For a lot of vegan entrepreneurs, ABC’s hit actuality present, Shark Tank, has turn out to be greater than only a supply of leisure—it’s a major supply of revenue. Because of vegan-friendly “Sharks” comparable 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, comparable to that of vegan fried rooster sensation Atlas Monroe. Based mostly on a major quantity of binge-watching and interviews with these vegan firms, plus Cuban himself, listed below are the 13 finest vegan Shark Tank offers of all time (in no explicit order).
Chef J. Jackson
1 Every little thing Legendary
We’ve all heard of Past and Inconceivable burgers, however Everything Legendary satisfied the Sharks that there’s nonetheless area within the plant-based beef marketplace for recent new merchandise. Every little thing 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 urged a cloud kitchen mannequin. In lieu of promoting straight to shoppers, the corporate would train cooks the right way to 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 possibly can pitch your concept in a room stuffed with billionaires. Making the deal is a dream come true.”
Venture Pollo
2 Venture Pollo
Lucas Bradbury of Texan-born vegan rooster chain Project Pollo appeared on the season finale of Shark Tank in Might 2022. The bold founder obtained an e-mail from Cuban himself suggesting he seem on the present. Bradbury ready the pitch for months, however his swiftly rising plant-based rooster empire triggered concern for the sharks, citing that form of progress was “like a cyclone.” With over a dozen areas in Texas and several other deliberate to open out-of-state within the later a part of 2022, Bradbury isn’t able to placed on the breaks, even to catch a shark. He’s looking for investments elsewhere whereas persevering with to handle scaling operations of Venture Pollo’s addictive vegan rooster sandwiches.
Numilk
3 Numilk
A vegan milk machine was the beneficiary of Cuban’s largest vegan funding so far. In an episode that aired on March 29, 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 unique inception as a ready-made-milk kiosk in grocery shops to a smaller countertop skilled unit made for espresso outlets. The Shark Tank funds will allow the duo to launch manufacturing of its newest idea—a extra compact, sleeker countertop machine meant for residence use that may produce recent plant milks, lattes, protein drinks, and extra. A waitlist is offered on the corporate’s web site for Numilk House which is about to ship in 2023.
The Mad Optimist
4 The Mad Optimist
Vegan and cruelty-free physique care isn’t all the time low cost, however the founders behind this compassionate physique model imagine that funds shouldn’t deter anybody from making acutely 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 every one gross sales constituted of their episode would go to charity.
G. Nibarger
5 Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli
The drained adage might have some fact 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 result was ok to safe a take care of 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 accessible via delis. Cuban stepped in and urged 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 like Complete Meals and Veggie Grill.
Goldfarb defined, “I selected to pursue funding through 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 move I’ll get to hold, the fairness I gave away is tiny compared.”
Snacklins
6 Snacklins
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 wish to put money into merchandise which can be wholesome and that I might 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 obtained $250,000 in change for five p.c fairness and 5 p.c advisory shares.
Delighted by Desserts
7 Delighted By
Individuals suppose cauliflower is the final word transformation meals, however this company has proved that the standard chickpea is greater than a one-trick pony. Founder Makenzie Marzluff created decadent dessert dips comparable to Brownie Batter, Snickerdoodle, and Vanilla Bean with chickpeas as the bottom. Cuban was so, nicely, delighted that he agreed to speculate $600,000 for 25 p.c fairness. Because the model’s look on Shark Tank, it’s reinvented itself. Based mostly in Bozeman, MT, Delighted By runs a business kitchen and artistic co-working area for like-minded manufacturers. It additionally gives Stella jams, dessert hummus kits, and crinkle-topped plant-based brownies.
Pan’s Mushroom Jerky
8 Pan’s Mushroom Jerky
If omnivores could make jerky out of no matter animal they care to slaughter, vegans can actually make jerky out of vegetation. This mushroom rendition sparked a feeding frenzy among the many Sharks, and founder Michael Pan obtained a number of gives. After contemplating a twin enterprise with Lori 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. Because the present aired, Pan’s might be present in retailers nationwide together with Kroger, Contemporary Thyme, Complete Meals, and the up-and-coming Foxtrot market.
MUSH
9 MUSH
This plant-based firm makes overnight 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 take care of Mark Cuban for $300,000 with 10 p.c fairness and a limiteless 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 actually helped us get to the place we’re at the moment! We’re so grateful for the expertise.”
Wanna Date
10 Wanna Date?
It’s not a nut butter and never a jam—this sweet spread is a silky clean class all to its personal. The thick, date-based unfold was dropped at the Sharks by younger entrepreneur Melissa Bartow. Cuban melted for this wholesome deal with and supplied $100,000 for 33 p.c fairness. Right now, 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 possibly can). As a result of everyone knows cookie dough is the very best a part of baking.
Past Sushi
11 Past Sushi
New York vegan sushi idea Beyond Sushi was based in 2012, however chef Man Vaknin appeared on Shark Tank in 2018 looking for funds to assist broaden the enterprise to the West Coast. He walked away with a strong $1.5 million because of Lori Greiner and a visitor Shark, NFL government Matt Higgins. The duo will obtain 30 p.c of the West Coast and 15 p.c of the East Coast fairness. So far, Past Sushi has not opened on the West Coast, although it stays an NYC vegan establishment.
Cinnaholic
12 Cinnaholic
Who wouldn’t throw cash at a vegan bakery devoted to huge, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls? Cinnaholic primarily combines Cinnabon with Coldstone—not solely do you get a large, gooey cinnamon roll, you’re inspired to high it with over a dozen goodies. Cookie dough, peanut butter, recent 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 of June 2022, the franchise boasts 69 areas throughout the US and Canada.
Bulldog Stuff
13 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 buddies 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. Because the 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.
For extra about vegan investments, learn:
Why Celebrities Like Cameron Diaz and Serena Williams are Investing in These 18 Vegan Businesses
How Robert Downey Jr. Is Helping to Improve Vegan Meat
Slutty Vegan Now Has $25 Million to Expand Vegan Empire
