Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 19
Catch up on the deals made by ESAI, Mirai Clinical, Cricket’s Candy Creations, and Morrison Outdoors. Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 19 was a perfect showcase of entrepreneurial spirit.
The Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 19 broadcast on Hulu on May 9, 2025, featured pitches from four distinct businesses. It was a rollercoaster of innovation with four incredible businesses stepping into the Tank!
First up was ESAI, which showed the Sharks how their AI could make the daunting college admissions process so much easier for students. Then, we got a whiff of something unique with Mirai Clinical, a skincare line that surprisingly harnessed the power of persimmons.
For a dose of pure fun, Cricket’s Candy Creations brought their joyful approach to getting kids creative in the kitchen. And for families who love exploring, Morrison Outdoors presented their thoughtful gear designed to simplify every outdoor adventure.
Episode 19 Pitches and Deals
With four distinct visions and a whole lot of heart, each entrepreneur poured their passion onto that stage. They shared the same hope that the Sharks would help their dreams take flight. It was an episode packed with that classic Shark Tank mix of hope, ingenuity, and the burning desire to succeed.
ESAI
ESAI is like a smart computer friend with empathy. It gives everyone, no matter where they live, the same elite college guidance that helps them achieve their goals.
| Item | Description |
| Entrepreneur | Julia Dixon |
| Pitch Summary | Entrepreneur Julia Dixon founded ESAI. On Shark Tank, she sought $250K for 5% equity. Before the show, ESAI had $1.25M in funding and $70K in sales. Their AI-powered college admissions platform impressed the sharks. Julia accepted Mark Cuban’s offer of $250K for 5% equity plus 2.5% advisory shares. ESAI combines ethical AI, mentorship, and accessibility. |
| Deal Status | Deal secured |
| Sharks Who Invested | Mark Cuban |
Julia Dixon was once a private tutor and college advisor. She used to help students get into college. She noticed something really unfair: kids from rich families had lots of help, but kids from poorer families often didn’t. This made it much harder for them to get into good colleges.
This unfairness made Julia really want to do something about it. So, she created ESAI. Think of it like a smart computer program that gives personal advice to all students, not just the ones who can afford expensive counselors. It’s designed to be fair and helpful.
When Julia went on the TV show Shark Tank, she started by telling a touching story about why she created ESAI. To show how personal her program is, she even used a funny picture of a young Mark Cuban (one of the sharks)! This made everyone laugh and feel connected to her.
Her goal to make college admissions fair for everyone really touched the sharks. Both Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary were so impressed that they offered her money to help her business grow. Read more.
Mirai Clinical
Koko Hayashi poured her heart into a dream: to create something truly meaningful. Her deep care for skincare and her determination have helped Mirai Clinical blossom.
| Item | Description |
| Entrepreneur | Koko Hayashi |
| Pitch Summary | Mirai Clinical has sold a total of $8.7 million worth of stuff since it started. Just last year, they sold $2.2 million, and after paying all their costs, they made a profit of $250,000. They’re hoping to sell $4 million this year, but something bad happened, they got robbed! So, that might change things.
Their main product is the Persimmon Soap Bar. It makes up 53% of all the money they’ve ever made. It costs them $1.85 to make one bar, and they sell it for somewhere between $17.97 and $22.97. For every dollar they spend on ads, they make $2.50 back – that’s their ROAS. |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
| Sharks Who Invested | – |
Koko had already stepped into the Shark Tank spotlight with “Face Yoga with Koko” in Season 11. This earlier venture showcased her entrepreneurial spirit. Koko’s dream for Mirai Clinical bloomed from a heartfelt wish to help others with natural care.
Leaving behind other work, she bravely started in 2014, after years in offices. But the real spark? It was in quiet moments, dreaming of nature’s power to heal. Inspired by the strong, beautiful persimmon, she created her special soap in her own kitchen, pouring love into every bar.
The road wasn’t smooth; doubts and tough times came. But Koko’s belief in her product kept her going. Even a terrible robbery couldn’t break her spirit. Mirai Clinical isn’t just a business; it’s Koko’s heart made visible, a story of never giving up and the beauty of believing. Read more.
Cricket’s Candy Creations
Cricket Azima’s company, Cricket’s Candy Creations, is all about making cooking fun and creative for kids to learn.
| Item | Description |
| Entrepreneur | Cricket Azima |
| Pitch Summary | Cricket was self-funded before pitching on Shark Tank, asking $275,000 for 10% equity ($2.75M valuation). Although no deal was secured, it gained massive attention. With 100,000+ kits sold in 1.5 years and $1.7M in-store sales, events add ~$500,000/year.
Premium experiences like sleep-unders ($3,250+) and private parties ($10,000+) drive revenue. Sharks were concerned about the unclear business model and missing financials. |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
| Sharks Who Invested | – |
Cricket Azima was a chef and food educator. She launched Cricket’s Candy Creations to blend culinary fun with hands-on learning for kids. With a background in food media and children’s cooking education, she built her business around creativity and experience.
On Shark Tank, her passion stood out, but she struggled to answer key financial questions. That actually raised concerns among the Sharks. Even though she didn’t nail all the financial details, just being on the show gave her brand a huge boost.
It also highlighted a tough lesson: that having a brilliant idea and a lot of love for it isn’t always enough – you’ve also got to know your business inside and out. Read more.
Morrison Outdoors
Morrison Outdoors began with a problem every adventurous parent faces, and turned it into a solution loved by thousands.
| Item | Description |
| Entrepreneurs | Tavis Malcolm |
| Pitch Summary | Launched in late 2018, the company raised $16,449 from 184 Kickstarter backers in early 2019. With a $3,000 self-investment, it earned over $4.3 million in 5 years. Annual sales: $850,000. Products retail for $59.96–$200. On Shark Tank (Season 16), it secured $300,000 for 20% from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran. |
| Deal Status | Deal secured |
| Sharks Who Invested | Barbara and Mark Cuban |
What began as a simple idea born from outdoor frustrations turned into a mission to make adventures easier for families. The founders didn’t just want to sell gear, they wanted to solve problems.
Every product was designed with purpose: durable materials, smart features, and comfort in mind. They spent hours testing, refining, and improving until it felt right.
Made to handle real outdoor adventures, they’re lightweight, practical, and easy to carry. Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran were struck by the quality and how well it met a clear need. Read more.
Watch Key Moments from Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 19
In this heartfelt interview, Tavis Malcolm, the creator of Morrison Outdoors, shared how a personal need sparked a business. He also shared how that journey led him to Shark Tank.
