Finding the perfect polo shirt is tough. Many shirts fade and lose their shape. They often do not fit well. Brandon Davenport and Marcellus Alexander wanted to fix this problem. They started their clothing company Baobab to create a better polo shirt. Their shirts are special. They use a unique treatment process that makes them stain and fade-resistant. They began their journey by using high-quality Pima cotton.
This cotton is known for being soft and durable. The company aimed to give men a shirt that looked good and felt good. They pitched Baobab on Shark Tank in Season 11. They asked for one hundred fifty thousand dollars for ten percent equity. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our Baobab update to find out!
baobab Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Brandon Davenport and Marcellus Alexander asked for a $150k investment in exchange for 10% equity in their company Baobab. This meant they valued their company at $1.5 million. They did not make a deal with any of the Sharks. After the show aired, Baobab saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. With an estimated 10% yearly growth rate (typical business growth), the current net worth of Baobab is about $2.4 million.
Baobab is still in business today. The company is doing well. As of 2024, Baobab has around one million dollars in annual sales. They have worked hard to grow the business since appearing on Shark Tank. They raised over one hundred thousand dollars in funding in 2021. They started producing face masks in 2020.
This was a smart move during the pandemic. The face masks helped bring in more money. In addition, they partnered with Malagon Group. This helped them grow the brand. Marcellus was also featured in Forbes as one of “The Next 1,000.” This brought more attention to Baobab. They expanded their product line. Now they offer long-sleeved polo shirts and T-shirts. The company continues to grow and innovate.
On Shark Tank, Baobab was unable to seal a deal. 150,000 $ for 10% equity is what Brandon and Marcellus requested. They did a good job presenting their goods. The Sharks thought the shirts were a good idea. But none of the Sharks put forth a bid. Mark Cuban said there was no compelling commercial angle.
There was a conflict of interest between Robert Herjavec and another shirt company. Kevin O’Leary believed there was excessive rivalry. Daymond John expressed worry about the poor sales. Lori Greiner was fond of the product but declined to make a purchase. Marcellus and Brandon, therefore, departed Shark Tank without a deal.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Baobab Shark Tank pitch
The founders of Baobab are Marcellus Alexander and Brandon Davenport. Their goal was to make the best polo shirt possible. They got the concept from their own experiences with standard polo shirts. They saw that their best shirts would shrink, discolor, and become “bacon collars.” After washing, the collar curls up like this. They were aware of their dominance. Their shirts were made with the finest materials. The creators want to provide men with fashionable and cozy shirts.
The early going was not simple. They needed to acquire the skill of creating unique clothes. Through crowdsourcing, they were able to raise $32,000 to support the research. This aided in their comprehension of what men wanted from polo shirts. They encountered numerous difficulties. They needed to design a special treatment method and locate the appropriate components. But they put a lot of effort and faith into realizing their dream.
Marcellus and Brandon had a well-defined strategy when they went on Shark Tank. They excitedly introduced their concept. They flaunted their unique polo shirts. For a 10 percent stake in the business, they requested one hundred fifty thousand dollars. They gave an explanation of their clothes. The BaoTech fabrication technique was demonstrated by the founders.
They doused a white polo shirt in coffee, wine, and ketchup. The stains were just cleaned off. The Sharks were amazed by this presentation. Marcellus and Brandon explained how they made the shirts from premium Pima cotton. They emphasized the distinctive elements, such as the secret microfiber material inside and the zip-up front.
Brandon and Marcellus got a lot of questions from the Sharks. They were interested in the sales of the business. The creators stated that their sales were approximately $85,000. The Sharks thought this was insufficient for a business looking for funding. They also wanted to know the cost of producing each shirt. According to the founders, each polo shirt costs 38 dollars to create. It cost ninety-eight dollars at retail.
The Sharks were a little concerned about this price point. They were interested in learning the company’s marketing plan. The creators clarified that Facebook and Instagram were their primary advertising platforms. They added that they had read in the media that their polo shirt was the greatest. The Sharks, however, believed the marketing viewpoint lacked enough authority.
The Sharks’ opinions of the pitch were divided. Though he had trouble grasping the marketing perspective, Mark Cuban found the proposition appealing. In the end, he refrained from investing. There was a conflict of interest between Robert Herjavec and another business. It seemed impossible for him to invest in Baobab. Kevin O’Leary brought attention to the fierce competition in the clothing sector.
He was not optimistic about the company’s prospects. Daymond John expressed concern about the poor sales figures. Investing seemed too dangerous to him. Though she didn’t want to invest, Lori Greiner thought the shirts were great. Marcellus and Brandon departed the Tank empty-handed when the Sharks refused to make an investment.
What Went Wrong With Baobab On Shark Tank?
Baobab failed to negotiate a contract on Shark Tank due to several factors. The low sales numbers were one of the main causes. The founders stated that their income was only approximately eighty-five thousand dollars. The Sharks were hesitant to invest because of this figure. The rivalry in the apparel industry was another factor. Kevin O’Leary made the observation that numerous businesses sell comparable goods.
The Sharks have concerns over the marketing plan as well. Mark Cuban said there was no strong commercial operations angle. There was a conflict of interest for Robert Herjavec. All of the Sharks decided against investing as a result of these concerns. The founders stayed true to their goal even if they left without a deal.
Product Availability
Baobab sells distinctive polo shirts that are resistant to fading and stains. They work with premium Pima cotton. The shirts undergo treatment using a unique method known as BaoTech. The clothes appear nicer for longer thanks to this technique. Features on the shirts include an up-front zip. A hidden microfiber cloth for wiping glasses is also included. Baobab’s website allows customers to purchase their shirts online.
Their suggested retail price is $98. $38 is the cost of production for each shirt. Face masks were added to Baobab’s product lineup in 2020. Their revenues increased as a result of this wise decision. These days they also sell T-shirts and long-sleeve polo shirts. Social media advertisements have increased their online visibility. In order to reach new clients they use social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
Conclusion
Shark Tank provided Baobab with an educational experience. They gained publicity even though they were unable to close a sale. Their distinctive polo shirts are still in demand. Since the show, their business has expanded. They increased their product line and raised over $100,000 in investment. They now sell a variety of goods, such as t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and masks.
The business is doing well with annual sales of about $1 million. We’re excited to see what innovations Baobab will come up with next. Brandon and Marcellus are certain to achieve even greater success in the future with dedication and creativity.
Hi, I’m Laiba Khurram, a BBA student specializing in Marketing at FAST NUCES ISB. My background includes experience in finance, marketing, and event coordination. My skills include teamwork, time management, and Microsoft tools. Watching Shark Tank has always inspired me, as I admire the innovative pitches and entrepreneurial spirit showcased on the show. This passion drives my approach to finding creative solutions and understanding market dynamics. Read more About me.
