Most people face problems when it comes to personal transportation. Moving around in crowded cities or even open spaces can be tiring and time-consuming. Walking takes too much effort, bikes can be inconvenient, and cars are too big for some places. Many dream of an easier way to move from one place to another. Something small, efficient, and fun.
Daniel Wood and David Martschinske had a solution for this. They created the SBU, a self-balancing unicycle. It is easy to use, compact, and made for personal transportation. The idea was to make moving around smooth and effortless.
They introduced the SBU on Shark Tank Season 4. The goal was to get help to grow their business and make the product widely available. The entrepreneurs wanted $300,000 for 10% of their company. Did the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our SBU update to find out!
SBU Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Daniel Wood went on Shark Tank asking for $300,000 for 10% of his company. This meant he thought his business was worth $3,000,000. He did not make a deal with any Shark. The episode was aired on October 12, 2012. The self-balancing unicycle company remains active on a small scale. Using the default 10% yearly growth method, the current net worth of SBU Unicycle is estimated to be around $1 million in 2025.
The company went through several changes after Shark Tank. Daniel and David initially accepted a deal with the Sharks. But they later decided to walk away from it before it could be finalized. Even without the deal, the appearance on the show helped them a lot.
After the show, the SBU gained attention and sales grew. They improved the product and released two newer versions. The Unicycle even appeared on popular shows like MythBusters and Tosh.0. These shows gave the product even more visibility.
For a time, the SBU was sold on Amazon and its official website. But the company faced challenges. By 2015, the product was discontinued. Today, the SBU is no longer available for purchase. This is the last update for the SBU.
Daniel and David did get a deal on Shark Tank. They asked for $300,000 in exchange for 10% equity in their company. After some back and forth, Robert Herjavec and Kevin O’Leary teamed up. They offered $300,000 for 33% equity. The founders accepted the deal on the show.
| Shark(s) name | Lori Greiner | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Lori Griener | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec and Kevin | $300,000 for 33% equity | N/A | Yes |
| Kevin O’Leary | Partnered with Robert | N/A | N/A |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
SBU Shark Tank pitch
Daniel Wood and David Martschinske were the brains behind the SBU. They wanted to create a unique way for people to move around. Their idea was to make something fun and easy to use. They worked on a self-balancing unicycle using advanced technology.
The journey wasn’t easy. They faced many challenges in the beginning. Building the product was tough. They had to spend a lot of time and effort to perfect the technology. They also struggled with production. Manufacturing the SBU in large numbers was not easy. On top of that, selling the product online came with its own set of challenges.
Despite these hurdles, Daniel and David believed in their product. They wanted to make the SBU available to everyone. That’s why they came to Shark Tank looking for support and funding.
When Daniel and David entered the Shark Tank, they made a grand entrance. They rode in on their self-balancing unicycles. The Sharks were curious and excited to try it out.
The SBU is a personal transportation device. It is a one-wheeled, self-balancing unicycle. It uses advanced technology to keep the rider stable. It is compact, easy to carry, and perfect for short distances.
Daniel and David shared that the SBU costs $350 to make and sells for $1,800. They said they had not sold many units yet. This was because they only sold the product online. They had a plan to expand production and sales but needed the Sharks’ help.
The entrepreneurs asked for $300,000 in exchange for 10% equity in their company. Keep reading our SBU update to see what happens next!
The Sharks had many questions about the SBU. Here is what they asked:
Robert Herjavec: He wanted to try the product himself. After riding it, he asked about the target market. The founders explained it was for people who wanted personal transportation for short distances.
Kevin O’Leary: He asked about the sales and how they planned to grow. Daniel and David explained they had not sold many units but were confident sales would pick up with the right support.
Daymond John: He asked about competition. He brought up the Segway and said it was banned on sidewalks. He wanted to know if the same could happen to the SBU.
Mark Cuban: He asked about manufacturing. He was concerned about the quality of production. He mentioned that one defect could ruin the product’s reputation.
Lori Greiner: She asked about passion. She wanted to know why the founders believed in their product. They explained it was because of the innovative technology and potential market demand.
The Sharks had mixed reactions to the SBU.
Lori Greiner: She was the first to go out. She said the product was not something she felt passionate about.
Daymond John: He also went out early. He was worried about competition and the possibility of the product being banned, like the Segway.
Mark Cuban: Mark was concerned about manufacturing quality. He didn’t trust overseas production and decided not to invest.
Robert Herjavec: He liked the product and saw potential in the technology. He offered $300,000 for 33% equity.
Kevin O’Leary: Kevin was interested in the potential for licensing. He asked to join Robert’s offer, and they teamed up. Together, they made the same offer of $300,000 for 33% equity.
After some negotiation, the founders accepted the deal with Robert and Kevin.
Product Availability
From our SBU update research, the product was available on Amazon and the company’s website for some time. The SBU was priced at $1,800. It was marketed as a fun, personal transportation device.
The SBU was compact and easy to carry. It used advanced self-balancing technology. This made it easy for anyone to use. The product was designed for short-distance travel. However, as of 2015, the SBU was discontinued. It is no longer available for purchase.
Conclusion
The SBU had an exciting journey on Shark Tank. The unique self-balancing unicycle gained attention and sales after the show. Even though the deal with the Sharks did not go through, the exposure helped the company grow temporarily.
The product was innovative and fun, but challenges in scaling and production made it hard to succeed. By 2015, the SBU was discontinued. This is the final update for the SBU. While the company is no longer in business, the product’s story is still an example of innovation and determination.
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.
