Author: Lema

Lema is a passionate entrepreneur and storyteller who loves uncovering what happens behind the scenes of Shark Tank success stories. He founded Thriving Startups to give readers real insights into how great ideas grow beyond the TV spotlight. Blending his love for business and writing, Lema turns every update into an inspiring read for startup enthusiasts

Highlights In Season 15 of Shark Tank, Krapp Strapp pitched a hilariously unconventional—but genuinely practical—outdoor accessory aimed at solving a very real problem: going “number two” in the wilderness. The product grabbed attention not only for its novelty but for the clever niche it addressed. The founders, Keith Lindsey and Bob Legg of Air Boss Motion Decoys, created the product out of a personal necessity and have since leveraged it into a viral hit. This update explores what happened to Krapp Strapp after Shark Tank, how the business has fared, and whether the deal closed. Krapp Strapp Shark Tank Update…

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Highlights Inventor Alexander Simone stepped into Shark Tank Season 9 with a bold claim: his company, ProntoBev could chill an entire bottle of wine in about 30 seconds. What stood out was not just the gadget’s promise but its ambitious valuation—$2 million for just 5% equity. Simone’s backstory: a college experiment involving an ice-and-salt strainer gone wrong led him to invent a rapid-chilling device powered by “Pronto Gel”. He crowdfunded via Indiegogo and then pitched to the Sharks. Let’s explore what really happened to Prontobev after the cameras stopped rolling—whether ProntoBev still exists, and what it’s worth today. Prontobev Overview…

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Highlights When Jesse Potash and Gaston Blanchet rolled their zipper-free suitcase onto the Shark Tank stage in Season 7, the Sharks were instantly intrigued. Trunkster, promised to reinvent travel with a sleek, tech-packed suitcase featuring a roll-top door, built-in scale, USB charging port, and GPS tracking. It wasn’t just another piece of luggage — it was billed as the “Tesla of suitcases.” Despite securing an on-air deal and millions in pre-orders, Trunkster’s journey soon took a rough turn — marred by manufacturing delays, unhappy backers, and eventually radio silence. Let’s unpack what really happened after Shark Tank, where the founders…

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Highlights On Shark Tank Season 5, entrepreneur Charles Michael Yim introduced his device Breathometer. This smartphone-plug-in Breathalyzer aimed at helping users determine whether they were over the legal driving limit. His goal was to turn any smartphone into a roadside BAC check and thereby reduce drunk-driving risk. Yim is a Silicon-Valley startup founder who saw a gap in the consumer Breathalyzer market and launched a crowdfunding campaign before landing his pitch. The concept was smart, the execution looked promising, and the cameras rolled. Let’s examine what happened to Breathometer, where things went off-track, and what (if anything) remains of the…

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Key Highlights Imagine pitching your startup idea on Shark Tank, walking away with no deal, and then becoming part of a billion-dollar acquisition. That’s exactly what happened with DoorBot (now called Ring). Founder Jamie Siminoff appeared on Season 5 of Shark Tank in 2013, seeking investment for his Wi-Fi doorbell camera device. Siminoff conceived the product when he realised one day he couldn’t hear his front doorbell ring—so he built a Wi-Fi video doorbell so he could answer from his smartphone. Years later, Ring was acquired by Amazon and has grown into a major home-security brand. We’ll dig into what’s happened…

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Highlights Larq appeared on Shark Tank Season 12, and it became one of the most memorable moments in Shark Tank history. Justin Weng, Larq founder, stepped into Shark Tank asking for half a million dollars for just 1% of the company, which sparked laughter in the tank. In this article, I walk you through the pitch, what happened before and after the show, and how it is doing today. Larq Overview ItemDetailsCompany nameLarq (LARQ)Founder / CEOJustin Wang (co-founder & CEO)IndustryConsumer hydration/water purificationProduct name(s)LARQ Bottle PureVis Asking$500,000Valuation1% for $500k → $50 million implied valuationResult Accepted on-air offer of $1,000,000 for 4% from…

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Highlights The Shark Tank is often seen as a launching pad for inventors and entrepreneurs, and this was the dream for firefighter Jeff Stroope when he pitched Hy-conn on the Tank. Jeff hoped to get one of the Sharks to invest in his quick-connect device for fire hydrants and garden hoses, which captured the Shark’s attention immediately. The quick-connect device promised faster connections in emergencies, unlike conventional devices, which take time to connect. While Jeff expected his fire hydrant device to land a deal, it was the garden hose device that created a buzz, with the Sharks competing to buy…

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Key highlights If you are a fan of Shark Tank, you know how uncertain the stakes are when an investor steps into Shark Tank with a brilliant idea or product, hoping to get a deal. One company that created a buzz on social media was xCraft Drones, a company that manufactures futuristic hybrid drone designs, capturing the attention of all five Sharks. But what really happened after the show aired? Did the deal close, and is the company still active? Let’s find out. xCraft Drones Overview FieldDetailCompany nameXCraft Founder(s)JD Claridge and Charles Manning IndustryDrones / Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Product name(s)Their flagship was…

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When people talk about the most successful Shark Tank companies, you are likely to hear about Scrub Daddy, Ring, or Squatty Potty. However, there is another name that stands out in this list: Bombas Socks. What started as a small startup focused on producing better socks has grown into a $3.5 billion empire. However, the company didn’t just win because of its unique socks or good marketing, but its social mission also warmed people’s hearts. For every pair of socks sold, the company donates a pair to someone in need. This buy-one-give-one model turned customers into brand loyalists and made…

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Highlights Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the most memorable Shark Tank Pitches, not because they won a deal, but because they walked away from an astronomical offer. When the Kang Sisters, Aram, Da Woon, and Soo, stepped into Shark Tank, they wanted the Sharks to invest in their online dating platform, Coffee Meets Bagel, which offered a fresh take on online dating. The real jaw-dropper came when Mark Cuban offered an astronomical $30 million hypothetical offer, which the sisters declined. Despite walking away without a deal, Coffee Meets Bagel’s journey after Shark Tank is even more remarkable, as the…

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