Modern businesses prefer making profits, but they also focus on maintaining a sustainable environment on the planet Earth. Corporate social responsibility applies to most organizations to help them keep the planet clean. However, some entities go one step ahead and manufacture goods that save energy and follow environmental, social, and governance standards.
Shark Tank has seen numerous companies pitching unique products that utilize renewable energy, have minimal climatic impact, and are environmentally sustainable. A total of 584 companies appeared on Shark Tank, and around 62 companies had products and services that fulfilled the environmental, social, and governance criteria.
In this article, I will explain the most impressive ESG companies that appeared during each season of the show. The list only contains the ESG companies that successfully secured deals. However, there were many impressive products that never secured an investment in the show. This list includes the ESG companies that struck a deal, and any use of statistics might involve using estimates, so I do not guarantee 100% correctness.
Overall success rate of Eco-Friendly products on Shark Tank
There have been around 340 episodes so far. That means around 1360 companies have appeared on Shark Tank so far. Shark Tank has seen 584 lucky businesses that impressed the investors and convinced them to fund the cause. Around 62 companies had products and services that fulfilled the environmental, social, and governance criteria. That is around 3% of all successful companies. I know 3% isn’t a great ratio, but it’s a start. At least some entrepreneurs are working hard to make a positive impact.
What is the importance of ESG and eco-friendly products in today’s market?
It’s clear from the extreme heat breaking records nearly every day across the country and the world – as well as more ferocious hurricanes that are also more frequent and doing more damage, on top of historic floods and tornadoes also wiping out communities – that climate change is here. It’s not in the future. It’s here. And as a result, there is a huge need for innovations to help us maintain or improve our lifestyles while also reducing carbon emissions to limit global warming further – and that means there are huge opportunities for investors to make a lot of money backing these innovative technologies.
I have interviewed dozens of entrepreneurs and corporate and nonprofit leaders on Electric Ladies Podcast who are tackling this potentially lucrative challenge, a challenge that is also good for all of us on this planet. Doing well by doing good is a massive financial opportunity and many investors know this and are stepping up, including the many I have also interviewed and written about in Forbes.
So, ESG and eco-friendly products are important to help improve our lives while also saving the planet. Ingenuity at its finest, which is what entrepreneurs are all about.
Why 3%? Is it a case of prioritizing money over the environment for entrepreneurs? How can this ratio be improved?
There are a few reasons the percentage of eco-friendly companies pitching on Shark Tank is only 3% -- and yes, the percentage can and should be much higher to match the market opportunities for these companies to be successful. One reason is that these companies are not submitting to pitch on Shark Tank team – either they don’t think they have a chance on the show or they don’t see it as an option for their company. If the Shark Tank team wants to look for these companies, I can help. Another reason could be that the companies are submitting to be on the show, but the Shark Tank team is not understanding how valuable and innovative those companies technologies, products or services are.
Another reason is that the company leaders who are pitching are not doing a good job of getting their value across to the Shark Tank screeners. Especially with the opportunities for these companies in the Inflation Reduction Act and other legislation, there should be many more eco-conscious products and technologies pitching Shark Tank. I interviewed Andrea Shreshta, cofounder of solar light company Luminaid, on my show before their appearance on Shark Tank aired, where they secured funding from Mark Cuban (I did not know what happened at the time of the interview). They have been going gangbusters. It’s an example of the potential market.
What are your predictions for the future of ESG products?
Many, many eco-friendly products and services will make our lives better and reduce the impact of climate change, and will make our communities more resilient. How successful they are will depend on the quality of the products and services and the quality of their management teams and value propositions, as well as of their marketing. But with all the opportunities in the market and in government funding and incentives – a corporate market hungry for these solutions, a consumer market looking for eco-conscious solutions (especially Gen Z, Gen X and Millenials) and willing to pay for them, the prospects look great for these companies. But they will need funding through the gauntlet of valleys of death that startups have to pass through and evolve through – and that’s where the Investors on Shark Tank can come in and help and make some money.
62 Shark Tank Eco-Friendly Products & Innovations That Secured Deals on Shark Tank
Soy Yer Dough
Soy Yer Dough was the second-ever health-friendly product to appear on Shark Tank. The company was owned by a college student, Sawyer Spark. He explained that every one out of eight children suffered from wheat allergies. This health issue motivated him to find the first wheat-and-gluten-free play dough.
