Lubetzky offered the same deal as Barbara.
Daniel made his point by stating that he has strong connections with some of the major gaming companies. Lori Greiner, Barbara, Daniel, and Daymond John were perked up after hearing that they will get their money back within 6 months. They have projected to sell 200,000 units in the coming months.
There were head-to-head negotiations between the Sharks and the founders.
Daniel dropped his offer to $200K in exchange for a 9% stake, along with a 99-cent royalty per sale until he gets the money back. Eventually, there were four offers on the table, but none matched Daniel’s, and hence, the founders secured the deal with him.
McMiller Shark Tank Update
After the episode aired and McMiller secured the deal with Daniel Lubetzky, the company went viral on social media. Currently, on their website, they are selling a Shark Tank bundle for $89.99, along with free shipping if you spend more than $30.
Where Can You Buy It?
You can purchase McMiller’s interesting games on Amazon and directly from their official website. Also, you can check their Instagram page for more updates.
Quick Summary
- David McGranaghan and Julian Miller stepped on the Tank with their brand, McMiller, pitching fun and interesting games.
- Unlike traditional tabletop games, these games involve physical activity and are made of plant-based materials, instead of plastic.
- The founders secured funding with Daniel Lubetzky at $200K in exchange for a 9% stake, including a 99-cent royalty per sale.
