Next into the tank are Glen Duff, Scott Parks and Nick Kierpiec of ZUP, seeking $300,000 for 10 percent equity.

ZUP turns anyone into a water sports enthusiast. According to their website, the board “is a fresh, new way to get your family and friends up on the water.” Riders can sit, stand, kneel and more on the board, which features a handle and foot straps for riding behind a boat. Boards range in price from $219 to $469.

Key Takeaways from ZUP’s Shark Tank Appearance:

  • Seeking Investment: ZUP sought $300,000 for 10% equity on Shark Tank Season 9.
  • Sales Figures: The company reported $2.5 million in sales over four years, with distribution in nearly 200 retail locations across North America and Europe, plus online sales.
  • Product Offering: ZUP markets versatile water boards that allow users to sit, stand, kneel, etc., priced between $219 and $499.
  • Shark Concerns: The Sharks were hesitant due to lack of direct answers from the entrepreneurs, a significant debt of $550,000, and questions about the company’s unique value proposition.
  • Outcome: No deal was secured with any of the Sharks.
  • Post-Shark Tank Success: Despite not securing a deal, ZUP continues to operate successfully, particularly on Amazon, where it has received thousands of positive reviews.
  • Resilience: Contrary to some Sharks’ expectations of an impending bankruptcy, ZUP has demonstrated resilience and potential for growth without Shark partnership

In four years, they have done $2.5 million in sales. The boards are available in stores nationwide. After learning about their patents, guest shark Sara Blakely and Lori Greiner question what is actually unique about their boards—which is the combination of each element.

Mark Cuban questions why they haven’t sold more products and sees the “disruptor” label as a distraction and goes out, followed by Daymond John.

Kevin O’Leary sees too many problems and goes out over financial concerns. Greiner goes out as well, followed by Blakely due to presentation shortcomings.

Social Media Reacts to ZUP’s Appearance on “Shark Tank”

Each week on “Shark Tank,” budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their emerging businesses to 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.

Philanthropist and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, Skinnygirl Cocktails founder and Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel, Vitamin Water founder Rohan Oza and former MLB player Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez are also slated to appear as guest sharks 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 $100 million in various companies after engaging in numerous bidding wars and shark fights. A new episode airs each Sunday at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Would you use the Shark Tank ZUP board? Sound off in the comments section below!