Three entrepreneurs pitched their businesses on this Shark Tank episode: MinusCal (dietary supplement and snack bar), Tycoon Real Estate (crowdfunded real estate investing), and Pavlok (habit-breaking wearable).
The panel of sharks expressed skepticism about the scientific claims, business models, brand positioning, and valuations for all three pitches; no investments were made.
Kevin O’Leary made one debt offer to Pavlok, but the entrepreneur declined due to hesitations about working with him directly.
The discussions highlighted concerns about lack of revenue, regulatory risks, unsubstantiated claims, and product-market fit.
Action Items
No specific action items were requested or assigned during these pitches.
MinusCal: Science-Based Snack Bar and Diet Tablet
Entrepreneurs Barrett and Crom pitched MinusCal, seeking $500,000 for 20% for their fat-blocking bar/tablet featuring "co-leaf," a proprietary fermented tea extract.
Claimed benefits included cholesterol reduction and fat-blocking; backed by a 12-year-old clinical trial and follow-up analysis.
The sharks challenged the scientific validity, regulatory safety, and marketing approach, questioning the boldness of health claims and label messaging.
Confusion arose over whether MinusCal claims to directly cause weight loss or only facilitate fat reduction.
No sales had yet been reported, and the sharks criticized the high valuation for a pre-revenue business.
All sharks declined to invest, citing lack of clarity, scientific skepticism, and strategic missteps.
Tycoon Real Estate: Crowd Investing Platform
Aaron McDaniel pitched Tycoon Real Estate, seeking $50,000 for 5% of the company, enabling everyday people to invest in real estate with as little as $1,000.
Platform operates by vetting developers and pooling small investments; revenues come from a 1.25% management fee.
Only two small proof-of-concept deals had been funded; challenges included lack of liquidity, risk to inexperienced investors, and unproven brand trust.
Sharks raised concerns about risk, investor protection, lack of transparent vetting for lead developers, and potential for loss due to illiquidity.
Kevin O’Leary offered $50,000 for 50% with a rebrand, but Aaron declined, unwilling to give up that much equity.
No deal was made.
Pavlok: Wearable to Break Bad Habits
Manish Sethi pitched Pavlok, seeking $500,000 for 3.14% equity, a wearable that delivers a mild electric shock to break bad habits.
Positioning based on aversive conditioning, with claims of over 800K in revenue (mostly pre-orders).
Sharks questioned the legitimacy of applying studies not conducted on Pavlok, lack of clinical trials specifically for the device, and the need for user discipline.
Sharks found the valuation unrealistic and the presentation exhausting; several cited concerns about unproven efficacy.
Kevin O’Leary offered $500,000 as debt with 3.14% equity, but Manish declined due to personal reservations despite finding the structure reasonable.
No investment was made; all other sharks had already opted out.
Decisions
No investments made — All pitches were rejected due to skepticism regarding scientific claims, business model viability, valuation, and lack of evidence or traction.
Tycoon Real Estate declined Kevin O’Leary’s offer — The entrepreneur was unwilling to give up 50% of the business for $50,000 and did not accept a rebrand.
Pavlok declined a debt/equity offer from Kevin O’Leary — Manish chose not to work with Kevin as a partner, preferring to hold out for a better fit.
Open Questions / Follow-Ups
MinusCal: Pending need for more scientifically rigorous, independent clinical trials to substantiate claims.
Pavlok: Lack of in-house clinical evidence for device efficacy; future possibility for formal trials suggested by sharks.
Tycoon Real Estate: Unresolved issues regarding investor protection, liquidity, and vetting for lead developers.