Life Lift Systems Net Worth and Shark Tank Update – After Shark Tank

Life Lift Systems was founded by Levi Wilson and Tim Todd who recognized a severe problem in Oklahoma. Traditional tornado shelters were either inconvenient, hard to access or required giving up garage space. To solve this they invented a bed deployed into a bulletproof tornado shelter.

The company developed the Vortex Vault, a telescoping, heavy duty storm shelter that mounts underneath a mattress. It can be raised in about 60 seconds and is designed to withstand EF5 tornado level winds, debris and is firm enough to protect users during home invasions.

When they appeared on Shark Tank (Season 10, Episode 13) in January 2019 the founders asked for $550,000 in exchange for 15% equity. The founders struck a deal with billionaire Mark Cuban for $550,000 in exchange for a 25% equity stake.

The company was rebranded as Vortex Vaults. They expanded their product line to include telescoping project stations and garage workbenches that double as safe rooms.

The company experienced a sudden increase in exposure leading to sales growth. By 2023, the business was generating $4 million in annual revenue.

While Shark Tank deals often adjust during due diligence, independent valuations on platforms like PitchBook have cited the company’s funding and valuation metrics around the $800,000 funding peak. Business trackers estimate the company’s enterprise value and market worth in the millions.

Life Lift Systems Net Worth

Tim Todd and Levi Wilson asked for a $550k investment in exchange for 15% equity in their company. This meant they valued their company at $3.67 million. They made a deal with Mark Cuban for $550k in exchange for 25% of their company. This new deal valued their company at $2.2 million. After the show aired, Life Lift Systems 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 Life Lift Systems is about $3.53 million.

Did The Life Lift Systems Get a Deal on Shark Tank?

Founders Levi Wilson and Tim Todd secured a $550,000 investment from billionaire Mark Cuban for 25% equity. Plus an added royalty, after an intense bidding war on Shark Tank. The duo entered the tank seeking the funds for a 15% stake in their company. The Sharks were fascinated by the life saving potential and design of the Vortex Vault. A heavy duty telescoping storm shelter that mounts beneath a mattress.

The shelter is reinforced, designed to withstand the winds of an EF-5 tornado and up to 250 mph projectiles. It is tested to handle 60,000 pounds of crush value even repelling a dropped car. Unlike traditional underground storm shelter this unit sits in the master bedroom eliminating mobility challenges, water leaks and the hassle of going outside in an emergency.

Beyond natural disasters it functions as a reinforced panic room during a break in. The company proved its market demand by generating $550,000 in sales during its first 3 months on the market. While the Sharks saw merit in the invention, the valuation and manufacturing model triggered heavy debate. 

Sharks like Kevin O’Leary expressed concern that the company’s wholesale and retail prices were far too low. This would hurt profit margins when scaling to a national level. Several Sharks opted out due to logistics and distribution complexities. Mark Cuban saw a strong market for survival gear and offered $550,000 for 25% equity.

Valuing the business at $2.2 million. To bridge the gap in the valuation the deal was structured. So Cuban received 25% equity alongside a 100% royalty structure until the initial investment was recovered. Realizing the marketing and operational value Cuban could bring to the brand, Wilson and Todd agreed to the terms without lengthy counteroffers. 

Life Lift Systems Shark Tank Deal Table

Shark(s) name	Offer & Demand	Counteroffer	Accepted?
Charles Barkley	Out	N/A	N/A
Lori Greiner	$550,000 for 25% equity	#1 $550,000 for 20% equity #2 $550,000 for 20% equity with $100 royalty per unit	N/A
Kevin O’Leary		N/A	N/A
Robert Herjavec	Out	N/A	N/A
Mark Cuban	$550,000 for 25% equity	#1 $550,000 for 20% equity #2 $550,000 for 20% equity with $100 royalty per unit	Yes

Founders’ Backstory

Levi Wilson is an entrepreneur with a background in operating his own machine shop and manufacturing aircraft parts in Oklahoma City. Tim Todd is businessman and owner of a large welding company who partnered with Wilson after pitching the concept.

Levi Wilson conceptualized the Vortex Vault while living in Oklahoma in the middle of “Tornado Alley”. He knew that built in storm shelters were expensive or inconvenient to use. Often located in hot cluttered garages or out in the yard. He realized there was unused space underneath a mattress and in the middle of the night decided to design a collapsible steel safe room that required zero additional floor space and was accessible from a bedroom.

