For a lot of vegan entrepreneurs, ABC’s hit actuality present, Shark Tank, has change into greater than only a supply of leisure—it’s a major income. Due to vegan-friendly “sharks” equivalent to billionaire investor Mark Cuban, the offers made on this present have been pivotal to those plant-based endeavors. Even those that walked away from a deal have benefited from the present’s publicity, equivalent to that of vegan fried hen sensation Atlas Monroe and cookie dough queen Sabeena Ladha of Deux. Primarily based on a major quantity of binge-watching and interviews with these vegan firms, plus Cuban himself, listed here are the 16 finest vegan Shark Tank offers of all time (in no explicit order).
Vegan investing
In at this time’s financial system, you have to spend cash to become profitable. There’s gear to buy, packaging and elements to purchase, advertising {dollars} to contemplate, meals security and certifications to acquire, and a lot extra that requires funding. Even the smallest step into the enterprise world—equivalent to a single stall at an area farmers’ market—prices just a few hundred {dollars}.
This monetary hurdle is why many manufacturers look to traders. Beginning a enterprise is so much to shoulder financially, and a few startup prices are unimaginable to entrance utilizing private bank cards, life financial savings, or beneficiant family and friends.
ABC
Some vegan manufacturers look to crowdsourcing campaigns like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Begin Engine; others cold-email vegan enterprise capital corporations like Stray Canine Capital or Blue Horizon; and others pour over pitch decks for particular person traders.
An look on Shark Tank is a very distinctive alternative to safe not solely a invaluable funding, however a key advertising alternative unparalleled by different types of fundraising.
Vegan offers on ‘Shark Tank’
Listed below are 16 vegan manufacturers that pitched the Sharks.
ABC
1Meat The Mushroom
Final month, Meat The Mushroom—a vegan firm finest identified for its mushroom-based bacon—secured a $150,000 funding from not one, however two Sharks. Founders and married couple Marvin Montague Jr. and Aleah Rae agreed to offer traders Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner 33.3-percent fairness in trade for $150,000. The Sharks had been initially hesitant about Meat The Mushroom’s future and the couple’s preliminary fairness supply, however the firm’s mushroom bacon, made with simply 5 recognizable elements, finally gained over the Sharks.
Insurgent Cheese
2 Insurgent Cheese
This cult-favorite Austin cheese store made its Shark Tank debut in December 2023. House owners and married couple Kirsten Maitland and Fred Zwar wowed the judges with samples of their artisan vegan cheeses and swiftly gained over Cuban, the present’s resident vegetarian with a fame of investing in vegan firms. Cuban jumped on the alternative to spend money on Insurgent Cheese, however fellow Shark Greiner wasn’t going to be left behind.
A latest investor in charcuterie board firm Boarderie, Greiner famous that the corporate doesn’t at the moment supply vegan cheeses. She jumped on Cuban’s supply of $750,000 in trade for 10 p.c of the corporate, providing the entrepreneurs the mentorship of two Sharks. Whereas hesitant to surrender something larger than 7.5 p.c fairness, Maitland and Zwar finally accepted Cuban and Greiner’s supply. The couple specified they had been in search of somebody to assist with distribution and advertising, plus a possible spokesperson, to which Cuban jokingly replied, “I’ll go to a grocery retailer in Austin and hand out samples.”
G. Nibarger
3 Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli
The drained adage might have some reality to it—the way in which to a person’s coronary heart is thru his abdomen, significantly if that man has an affinity for corned beef. Founder Jenny Goldfarb got down to veganize the traditional New York-style deli meats she grew up with, and the consequence was ok to safe a cope with a Shark. In 2019, Cuban supplied $250,000 for 20 p.c fairness. Enterprise soared till the pandemic hit, as on the time, Unreal corned beef was solely out there via delis. Cuban stepped in and advised a pivot. By switching from wholesale to retail and creating a brand new vegan turkey product, the enterprise survived and is now going sturdy. Prospects can now discover the unique corned beef together with turkey and steak slices in retailers and a few meals service operations.
Goldfarb defined, “I selected to pursue funding by way of Shark Tank as a result of one Shark greenback is value 5 common {dollars}. Between the huge media publicity, having a Shark as a companion, and getting this present that retains on giving with re-runs, replace segments, and the lifetime go I’ll get to hold, the fairness I gave away is tiny as compared.”
