Skip to Content

Did Ice Shaker get a deal on Shark Tank?


Ice Shaker is a company that produces insulated protein shaker bottles. The company’s founder, Chris Gronkowski, pitched Ice Shaker on Shark Tank in season 9, seeking an investment of $400,000 in exchange for 10% equity in the business. Ice Shaker’s appearance on Shark Tank in January 2018 was a defining moment for the startup. But did Ice Shaker manage to get a deal from one of the Sharks?

About Ice Shaker

Ice Shaker was founded in 2017 by Chris Gronkowski. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company designs and produces insulated stainless steel shaker bottles that keep protein shakes and other beverages cold for hours.

Some key facts about Ice Shaker:

  • Founded in 2017 by Chris Gronkowski
  • Headquarters in Dallas, Texas
  • Produces insulated stainless steel shaker bottles
  • Shakers keep drinks cold for up to 30 hours
  • BPA-free and sweat-proof design
  • Shakers come with storage lids, agitator balls, and removable strainers
  • Wide range of colors and designs

Prior to launching Ice Shaker, Chris Gronkowski played professional football in the NFL. He decided to start the business after struggling to find a high-quality shaker bottle that met his needs as an athlete.

Ice Shaker on Shark Tank

In January 2018, Chris Gronkowski pitched Ice Shaker in episode 14 of Shark Tank season 9. He entered the Tank seeking a $400,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time, Ice Shaker had already generated $225,000 in sales over its first year.

Chris explained that he started Ice Shaker after recognizing issues with traditional plastic shaker bottles. He set out to create a superior quality stainless steel bottle that keeps protein shakes cold and doesn’t sweat or leak. The company’s shakers feature double wall vacuum insulation to maintain temperatures for up to 30 hours.

During his pitch, Chris demonstrated the Ice Shaker bottles and pointed out key features like the storage lids, removable agitator balls, and strainers. He emphasized that the bottles are condensation and sweat-proof. Chris also noted that Ice Shaker had partnered with major supplement brands like Women’s Best and Bowmar Nutrition.

Offers from the Sharks

The Sharks were impressed with the Ice Shaker pitch and samples. Kevin O’Leary quickly made an offer for the $400,000 investment, but he wanted 50% of the company instead of the 10% equity that Chris proposed.

Robert Herjavec jumped in with a fairer counter offer – $400,000 for 25% equity. However, Daymond John also made an offer for $400,000 in exchange for 20% ownership in Ice Shaker.

After some back and forth negotiations, Chris accepted Robert’s offer of $400,000 for 25% equity in Ice Shaker. The company had secured a deal on Shark Tank.

The Ice Shaker Deal

In the end, Ice Shaker received a $400,000 investment from Robert Herjavec for 25% equity in the business. This valued the company at $1.6 million at the time.

Some key points about the Ice Shaker deal on Shark Tank:

  • Chris Gronkowski asked for $400,000 for 10% equity
  • Kevin O’Leary made an initial offer of $400,000 for 50%
  • Robert Herjavec offered $400,000 for 25% equity
  • Daymond John also offered $400,000 for 20% equity
  • Chris accepted Robert Herjavec’s offer of $400,000 for 25%
  • Valued Ice Shaker at $1.6 million

Robert Herjavec believed in Ice Shaker’s premium shaker bottles and saw the potential for growth in the fitness market. Although the 25% stake was more equity than Chris wanted to give up, it was the best offer on the table. The deal allowed Ice Shaker to significantly scale up with a $400,000 cash infusion.

Equity Split after Shark Tank Deal

After securing the $400,000 investment from Robert Herjavec, the equity split for Ice Shaker looked like:

Investor Equity Share
Robert Herjavec 25%
Chris Gronkowski 75%

While Robert Herjavec received a 25% stake, founder Chris Gronkowski still maintained majority control with 75% ownership in Ice Shaker. This deal structure allowed Chris to run the business while benefiting from Herjavec’s investment and advice.

Post-Shark Tank Success

Appearing on and securing a deal with the Sharks provided a massive boost to Ice Shaker. After the episode aired, demand skyrocketed. Within 5 days, the company had generated over $500,000 in sales.

Some key stats about Ice Shaker’s success after Shark Tank:

  • Earned $500,000 in sales within 5 days of the episode airing
  • First year sales reached $1 million
  • Sales growth of 5,000%+ in 12 months after the show
  • Expanded product line to 11+ shaker bottle models
  • Launched new colors and limited edition designs
  • Became the #1 seller of shaker bottles on Amazon

The exposure from Shark Tank enabled Ice Shaker to scale up exponentially. Having Robert Herjavec as an investor also lent credibility. Ice Shaker’s sales have continued to climb year-over-year since securing the deal.

Ice Shaker Sales Growth

The Shark Tank effect led to massive growth in sales for Ice Shaker. The company saw sales skyrocket more than 5,000% within the first year after appearing on the show.

Year Sales Revenue
2017 (before Shark Tank) $225,000
2018 (after Shark Tank) $1 million+
2019 $5 million+ (estimated)

As the sales figures show, Shark Tank enabled Ice Shaker to scale up revenue exponentially and become a major player in its market.

Expanded Product Line

Leveraging the Shark Tank boost, Ice Shaker expanded its product line:

  • Added shaker bottles in multiple sizes – 18oz, 20oz, 25oz, 30oz
  • Launched bottles tailored for specific uses like mixing, aerating, and storing
  • Introduced exclusive designs and limited edition colors
  • Released accessories like replacement lids and balls
  • Added merch including t-shirts, hats, and bags

The wider product selection has opened Ice Shaker up to new customers and markets. The company now offers shaker bottles suited for any lifestyle or fitness need.

Ice Shaker Today

Over 5 years since appearing on Shark Tank, Ice Shaker continues to thrive:

  • Annual sales estimated at $15+ million per year
  • Sold over 1 million shaker bottles globally
  • Products available on IceShaker.com, Amazon, and major retailers
  • Maintained status as the top-selling shaker bottle brand on Amazon
  • Expanded manufacturing capabilities to meet demand
  • Continued product innovation with new designs and technologies
  • Sponsored fitness athletes and events

Thanks to getting a deal and support from Robert Herjavec, Ice Shaker executed on the Shark Tank boost to become one of the leaders in its market. The company has maintained strong sales momentum and built an internationally recognized brand.

Valuation Today

Based on Ice Shaker’s sales growth and expansion since Shark Tank, analysts estimate the company valuation is now $50+ million. This represents massive growth from the $1.6 million valuation at the time of the deal.

Conclusion

Appearing on season 9 of Shark Tank was a game-changer for Ice Shaker. Securing a $400,000 investment from Robert Herjavec for 25% equity allowed the startup to scale up and achieve explosive growth.

Sales skyrocketed to over $1 million in the first year after the show and continued rapid growth in the following years. Ice Shaker successfully leveraged the Shark Tank effect to develop an internationally recognized brand.

From an upstart with $225,000 in initial sales, Ice Shaker has grown into a leader in the shaker bottle and fitness gear marketplace. The company’s success proves how impactful a strong Shark Tank showing can be, especially with the help of an invested Shark like Robert Herjavec. Five years later, Ice Shaker is still going strong thanks to getting a deal on Shark Tank.