Seventeen-year-old, Shirah Benarde, and her older brother, Michael are on a mission to protect young men and women from the dangers of drink spiking. After seeing first hand the devastation, physical harm, and emotional turmoil that can come from drink spiking, this brother and sister duo has created a simple and affordable solution to help protect young people. NightCap is a portable and convertible drink cover that easily covers any beverage container to prevent drinks from being tampered with. The product is designed to start as a hair tie that can be worn in your hair or around the wrist, making it fully accessible whenever it is needed. The product easily converts from a hair tie to a drink cover that can easily accommodate any drink container.
While doing market research during product development, Shirah and Michael learned that 26% of survey respondents report that they have had their drinks spiked. Based on their research, they have also determined that their target market is 18-24-year-olds and 90% of their customer base is young women. Since launching the product 11 months ago, NightCap has generated $68,000 in sales with $40,000 of that being in the last six weeks since they had a marketing breakthrough.
Will this drink cap accessory secure a deal with the Sharks? #SharkTank
— Shark Tank (@ABCSharkTank) February 6, 2021
Because Michael and Shirah are young and do not have any formal marketing training, they are learning social marketing and SEO organically which has proven to be very helpful for their business growth, however, they are looking to partner with a Shark that can help them expand more rapidly. Seeking $60,000 in exchange for 20% equity in NightCap, Shirah and Michael would like to expand their investor pool. Currently, their parents have invested in the business, otherwise, all investments have been raised through crowdsourcing and competitions.
The Sharks are impressed with the market research, product design, and patent work that the Benarde siblings have accomplished. They have applied for and received a utility patent for a drink spiking device from a wearable product. Before any of the other Sharks can weigh in, Lori Greiner jumps at the opportunity to invest in NightCap. She shares that she has never felt so passionately about a social cause during her time in the Shark Tank. Lori offers NightCap $60,000 in exchange for 25%. The other Sharks encourage Shirah and Michael to accept her offer as they also say that they have never seen Lori so passionate about a product. They agree and form an official partnership with Lori Greiner.
What a practical solution to a terrible issue. #NightCap #SharkTank @ABCSharkTank
— Barbara Corcoran (@BarbaraCorcoran) February 6, 2021
.@LoriGreiner knows a great product when she sees one! #SharkTank pic.twitter.com/5wwQAtLa4G
— Shark Tank (@ABCSharkTank) February 6, 2021
This needs to be in every woman's hands. https://t.co/dHWFpvSMoc #SharkTank @ABCSharkTank
— Lori Greiner (@LoriGreiner) February 6, 2021
Nice deal @LoriGreiner. When a Shark has that much passion, an entrepreneur would be crazy not to jump on an offer. She's the perfect partner for them. #SharkTank @ABCSharkTank #NightCap
— Barbara Corcoran (@BarbaraCorcoran) February 6, 2021
Help protect yourself & loved ones! This is the smartest product & so helpful! https://t.co/dHWFpvSMoc @ABCSharkTank #SharkTank pic.twitter.com/mMNAC9gsbI
— Lori Greiner (@LoriGreiner) February 6, 2021
If you were a Shark, would you have invested in Night Cap? Which of the Sharks do you feel would have been the best investment partner for Shirah and Michael? Start the conversation below!