Will The Sharks Throw A Bone To WOOF? | Shark Tank US | Shark Tank Global

Summary

An entrepreneur named RC presents his pet safety app, Wolf, on Shark Tank. The app ensures pets' safety if their owner experiences an emergency by using a geolocation timer to initiate wellness checks if the owner doesn't return home on time. The service includes contacting emergency contacts or authorities if necessary. While RC seeks $100,000 for 10% equity, the sharks express concerns about scalability, competition, and the name's trademark issues. Despite recognizing the passion behind the idea, none of the sharks invest. RC remains determined to push forward, believing in the app's potential.

Takeaways

• 🐕 RC from New York City is pitching a safety app called 'Wolf' aimed at pet owners, offering peace of mind if something unexpected happens to the pet owner.
• 📱 The app uses a geolocation timer that starts when the owner leaves home and stops when they return, alerting if the timer expires without the owner's return.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wolf contacts the pet owner first, then their emergency contacts, and finally initiates a wellness check with authorities if no one responds.
• 🛡️ The app has been live for three months, with 3,177 downloads and 102 subscriptions. It costs $2.99/month or $29.99/year.
• 🚑 In the case of an emergency, such as a car accident or hospitalization, Wolf ensures pets are checked on, and if necessary, authorities can rescue the pets.
• 🦮 RC created the app after a near car accident, where he realized his pets would be in danger without immediate care.
• 🐾 Wolf is designed for all types of pets, including dogs, cats, and birds, providing emotional insurance for pet owners.
• 💼 One of the sharks pointed out that RC might face legal issues with the name 'Wolf,' as it’s too common and not trademarked.
• 💡 Some sharks felt that the app only caters to a small market—people without nearby friends or family to help in emergencies.
• 📊 While RC was praised for his passion, the sharks felt the app lacked scalability and wouldn’t reach a broad enough user base for significant investment.

Q & A

What is the main product or service being pitched in the video?

The main product is 'Wolf,' a smartphone app designed to rescue pets if something unexpected happens to the owner, such as a car accident or medical emergency.

How does the 'Wolf' app work?

'Wolf' utilizes a geolocation timer that links to the user's home address. When the user leaves home, the timer starts, and it stops when they return. If the timer expires without the user returning, the app initiates a support process to check on the pets' safety.

What are the steps in the support process provided by 'Wolf' if the user doesn't return home in time?

First, the app tries to contact the owner. If the owner is unreachable, it contacts the emergency contacts. If neither responds, the app initiates a wellness check with local authorities to ensure the pet's safety.

What is the price of the 'Wolf' app?

The 'Wolf' app costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year.

How many users has the 'Wolf' app acquired, and how many are paying subscribers?

The app has 3,177 downloads, with 102 paying subscribers.

What prompted the founder to create the 'Wolf' app?

The founder almost got into a car accident and realized that his dogs would be left alone with no one to care for them since his family lives far away. This motivated him to create a solution that ensures pets' safety in case of an emergency.

What are the main concerns raised by the Sharks regarding the 'Wolf' app?

The Sharks raised concerns about the limited market for people without nearby friends or family, the need for a call center to scale the business, and challenges with the app's name ('Wolf') due to potential trademark issues.

What is the company's current operational cost?

The company's operational costs are less than $100 per month because it has no employees and is mainly run by the founder.

What service does 'Wolf' provide if emergency contacts don't respond?

If emergency contacts don't respond, the app contacts local authorities to conduct a wellness check. If needed, Animal Welfare may take custody of the pet until the owner or a family member can be reached.

Why did none of the Sharks invest in the 'Wolf' app?

The Sharks believed the app caters to a small niche market and were unsure if it could scale to millions of users. They also raised concerns about the need for better infrastructure, like a call center, and the potential legal issues with the app's name.