Kevin O’Leary instantly saw potential in the Soy Yer Dough, so he offered the founder $125,000 for 51% of the company. Kevin wanted control to successfully close a licensing deal with Play-Doh. However, Sawyer Spark seemed reluctant. Daymond John and Robert Herjavec joined Kevin O’Leary to offer Spark $300,000 for 51% of the company.
The deal never materialized as Sawyer Spark was reluctant to give up the control. He had high hopes that the company would sell millions of allergen-free dough. Soy Yer Dough kept operating until Sustainable Projects Group acquired 100% ownership of the Soy Yer Dough a decade after its appearance on the show.
CitiKitty
Rebecca Rescate introduced an interesting product that solved the litter problem faced by cat owners. CitiKitty was a cat toilet training system that enabled the pets to sit and poop on the normal toilet seat. Everyone on the panel appreciated this revolutionary product, and the investors found it innovative.
CitiKitty fulfilled the environmental, social, and governance criteria because it could help reduce litter wastage around the globe. Even a Shark like Barbara Corcoran, who is known for her prudent investment, tried hard to seal a deal. Rebecca eventually accepted Kevin Herrington’s offer, giving 20% of the company for $100,000.
CitiKitty became one of the best-selling products on Amazon. The company has sold more than half a million products within a decade of appearing on the show. Rebecca did appear on Shark Tank again with a different product in Season 4.
First Defense Nasal Screens
Joe Moore brought a unique solution for people facing nasal allergies on Shark Tank Seasons 2. Thousands of people head to doctors for relief from nasal allergies, while every one out of five health-related commercials addresses the same issue. The First Defense Nasal Screens were lightweight, non-insertive, hardly visible, and clinically proven covers to prevent pollutants, pollen, viruses, etc from entering the nasal cavity.
The screens were easy to apply because the user only needed to peel and stick it on the nose. However, the Sharks got really interested when Joe Moore disclosed that he had sold over 1.7 million units prior to competing in the market. He even brought his $8 million contract that he signed with a UAE-based company for recurring deliveries for six years. Check First Defense Nasal Screens Shark Tank Update.
Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban offered Joe Moore $500,000 for 20% of the company and 15% royalty in perpetuity. Robert Herjavec even offered to buy out the company for $2 million. Kevin offered the same for $4 million. However, after intense discussion, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary, and Mark Cuban closed the deal, offering $750,000 for 30% of the company and 10% perpetual royalty.
The deal did not materialize because of differences in Kevin and Mark’s vision. First Defense Nasal Screens now has a net worth of $19 million because it benefitted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The product is readily available on Amazon.
Remyxx Shoes
Remyxx Shoes got a deal on Shark Tank Season 3, but I will never call it a successful deal. Gary Gordon, the founder of Remyxx Shoes, developed 100% recyclable sneakers to help reduce the landfills. According to research, around 300 million pairs of sneakers were discarded in the USA when the product was pitched on the show.
The composition of the shoe’s material and verifications from laboratories were compelling. However, the Sharks were not impressed by the small demand made by Gordon. Everyone on the panel opted out except Daymond John. Daymond offered Remyxx Shoes $50,000 for 80% of the company.
Gary Gordon tried retaining 50% of the company but eventually agreed to the offer. Gordon succeeded in keeping his control of the company by refusing to sign a deal with Daymond. Remyxx Shoes rebranded to ReKixx Shoes, but the situation did not improve. Gary Gordon closed ReKixx in 2019.
VerbalizeIt
During Shark Tank Season 4, the ESG company participation increased, but none of them successfully secured a deal. VerbalizeIt was not an ideal healthcare company, but its founders, Ryan Frankel, and Kunal Sarda, faced health and safety issues abroad, which ultimately led to them founding the company.
The founding purpose of VerbalizeIt made it an ESG and healthcare company. It provided live translation services to travelers who found it difficult to communicate in foreign languages. The company had a contract with Skype, which got the Sharks interested in the deal.
Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec individually offered the owners $250,000 for 25% of the company. However, Frankel and Sarda accepted Kevin O’Leary’s offer and gave away 20% of the equity.
VerbalizeIt left the consumer space and diverted its attention to B2B translation services. The services now include web content translation, document translation, video translation, etc. VerbalizeIt was acquired by Smartling, a New York-based translation company, for an undisclosed amount.
