Pi00a Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 17
A handcrafted frozen pizza brand blending authentic flavor with a meaningful mission. Pi00a impressed the Sharks and secured a deal with Lori Greiner on Shark Tank.
What if a frozen pizza could taste like it came straight from a Neapolitan kitchen? That’s the bold idea behind the Pi00a Shark Tank update.
Instead of sacrificing quality for convenience, this family-owned brand focuses on handcrafted pizzas made with authentic ingredients. When Melody Stein, Russ Stein, Taysia Stein, and Rylan Stein stepped into Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 18, they didn’t just pitch a product. They introduced a purpose-driven business built on inclusivity and craftsmanship.
With strong emotional impact, early traction, and a meaningful mission, Pi00a quickly captured the Sharks’ attention and led to one of the most heartfelt deals of the episode.
About Pi00a
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Pi00a |
| Founders | Melody Stein, Russ Stein, Taysia Stein & Rylan Stein |
| Industry | Food & Beverage / Frozen Foods |
| Product | Handcrafted frozen Neapolitan pizzas |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | ~$550,000 (Founder + investor capital) |
| Investment Asked | $200,000 for 5% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Lori Greiner |
| Deal Outcome | $200,000 for 12% equity |
| Valuation | $4 million |
Pi00a is a family-run, deaf, and CODA-owned business, where CODA stands for Children of Deaf Adults, meaning they grew up in deaf households. The founders combined their passion for food and community to create a brand that not only delivers high-quality pizza but also creates job opportunities for the deaf community.
Their mission goes beyond food, focusing on inclusivity, employment, and representation in the workforce.
Product Overview
Pi00a offers hand-stretched, frozen Neapolitan pizzas made with imported Italian “00” flour, a finely milled Italian flour known for soft, elastic dough.
Each pizza is handcrafted, delivering a restaurant-quality experience at home in minutes. The brand currently offers flavors like Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, Soppressata & Miso Eggplant.
Unlike mass-produced frozen pizzas, Pi00a focuses on small-batch, handcrafted quality with a mission-driven brand identity. The product sits at the intersection of convenience and premium dining, targeting consumers looking for high-quality frozen meals.
Pi00a Shark Tank Pitch
The Pi00a Shark Tank pitch stood out as the founders entered, seeking $200,000 for 5% equity, implying a $4M valuation.
They began by sharing their story as a deaf and CODA family, highlighting both their culinary expertise and their mission to create opportunities for the Deaf community.
As the Sharks tasted the pizza, reactions were overwhelmingly positive. Lori Greiner and Daniel Lubetzky praised the flavor, while Rashaun Williams noted that it tasted like fresh, restaurant-quality pizza.
The excitement shifted when the Sharks questioned whether the business could scale beyond handmade production.
The founders revealed that they currently produce about 250 pizzas per day by hand. While this ensures quality, it raises concerns about whether the business could scale efficiently.
In terms of numbers, the company reported approximately $422,000 in lifetime sales, including $222,000 in the previous year and about $125,000 so far this year (at the time of the Shark Tank pitch).
Their cost of goods stands at $3.64 per unit, with a wholesale price of $6.50 and a retail price of $13.99.
While margins showed potential, the company was not yet profitable. The founders explained that with automation and new equipment, they aim to increase margins from around 30% to 50%.
They also revealed that they had turned down approximately $1.4 million in potential orders due to limited production capacity, highlighting both demand and operational constraints.
What Makes Pi00a Unique?
The following features make Pi00a stand out in the frozen food market:
- Handmade pizzas using authentic Italian “00” flour
- Restaurant-quality taste in a frozen format
- Globally inspired flavor options
- Mission-driven brand supporting the deaf community
- Strong early demand with retail and wholesale interest
Did Pi00a Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Despite strong emotional support, several Sharks stepped out due to concerns about competition and scalability.
Kevin O’Leary cited the highly competitive frozen food space as a major challenge. Rashaun Williams and Daniel Lubetzky also stepped away, noting similar concerns about market saturation and growth potential.
Kendra Scott was deeply moved by the family’s story but felt she lacked expertise in the grocery sector.
With most Sharks out, Lori Greiner stepped in with a mission-driven perspective, becoming the turning point of the deal. She offered $200,000 for 15% equity, emphasizing her desire to support the founders and help scale the business.
The founders countered at 10%, and after negotiation, Lori agreed to $200,000 for 12% equity, sealing the deal.
Pi00a Shark Tank Update
Pi00a is a brand with both strong product appeal and a meaningful mission.
With growing retail partnerships and increasing demand, the company has clear potential to expand. However, scaling production while maintaining quality will be a key challenge.
The frozen food category is highly competitive, but Pi00a’s differentiation through quality and mission could help it carve out a unique position.
Where Can You Buy It?
Pi00a pizzas are available through select retail partners, including regional grocery stores and their official website, with plans to expand into national chains. Follow their Instagram and Facebook for more updates.
Quick Summary
- Pi00a is a family-run, deaf and CODA-owned brand offering handcrafted frozen Neapolitan pizzas made with premium Italian ingredients.
- The CODA family secured a $200K deal with Lori Greiner for 12% equity after an emotional and impactful pitch.
- While demand is strong, the company’s biggest challenge is scaling production without compromising its handmade quality.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 17 Episodes.
Pi00a appeared alongside other businesses in Season 17, Episode 18. Explore all the businesses and deals from this episode to see which ideas stood out in the Tank.
- Parrot Finance Shark Tank
- Pack’d Shark Tank
- Don’t Worry Snacks Shark Tank