Nutr
4Nutr
Entrepreneurs and husband-and-wife staff Alicia Lengthy and Dane Turk appeared on the hit tv present with their plant-based milk maker Nutr. They stood earlier than the Sharks hoping to safe a $500,000 funding in trade for 5-percent fairness. Whereas visitor shark Daniel Lubetzky was impressed by Nutr’s potential to simply create creamy, plant-based milks, he, together with the remainder of the sharks, let Lengthy and Turk stroll away with out a deal. Cuban famous his prior funding in Numilk, a direct competitor to Nutr, as his purpose for not investing. As we speak, Nutr is focusing its efforts on upping its social media presence and has launched bundled merchandise to extend affordability and accessibility for its buyer base.
Mission Pollo
5Mission Pollo
Lucas Bradbury of Texan-born vegan hen chain Mission Pollo appeared on the season finale of Shark Tank in Could 2022. The formidable founder acquired an electronic mail from Cuban himself suggesting he seem on the present. Bradbury ready the pitch for months, however his swiftly rising plant-based hen empire induced concern for the Sharks, citing that sort of development was “like a cyclone.” Bradbury wasn’t able to placed on the breaks, even to catch a Shark. He sought investments elsewhere, and in 2023, Mission Pollo was acquired by a nationwide franchise group. Talking with My San Antonio, Bradbury described the acquisition as “bittersweet” and famous that Mission Pollo would bear a model transition.
@girleatsnyc/Instagram
6 Umaro Meals
This Berkeley, CA-based meals tech startup determined to sort out one of the vital urgent challenges within the business: perfecting vegan bacon. The model appeared on Shark Tank in April 2022 and secured a whopping $1 million from Mark Cuban, luring the Shark in with its seaweed-based, tremendous crispy plant-based bacon.
For the reason that present aired, Umaro has secured dozens of meals service accounts throughout a number of states and key cities together with San Francisco, New York Metropolis, Los Angeles, and Denver. Diners are having fun with Umaro bacon in thrilling new purposes that stretch far past a facet with their pancakes equivalent to vegan bacon-egg-and-cheese and really satisfying bacon bits on absolutely loaded salads.
Deux
7Deux
Deux makes cookie dough you’ll be able to eat by the spoonful—and never get reprimanded for consuming uncooked batter. Not solely are the flavors vegan, however they’re additionally “enhanced” with purposeful elements equivalent to important nutritional vitamins and minerals, pea protein, maca, and ashwagandha. The dough may be loved straight from the container or baked into cookies, when you have the endurance. Or, you’ll be able to goal for the center floor like us and microwave a beneficiant scoop of Deux in a mug for a heat, gooey, cookie dough deal with. Whereas flavors like Salted Peanut Butter Cup, Brownie Batter, and Birthday Cake appear unimaginable to go up, the Sharks finally didn’t chunk, and founder Sabeena Ladha walked away with out a deal.
That’s not stopping her, although. Deux continues to crank out new merchandise nicely after the Shark Tank episode aired in 2021. “We noticed actually nice gross sales and consciousness after airing, but it surely was actually our social advertising after the truth that put it excessive. After Shark Tank, we created viral TikToks and Instagrams in regards to the episode and had been in a position to not solely inform our story extra deeply, however broaden our attain and viewers,” Ladha advised VegNews.
Chef J. Jackson
8 Every part Legendary
We’ve all heard of Past and Inconceivable burgers, however Every part Legendary satisfied the Sharks that there’s nonetheless area within the plant-based beef marketplace for contemporary new merchandise. Every part Legendary perfected a patty “made in a kitchen, not a lab” that’s infused with non-dairy cheese. Whereas initially striving to compete within the frozen meals sector, Cuban advised a cloud kitchen mannequin. In lieu of promoting straight to shoppers, the corporate would train cooks create its product and promote via a supply service. The staff settled with Cuban and accepted $300,000 for 22 p.c fairness. Eighteen months after showing on the present, the model has expanded into retailers together with Sprouts and Goal.
Co-founder Duane Myko advised VegNews, “We selected Shark Tank for funding, as a result of Shark Tank is each entrepreneur’s dream. I used to be a enterprise main at Morgan State College in Baltimore, MD, and Shark Tank is one thing that we talked about on a regular basis. There are only a few locations the place you’ll be able to pitch your concept in a room filled with billionaires. Making the deal is a dream come true.”
As we speak, Every part Legendary can be discovered within the cafeterias of Morgan State College and Bowie State College as a part of the model’s launch into college meals halls.