Tree-T-Pee
Tree T-Pee, a water containment system developed by Johnny Georges for farmers, is still one of the most emotional pitches on the Shark Tank. The Shark Tank Season 5 witnessed a farmer working hard to make agriculture easier for his people.
The Tree T-Pee system successfully reduced the water consumption from 25,000 gallons per tree per year to 800 gallons per tree per year. This product helped the farmers plant 30% more trees and make more profits. The container could produce 3 inches of rain in 30 minutes to make irrigation more efficient.
Kevin O’Leary criticized Johnny Georges for charging only $5 per device. However, Johnny stood strong for his vision and argued that $12 per device was too high for farmers to afford. John Paul DeJoria could relate to Johnny’s vision, so he agreed to give $150,000 for 20% of the company.
After leaving Shark Tank, Tree T-Pee signed a distribution deal with Home Depot in 2014. Johnny Georges worked hard to demonstrate and educate farmers across the USA. The company is now worth over $100 million.
Bambooee
Bambooee was the second-best environment-friendly company on Shark Tank Season 5. Naom and Irene Kransniansky pitched their environment-friendly and reusable kitchen towel made of bamboo trees. Bambooee was a washable and reusable sheet that could be used to soak and wipe 100 times. Naom claimed that a sheet of Bambooee was better than 286 rolls of paper towels. Moreover, the company planted a tree for every Bambooee sold.
The co-founders also introduced floor scrubbing Bambooee that had scrub dots and did not leave any chemical residue behind. The sales were somewhat impressive, but it did not justify the valuation demanded. Lori Greiner had trust in Bambooee, as she called it a hero for the concept and the mission. She offered the entrepreneurs $200,000 for 10% of the company.
Bambooee became an instant success after its appearance on the show. The company made millions of sales as Lori Greiner helped them with QVC. The founders planted 135,000 trees, as per the update on episode 208 of Beyond the Tank. Bambooee is still operating, expanding its product line to Bambooee pillows and towel dispensers.
Saavy Naturals
Saavy Naturals appeared on Shark Tank Season 7 with its natural vegan soap and lotions that made beauty routine more environment-friendly. The couple Hugo and Debra Saavedra demonstrated their product on the show and amazed the Sharks when Debra ate the soap. Barbara soon followed suit and liked the taste. The couple claimed that they unexpectedly created the soap line by experimenting at home.
Barbara Corcoran liked the business idea and offered the couple $200,000 for 40% of the company. She even promised to bring future purchase orders and fund them. The deal did not materialize due to the difference between the founders and Barbara. However, the company experienced the Shark Tank effect, where the sales increased. Saavedras opened a shop in California, which closed down. The company diverted its focus to organic sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was eventually acquired in 2021.
SolSource
SolSource was the best business to pitch its ESG product on Shark Tank Season 9. Catlin Power introduced the solar-powered grill to help people cook using renewable sources. The inspiration came from her trip to the Himalayas where people used to burn wood and pollute houses. Check SolSource Shark Tank Update.
None of the Sharks were interested in the company, but Mark Cuban put his trust in Catlin. Mark Cuban wanted to know if SolSource could beat Elon Musk, to which Catlin agreed. He offered SolSource $500,000 for 4% of the company. The company went out of business in 2023 and the product is not available on the online stores.
LARQ Bottle
Justin Wang presented his product LARQ on Shark Tank Season 12 and demanded the highest valuation ever. The Sharks made fun of Justin and laughed at him, but LARQ impressed everyone on the panel. The LARQ bottle was an advanced version of the reusable water bottle, but it was mold and smell-free.
It has a patented design and technology that involves ultraviolet rays bouncing and reflecting several times to kill bacteria. LARQ had the mission to provide clean water to every person in the world, especially in African countries where people struggle to find clean water.
Justin Wang negotiated well as he struck a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner. He raised $1 million for 4% of the company. The company is still operating and has expanded its product line since its appearance on the show.
Cabinet Health
Around 190 billion single-use plastic bottles are used as pharmaceutical packaging. Achal Patel and Russell Gong founded Cabinet Health to make medical packaging more sustainable where they do not fill the oceans and landfills. According to the founders, only 3% to 7% of the packing bottles were recycled, while the rest were thrown away.
Cabinet Health was a sustainable healthcare company that made decomposable and reusable packaging systems to store medicines. The company had around 700,000 customers around the globe, which resonated with its mission. However, Sharks did not like the valuation at which the founders were demanding investment.
