Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 6
From Surf Skull to Shalom Japan, Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 6 spotlighted four inventive brands. Here’s everything that unfolded in the Tank.
Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 6 aired on November 12, 2025, with an eclectic mix of products. Titled “Surf, Snacks and Startup Bites,” the episode had Kevin O’Leary, Daniel Lubetzky, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, and Barbara Corcoran in the Sharks’ chairs. Once again, four businesses put on a show to lure in a Shark.
Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 6 – The Shark Investors and Entrepreneurs
Season 17, Episode 6 of Shark Tank brought a never-before-seen product lineup. The founders walked in with everything from a surf helmet built for absolute protection on the waves to crunchy pasta snacks meant for guilt-free munching. There was also a set of custom 3D printed string instruments and a ramen kit that lets you whip up a restaurant-style bowl in your kitchen.
1. Surf Skull
Many people head out to surf with no head protection at all, which often leads to cuts, bruises and more serious injuries. Davon Larson noticed this gap and created Surf Skull, a brand focused on helmets that feel natural to wear and still look good.
Davon’s idea came from a rough day in Mexico when he sliced his head on his board. That moment pushed him to look closer at the gear available to surfers. Plenty of protective options existed, but most riders avoided them because they looked bulky and felt awkward.
Davon wanted something that blended in, felt light, and worked with the laid-back surf style. That goal eventually became Surf Skull.
He went through more than 20 versions before landing on a design he felt confident in. The team launched the company in 2023 with helmets that resemble bucket hats but carry a protective bump cap inside. They also make a baseball cap version. The mix of hard plastic and EVA padding helps guard against strikes from boards and fins.
Pricing is pretty straightforward—the floppy or stiff black Surf Skull V1 in medium or large runs at $75. The exact price applies to the bucket hat model in blue and beige, tan shades, and army green. The XL version comes in at $85.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Davon Larson |
| Featured Product | Surfing Helmet |
| Deal Status | Deal Secured |
| Sharks Who Invested | Daniel Lubetzky |
Shark Tank Pitch
Davon Larson was accompanied by Paul Huang on the Tank as they came seeking $50,000 in exchange for 12% equity. Barbara opened the round of questioning by asking how much testing they had done on their product. Kevin followed up by appreciating the product and then suggesting they should look at other avenues as well, like cycling.
Their business model is hinged on Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) from their own website. While their overall sales were not very impressive yet, they did have good profit margins. Their products cost $10-$12 to make, and they sell them for $75. Daniel also asked if they have a patent yet, and Paul replied, saying that it was in the works.
Kevin, for a change, had words of appreciation for the founding team and the product. But since he is not into surfing at all, he was the first one to bow out.
Daniel uttered that he is considering making an offer, and in the meantime, Barbara pitched her own offer. She offered them $50,000 in exchange for 15% equity. Daniel, on the other hand, pointed out that he would need to invest a lot of time and effort to get their product going. And hence, his offer demanded 25% equity in exchange for the $50,000 asked.
Lori was the next one to bow out, but she did that by showing solidarity for Barbara’s offer. Daymond also jumped in with an offer that was the same as Daniel’s offer.
After considering which Shark fit them best, Davon and Paul asked Daniel if he could lower his ask to 20% equity. Just as Barbara was showing her discontent and displeasure, Daniel quickly shook hands on the deal.
Barbara was offended because of the slight disrespect her offer had to endure in comparison to Daniel’s and demanded an explanation for the same. Paul explained that they are aware Daniel already has a foothold in the water sports industry, so they deemed him to be a better fit for them.
Barbara accepted the very fair explanation, and the duo walked out with the deal without any bad blood with any of the Sharks.
2. Tantos Chips
Joe Sasto came up with the idea for Tantos during a private event at Cal Mare back in 2018. He noticed that some pasta left under the heat lamps had crisped into small chips. The texture and taste sparked an idea he couldn’t ignore.
Around that time, Sean Knecht reached out to Joe with a question about pasta ratios. This exchange kicked off a steady back-and-forth where Sean would toss him cooking questions and Joe would offer guidance. Their conversations eventually grew into a friendship and then a shared project built around Joe’s early pasta chip discovery.
They began testing the idea by sharing the puffed pasta chips on Joe’s social channels. People loved them, which encouraged the pair to move forward. So, they launched Tantos in July 2024.
The name comes from an Italian phrase that loosely means “so much yes,” a nod to Joe’s passion for Italian food. The chips start with a simple mix of flour and water, then get fried and coated with seasonings inspired by Italian favorites.
Tantos first sold through its own site, but the demand pushed it into a broader market. The chips can now be found on Amazon, TikTok Shop, H-E-B, The Fresh Market, Faire, Pod Foods, Raley’s and Pop Up Grocer. Since launching, the team has kept working on new ideas and better production to reach more customers.
As of now, the lineup includes four flavors: Marinara, Pesto, Cacio e Pepe and Classico.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Joe Sasto and Sean Knecht |
| Featured Product | Pasta chips |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
Shark Tank Pitch
Joe and Sean came in asking for $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity.
After the greetings and preliminaries were done, Lori Greiner opened the floor with real questions. She asked them about the manufacturing cost. Everyone, including the two entrepreneurs, had their eyes glued on Daniel as the product was exactly up his alley.
Unfortunately, Daniel was the first one to go out because of his prior bad experience of running a pasta chip company to the ground.
Kevin followed suit as he rarely gets into the hyper-competitive food and snacks business. Barbara was interested and was hoping to go in with Daniel. But since he had to go out, she did not want to take it up alone and was out.
Daymond was the next Shark to go out of the deal, as the snack aisle is a very competitive space to be in. Lori was the only Shark left in talks by this point. She liked the product but was apprehensive about the cutthroat snack market.
