Hunt for Shark Tank Keto, The ketogenic or “keto” diet has been a hugely popular trend in recent years. Low carb, high fat eating plans like keto promise weight loss. They provide health benefits like increased energy and better brain function. With the keto craze showing no signs of slowing down, it’s no surprise that keto brands and products are frequently pitched on Shark Tank. The hit reality show where entrepreneurs try to persuade wealthy investors to back their businesses. Shark tank keto products are getting very popular due their amazing results.
Keto Companies Swimming with the Sharks
Over the seasons, the sharks on the show’s panel have heard pitches from numerous keto companies offering everything from cookbooks and meal plans to snacks and supplements. Some swam away successful, while others got gobbled up and spit back out into the tank.
Keto Friendly Beverages
One of the earliest keto companies to appear on Shark Tank was Half Baked Snack Company in 2014. They made low carb, high protein cookies and baked goods. While their pitch didn’t secure an investment, it put the low carb trend on the radar of the sharks and viewers.
In 2019, married co founders Nick Massey and Jeremy Ingram went into the Tank seeking $300,000 for a 10% stake in their zero sugar, keto friendly sports drink OXION. Their thorough presentation and tasty samples impressed the sharks, with Kevin O’Leary ultimately investing $300,000 for 25% equity. Since appearing on Shark Tank, OXION has expanded their product line. By including fruit punches, lemonades and hydration powder packs all boasting stellar keto credentials.
Keto Meal Shortcuts
Also in 2019, entrepreneurs Marc Washington and Daniel Katz pitched their keto meal company KKBOX. They offered subscription boxes of pre portioned keto friendly ingredients and easy recipes to make healthy low carb meals at home. \
The premise was to provide a convenient solution for people struggling to stick to the restrictive keto diet. While the sharks appreciated the convenience factor, they had concerns about the business model and profit margins. KKBOX left without a deal that night.
In 2022, Dara Karolat and Meghan Baudin entered the Tank representing NUSHEW. A brand of crunchy, keto friendly snacks made from dairy proteins instead of nuts.
The two friends were former management consultants who created their novel, high protein snack while struggling to find good keto friendly options themselves. Their innovative product had already racked up $1 million in sales, which impressed the sharks. Ultimately, Mark Cuban bit, offering $350,000 for 22% equity in the company.
Keto Supplements and Superfoods
Supplement companies have also found their way into the Shark Tank keto and low carb products. In 2021, husband and wife team Brianna Hasson and Scott Lynd asked for $200,000 for 10% of their MCT Oil Powder business Odyssey Elixir. MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oils are popular for coffee creamers and other cooking uses on the keto diet for their healthy fats. Despite being grilled by the sharks on their modest $120,000 in sales, the couple managed to strike a deal with guest shark Peter Jones for the amount they asked for.
During their pitch, the couple highlighted the important role quality fats play in the keto diet. They explained how MCT powder can help keto dieters reach their optimal fat intake while also providing an energy boost, since MCTs are easily digested and rapidly converted into ketones for fuel. Their patent pending smoothie boosters claimed to be tastier and more mixable than traditional MCT oil products.
In a 2023 episode, entrepreneur Camille Beatty took the sharks through the history and benefits of teff an ancient grain that is high in protein, fiber and nutrients while being low in carbs and suitable for keto diets. The Ethiopian native grew up eating the tiny teff grain and wanted to bring its nutritious superpowers to the American market.
Beatty pitched her company GoodSeed Food Company, which made energy bars, baked goods and other snacks from teff flour as an alternative grain. She touted how teff is not only keto friendly at just 20% carbs, but also gluten free and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. While her tasty products showed promise, the sharks weren’t completely sold, worrying that teff was still too obscure. Ultimately, they didn’t bite on investing in her early stage company that night.
FAQs
Q: What are some examples of low carb, high fat products that have been presented on Shark Tank?
The article talks about several keto friendly products like low carb cookies and baked goods, zero sugar sports drinks, meal delivery services with pre portioned keto ingredients, crunchy snacks made from dairy instead of nuts, powdered MCT oils for cooking, and energy bars made from an ancient grain called teff.
Which low carb products were able to get investments from the Sharks?
The zero sugar sports drink OXION, the dairy based snack company NUSHEW, and the MCT Oil Powder company Odyssey Elixir were successful in getting investments from the Sharks on the show.
What made the Sharks interested in investing in some of these low carb products?
The article mentions that the Sharks were impressed by well prepared presentations, tasty product samples, unique and innovative ideas, good sales numbers, and the convenience and potential health benefits offered by the low carb products.
What concerns did the Sharks have about some of the low carb product pitches?
The article states that the Sharks had doubts about the business models, profit margins, low sales figures, and the lack of awareness or familiarity with certain low carb ingredients like teff.
How did the companies highlight the benefits of their low carb products?
The companies emphasized that their products were low in carbs and high in healthy fats, which could help with weight loss, increased energy levels, better brain function, and making it easier to follow the restrictive keto diet. They also talked about the nutritional advantages of ingredients like MCT oils and teff.
Why are low carb products popular on Shark Tank?
The article suggests that the ongoing trend and popularity of low carb, high fat diets like keto have made low carb products and brands attractive investment opportunities for the Sharks to consider on the show.
Conclusion
From keto drinks and meal kits to crunchy snacks and ancient grains, the sharks on Shark Tank have gotten a taste for all sorts of keto companies over the years as entrepreneurs try to capitalize on the low carb craze. As long as low carb, high fat eating trends continue, you can expect even more keto friendly product makers to keep swimming into the Tank,
Hoping to turn their business into a multi million dollar success. Whether the sharks actually choose to take a big bite by investing or not, the mass appeal of keto makes it a tempting and potentially lucrative opportunity to explore for both the companies and the investors. With the right product and pitch, these keto entrepreneurs could just reel in one of the sharks.