The Most Successful Shark Tank Deals EVER
Every week, entrepreneurs step onto the carpet, hoping to secure funding, mentorship, and a life-changing deal. While many pitches sink, a select few strike gold. These are the companies that don’t just survive the Tank—they dominate the marketplace, becoming multi-million or even billion-dollar enterprises.
For investors like Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, and Daymond John, these massive returns define the most successful investments in the show’s history. We’ve compiled the definitive list of the biggest, boldest, and most profitable Shark Tank Successes.
The Billion-Dollar Babies: Iconic Shark Tank Successes
The companies listed here aren’t just high earners; they represent shifts in retail, branding, and consumer habits. They are the benchmark for what a great pitch and a smart investment can achieve.
Scrub Daddy: The Unsinkable Sponge
Often cited as the single most successful product to emerge from the show, Scrub Daddy revolutionized the simple kitchen sponge.
The Deal: Aaron Krause partnered with Lori Greiner in 2012, securing $200,000 for 20% equity. The Success: Greiner’s ability to use her “Queen of QVC” status propelled the product into millions of homes. The Numbers: Total retail sales have exceeded $250 million as of 2023, making it the highest revenue-generating product in Shark Tank history.
Bombas: Walking the Walk
Bombas wasn’t just selling socks; it was selling a mission. Their “one purchased, one donated” model resonated deeply with consumers, proving that profitability and philanthropy can coexist.
The Deal: Daymond John invested $200,000 for 17.5% equity in 2014. The Success: Bombas scaled rapidly by focusing on digital marketing, subscription services, and maintaining a high-quality product. The Valuation: The company has surpassed $250 million in sales and continues to grow its diverse apparel lines, proving Daymond John’s focus on branding was a genius move.
Simply Fit Board: The Power of Impulse Buy
The Simply Fit Board epitomizes the “Lori Greiner Effect”—a simple, immediately understandable product perfect for immediate retail placement.
The Deal: Lori Greiner offered $120,000 for 20% equity. The Success: The twisting balance board became an immediate sensation in late 2015, heavily featured on QVC and subsequently in major retailers like Target and Walmart. Impact: Within two years of airing, the company reported over $160 million in sales, demonstrating the massive scalability of simple, fitness-focused gadgets.
Beyond the Valuation: Top ROI Deals
While Scrub Daddy might have the highest total sales, other companies offered stunning returns on investment (ROI) for the Sharks, proving that a modest initial investment can yield exponential growth.
Squatty Potty: The Viral Phenomenon
Squatty Potty took a taboo subject and turned it into an educational, profitable, and highly viral product.
The Deal: Lori Greiner invested $350,000 for 10% equity in 2014. The Success: While the physical product was solid, the success was fueled by an iconic, hilarious viral marketing video (The “Unicorn Poop” ad) that garnered hundreds of millions of views. ROI Highlights: The company reached over $30 million in sales just one year after the pitch, securing a massive return for Greiner through both retail and viral e-commerce channels.
Tipsy Elves: Seasonal Smarts
Tipsy Elves proved that niche markets, when executed brilliantly, can lead to massive revenue spikes.
The Deal: Robert Herjavec offered $100,000 for 10% equity in 2013. The Success: While known for their “ugly Christmas sweaters,” the company rapidly expanded its seasonal apparel lines for Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, and more. Revenue Milestone: The company broke $100 million in cumulative sales, making it one of Herjavec’s most lucrative investments and a textbook example of expanding a highly specific product line.
Cousins Maine Lobster: Mastering the Food Truck Model
This success story is unique because it combines quality food with efficient scalability through franchising and retail.
The Deal: Barbara Corcoran invested $55,000 for 15% equity. The Success: Corcoran helped them standardize their food truck operations and expand nationally. Crucially, she helped them license their name for a line of frozen lobster products sold in major grocery stores. Current Status: Cousins Maine Lobster has grown from two food trucks to numerous franchise locations and a significant retail presence, generating annual revenue exceeding $60 million.
Analyzing the Formula for Shark Tank Successes
What separates these monumental Shark Tank successes from the thousands of pitches that failed to launch? It often comes down to four core components:
| Key Success Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| The “As Seen on TV” Effect | The initial exposure provides unmatched validation and immediate sales momentum, especially when partnered with retail-focused Sharks (Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary). |
| Proprietary Product/Patents | Most big winners offer something truly unique or protected, like the patented shape-changing ability of the Scrub Daddy. |
| Operational Excellence | The founders must be ready to scale immediately. Companies like Bombas had robust supply chains and digital strategies in place before appearing on the show. |
| Marketing Savvy | Whether through social mission (Bombas) or humor (Squatty Potty), the biggest hits utilized creative, high-impact marketing to reach mass audiences quickly. |
The journey from a nervous presentation in the Tank to a multi-million dollar business is arduous, but these success stories provide the ultimate proof: when preparation meets opportunity, the results can be historic.