R1SE Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 17
R1SE is a place where kids do their homework and have fun at the same time. Can this idea, for after school, change how kids learn and still make money?
Parents everywhere know the daily struggle. Work ends late, school ends early, and homework somehow falls in between. Trevor and Heather Szafranski wanted to fix this problem with R1SE.
They appeared on Shark Tank Season 17, Episode 15. Trevor and Heather Szafranski asked for $300,000 in exchange for 10% equity in R1SE. They said that kids would do their homework first, then get to play. The big question was, would the Sharks like the idea of R1SE?
About R1SE
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | R1SE |
| Founders | Trevor Szafranski, Heather Szafranski |
| Industry | Education / Childcare |
| Product | After-school academic and recreation centers |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Investment Asked | $300,000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Barbara Corcoran |
| Deal Outcome | $300,000 for 15% equity + payback within 3 years |
| Valuation | $2 Million |
Trevor had been a teacher for 15 years. He saw many students without academic support outside school. Parents were stressed trying to work and help their kids with school.
He did not want to open a tutoring center or daycare. Trevor wanted a place where learning and fun go together. With Heather, who handles money matters, they created R1SE.
R1SE started out with two locations in Michigan. Each place is big. It is around 10,000 feet. Students come here before school or after school.
The first hour is about schoolwork. Students do their homework, finish assignments, and get ready for tests.
The second hour is really fun. Students get to watch movies and play all sorts of games. They can even run around and be active.
The cost of R1SE is $15 per hour, which people can afford. But the question was, would the Sharks believe in the mission and business?
R1SE Shark Tank Pitch
The pitch felt good from the beginning. It was clear and came from the heart.
Lori Greiner said it was a “great pitch.” Rashaun Williams connected deeply with the mission of how education changed his life.
The Sharks liked the idea of combining learning and fun in one place, which made sense. Kevin O’Leary said, “You have something.”
Each center makes around $600,000 per year with a 21% profit margin. They have 120 students daily, making $30 per student for two hours.
Kevin O’Leary quickly pointed out the pricing problem. He said they were charging a little and should double their prices. Trevor disagreed, saying higher prices would be hard for families with kids.
The debate started to be about helping people versus making money.
One moment stood out. The founders told a story about a boy who lost his dad and was struggling in school. After joining R1SE, he improved his grades and eventually went to college. It reminded everyone what R1SE’s really about.
R1SE’s pitch wasn’t just about business. It was about purpose. And in a Tank full of numbers, that made it stand out.
What Makes R1SE Unique?
The idea of R1SE is well thought out, balancing learning, affordability, and real-world scalability.
- Designed as a scalable, facility-based education model
- The program puts together schoolwork with fun rewards.
- More affordable than hiring tutors or babysitters.
Did R1SE Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Despite loving the mission, most Sharks struggled with the business model.
Rashaun Williams liked the idea but needed faster scalability and opted out.
Daymond John and Lori Greiner decided to walk away from the business. They said the business needed a strategic partner.
Kevin O’Leary had a tough time making a decision about the business. He believed it would work, but couldn’t justify the economics. In one of the episode’s most honest moments, he called it a “moral dilemma” before ultimately going out.
That left Barbara Corcoran. She hesitated but offered them both investment and advice. She suggested owning real estate instead of leasing, comparing it to the McDonald’s model.
Then she made her offer of $300,000 for 15% equity, with a promise that her investment would be paid back within three years. They got the deal.
R1SE Shark Tank Update
After the episode was broadcasted, R1SE became well known among parents who wanted their kids to have something organized to do after school.
While exact post-show numbers aren’t publicly confirmed, the model shows clear potential for expansion. People are looking for places where their kids can get an education and do things too, and R1SE is exactly that kind of place.
The main problem of R1SE was finding a balance between keeping costs and making a profit as they entered new cities.
Where Can You Buy It?
R1SE is a physical experience. Parents can sign their kids up for R1SE by going to one of their centers in Michigan, as mentioned on their official website.
As R1SE gets bigger, they will open more centers around it. You can look at R1SE’s Instagram and Facebook for information.
Quick Summary
- R1SE is an after-school program that combines homework time with fun activities, created by Trevor and Heather Szafranski to help busy families.
- The founders pitched $300K for 10% equity on Shark Tank and secured a deal with Barbara Corcoran for $300K for 15% equity plus a 3-year payback.
- While Sharks loved the mission, the main concern was balancing affordability with profitability and scaling the business.
Curious about other businesses from Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 15? Explore more founder stories and deals to see which ideas made waves and which ones missed the mark.
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