Numilk
9 Numilk
A vegan milk machine was the beneficiary of Cuban’s largest vegan funding on the time. In an episode that aired in March 2021, the vegetarian investor agreed on a $2 million deal with Numilk founders Ari Tolwin and Joe Savino with a projected 10 p.c of the corporate. The product has developed from its authentic inception as a ready-made-milk kiosk in grocery shops to a smaller countertop skilled unit made for espresso outlets. The Shark Tank funds enabled the duo to launch manufacturing of its newest idea—a extra compact, sleeker countertop machine meant for dwelling use that may produce contemporary plant milks, lattes, protein drinks, and extra.
Pan’s Mushroom Jerky
10Pan’s Mushroom Jerky
If omnivores could make jerky out of no matter animal they care to slaughter, vegans can definitely make jerky out of vegetation. This mushroom rendition sparked a feeding frenzy among the many Sharks, and founder Michael Pan acquired a number of gives. After contemplating a twin enterprise with Greiner and Blake Mycoskie, he determined to staff up with Cuban who agreed to a smaller fairness share. Pan walked away with $300,000 for 18 p.c of the corporate. For the reason that present aired, Pan’s may be present in retailers nationwide together with Kroger, Contemporary Thyme, Complete Meals, and Foxtrot market.
The Mad Optimist
11The Mad Optimist
Vegan and cruelty-free physique care isn’t all the time low cost, however the founders behind this compassionate physique model consider that funds shouldn’t deter anybody from making aware purchases. The Mad Optimist’s line of sustainable physique care merchandise is priced on a sliding scale. Whereas this scared a lot of the Sharks, Cuban was intrigued. The staff settled for a $60,000 funding with 20 p.c fairness and an settlement that each one gross sales constructed from their episode would go to charity.
Wanna Date
12 Wanna Date?
It’s not a nut butter and never a jam—this candy unfold is in a silky clean class all by itself. The thick, date-based unfold was delivered to the Sharks by younger entrepreneur Melissa Bartow. Cuban melted for this wholesome deal with and supplied $100,000 for 33 p.c fairness. As we speak, the vary of merchandise have expanded to incorporate addictively good and surprisingly good-for-you Date Dough—date-based vegan cookie dough. It’s not meant to be baked (though you’ll be able to). As a result of everyone knows cookie dough is the perfect a part of baking.
Snacklins
13Snacklins
Pork rinds, anybody? Don’t fear, they’re vegan, they usually’re unbelievably wholesome for one thing akin to a pork rind (solely 90 energy per bag). Cuban was offered. When requested about his vegan funding streak, he advised VegNews, “I prefer to spend money on merchandise which might be wholesome and that I’d eat, as a result of I like how they style. I’m a vegetarian and all these merchandise match that description. Wholesome and actually, actually tasty!” Founder Sam Kobolsy acquired $250,000 in trade for 5 p.c fairness and 5 p.c advisory shares.
@BulldogStuf/Instagram
14 Wild Earth
Shark Tank’s vegan investments aren’t restricted to human items—vegan canine profit as nicely. Ryan Bethencourt, Wild Earth’s founder, stood up for our four-legged mates when he appeared on Shark Tank in 2019. Cuban got here in, as soon as once more, with a beneficiant supply. Bethencourt secured $550,000 for 10 p.c of the corporate. For the reason that episode aired, Wild Earth has expanded its line of vegan canine merchandise to incorporate dietary supplements for joint, digestion, and pores and skin well being.
MUSH
15 Mush
This plant-based firm makes in a single day oats even simpler. No prep required, simply peel again the movie and dig in. Previous to their look on Shark Tank, co-founders Ashley Thompson and Kat Thomas had been working the farmers’ market circuit. After sealing a cope with Mark Cuban for $300,000 with 10 p.c fairness and a vast line of credit score, Mush has expanded into over 3,500 areas nationwide—together with Complete Meals.
Thompson advised VegNews, “Shark Tank set us on an unbelievable trajectory, and we wouldn’t commerce the journey for something. The present and Cuban definitely helped us get to the place we’re at this time! We’re so grateful for the expertise.”
Cinnaholic
16 Cinnaholic
Who wouldn’t throw cash at a vegan bakery devoted to large, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls? Cinnaholic primarily combines Cinnabon with Coldstone—not solely do you get an enormous, gooey cinnamon roll, you’re inspired to prime it with over a dozen goodies. Cookie dough, peanut butter, contemporary strawberries, crumbled brownies … you get the concept. Shark Robert Herjavec purchased in at $200,000 for 40 p.c of the corporate. That’s a reasonably candy deal. As we speak, the franchise boasts simply almost 100 areas throughout the US and Canada.
For extra about vegan investments, learn:
