Next into the tank is Abby Speicher of DARTdrones, seeking $300,000 for 10 percent equity.
Key Takeaways: DARTdrones Flies High with Shark Tank Investment
- DARTdrones: Mark Cuban invested $300,000 for 10% equity in a company offering drone training and education courses, helping to expand its reach.
- Industry Leadership: DARTdrones is recognized as a leader in drone training, offering specialized courses for various industries, including public safety and commercial operations.
- Sales Growth: In just 18 months, DARTdrones achieved $525,000 in sales, demonstrating strong demand for professional drone education.
- Future Potential: Colleges and universities are exploring partnerships with DARTdrones to incorporate their training programs into academic curricula.
What is DARTdrones Exactly?
DARTdrones offers drone training and educational courses.
They have 45 flight instructors in more than 40 cities and have trained thousands of pilots. According to their website, their “mission is to provide the highest quality training on Unmanned Aerial Systems to ensure the safe integration of drones into the national airspace.” Their bestseller package price is $1,450 and includes a drone license test prep, flight training and select online courses.
Various online classes help teach pilots the ins and outs of flying their drone.
Robert Herjavec tests it out, convincing him that he needs to buy a drone. The sharks are impressed that, in 18 months, they have done $525,000 in sales. They are, however, not profitable yet. Colleges have approached Speicher about licensing the teaching courses for campuses.
Mark Cuban sees the challenge in customer acquisition but before he can make a deal, Kevin O’Leary offers $300,000 for 15 percent. Cuban, however, offers exactly what she came in asking for, which she accepts.
Social Media Reacts to DARTdrones’ Appearance on “Shark Tank”
How *not* to crash a drone. Cool idea! #SharkTank
— David G. Johnson – See you at #WCUS (@TheDavidJohnson) February 25, 2017
The classes aren't cheap, but @DARTdrones offer a variety of training classes to prepare you for #Drone #flying. #SharkTank
— In With The Sharks (@inwiththesharks) February 25, 2017
I though #dartdrones was an app. Wish it was so I can finally get a drone. #SharkTank
— Hermese♍ (@IamHermese) February 25, 2017
I can't afford a drone much less a drone class! #SharkTank
— Amanda Johnson (@ama_ro_jo) February 25, 2017
A drone curriculum? Interesting. #SharkTank
— Beloved B (@favored_D) February 25, 2017
And @mcuban takes the #drone deal …before anyone could their foot in the door! Well played! #sharktank #Entrepreneur @ABCSharkTank
— Sean Sullivan (@Sean__Sullivan) February 25, 2017
Latest Update: Where Is DARTdrones Now?
Since the Shark Tank episode, DARTdrones has expanded its course offerings and geographic reach, partnering with more educational institutions and growing its customer base. The company continues to lead in drone training and education, capitalizing on the growing drone industry.
Wrapping Up
Each week on “Shark Tank,” budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their emerging business to six multi-millionaire and billionaire investors, known as sharks:
- Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks;
- Daymond John, fashion mogul and founder of FUBU;
- Kevin O’Leary, self-proclaimed Mr. Wonderful and founder of O’Leary Financial Group;
- Barbara Corcoran, real estate maven; Lori Greiner, queen of QVC;
- Robert Herjavec, technology guru and founder/CEO of the Herjavec Group.
- Venture capitalist Chris Sacca is also slated to appear as a guest shark this season.
“Shark Tank,” which is based on “Dragons’ Den,” is produced by Mark Burnett and first debuted in 2009. To date, the sharks have invested more than $87 million in various companies after engaging in numerous bidding wars and shark fights. A new episode airs each Friday at 9 p.m. on ABC.
Would you try out DARTdrones? Sound off in the comments section below!