Life Lift Systems Shark Tank Pitch

The founders started their pitch by introducing themselves and highlighting their location Oklahoma City situated in the heart of “Tornado Alley”. They presented themselves as local blue collar entrepreneurs Wilson, a machinist and Todd an owner of a large welding company.

The introductory phase was designed to establish authority showing the sharks that they possessed the necessary local expertise and real world manufacturing experience to build something heavy duty. After greeting the sharks they laid out their initial funding request $550,000 for 15% equity in the business.

The founders drew attention to the danger and impracticality of traditional storm shelters. In Tornado Alley, standard shelters require homeowners to run outside to an underground unit, which is dangerous when dealing with active, dark or sudden storms. Indoor above ground safe rooms like closet shelters were presented as another option but they eat up living space and are often installed in areas that are difficult to access. They highlighted the secondary urgent threat of home invasions, noting that families do not always have the time to run to a garage or basement when intruders are present.

Life Lift Systems’ main product is a collapsible steel safe room that fits under a standard mattress. In the event of a tornado or home invasion, the system can be raised and locked in about 60 seconds. Once raised it functions as a 57 inch high, bulletproof and crush proof bunker that can accommodate an entire family. The structure is built from thick steel plating bolted to a concrete foundation. It has been tested to withstand the brutal winds of an EF-5 tornado up to 250 mph and heavy projectiles such as a 4,000 lb car. The unit is equipped with USB ports, ventilation and emergency escape doors and is designed to be wheelchair accessible.

Life Lift Systems operates as a direct manufacturer and distributor. They transport the heavy steel panels into a customer’s home piece by piece and assemble the final unit in the bedroom. Their pricing model relied on a retail cost of about $6,000 to $7,000 per unit. Which included professional installation in their home state of Oklahoma.

At the time of their pitch their production cost was $3,600. Yielding a wholesale price around $4,850 and leaving them with around $550,000 in sales over a recent three month period. Their growth strategy moving forward was to scale operations through licensed wholesale dealers across multiple states.

Shark Questions, Negotiations, Discussion & Reactions

How does it work? The steel, space saving shelter is bolted to the concrete foundation and fits right under a mattress. In the event of a tornado or home invasion it takes about 60 seconds to raise and secure. Durability?

Tested to withstand 250 mph winds, flying debris and the weight of a 4,000 pound vehicle. The Financials? At the time of their pitch they had about $550,000 in sales over a three month period. Their margins were low, units cost $3,600 to build, wholesaled for $4,850 and retailed at $6,000.

The Sharks were impressed by the product’s engineering but were alarmed by the low profit margins. Warning that the pricing was too low to sustain the business. Robert Herjavec bowed out stating he liked it but didn’t love it. While Kevin O’Leary bowed out because he viewed it as “selling life insurance”.

Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban both recognized the potential and jointly offered $550,000 for a 25% equity stake. The founders countered at $550,000 for 20%, which Lori and Mark rejected. The founders then proposed $550,000 for 20% plus a $100 per unit royalty. After some back and forth, Lori and Mark accepted. Mark advised them against the royalty, giving them a choice between the two deal structures.

Many praised the inventive use of hidden space while others questioned the real world safety of being trapped in a metal box under a collapsing home. There were later reports of consumer frustrations regarding communication and mechanical servicing with the company over the years.

Why Some Sharks Said No

Daymond John went out because he believed the specialized regional market was too niche. He did not see a clear path to scale the product nationwide.

Kevin O’Leary was concerned about the company’s valuation and the retail pricing. He argued that the founders were pricing their life saving product too cheaply and the initial margins did not justify their high asking price.

Lori Greiner praised the space saving safety aspect but passed due to marketing concerns. She had reservations about whether a safe room bed could achieve broad mass market appeal outside of traditional tornado prone areas.

Robert Herjavec dropped out because he feared heavy logistical competition. He noted that established home improvement and traditional concrete storm shelter companies could copy or out-market their niche design.

The Main Reasons for Rejection was that the Sharks who said no feared the logistical difficulties of scaling a heavy manufacturing business. They were hesitant to invest due to the barrier of marketing a bulky expensive piece of specialized safety equipment across the country. 

Unlike the other Sharks, Cuban looked past the initial pricing limits and localized marketing challenges. He saw a potential in their patent, engineering certifications and overall mission. Stepping in to saving the pitch with a larger equity ask than the founders proposed.

Where To Buy Life Lift Systems Products and Product Features

The Vortex Vault is a heavy duty collapsible steel safe room that fits beneath a bed. In its resting state it functions as a regular bed frame or foundation. When an emergency arises the telescoping walls expand upward in approximately 60 seconds creating a protected safe room measuring about 57 inches high. The vault is tested to withstand winds of up to 250 mph and severe impacts from flying debris. Including the weight of a dropped 4,000 to 5,000 pound vehicle. It features a 60,000-lb crush rating.

