Think of Cup-a-Bug as a cool upgrade to the cup-and-paper trick for catching bugs. You know, when you put a cup over a bug and slide a paper underneath?
Well, Justin Huang made it better. He attached a cup to the end of a pole so you can catch bugs without getting too close. Once the bug is in the cup, just pull a lever, and a piece of plastic slides under the cup, trapping the bug. Now, you can release it safely outside. And the best part? It works in corners too!
Cup a Bug featured in episode 15 of season 15, filled with emotions, tears of happiness, and a handsome deal. He asked for $50,000 for a 10% stake in his company.
At first, he had a bit of trouble with his pitch. But Shark Mark Cuban got really excited about the product. He shared that in his family, he’s the one who deals with bugs because everyone else is scared of them. Did he get the deal or not? Let’s find out!
Cup a Bug Net Worth
Justin Huang asked for a $50,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity in his company. This meant he valued his company at $500,000. He made a deal with Mark Cuban for $75,000 in exchange for 20% of his company. This new deal valued his company at $375,000. After the show aired, Cup-a-Bug 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 Cup-a-Bug is about $453,450.
Cup a Bug Shark Tank Update
Cup-a-Bug, the bug-catching gadget, showed up on Shark Tank and wowed not only the judges but also the folks watching on TV. The company became super popular in 2022 for creating a prototype that helps you catch bugs without hurting them and then release them outside where they belong.
Justin Huang, the founder of Cup a Bug, pitched his extraordinary product to Shark Tank and got a deal with Mark Cuban.
What happened to Cup a Bug after Shark Tank?
Cup a Bug is having peaks of fame after Shark Tank. Right now, you can grab Cup-a-Bug on their website for a special price of $39.99, and they’ll even ship it to you for free anywhere in the country. At the moment, you can only order it from their official website and Amazon.
But here’s the exciting part – they’re getting ready to spread their bug-catching magic worldwide! So, if you’re outside the country and want a guilt-free way to keep bugs away, stay tuned for when they go global.
Did Cup a Bug get a deal on Shark Tank?
Yes, Mark Cuban offered $75k for 20% and locked the deal with Justin.
| Shark(s) Involved | Offer Made | Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Daymond John | $50k | 20% Equity | $60k for 30% Equity | No |
| Kevin O’Leary | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | $50k | 20% Equity | $75k for 20% Equity | Yes |
| Robert Herjavec | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Founders and BackStory
Justin Huang is the inventor of Cup-a-Bug. He’s an engineer and business owner known for selling board game accessories through his company, Solid Factory. Cup-a-Bug is his latest creation, born out of Justin’s childhood fear of bugs. Even though he’s scared of them, he doesn’t want to hurt them, so he creates a tool to catch them safely.
Initial Pitch
The pitch was really interesting. Justin asked the sharks to open a plate in front of them, revealing a bug inside that startled many of the sharks, making them laugh. He went on to explain how tough it is to take a life, even a bug’s, so he created Cup-a-Bug, a way to catch bugs and release them outside without hurting them. Justin got a bit nervous during the pitch, but Lori and Mark helped him relax and encouraged him to keep going.
He described how the product works: just place the cup over the bug and then release it into nature. There’s also a brush to catch bugs in corners, and the extension of Cup-a-Bug acts like a wrist.
Queries about the Pitch
Mark Cuban shared that at his house, he’s the designated bug catcher while everyone else shouts and makes noise. Curious about the cost, he asked Justin, who revealed that he sells it for $40, including shipping. The manufacturing cost is $10, and shipping adds another $7.
The sharks inquired about sales, and Justin explained that in February 2022, he launched a successful Kickstarter campaign for Cup-a-Bug. He kept supporters updated and started shipping Kickstarter units in August 2022. Surprisingly, the campaign garnered over 700 pre-orders for Cup-a-Bug. In May 2023, the first batch of the product began production on the official website.
Additionally, Justin shared his background in mechanical engineering and how he assisted his dad in making electric motors.
Shark Responses and Final Deal
Shark Mark asked Justin if he was considering selling only the bug-a-pulp, and Justin said he might be open to it in the future.
Mark Cuban made an offer of $50,000 for 20%, and Daymond John said he’d match that. Eventually, Shark Daymond went for $60,000 for 30%. When Justin invited both Sharks to partner with him, Shark Mark said he’d rather have Justin exclusively.
Then Mark Cuban offered $75k for 20% and locked the deal with Justin.
Product Availability
The Cup-a-Bug bug catcher usually costs $49.99, but right now, you can get it for a lower price of $39.99 on their official website. It’s also available on Amazon for $44.99.
Conclusion
It was quite an emotional pitch, and Justin shed tears after having Mark on board. He knows how hard the entrepreneurial journey is, but having an experienced person beside him makes things easy.
Hi there, I’m Ayesha Pasha, a content creator who loves crafting engaging stories and captivating visuals. When I’m not busy working on content projects, you can catch me indulging in my favorite pastime: watching Shark Tank episodes. I’m fascinated by the innovative business ideas and the unpredictable reactions of the Sharks. It’s my go-to for entertainment and inspiration. Outside of that, I enjoy exploring new cafes, capturing moments through my lens, and experimenting with new recipes. Read more About me.