Kevin O’Leary and Tony Xu eventually agreed to invest $500,000 for 7% of the company plus a 2% royalty per unit until they recoup $1 million. Cabinet Health experienced the Shark Tank effect after the show where the sales increased. Kevin and Tony also posted videos on Instagram to promote the mission.
“I take several medications and supplements to cope with chronic illnesses. I do not think that disabled people like me should feel guilty about producing extra plastic and medical waste, but I personally have struggled with trying to cut down on my plastic use when I use so many pill bottles and foil medicine wrappers that I can’t recycle or easily reuse. It’s encouraging that health companies are trying to bridge the gap between environmental sustainability and medicine. I love the idea that the medicines that keep my body healthy can also help keep the environment healthy with more sustainable packaging options.”
Laura Lady appeared on Shark Tank Season 14 with her cooking oil solidifier brand, FryAway. The product was a plant-based powder that instantly solidified the used cooking oil. People all over the USA drain the oily waste down the sewers. The used cooking oil mixes up with the waste in sewers to create big fatbergs that cause sewer overflows and eventually contaminate the fresh water. Check Fryaway Shark Tank Update.
Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner saw potential in the business idea and could relate to the environmental aspect. Laura Lady closed the deal with the Sharks, accepting $250,000 for 22% of the company. Laura Lady’s vision for the company was one of the best ones as an ESG company appearing on the show.
The company has been operating since its appearance on the show. However, the internet and Shark Tank resources do not confirm the deal getting closed between the two parties. FryAway is available on Amazon and several other stores with solid customer ratings.
shark Tank Eco-Friendly products
Season 1:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Grease Monkey Wipes
Tim Stansbury and Erin Whalen
Consumer Products
Biodegradable grease removal wipes
Soy-Yer-Dough
Sawyer Sparks
Toys
Gluten-free modeling clay
Season 2:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Ecomowers
Andy Humphrey
Lawn Care
Eco-friendly lawn mowers
CitiKitty
Rebecca Rescate
Pet Products
Cat toilet training system
First Defense Nasal Screens
Joe Moore
Health and Wellness
Nasal screens
Season 3:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
The Sullivan Generator
Mark Sullivan
Energy
Generator using Earth’s rotation
Remyxx ReKixx
Gary Gagnon
Footwear
Recyclable sneakers
Season 4:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
The Green Garmento
Jennie Nigrosh
Eco-Friendly Products
Reusable dry cleaning bag
Tremont Electric
Aaron Lemieux
Energy Technology
Kinetic energy harvesting device
Eco Nuts
Mona Weiss and Scott Shields
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Organic laundry detergent
VerbalizeIt
Ryan Frankel, Kunal Sarda
Translation Services
Live translation services
Proof Eyewear
Brooks, Taylor, and Tanner Dame
Fashion Eyewear
Sustainable wood-framed eyewear
Season 5:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Tree-T-Pee
Johnny Georges
Agriculture
Water-saving device for trees
Rent A Goat
Mike Canaday, Matt Richmond
Landscaping Services
Eco-friendly goat landscaping
PowerPot
David Toledo, Caleb Light
A cooking pot that charges phones
A Cooking pot that charges phones
Bambooee
Noam and Irene Krasniansky
Sustainable Products
Reusable bamboo kitchen towels
Susty Party
Jessica Holsy, Emily Doubilet
Consumer Goods
Eco-friendly party supplies
Better Life
Kevin Tibbs, Tim Barklage
Cleaning Products
Plant-based cleaning products
Season 6:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Offer Details
LuminAID
Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta
Sustainable Energy
Solar-Powered Inflatable Light
$200,000 for 15% equity
EmazingLights
Brian Lim
Wearable Technology
LED Gloves
$650,000 for 5% equity + 20% licensing
Eco Nuts
Scott Shields and Mona Weiss
Eco-friendly Cleaning
Organic Laundry Detergent
$175,000 for 50% equity
HyConn
Jeff Stroope
Sustainable Products
Quick-Connect Hose Adapter
$500,000 for 100% equity
Clean Bottle
Dave Mayer
Sustainable Products
Reusable Water Bottles
$60,000 for 8% equity
Fresh Patch
Andrew Feld
Eco-friendly Pet Products