Built with quarter inch steel plates the structure is designed to withstand gunfire. Making it an effective shelter against home invasions. Because the individual steel plates weigh between 50 and 110 pounds the unit is carried into the home in pieces and bolted to your bedroom’s concrete foundation using heavy duty Hilti bolts.

Inside the vault, occupants have access to USB chargers to keep communication devices powered. As well as ventilation and optional lighting. The shelter is wheelchair accessible and can be customized with gun racks and safes. The company adapts the telescoping technology to fit under kitchen islands, workbenches and pool tables.

Founders Levi Wilson and Tim Todd, based in Oklahoma City pitched the product on Shark Tank Season 10. They demonstrated the heavy duty nature of the safe room by recounting drop tests where a 5,000-pound car was dropped onto the unit with zero structural failure. The founders secured a $550,000 investment from billionaire Mark Cuban in exchange for 25% of the company’s equity.

Following some consumer and dealer distribution challenges in recent years. Direct access to the product can be somewhat limited. The best places to look for product inquiries or dealer networks are through the Life Lift Systems LinkedIn page or authorized tornado shelter dealers. Fully installed models range from $4,000 to $6,000 depending on the size, e.g., Queen or King and the selected customizations or accessories. Freight and delivery fees may add to this base cost outside of the Oklahoma region.

What Happened To Life Lift Systems After Shark Tank? 

Life Lift Systems, which pitched their telescoping tornado proof safe room beds on Shark Tank. Experienced an increase in popularity and closed a deal with Mark Cuban. The company is no longer active in 2026 and has gone out of business amid customer fulfillment issues and internal disputes.

The television exposure expanded their public awareness. Sales increased and by 2023 the business which had rebranded as Vortex Vaults claimed to be doing $4 million in annual revenue. They added 19 distributors across the United States and partnered with famous weather personality Aaron Tuttle to serve as a spokesperson. They expanded their telescoping shelter product lines to include units that could fit in garages or function as workbenches and pool tables.

Despite early revenue milestones Vortex Vaults went out of business in late 2023. Their official websites and social media accounts were taken down. Leaving customers and potential buyers unable to reach the business. According to reports from third party industry partners, the founders had a severe falling out resulting in Levi Wilson firing Tim Todd. As of today, the company is no longer manufacturing or fulfilling orders. Prior to closing the enterprise drew the attention of consumer protection authorities such as the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney. Over a series of unresolved consumer complaints regarding undelivered units. 

Conclusion

Life Lift Systems later rebranded as Vortex Vaults developed an under mattress telescoping storm shelter designed to withstand EF5 tornadoes. Despite securing a deal with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank, the company ceased operations and became the subject of unresolved consumer complaints. 

The journey of Life Lift Systems from a local Oklahoma based idea to a national brand saw highs and turbulence. Founders Levi Wilson and Tim Todd pitched their inventive $6,000 telescoping bed vault that acts as both a safe room and functional furniture.

Mark Cuban saw the potential in their space saving shelter and invested $550,000 in the company. The exposure worked wonders. The company added distributors, teamed up with notable weather personalities like Aaron Tuttle and reported reaching $4 million in annual revenue by 2023.

The business hit a wall. Co-founders parted ways, the company’s digital footprint vanished and their patent expired due to missed maintenance fees. Former customers from states like Oklahoma and Texas filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau regarding malfunctioning shelters and an inability to reach anyone for maintenance.

There is no doubt that the Shark Tank exposure validated Life Lift Systems and launched the startup into the mainstream. It provided an unmatched platform to educate the public on indoor space saving severe weather protection.

The intense spotlight also accelerated consumer demand faster than the young company could scale its manufacturing, supply chain and post sale customer support. The inability to service installed beds left lasting reputational damage. Illustrating a classic entrepreneurial lesson. Media exposure is only as good as the operational infrastructure backing it up.

Given the expired patent and the demand from customers whose shelters are in need of repair. What happens next for the technology remains heavily in question. Another storm shelter or safety manufacturer could step in to acquire the dormant Vortex Vaults patent and assets.

A third party security or construction contractor might capitalize on the market. By offering paid maintenance and retrofitting services for existing Vortex Vault customers. A new inventor could adapt the telescoping safe room concept improving on the mechanics and warranty framework. To reintroduce a similar space saving bed or kitchen island shelter to the market.