Sleepy Baby Shark Tank Update — Shark Tank Season 17
Born from sleepless nights and medical insight, Sleepy Baby combines gentle patting, white noise, and portability into a parent-designed sleep solution that stood out on Shark Tank.
Gary Harutyunyan and his wife, Siran Kirakosyan, entered the stage of “Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 9,” pitching their brand, Sleepy Baby. The product they featured was a portable baby patting device, solving the problem faced by first-time parents. But the big question is: whether the Sharks will invest or will they decide to pass?
About Sleepy Baby
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Sleepy Baby |
| Founders | Gary Harutyunyan and Siran Kirakosyan |
| Industry | Technology |
| Product | Portable patting device for babies |
| Investment Asked | $70,000 for 25% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Kendra Scott |
| Deal Outcome | $70,000 for 50% equity |
| Valuation | $280,000 |
Gary Harutyunyan was the Bureau chief of the California Department of Social Services when the husband-and-wife duo welcomed their first child.
Though both of them were pursuing different paths in January 2023, sleepless nights came between their moments of joy. They used to spend hours patting, rocking, and trying everything to get the baby to sleep. Gary and Siran even tried different sleeping aids, but could not find anything that worked well.
That is how the idea struck their mind. Siran used her medical background to experiment with multiple ideas alongside electrical engineers. In December 2023, they launched an innovative baby-patting device.
These devices provide a gentle touch to babies while patting them for hours, using white noise. Additionally, it features an adjustable belt, ensuring the baby can sleep straight for a specific period of time.
Also, Sleepy Baby provides settings that let parents set up to 10 hours of white noise, with continuous use for 7 hours. Its battery can be charged in just 1.5 hours, offering parents relief and convenience.
Let’s have a closer look at the pitch they delivered on Shark Tank and how the Sharks reacted.
Sleepy Baby Shark Tank Pitch
Gary and Siran appeared on the Tank seeking $70,000 in exchange for a 25% stake in their brand, further valuing the business at $280,000. They presented the device to all the Sharks, bringing fun and laughter to the stage.
Sharks were impressed with the idea, especially Kendra Scott, who shared her personal experience of tapping her baby for hours.
However, other Sharks, such as Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec, were skeptical of the innovation. Robert asked the entrepreneurs about their sales, and Gary responded that to date, they have sold 331 units and earned $21,000 in revenue. Likewise, Rashaun Williams wanted to know the price of other alternatives in this market.
Siran mentioned that some of the alternative products cost up to $2000, while their patting device is much cheaper. Their landing cost was $9.40, and they are selling the product for $63.99, which was a very high margin. Even Kendra supported the innovation and its founders, as she understood that any parent deprived of sleep might pay this amount for relief.
Although Robert Herjavec resonated with the idea, as he had difficulty getting his twins to sleep, he also knew that not all babies would adapt to it. Siran agreed with his point, noting that many babies seek their parents’ touch. Nevertheless, the product is unique in several ways; here is a breakdown.
What Makes Sleepy Baby Unique?
Sleepy Baby, a portable device for patting babies gently, is unique for various reasons. Let’s list some of those:
- The founders ensured that Sleepy Baby provides consistent, gentle patting that is safe for a newborn. Thus, they used two soothing techniques: gentle patting and white noise.
- Automatic patting provides a touch from a caregiver, and white noise eliminates disruptive sounds. Consequently, it creates a calm environment.
- Unlike other stationary sleeping aids, Sleepy Baby’s standout feature is its soft, adjustable belt.
- It features a wearable design that keeps babies comfortable. This device is lightweight and easy to use while parents are travelling.
Did Sleepy Baby Get A Deal On Shark Tank?
Some issues are associated with the brand and the portable device, highlighted by Sharks like Kevin and Robert. As mentioned above, Robert felt that the device would irritate the newborns rather than calm them. The major reason he shared was that a child needs the physical touch of their parents along with their presence. Hence, he decided to bow out of the deal negotiations.
While Mr. Wonderful stated that they will face a major problem with customer acquisition. Due to the privacy laws in America, it is very hard to find the data of expecting mothers before the child’s birth. Subsequently, he decided to stay out of the deal.
Following Kevin’s reason, Rashaun Williams said he already has experience in this industry. He invested in Happiest Baby, which has a plethora of baby products, but it is a tough business. Hence, he bowed out, giving advice to the founders that they should invent more products for mothers and not just stick to the patting device.
Furthermore, Lori Greiner said no to the founders as she just cannot see the potential to scale the brand. After four rejections, all eyes were on Kendra Scott, and that is when she made an offer to the founders.
She offered a deal of $70,000 in exchange for a 50% stake in the business, as she knew it was just a startup and would take a lot of work. So, the deal was secured on the same terms.
Sleepy Baby Shark Tank Update
After the episode aired, Sleepy Baby gained more visibility, along with increased traction on their website and social platforms. Though they got four rejections on the Tank, the deal was finally closed with Kendra Scott. As Kendra mentioned, she will push the product in large retail stores and pharmacies.
Where Can You Buy It?
Currently, the portable patting device for your baby is only available on Sleepy Baby’s official website. Also, you can follow their Instagram page to get regular updates about the brand.
Quick Summary
- Gary Harutyunyan and Siran Kirakosyan stormed the Tank, pitching their brand, Sleepy Baby, which is a portable patting device for newborn babies.
- The device has many features, along with the use of white noise and a battery that can last up to 7 hours on a single charge.
- Initially, most of the Sharks bowed out of the deal. Yet Kendra Scott offered them $70K in exchange for a 50% stake. Hence, the deal was secured on the same terms.
