Curtis Williams and Matt Von Waaden created an innovative concept to assist pregnant women in sharing music with their unborn children. They developed a product named BellyBuds. These are unique speakers that connect to a mother’s abdomen. Using BellyBuds the unborn baby can listen to music and various sounds from the external environment while in the womb.
The concept was to assist in making memories before the baby’s arrival. Curtis and Matt appeared on Shark Tank to seek $500,000 for a 12.5% share in their company. They intended to utilize the funds to expand the business. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out the Bellybuds update to find out!
Bellybuds Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Curtis Williams and Matt Paulson went on Shark Tank asking for $500,000 for 12 % of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $4,166,667. They made a deal with Lori Greiner and Daymond John for $500,000 for 15 %, lowering the valuation to $3,333,333. The episode was aired on November 15, 2013. The prenatal audio system is still sold under the WavHello brand. Using the default 10 % yearly growth method, the current net worth of Bellybuds is estimated to be around $8–9 million in 2025.
Curtis and Matt didn’t get a deal after their appearance on Shark Tank. Despite this, their company continued to grow. They renamed their business to WAVhello. The company expanded its product line and reached bigger markets. Their BellyBuds are still available for purchase today. They are sold in major retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon.
You can also buy the product on the WAVhello website. They have worked hard to improve the product and reach more customers. The company’s sales are growing. Curtis and Matt have shown that even without the Sharks’ help, success is possible.
Curtis and Matt did not get a deal on Shark Tank. They asked for $500,000 in exchange for a 12.5% stake in their company. The Sharks didn’t like the high valuation of the company. At the time they valued the company at $4 million. This made the deal less attractive. The company was losing money despite some sales. Lori Greiner didn’t like the large amount of inventory Curtis and Matt had made upfront.
Barbara Corcoran didn’t think the $500,000 ask made sense given the losses. Kevin O’Leary was also put off by the high valuation. Robert Herjavec wasn’t interested because the product wasn’t a new idea. Mark Cuban warned that the product could easily be copied. All the Sharks passed on the deal.
| Shark(s) Name | Offer & Demand | Counter Offer | Accepted? |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Barbara Corcoran | 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 |
Bellybuds Shark Tank pitch
Curtis and Matt conceived the concept for BellyBuds to assist mothers in sharing music with their infants. Curtis had been developing the product for some time. He became aware that infants can perceive sounds in the womb beginning at 20 weeks. By 30 weeks infants can also recall certain sounds. Curtis and Matt aimed to develop a method for mothers to securely play music or messages for their infants.
In this manner, the infants were able to hear their parents’ voices or enjoy their favorite tunes before birth. They recognized a significant chance to assist expectant mothers in making memories with their babies before their first in-person meeting. However, creating the product was challenging. Curtis and Matt encountered numerous obstacles. They faced challenges in ensuring the product was safe and comfortable.
They also needed to determine how to keep the speakers secured to the belly. They needed to put in significant effort to create a product that was both affordable and high in quality. Another issue was the patent. They had waited for three years for patent approval. This hindered progress on their plans. Despite these obstacles, they persevered. They put in great effort to create BellyBuds and launch it commercially.
When Curtis and Matt presented their product to the Sharks they detailed how it functioned. BellyBuds are audio devices that connect to a mother’s abdomen. These speakers are capable of playing music, sounds, and even recordings from cherished individuals. The creators presented the product as a means for pregnant women to bond with their unborn children.
They requested $500,000 in return for a 12.5% stake in their company. Curtis and Matt reported that their sales were $300,000 in 2012 and $340,000 during the first half of 2013. They also noted that they were nearing $1 million in total sales.
Nonetheless, the Sharks appeared to lack conviction. Curtis indicated that they possessed $1.3 million in inventory, which supported the $4 million valuation. The stock remained in a storage facility awaiting sale. Curtis thought that the upcoming sales of this inventory were a significant component of their company’s worth. However, the Sharks were not convinced by the figures. They did not believe the company had a value of $4 million, particularly given that it had incurred losses during its initial two years.
The Sharks posed numerous questions to Curtis and Matt. They were interested in the product’s sales and its functionality. Initially, they were curious about the production cost. Curtis stated that producing each pair of BellyBuds is under $10. The item was priced at $49.99.
The Sharks subsequently inquired about the patent. Curtis mentioned that they had been awaiting approval for three years, causing anxiety among the Sharks. The holdup in obtaining the patent hindered their ability to safeguard their product.
An additional inquiry arose concerning the valuation of the company. The Sharks were skeptical that the business held a value of $4 million. Curtis stated that the assessment was determined by the stock in the warehouse. However, the Sharks disagreed. They believed the company was experiencing financial losses and had to demonstrate its worth before seeking such a high valuation.
Lori Greiner was worried about the extensive inventory. She believed that producing a large amount of inventory in advance was a gamble. Barbara Corcoran similarly disapproved of the business model. She believed the $500,000 request was excessive considering the company’s financial deficits. Kevin O’Leary wasn’t pleased with the valuation either.
He believed that the business did not justify the price they were requesting. Robert Herjavec was not fond of the product since it lacked originality. He believed that there were already items available in the market that fulfilled a comparable function.
Mark Cuban was the final one to exit. He cautioned Curtis and Matt that their product was susceptible to being replicated by other firms. This caused the Sharks to be even less willing to invest in the product.
The Sharks provided their input during the presentation. Lori Greiner was reluctant to invest due to the significant amount of inventory. She thought it was a dangerous decision to produce numerous items without an established market. Barbara Corcoran likewise declined the offer. She believed the business wasn’t worth the $500,000 that Curtis and Matt were requesting. Kevin O’Leary was unwilling to invest due to the elevated valuation.
He believed the product wasn’t worth the price they were requesting. Robert Herjavec believed the product lacked novelty. He believed it lacked a distinctive advantage to thrive in the market. Mark Cuban was the final Shark to exit. He believed the product could be easily replicated and didn’t see it as a worthwhile investment. Ultimately, Curtis and Matt exited Shark Tank without securing a deal.
What Went Wrong With Bellybuds On Shark Tank?
The main reason the Sharks didn’t accept the offer was the high valuation of the company. Curtis and Matt valued the company at $4 million but the Sharks didn’t think the business was worth that much. The company had been losing money and didn’t have enough proof of future success. Another issue was the large inventory. The Sharks felt that making so much inventory upfront was too risky.
They also didn’t like that the product wasn’t new. It wasn’t a groundbreaking idea and there were already similar products on the market. Mark Cuban warned Curtis and Matt that their product could easily be copied. This made the Sharks even less interested in the business. In the end, all the Sharks passed on the deal.
Product Availability
BellyBuds now known as WAVhello is still available for purchase today. The product is sold in major retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon. You can also find BellyBuds on the WAVhello website. The product is priced at $49.99. It is designed to safely play music and sounds to babies in the womb. WAVhello has expanded its product line since its appearance on Shark Tank.
They now offer additional products to help mothers connect with their babies. The company has grown since its time on Shark Tank. It has reached more customers and is now a successful business.
Conclusion
Curtis and Matt’s journey with BellyBuds shows that even without a deal from the Sharks a company can still succeed. The founders worked hard to grow their business. They renamed the company WAVhello and expanded their product line. Today their products are sold in major retailers and online.
Hey there, I’m Fatima Muhammad, an International Relations student, with a focus on the strategic dynamics of global relations, One of my favorite shows is Shark Tank. I love it because it showcases the creativity, determination, and strategic thinking of entrepreneurs, which I find inspiring. The show also teaches valuable lessons about innovation, business dynamics, and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges. Read more About me.
