Consuming alcohol carries certain risks. One of these concerns is uncertainty about whether it is safe to drive. Breathalyzers assist in this matter. However, they are large and difficult to transport. Charles Michael Yim conceived an idea. He developed the Breathometer. It’s a breath test device for your smartphone. It is compact and simple to operate. You connect it to your phone.
Next, you exhale into it. The application displays your blood alcohol concentration. Charles aimed to present his product on Shark Tank. He requested $250,000 in exchange for 10% of his business. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out the Breathometer update!
Breathometer Net Worth Shark Tank Update
Charles Michael Yim went on Shark Tank asking for $250,000 for 10% of his company. This meant he thought his business was worth $2,500,000. He made a deal with all five Sharks for $1,000,000 for 30%, raising the valuation to $3,333,333. The episode was aired on September 27, 2013. The smartphone breathalyzer app was later shut down by the FTC in 2017. The current net worth of Breathometer is $0 in 2025.
For a quick update, after Shark Tank, Breathometer’s sales soared, topping $5 million, but the FTC found its breathalyzer was inaccurate and forced full refunds in 2017. The company shut down the app and tried pivoting to an oral‑health device called Mint, but Mint also vanished. By 2025, Breathometer is out of business—its net worth wiped out and no products available. It stands as a cautionary tale of early hype undone by poor accuracy and mismanagement.
| Shark(s) Name | Offer & Demand | Counter Offer | Accepted? |
| Lori Greiner | $125,000 for 15% equity (Combined Offer) | N/A | Yes |
| Daymond John | $125,000 for 15% equity (Combined Offer) | N/A | Yes |
| Kevin O’Leary | $125,000 for 15% equity (Combined Offer) | N/A | Yes |
| Mark Cuban | $500,000 for 15% equity | N/A | Yes |
| Robert Herjavec | $125,000 for 15% equity (Combined Offer) | N/A | Yes |
Breathometer had a great start. After Shark Tank, it sold many products. Charles raised over $5 million in sales. But in 2017, problems began. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said the device was not accurate.
Many users got wrong readings about their blood alcohol levels. The FTC made Breathometer refund all its buyers. The company could not recover. It shut down soon after. As of 2024, Breathometer is no longer in business. This was the end of the once-promising idea.
Breathometer got a deal. Charles asked for $250,000 for 10% equity. But the sharks went above his ask. Five sharks joined forces. They offered $1,000,000 for 30% equity. This was a much bigger deal. Mark Cuban invested $500,000 for 15%. Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary, Robert Herjavec, and Daymond John each gave $125,000. Together, they owned the other 15%. Charles happily accepted the deal.
Breathometer Shark Tank pitch
Charles Michael Yim is the creator of Breathometer. He conceived the idea after witnessing the risks of driving under the influence. He aimed to enhance road safety. However, conventional breathalyzers were large and difficult to transport. Charles devised a different approach. He fused technology with safety. The motivation was derived from smartphones. The majority of individuals have their phones with them.
Charles pondered why not convert a phone into a breathalyzer? This resulted in the creation of the Breathometer. It was tiny and easy to carry. You can verify your alcohol level anywhere. Charles encountered numerous difficulties in the beginning. Creating a gadget like this wasn’t simple. It had to be precise. He invested $50,000 of his funds to begin. Subsequently, he secured $500,000 from angel investors.
At that time it still fell short. He required additional resources to improve the product. Charles put in a lot of effort. He started a campaign on Indiegogo. It garnered $140,000 within 30 days. This provided him with optimism. He presented his concept on Shark Tank to receive the assistance he required.
Charles stepped into Shark Tank with assurance. He presented his product, Breathometer. It was tiny and connected to a phone. It functioned with an application. Individuals could effortlessly verify their alcohol concentration.
Charles sought $250,000 in exchange for a 10% stake. He described the functioning of the Breathometer. He stated it was precise and simple to operate. The sharks appreciated his suggestion. They recognized the opportunity.
Mark Cuban was the first to jump in. He proposed $500,000 in exchange for 20%. Kevin O’Leary came next. He proposed $250,000 for a 15% stake. Charles mentioned that he aimed to collect $1,000,000.
Kevin proposed that all the sharks participate. However, Mark preferred to go by himself. After that, Robert, Lori, and Kevin joined forces. They proposed $750,000 in exchange for 30%. Daymond proposed $250,000 in exchange for 10%. Ultimately, all five sharks united. They proposed $1,000,000 in exchange for 30%. Charles agreed. This was four times greater than what he requested.
The sharks were full of inquiries. Daymond inquired, “What is its accuracy?” Charles mentioned that it was highly precise. He stated that the device had undergone testing.
Lori was curious about how it functioned. Charles clarified that it was connected to the phone. Users exhale into it. The application displays their blood alcohol concentration.
Mark inquired about sales. Charles mentioned that he sold 4000 units within 30 days. This was accomplished through an Indiegogo campaign. It gathered $140,000.
Kevin inquired why Charles required $250,000. Charles mentioned that all the funds would be allocated to production.
Robert inquired about the price. Charles mentioned that it was $20 to produce. He marketed it for $49. The sharks conversed. They recognized the potential of the Breathometer. It was an original concept. It has the potential to save lives. However, they desired greater fairness.
Mark Cuban was fond of the concept. He preferred to invest by himself. He proposed $500,000 in exchange for 20%. Kevin O’Leary enjoyed it as well. He proposed $250,000 in exchange for 15%. He hoped for other sharks to accompany him. Lori, Robert, and Kevin formed a team. They proposed $750,000 for a 30% share. Daymond presented his own proposal. He stated he would offer $250,000 for 10%. However,r he desired Mark to accompany him.
Following negotiations, the sharks reached a conclusive agreement. Mark put in $500,000 for a 15% stake. Lori, Kevin, Robert, and Daymond all put in $125,000 each. In total,l they received 15%. Charles agreed to the arrangement. He was pleased to receive $1,000,000.
What Went Wrong With Breathometer On Shark Tank?
The sharks had faith in the Breathometer. However, the device encountered issues afterward. The primary concern was precision. It didn’t consistently indicate the correct blood alcohol level. The FTC conducted an investigation. They discovered that the product lacked reliability. Breathometer needed to reimburse customers. This damaged the company. The sharks weren’t able to assist much.
The product had gained distrust. Individuals ceased purchasing it. The business ceased operations.
Product Availability
The Breathometer was a unique product. It was small and portable. It turned a phone into a breathalyzer. The device is plugged into the headphone jack. Users opened the app and blew into it. It showed their blood alcohol level. It was sold online. The price was $49. But after the FTC ruling, it was no longer available. The company’s website is now inactive. Breathometer is not sold anywhere today.
Conclusion
Breathometer started with great promise. It had a big deal on Shark Tank. It sold well at first. But problems came later. The product was not accurate. The FTC ordered refunds. The company could not recover. It shut down. This was a sad end to a big idea.
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.
