Nutcase Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 18
Joelle (Jo) Weinand and Tyler “Ninja” Blevins pitched a healthy plant-based alternative to the nostalgic childhood drink.
Joelle Weinand and Tyler Blevins appeared on Shark Tank Season 18 Episode 3 with a lactose-free and nutrient-rich version of chocolate milk.
Joelle came up with the product after she craved that childhood chocolate milk but was turned off by the unhealthy ingredients.
Could Nutcase convince the Sharks that it is a better alternative to the popular childhood drink?
About Nutcase
| Category | Details |
| Business Name | Nutcase (Nutcase Milk) |
| Founder | Joelle (Jo) Weinand and Tyler “Ninja” Blevins |
| Product | Flavored cashew milk with electrolytes and protein |
| Industry | Food & Beverage |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | $1,800,000 raised at a $10,000,000 valuation |
| Initial Valuation | $5,000,000 |
| Investment Asked | $250,000 for 5% equity |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
Founders’ Backstory
Joelle Weinand appeared on Shark Tank with her co-founder and popular online gamer, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. Joelle started four different companies before Nutcase and grew up on chocolate milk until she read the ingredients. That spurred her to begin a better-for-you alternative with good taste. She launched the company in 2023 and launched it online in mid-2024.
Tyler “Ninja” Blevins is a professional gamer who rose to international fame through livestreaming gameplay. He was introduced to the product and, after trying it, was impressed enough to join the business as a co-founder.
Product Overview
Nutcase is a flavored cashew milk can filled with nutrients like protein, magnesium and potassium. It aims to provide a healthy alternative to chocolate milk without sacrificing taste.
The product is currently sold in the form of cans and powder packets featuring the following flavors: Chocolate Chaos, Japanese Strawberry and Vanilla Churro.
Nutcase Shark Tank Pitch
Joelle Weinand and Tyler Blevins came to Shark Tank seeking $250,000 for 5% equity in their nut-based milk company. The Sharks instantly gasped at the equity ask.
The entrepreneur began by sharing the nostalgic factor of chocolate milk and how the unhealthy sugars and artificial flavors took her away from it as an adult.
Joelle made the experience even more surprising by unveiling the famous online gaming personality, Ninja, whom most of the Sharks instantly recognized. Kendra Scott remarked that her children would flip out after hearing Ninja came to Shark Tank.
Ninja shared how Nutcase had become the solution to his late-night sweet cravings. While the Sharks liked the product’s taste, with Lori Greiner complimenting the chocolate flavor, the numbers still needed to make sense to maintain that excitement.
Joelle explained the 12-pack costs them $15, and they plan to reduce that price to $12 in 2027. The same pack is sold to consumers for $35, and shipping costs $5.
Kevin O’Leary asked, “Where does Nutcase land among competitors’ pricing?”
The entrepreneur said it was slightly on the premium end at the time.
The company reported $70,000 in 2025 sales, and for 2026, they had about $65,000 in year-to-date sales during the show’s recording date. This sparked some concern among the Sharks, considering the competitive canned beverage space.
After being questioned about the valuation of $5,000,000 amid weak sales, the founders shared that they had already raised $1,800,000 at a $10,000,000 valuation.
What Makes Nutcase Unique?
Nutcase aims to provide strong nutritional value without leaving behind that nostalgic taste of chocolate milk.
- High-quality ingredients: The product claims to contain 8g of protein, more potassium than a banana and provides necessary electrolytes for quick hydration and energy for athletes.
- Lactose-free: The product can also be consumed by people who are lactose intolerant, differentiating it from traditional milk products.
Did Nutcase Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
The guest shark, Steven Bartlett, was interested but confused, as the product seems to reignite a nostalgic taste, but the packaging looks like that of a sports energy drink.
The founder replied that it was aimed at being appealing to both athletes and people looking for that chocolate milk taste. But Steven disagreed and said, “When it comes to value proposition, less is more!”
The customer acquisition expense was $58 per customer, and to add fuel to the fire, they disclosed a 2026 year-to-date loss of $300,000 that further swayed the Sharks’ interest away from investing in the product.
Lori Greiner went out saying that the brand seems confusing and it would require a lot of effort to redo everything.
Both Kevin O’Leary and Daniel Lubetzky said that they would have to control at least half of the company to turn this product around and went out.
Kendra Scott also said the industry is extremely competitive and it would require a lot of capital and operational changes; therefore, she decided to go out as well.
Steven Bartlett stressed the importance of focusing on the target market instead of appealing to everyone before passing on the deal.
Unfortunately, Nutcase didn’t receive any offers from the Sharks.
Nutcase Shark Tank Update
After airing on Shark Tank Season 18, the Nutcase founders were not fortunate enough to get a deal. The company received national recognition and continues to operate while featuring popular personalities like Mike Tyson and Steve Aoki with the product.
Where Can You Buy It?
You can buy Nutcase products directly from their official website. It is also available on Amazon and for retail in Whole Foods across Arizona, California and Nevada.
For updates and the company’s expansion plans, follow them on TikTok and Instagram.
Quick Summary
- Nutcase entered Shark Tank with a healthy alternative to the childhood favorite chocolate milk.
- Joelle Weinand and Tyler “Ninja” Blevins came in seeking $250,000 for 5% of the company.
- Due to high cash burn and intense competition in the category, the company was unsuccessful in receiving any offers from the Sharks.
