When you are skiing down a snowy hill or riding a bike on a beautiful sunny day, grabbing your smartphone to skip a song or answer a call can be frustrating. It interrupts the moment, and for outdoor enthusiasts, this can be a hassle. Many people face this issue daily, especially during activities that require gloves. Using your smartphone while wearing gloves is almost impossible.
Willie Blount and Tarik Rodgers recognized this common problem and decided to create a solution. They invented the BearTek Smart Glove. This glove allows users to control their smartphones without taking them out of their pockets. The smart module inside the glove connects to devices through Bluetooth. It lets you change tracks, control volume, and more with simple finger taps.
The BearTek glove was pitched on Shark Tank Season 7. Willie and Tarik asked for $500,000 in exchange for 5% equity in their business. Did the entrepreneurs get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our BearTek update to find out!
BearTek Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Willie Blount and Tarik Rodgers went on Shark Tank asking for $500,000 for 5% of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $10,000,000. They made a deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner for $500,000 in exchange for 20% of the company, lowering the value to $2,500,000. The episode was aired in February 2016. The company later stopped producing its smart gloves and closed. The current net worth of BearTek is $0 in 2025.
BearTek did not secure a deal on Shark Tank. After the show, the company continued its journey and even had a successful IndieGoGo campaign. They raised $60,000 through crowdfunding. However, despite the promising start, the company refunded all the backers.
Currently, BearTek’s official website is no longer active. It seems the company is nearly out of business. However, as of today, BearTek gloves can still be purchased on Amazon. While the gloves are no longer in the spotlight, they remain available for those interested in this innovative product.
Willie and Tarik entered Shark Tank hoping for an investment of $500,000 for 5% equity in BearTek. However, the Sharks did not agree to this valuation, and no deal was made.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
BearTek Shark Tank pitch
Willie Blount and Tarik Rodgers were avid outdoor enthusiasts. They loved activities like skiing and biking. These hobbies inspired them to create the BearTek Smart Glove. While enjoying their outdoor adventures, they noticed the inconvenience of using smartphones with gloves on.
The journey of creating the smart glove was not easy. Tarik invested $500,000 into the business to bring their idea to life. The early stages required a lot of research, design, and technology integration. Despite the challenges, they stayed focused on solving this real-world problem.
Willie and Tarik started their pitch by highlighting the everyday struggle of using smartphones while wearing gloves. They explained how the BearTek Smart Glove solves this issue. The glove uses a Bluetooth module to connect with devices. Users can control their smartphones by touching specific points on the glove.
The entrepreneurs shared that their vision went beyond just gloves. They wanted to focus on the module that could be used in various products. In the 15 months before the show, they generated $200,000 in sales. However, their $10 million valuation raised concerns among the Sharks. Keep reading our BearTek update to see what happens next!
Each Shark had their own questions about BearTek’s technology and business model. Here is what they asked:
Robert Herjavec asked Are you planning to expand beyond gloves? Willie and Tarik explained that their focus was on the Bluetooth module, which could be integrated into different products.
Kevin O’Leary asked, Is there still a need for this technology with voice recognition on the rise? The founders argued that voice recognition can make mistakes and is not always reliable in outdoor settings.
Daymond John questioned how you came up with this valuation. The founders defended their $10 million valuation by explaining their technology’s potential. However, the Sharks were not convinced.
Lori Greiner asked What is your sales plan moving forward? The entrepreneurs shared their vision of expanding the module’s applications.
Here is how each Shark responded:
Mark Cuban: He thought the investment was too risky. He decided to go out.
Daymond John: He did not agree with the high valuation. He went out.
Lori Greiner: She admired the idea but felt they needed more clarity on their business plan. She went out.
Kevin O’Leary: He believed the market might have moved past this technology. He went out.
Robert Herjavec: He didn’t want to invest in a glove company at such a high valuation. He went out too.
No deal was made on the show.
What Went Wrong With BearTek On Shark Tank?
The main reason BearTek didn’t secure a deal was its high valuation. The Sharks felt $10 million was too much for a company with $200,000 in sales. They also had concerns about the business focusing on gloves instead of diversifying earlier.
Kevin O’Leary pointed out that voice recognition and other technologies could overshadow BearTek. Robert Herjavec was not interested in a glove business. These reasons led all Sharks to opt out.
Product Availability
From our BearTek update research, BearTek gloves are still available on Amazon. They offer features like Bluetooth control, which allows users to manage smartphones or even GoPro cameras without touching them.
The gloves are designed for outdoor activities and come with a sleek, durable design. While the company’s website is inactive, you can still find its products on e-commerce platforms.
Conclusion
The BearTek Smart Glove started as a promising solution for outdoor enthusiasts. Willie and Tarik identified a real problem and worked hard to create an innovative product. While they didn’t secure a deal on Shark Tank, their journey shows the challenges of bringing new technology to market.
Even though the company struggled after the show, its gloves are still appreciated by users. As technology evolves, it will be interesting to see if similar innovations emerge. Stay tuned for more updates on the journey of BearTek and other Shark Tank companies.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib an undergraduate student of Bachelors in Business Administration. Shark Tank is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. The show provides a fascinating insight into the world of entrepreneurship by presenting creative solutions to common problems, which strongly connects to my academic interests. I’m interested in learning more about the strategic thinking and creativity that lead these companies as each pitch provides insightful information. I’ve found that watching Shark Tank has inspired my enthusiasm for business and entrepreneurship and has been a very enlightening and motivating experience. Apart from business and writing, I love food, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. Read more About me.