Daniel would not stop talking about the risky chips business to the point that it scared Lori away as well, and she tapped out.
All the Sharks were out, but Joe and Sean were not disheartened. They walked off the stage with the well-wishes of the Sharks and more motivation to prove them wrong.
3. Forte 3D
Next up in the Shark Tank was something we don’t see very often.
Forte3D creates detailed 3D printed versions of classic string instruments that look and feel high-end without the steep price tag.
Before the company took shape, its founders, Alfred Goodrich and Elijah Lee, were already building strong careers in music and design. They shared a curiosity about whether timeless instruments shaped by Stradivarius could be reimagined with modern technology. That idea pushed them toward experimenting with new materials and printing methods.
They focused on using carbon fiber along with other sturdy polymers to build instruments that stayed true to the traditional structure. Their early work led to a cello and a violin that were far less expensive to produce while still delivering a rich tone. This success became the starting point for Forte3D.
Every instrument they make uses tough materials that stand up well to wear and weather changes. The designs include key components like fingerboards, wooden bridges and sound posts, which help maintain the familiar feel and sound musicians expect. Cleaning them is simple. A bit of glass cleaner or olive oil with a microfiber cloth keeps the surface in good shape.
The lineup is available directly through their website. Violins begin at $1,495 and the carbon fiber cello starts at $2,950.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Alfred Goodrich and Elijah Lee |
| Featured Product | 3D Printed String Instruments |
| Deal Status | Deal Secured |
| Sharks Who Invested | Lori Greiner |
Shark Tank Pitch
Alfred Goodrich (Founder and CEO), Elijah Lee (co-founder and engineering advisor) and Mike Block (chief musical advisor) came to the stage of Shark Tank seeking $250,000 in exchange for 10% equity.
After a serenading demonstration that had Daymond hooting, Daniel pointed out that this was one of the most enjoyable pitches he had seen.
Kevin asked the team why they are not targeting the much larger guitar market. Mike replied, explaining how there are already good and inexpensive guitars in the market. That is not the case with other instruments. Lori inquired about their cellos’ weight, and since they are lighter than usual, they are easier to carry around.
The founders left no stone unturned to appeal to Kevin’s musical side. They had one of his photographs on a cello as a customization. On further questioning, it was revealed that they also provide customized instruments with prints.
When questioned about the wonky sales figures, the founders clarified that they have done so much with only one product up till now. And they have many more coming up.
Amidst all the talking, Daymond was the first to go out as he did not have any idea of the music market. Lori was the first one to make an offer, as she put $250,000 for 18% on the table. Mr. Wonderful then jumped in with $250,000 in exchange for 10% equity. And in his typical Mr. Wonderful fashion, he wanted $100 royalty on every product sold until he got his $250,000 back.
As Daniel and Barbara tapped out, Lori tried to win the Forte 3D team over by matching Kevin’s offer. After a back and forth, she agreed to $250,000 in exchange for 16% equity.
And the sweet sound of music was played out to that.
4. Shalom Japan
The last business of the episode was described as a “delicious marriage of two different cultures.”
Shalom Japan is a Brooklyn spot created by chefs Sawako Sawa Okochi and Aaron Israel. Their mix of Japanese and Jewish cooking led to a Matzoh Ball Ramen kit that lets people make their most loved dish at home.
The two met in 2011 while cooking in New York. As they got to know each other, they shared their food traditions and realized how naturally they blended. That connection pushed them to open Shalom Japan in 2013. Matzoh Ball Ramen quickly became the dish people kept coming back for.
To bring that experience outside the restaurant, they developed an at-home version. The kit is simple to prepare. Warm the broth, cook the noodles and add the toppings. Each one feeds two people.
The kits are sold at the restaurant, through Goldbelly nationwide and through delivery apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Sawako Sawa Okochi and Aaron Israel |
| Featured Product | Fusion Ramen |
| Deal Status | Deal Secured |
| Sharks Who Invested | Barbara Corcoran |
Shark Tank Pitch
After the Sharks were done appreciating how tasty the product is, Kevin was the first to get the ball rolling on critical analysis. He pointed out how the product requires refrigeration, which makes the whole ordeal difficult. Daymond asked them about the sales, which were revealed to be at $17,000.
Barbara took the opportunity to appreciate their restaurant. She had been there twice. Daniel was also in awe of the food, but he did not like the fact that it cost $40.
Barbara was the first one to cut through the discussions and make an offer. She believed the product could thrive in a food truck business model. She offered $200,000 in exchange for 30% equity.
The remaining Sharks were awestruck by Barbara’s franchising and food truck idea. Daniel tapped out of the proceedings after pointing out how Barbara had cracked the code with her genius idea and he won’t be able to do any justice to that. Lori followed suit as the product required too much work.
Kevin also appreciated Barbara’s genius idea and went out of the deal. Daymond was also not in it, but he did ask for a reservation at their restaurant.
It once again came down to Barbara, who repeated her offer. The twist with her offer was that it was contingent on Cousins Maine Lobster agreeing to a collaboration. The whole thing was dependent on Cousins letting Shalom Japan use their already established network and infrastructure.
After a failed counteroffer, Sawako and Aaron shook hands with Barbara Corcoran. And with that, a wholesome culinary crossover got a Shark on their side, and the episode came to an end.
What Made This Episode Stand Out
Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 6 brought safety nets, snacks, and strings and fusion cuisines to the forefront. Every founder came in with a clear sense of purpose, and you could feel through the screen how much their ideas mattered to them.
Some walked away with a Shark in their team, while others left with nothing but solid advice and a sprinkle of that Shark Tank effect’s free marketing. By the end, it felt like one of those nights that remind you how much fresh thinking is out there waiting to be discovered.
