Squirrel Boss Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 4
Michael DeSanti pitched Squirrel Boss, a squirrel-proof bird feeder that delivered a harmless static shock on Shark Tank.
Michael J. DeSanti, a former aerospace professional turned entrepreneur, pitched Squirrel Boss on Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 23.
Have a look at more Shark Tank Season 4 Episodes.
About Squirrel Boss
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Squirrel Boss |
| Founder | Michael J. DeSanti |
| Industry | Pet Supplies & Outdoor Products |
| Product | Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder with Remote-Controlled Static Shock |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
| Investment Asked | $130,000 for 40% equity |
| Valuation | $325,000 (at the time of the Shark Tank pitch) |
The Squirrel Boss is a bird feeder that deters squirrels from eating the bird food by delivering a harmless static shock.
DeSanti claimed it’s a sensation “similar to walking across the carpet and then touching something. It is harmless, but you avoid it. So will the squirrels.”
The shock is delivered via a remote control, so you can “train” the squirrels to leave the bird food alone while having a little harmless “fun.” It also deters deer, raccoons, other small mammals, and even bears.
DeSanti took nearly two years to perfect his design, and he’s been selling the Squirrel Boss online since 2009.
Squirrel Boss Shark Tank Recap
DeSanti came into the Tank asking for a $130,000 investment in exchange for 40% of his squirrel-shocking business. He gave a brief introduction of his product, and Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban tried out the zapper.
Not to be left out, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John also took a shock. Kevin O’Leary declined the chance to get zapped.
Once it was well established that the shock was startling but not painful for the animal, the Sharks wanted to know whether animal rights activists would object to the technique.
DeSanti explained that activists liked the Squirrel Boss because the alternative was usually fatal to the animals.
The brief shocks discouraged the squirrels without causing permanent harm, which was an option that appealed to animal lovers.
DeSanti had sold $196,000 worth of his Squirrel Boss feeders up to that point. He had an angel investor who put up $140,000, and he had repaid all but $38,000 of that original investment.
Michael had spent $60,000 on marketing without seeing much of a boost in sales.
Did Squirrel Boss Get a Deal On Shark Tank?
Robert Herjavec felt the product was more of a novelty than a solid competitor. “I don’t want to get zapped again,” he said, and went out. Lori Greiner thought zapping a squirrel was “a little sadistic,” so she was out.
Mark Cuban said he “was just not a squirrel whisperer” and went out. Kevin O’Leary also went out without explanation, leaving only Daymond John, who thought for a moment before going out too.
DeSanti declared he “wouldn’t leave” without a Shark deal, but Kevin O’Leary told him to put his hand on the Squirrel Boss and hand him the remote, threatening to shock him off just like the squirrels.
In the end, DeSanti left the Tank without a deal.
What Made Squirrel Boss Unique?
Squirrel Boss offered a harmless punishment to squirrels that could be administered from the palm of your hand via a remote.
Albeit a bit problematic conceptually, it got the job done, allegedly in a less harmful way as compared to other alternatives.
Squirrel Boss Shark Tank Update
Although the Sharks weren’t in the squirrel-zapping business, the effective and “admittedly” entertaining product was available online on Amazon and appeared to be selling briskly.
The Facebook page was active, and the product was receiving mostly positive feedback from online retail outlets.
Initially, it seemed as if the Squirrel Boss was one product the Sharks might have regretted passing up. Unfortunately, a lot of negative reviews surfaced on Amazon, and DeSanti stopped selling there before closing the business in 2016.
Posts About Squirrel Boss on Shark Tank Blog
You can read more about this squirrel-proof bird feeder product if it tickles your fancy.
Where Can You Buy The Product?
The official website still exists but is largely inactive, with outdated product listings and no option to buy. Social media accounts have also been discontinued.
Quick Summary
- Michael DeSanti sought $130,000 for 40% equity in Squirrel Boss, a bird feeder that deters squirrels and other animals with a harmless, remote-controlled static shock.
- Despite proving the shock is non-harmful, the Sharks expressed concern over novelty and ethical considerations, leading to no deal.
- After the show, Squirrel Boss enjoyed some online success, but negative reviews contributed to its closure in 2016.
Can’t get out of the Shark Tank pigeonhole? Check out more products from the same episode for their business updates.
- Mee-Ma’s Gumbo Brick Shark Tank Update
- MistoBox Shark Tank Update
- Vermont Butcher Block and Board Company Shark Tank Update
So I didn’t get a deal with a Shark. But I did get a deal with a private investor of equal caliber after returning home from filming my segment ST4 Episode 421. Assuring my new partner that my animated, entertaining and fierce performance on stage was rated a 9.5 on the scale of 1 to 10 by my producer, we started to prepare for our Air Date. They saved the best for last in season 4 when they put Squirrel Boss right before the finale. Our Premier was May 3rd, 2013 on ABC Television’s Shark Tank. Our set was beautiful, we had 4 Sharks on stage shocking each other and I refused to leave without a deal. It was too funny. Watch the full episode at abc.com
Where can I buy this Squirrel Boss, love it
He went out of business in 2016
Oops I just noticed your comment says it was posted 5 years ago! Lol oh well. Hello from the future