Stem Center Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 7
Two sisters pitched STEM Center USA, a robotics-based learning hub for kids, on Shark Tank Season 7. They accepted a deal with Lori Greiner, though it never closed.
Sisters Lavanya and Melissa Jawaharlal pitched the STEM Center, their learning center concept where they teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math skills through robotics using their “guided discovery” method of learning, in Shark Tank Season 7 Episode 6.
They believe in hands-on learning, and their mission is to inspire the next generation by developing a passion for STEM disciplines at an early age.
About Stem Center USA
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Stem Center USA |
| Founders | Lavanya Jawaharlal and Melissa Jawaharlal |
| Industry | Education |
| Product | Science, technology, engineering, and math learning center |
| Investment Asked | $150,000 for 15% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Lori Greiner |
| Deal Outcome | $200,000 for 20% equity |
The two young women are highly suited to their business. Melissa, in addition to being the STEM Center’s CEO, is an engineer at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. She studied at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and got her Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC).
Lavanya is the President of the STEM Center and is enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of California, Berkeley. Both women are passionate about hands-on, experiential learning and want their STEM learning approach to educate and inspire children.
The STEM Center is located in Pomona, CA, where they conduct a wide variety of after-school classes for kindergarteners through college-aged students, all revolving around STEM principles.
Students pay a yearly membership fee of $1295, plus additional monies for classes that require additional materials. The membership allows students to participate in an unlimited number of classes. They also take their “show” on the road to area schools; the team has even traveled to other countries with their curriculum.
They center much of their programs around robotics, using their PI Robot. The sisters raised over $100K on Kickstarter in April 2014 to fund the project.
The PI Robot is a kit that allows students to build a fairly complex robot at a relatively small price tag ($75). Using the PI Robot gives students hands-on experience, rather than being lectured to.
The Jawaharlal sisters are likely looking for a Shark to expand their centers to more locations. Would the Sharks be on board with this innovative STEM approach or pass on expansion?
Stem Center Shark Tank Pitch
Lavanya and Melissa entered the Shark Tank seeking $150K for 15% equity in their business. They explained the importance of a STEM curriculum and why they created their learning center.
Pricing for membership in the Stem Center is $1400-$1800 per year, plus $135 per month. As of taping, they had 85 members, and they profited $135K.
Chris Sacca said he remembered their PI Bot Kickstarter. He liked the women because he’s raising two girls, and he thought Lavanya and Melissa are mission-driven.
Did Stem Center Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Kevin said there were too many spokes in the wheel, so he was out.
Robert said he thought it was too hard to scale; he was out, too. Mark Cuban said he thought they were too open-ended, but he thought they would succeed; he was out.
Sacca said their valuation was essential, and he believed schools would reach out to them to design curriculum. He offered $150K for 25%, but Lavanya and Melissa wanted a $1 million valuation because their 2016 sales would be $2.5 million.
Sacca said he didn’t need the money back but wanted to know what their vision was; they said they wanted a STEM Center in every city in the USA. Robert Herjavec asked if the girls had a counteroffer, and Lori said, “I have something to share.”
After a break, Sacca said he’d like to hear a counteroffer. Lori Greiner said she has a story to share, and she proceeded to play the “woman card,” saying she’d be a better partner. She offered $150K for 20%.
Sacca asked what they wanted from a Shark, and they replied that they needed help with franchising. Sacca then poked fun at Lori, saying the STEM Center won’t sell in an end cap in Bed and Bath or on QVC. He also said he won’t share the deal with Lori and offered $150K for 22.5%.
Lavanya and Melissa asked Lori if she would go to $200K for 20% equity, and Lori said YES!
Stem Center Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. Stem Center launched a new Kickstarter, called the Fiat LUX wearable electronics kit, on the night their segment aired.
They said they would use their investment from Lori to start franchise paperwork so they could expand Stem Center nationwide. Franchising hasn’t happened as of June 2022.
It was later revealed that the deal never closed, but the company was still very much in business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they did virtual classes. They claim to have served over 20,000 students. After COVID, they still have one center, but they’ve partnered with 10 Charter schools to provide curriculum.
STEM Center USA has grown into a dynamic hub for hands-on learning, offering both in-person classes at its Creativity Centers in Claremont and Rancho Cucamonga, California, and virtual programs with custom learning kits for at-home exploration.
Their curriculum spans an impressive range of STEM topics, such as robotics, coding, 3D printing, electronics, and game design, designed to engage students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Beyond their regular lineup, STEM Center USA also runs seasonal workshops and popular summer camps. In the summer of 2024, they hosted week-long sessions at schools, universities, and partner locations throughout Southern California.
The organization’s impact extends well beyond local classrooms. Through its federally funded programs focused on educational equity, STEM Center USA has served more than 43,500 migratory, English learner, and underserved youth since 2011.
These initiatives combine academic enrichment with social-emotional learning, helping students build both technical skills and confidence for the future.
As of January 2023, their annual revenue is $2 million. The estimated annual revenue is around $10.2 million as of 2025.
Posts About Stem Center on Shark Tank Blog
Learn more about Stem Center Learning Centers.
Where Can You Buy a STEM Center Membership?
For member subscription, kindly check their official website. Check out their social media pages. E.g.: Facebook and Twitter
Quick Summary
- Sisters Lavanya and Melissa Jawaharlal pitched STEM Center USA, a robotics-based education hub teaching hands-on STEM skills, on Shark Tank Season 7.
- Lori Greiner offered $200K for 20% equity, which the sisters accepted, though the deal later did not close.
- Today, STEM Center USA continues to thrive with over 43,000 students served, operating both in-person and virtual programs, and generating around $2 million in annual revenue.
Check out other products that appeared in the Shark Tank Season 7 episodes.
Interested in knowing about other businesses that appeared on the same episode? Check out their business updates!
