Kate Kung-McIntyre, Eddie Sandoval and Kyle Offut give the Sharks a taste of Pinole Blue, their ancient blue corn drink mixes, cookies, protein bites, and stone-ground tortillas, in Shark Tank episode 1315. Sandoval, whose family is originally from the mountains of northern Mexico, drank drinks based on blue corn when he visited family in Chihuahua. He first started making a drink mix out of the blue corn powder in his college dorm room at Wichita State in Kansas. His family has been drinking the stuff for years. The ancient Aztecs used it for its rejuvenating properties.
He started the business in 2017 when he bought a half ton of blue corn and began making drink mix powders out of it. The company went live online in July, 2017 and moved into a real manufacturing facility that same year. Eddie grew the line to include the other items as the years went by and is one of the only tortilla manufacturers to make stone ground tortillas by hand.
Kate Kung-McIntyre is a professor that advised Eddie when he applied for and won an annual venture competition at Wichita State. Kyle Offut is a social media consultant who creates content for the business. The company is somewhat of a Tik Tok sensation and it’s where they spend a lot of time marketing. They have product in four Kansas Whole Foods and several independent stores. They likely want a Shark’s help getting broader retail distribution.
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Posts about Pinole Blue on Shark Tank Blog
PinoleBlue – Blue Corn Super Foods
Pinole Blue Shark Tank Recap
Kate, Eddie and Kyle enter the Shark Tank seeking $300,000 for 10% equity in their business. Eddie tells about the story of Pinole and how he brought it to the US. They grind the corn with volcanic rocks. The Sharks like their samples of cookies, drinks and tacos.
Eddie says Pinole has been part of his life. His parents immigrated with nothing. Kate was Eddie’s professor and she encouraged him to go for it. Kate introduced Eddie to Kyle. Lifetime sales are $720,000. They project $730,000 for this year (2021). Gross profits were $260,000 last year with a $5000 net profit.
Mark thinks it’s very specific to a market. Their main customer segment is the Mexican community. They use the tortillas as a gateway. Mark can’t visualize their path, he’s out. Barbara says it’s remarkable they found each other but she’s out. Emma says it’s a little early, she’s out. Lori likes the products, it’s too early for her too – she’s out. Kevin says they have proof of concept. He thinks it will be hard to tell the story. He’ll buy the products, but it’s too early for him too. He’s out.
After the pitch is over, they tell of Kate’s husband’s death. Before he died, he told Kate to “help those kids.” Despite the heartfelt story, all the Sharks are still out.
Pinole Blue Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. After the original air date in February, 2022, sales spiked dramatically. The business won an award at the 2022 Good Food Awards in the grains category. They also donate a portion of their sales to the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico. As of February, 2023, they’re still in the four Wichita area Whole Foods and an additional 15 stores. Annual revenue is around $900,000.
The Shark Tank Blog will follow-up on Pinole Blue & Kate Kung-McIntyre, Eddie Sandoval and Kyle Offut as more details become available.
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