BottleKeeper, a product showcased on Shark Tank in 2018, is a revolutionary solution designed to keep bottled beverages cold while protecting them from breaking.
The product is made of stainless steel and features neoprene insulation, ensuring that the beer or other bottled drinks remain cool for hours.
Additionally, the BottleKeeper has a padded design that prevents the bottle from breaking if dropped, making it both a cooler and a protective case for bottles.
The bottle holder is crafted in such a way that its bottom detaches for easy insertion of the bottle, and the top cap secures it in place, with the added bonus of a built-in bottle opener.
The idea for BottleKeeper came from the founders, Adam Callinan and Matt Campbell, who were cousins and Arizona natives.
They wondered why stainless steel water bottles, which keep drinks cold for long periods, couldn’t be adapted for beer bottles.
After prototyping the product, they launched it through crowdfunding and soon patented their innovative design.
They entered Shark Tank seeking a $1 million investment in exchange for 5% equity in their business, which valued the company at $20 million.
The entrepreneurs shared that they had already invested heavily in their business, including $4 million in Facebook ads and $500,000 on intellectual property protection to prevent imitations.
The duo presented their product with a compelling pitch, demonstrating its durability by having a baseball thrown at a stack of BottleKeepers filled with actual beer bottles, which didn’t break.
Their impressive presentation caught the attention of Shark Tank investors, and both Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner expressed interest.
They ultimately agreed to offer $500,000 each for a 5% equity stake in the company, along with a $1.50 royalty per unit until they recouped a total of $2 million.
However, despite the verbal agreement, the deal between the two Sharks and BottleKeeper’s founders never actually closed.
Nonetheless, Shark Tank had an immense impact on BottleKeeper’s success. After the episode aired, the company saw a massive 300% spike in sales, reaching $1 million in sales within the first few days.
The exposure from Shark Tank propelled BottleKeeper into a new level of success, even without the finalized deal with the Sharks.
By 2021, BottleKeeper had expanded significantly, generating over $13 million in annual revenue.
As of 2022, the company’s estimated net worth had grown to $100 million, with sales continuing to thrive.
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, the company expanded its product line to include the CanKeeper (a similar product designed for cans), the PintKeeper, and various accessories. BottleKeeper also began offering customized prints on their products to appeal to a broader range of consumers.
Despite the challenges of scaling their business and getting their products into retail stores, BottleKeeper found continued success, thanks to the brand’s strong online presence and loyal customer base.
Today, BottleKeeper is still in business and remains a popular product, with annual revenue exceeding $10 million.
The founders, Adam Callinan and Matt Campbell, remain actively involved in the business, and the company’s gross margins are reportedly over 90%.
While the company has grown and diversified its product offerings, its flagship BottleKeeper still retails for $34.99, which is significantly higher than the manufacturing cost, contributing to a profitable business model.
Despite the initial setbacks of not finalizing the deal with the Sharks, BottleKeeper has proven to be a Shark Tank success story, continuously expanding and adapting to meet consumer demand.
In addition to the financial success, BottleKeeper’s story is also a testament to the power of Shark Tank exposure, illustrating how a pitch on the show can help a company achieve rapid growth and recognition, even without a formal investment deal.
The brand’s journey since appearing on the show highlights the importance of persistence, innovation, and the ability to adapt to market needs, making BottleKeeper a standout success in the world of entrepreneurial ventures.
