Wild Earth Has A Valuation of $11million With ZERO Sales! | Shark Tank US | Shark Tank Global

Summary

In this Shark Tank pitch, Ryan Bethencourt presents Wild Earth, a dog food company aiming to revolutionize pet nutrition with Koji, a protein-rich fungus. He seeks $550,000 for 5% equity, highlighting concerns about traditional pet food, including unhealthy ingredients and environmental impacts. Despite showcasing dog-friendly samples, investors express skepticism over the inflated valuation and lack of sales. Mark Cuban offers the investment for 10%, emphasizing the need for proof of concept. Ultimately, Ryan accepts the offer, positioning Wild Earth to disrupt the $30 billion pet food market with a healthier, sustainable alternative.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ryan Bethencourt seeks $550,000 for 5% equity in his company, Wild Earth, which focuses on alternative pet food.
• 🌱 Wild Earth's product features cultured protein made from Koji, an ingredient rich in essential amino acids for dogs.
• 🐾 The company aims to address the concerns of pet obesity, harmful ingredients, and environmental impact associated with traditional pet food.
• 🧪 Ryan has a background in biotech and cellular agriculture, lending credibility to his venture in alternative proteins.
• 💡 The dog food market in the U.S. is valued at $30 billion, presenting a significant opportunity for Wild Earth.
• 🚫 Investors express skepticism about the high valuation of $9.5 million before any sales have been made.
• 🐕 Kevin O’Leary questions the feasibility of a meat-free diet for dogs, suggesting it may not align with their natural cravings.
• 🛒 Ryan plans to sell the product online, emphasizing a viral marketing approach to reach customers.
• 💰 Mark Cuban offers to invest but requests a higher equity stake of 10%, reflecting concerns about the company's valuation.
• 🤝 The pitch concludes with Ryan expressing optimism about working with Mark to scale Wild Earth into a multi-billion dollar company.

Q & A

What is the main product offered by Wild Earth?

Wild Earth offers cultured protein dog food made with Koji, a human-grade ingredient rich in protein and essential amino acids.

How much investment is Ryan seeking, and what percentage of the company is he offering?

Ryan is seeking $550,000 for 5% of his company, Wild Earth.

What concerns does Ryan express regarding traditional pet food?

Ryan is concerned about the unpronounceable ingredients, frequent pet food recalls, pet obesity, and the environmental impact of conventional pet food production.

What unique ingredient does Ryan highlight as a key component of his dog food?

Ryan highlights Koji, which is used in miso, soy sauce, and sake, as a key ingredient that enhances the umami flavor and provides nutritional value.

How do the sharks react to the product's pricing compared to traditional dog food?

The sharks find the pricing high, with Ryan indicating that the treats will cost about $12.99 and the dog food will be priced at approximately $40 per bag.

What is the total amount of funding Ryan has raised so far?

Ryan has raised a total of $4 million for Wild Earth.

What does Mark Cuban offer Ryan during the pitch?

Mark Cuban offers Ryan $550,000 for 10% equity in the company, indicating a willingness to negotiate.

What skepticism do the sharks express about the company's valuation?

The sharks express skepticism about the $9.5 million post-money valuation, especially since the company has not yet made significant sales.

How does Ryan justify the potential for success in the alternative protein market?

Ryan argues that the U.S. pet food market is a $30 billion industry, suggesting there is a significant opportunity for a viable alternative protein product.

What are the future plans for product development mentioned by Ryan?

Ryan mentions that Wild Earth plans to introduce multiple new products and has a scaling infrastructure in place to support growth.