As we watch the biggest television reality show, Shark Tank, we witness that some entrepreneurs walk in with a modest ask to grow. However, there are other entrepreneurs who walk in with outrageous valuations, asking for millions of dollars.
Top 20 Highest Asks Businesses on Shark Tank
Let’s have a look at the top 20 highest asks ever made in the history of Shark Tank.
1. Wired Waffles
Roger Sullivan entered the stage of Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 5, pitching his brand, Wired Waffles. He introduced his product, caffeine-charged waffles, which are equivalent to two cups of coffee.
He came in seeking $75,000 for a 25% stake in his brand, further valuing the company at $300,000. Despite the uniqueness of the product, all the Sharks bowed out of the negotiations.
2. Track Days
Track Days stormed the stage of Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 24, along with the founder, James LaVitola. He pitched his idea of a motorcycle racing movie.
Moreover, he came in asking $5 million for a 35% stake in his brand. However, all the Sharks refused to invest, as the execution was questioned.
3. Zero Pollution Motor
Ethan Tucker entered “Shark Tank Season 6 Episode 26,” pitching his brand Zero Pollution Motors. It was an air car that ran on compressed air, unlike any other urban transport alternative.
Thus, he came in asking $5 million for a 50% stake in his brand. Robert Herjavec was impressed with the innovative product, along with the presentation. Thus, he offered a deal, but it never closed.
4. Skyride
Scott Olson broke into Shark Tank Season 3 Episode 13, pitching his brand Skyride, which was a human-powered monorail. He came in asking $3 million in exchange for a 20% stake in his company. Thus, despite the solid concept of the startup, none of the Sharks took the bait.
5. Syndaver Labs
Christopher Sakezles entered the “Shark Tank Season 6 Episode 25,” pitching his brand, Syndaver Labs, which produces man-made cadavers for medical training.
Thus, he asked $3 million for 25% equity in his brand. Robert Herjavec offered the deal for the same stake.
6. Zipz Wine
Andrew McMurray entered the stage of “Shark Tank Season 6 Episode 3,” pitching his brand Zipz Wine, which was a single-serve wine in a recyclable wine glass.
He came in seeking $2.5 million in exchange for a 10% stake. Though all the Sharks were skeptical about the product, Kevin O’Leary made an offer, making it one of the biggest deals in the history of Shark Tank.
7. MTailor
Miles Penn stormed the stage of “Shark Tank Season 7 Episode 21,” pitching his brand MTailor, which was an app that measured your body and made custom-tailored clothes.
He asked $2.5 million in exchange for 10% equity. Despite the personalization aspect, none of the Sharks offered the deal.
8. Project Pollo
Lucas Bradbury came into the Shark Tank Season 13 Episode 24, pitching his brand, Project Pollo, which was a vegan chicken restaurant chain.
He entered the Tank asking $2.5 million in exchange for a 5% stake. The Sharks didn’t see any potential in the idea, and hence, they decided to stay out of the negotiations.
9. Zomm
Henry Pennix entered the stage of Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 4, pitching his brand, Zomm, which offered a wireless leash that connects your phone to Bluetooth. It alerts you when you’re 20 feet away from the phone.
Moreover, he asked for $2 million in exchange for a 10% stake. Because of the lack of a solid product, all the Sharks decided to bow out.
10. Tremont Electric
Aaron Lemieux entered the stage of Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 22, pitching his brand, Tremont Electric, along with his product, a human-powered charger.
Consequently, he asked for $2 million in exchange for a 22% stake. Though the Sharks were perked up with the innovation, they refused to invest.
11. Ten Thirty One Productions
Melissa Carbone stormed the stage of Shark Tank Season 5 Episode 9, pitching her scary actors troop of Ten Thirty One Productions. The brand specialized in haunted attractions like Horror Campouts.
She came in asking $2 million in exchange for a 20% stake. She landed a deal with Mark Cuban for the same stake, making it one of the biggest Shark Tank deals.
12. Virtuix
Jan Goetgeluk entered the Shark Tank Season 5 Episode 13, pitching his brand Virtuix, which is an omni-directional treadmill. He came in seeking $2 million in exchange for a 10% stake.
Moreover, the Sharks were not convinced with the business model, and all of them refused to take the bait.
13. Nexersys
Terry Jones appeared on Shark Tank Season 5 Episode 2, pitching his brand Nexersys, an arcade-style gaming product, along with an engaging workout experience.
Additionally, he came in seeking $2 million in exchange for a 10% stake. Though the idea had potential, all the Sharks bowed their heads out of the negotiations.
14. Brand Yourself
Patrick Ambron arrived on the stage of Shark Tank Season 6 Episode 28, pitching his company, Brand Yourself, which is an online reputation management firm.
He stormed the stage seeking $2 million in exchange for a 13.5% stake. Despite the amazing idea, most of the Sharks refused to invest, but Robert Herjavec offered the deal at 25% equity. However, Patrick refused and had to walk empty-handed.
15. Vengo
Steven Bofill and Brian Shimmerlik entered the stage of “Shark Tank Season 7 Episode 25,” pitching their brand, Vengo, high-tech, smart vending machines.
Thus, he came in seeking $2 million in exchange for a 12.5% stake. Hence, Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner finalized a deal for a 36-month loan of $2 million at 7% plus 3% equity.
16. Nootrobox
Michael Brandt and Geoffrey Woo came into the Shark Tank Season 8 Episode 7, pitching their brand Nootrobox. They produced nootropic supplements that are made to enhance stamina, mental clarity, and memory.
They stormed the Tank seeking $2 million in exchange for a 5% stake. Despite the innovative product, none of the Sharks offered a deal.
17. Nuchas
Ariel Barbouth stormed onto the stage of Shark Tank Season 10 Episode 18, pitching his brand Nuchas, popular for its hand-made empanada business in New York.
Thus, he asked for $2 million in exchange for an 8% stake. Barbara Corcoran was the only Shark to offer $1 million for 100% of his retail business, plus another $1 million on loan. However, Ariel refused the deal and walked away empty-handed.
18. Return Home
Micha Truman and Katey Houstonno came into the Shark Tank Season 15 Episode 3, pitching their brand, Return Home, a green alternative for cremation and burial.
They appeared on the Tank seeking $2 million in exchange for a 5% stake. Though the Sharks showed immense respect for what they were doing, none of them took the bait.
19. Virtusphere
Ray Latypov and Jim Dimascio entered the stage of Shark Tank Season 1 Episode 109, pitching their brand Virtusphere, an immersive virtual reality simulator.
Moreover, they came up with this one-of-a-kind innovation, seeking $1.5 million in exchange for a 10% stake. But due to the lack of strong product development, the Sharks bowed out of the deal.
20. Vegas Magic Show
Rick Smith Jr. entered the stage of Shark Tank Season 3 Episode 7, pitching his show of illusion named Vegas Magic Show. Rick came in seeking $1.5 million in exchange for a 20% stake in his brand.
However, the Sharks are skeptical about adding another show in the already crowded market in Vegas. Hence, no deal was offered by the Sharks.
Are High Asks Always a Bad Idea?
The top 20 list reveals that while many large asks fail, a few do reach success, particularly when the business is disruptive, well-presented, and market-ready.
For example, Zero Pollution Motor secured interest at its US$5M ask, and Ten Thirty One Productions got backing at US$2M, showing entertainment and branding can also win at the Tank.
These exceptions show that with the right product-market fit, execution plan, and storytelling, high aspirations can pay off.