Real Grass Patch for Dogs
$150,000 for 20% equity
Kisstixx
Dallas Robinson and Mike Buonomo
Eco-friendly Products
Lip Balm
$200,000 for 40% equity
Lumio
Max Gunawan
Sustainable Lighting
Foldable Lamp
$350,000 for 10% equity
Season 7:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Windcatcher
Ryan Frayne
Outdoor Products
Effortless inflation air pads
Saavy Naturals
Hugo and Debra Saavedra
Beauty
Natural, vegan soaps and lotions
Brightwheel
Dave Vasen
Educational Technology
Platform tool for early education
BetterBack
Katherine Krug
Health and Wellness
Posture correction device
Season 8:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Lumio
Max Gunawan
Renewable Energy/Technology
Solar-powered lamp
Nerdwax
Don Hejny and Lydia Hejny
Sustainability/Personal Care
Wax to keep glasses from slipping
Aira
Jake Slatnick and Eric Goodchild
Renewable Energy/Technology
Wireless charging surface
Pipsnacks
Jen Martin and Jeff Martin
Sustainability/Food
Organic popcorn
EcoFlower
Meagan Bowman
Sustainability/Home Decor
Sustainable wood flower arrangements
Season 9:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Solsource
Catlin Powers
Sustainable Energy
Solar-powered grill
Sierra Madre Research
Richard and Juli Rhett
Outdoor Gear
Elevated Camping Hammocks
Third Wave Water
Charles Nick and Taylor Minor
Food & Beverage
Water Enhancement for Coffee
Season 10:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Hydroviv
Eric Roy
Water Quality
Water Filters
Wild Earth
Ryan Bethencourt
Pet Food
Vegan Dog Food
CurlMix
Kim & Tim Lewis
Beauty
Hair Care Products
Season 11:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Grouphug
Krystal Persaud
Sustainable Energy
Window-hanging solar panels
Blueland
Sarah Paiji Yoo and Syed Naqvi
Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
Refillable cleaning products
Rescue Ready
Eric Hartsfield and Brett Russell
Safety Equipment
Fire safety ladder integrated in windows
Eterneva
Adelle Archer and Garrett Ozar
Memorial Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds from ashes
Salted
Jeff Applebaum
Food Service
Delivery-first restaurant brands
SlumberPod
Lou Childs and Katy Mallory
Baby Products
Blackout sleep tents for babies
Season 12:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
MountainFlow Eco-Wax
Peter Arlein
Skiing Products
Eco-friendly ski wax
Tandem Boogie
The Clark Family
Sports/Outdoor
Tandem boogie board
LARQ
Justin Wang
Consumer Products
Self-cleaning water bottle
SparkCharge
Joshua Aviv and Christopher Ellis
Automotive
Portable battery for electric vehicles
Season 13:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Long Wharf Supply Co.
Mike and Lauren Lamagna
Eco-Friendly Apparel
Recycled oyster shell sweaters
Fish Fixe
Emily Castro, Melissa Harrington
Food Delivery
Seafood delivery service
Sheets Laundry Club
Chris Videau, Chris Campbell
Eco-Friendly Household Products
Dissolvable laundry detergent sheets
Pulp Pantry
Kaitlin Mogentale
Food & Sustainability
Snacks made from juice pulp
Season 14:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Cabinet Health
Achal Patel, Russell Gong
Health & Wellness
Sustainable Med Packaging
Tones of Melanin
Ashley Jones
Fashion
Collegiate fashion
FryAway
Laura Lady
Kitchen Products
Cooking Oil Solidifier
Nature’s Wild Berry
Hank Watt, Juliano Bonanni
Food
Berries that make things sweet
Kahawa 1893
Margaret Nyamumbo
Coffee
Kenyan coffee
Big Bee, Little Bee
Amy Leinbach, Marlo Leinbach
Kids’ Products
Marker Holder
Season 15:
Company Name
Entrepreneur Names
Industry/Market Niche
Product Type
Arber Plant Care
Vanessa Dawson
Home & Garden
Natural Plant Care Products
Conclusion
The products that I have mentioned above were successful on Shark Tank. The on-and-after show success is evidence that sustainable and eco-friendly products are trusted and preferred by consumers. Being a successful business is much more than just earning profits. It involves ensuring better environmental, social, and governance to keep the planet and its residents safe.
The companies I selected are not the only ones that benefited from Shark Tank. These companies had a prominent environmental impact on the plant and secured a deal on the Shark Tank. Almost all of these companies are unique from other vendors and manufacturers. However, the bottom line is that there is no business if we have no healthy planet to live.
Hi. I’m Daniyal Durrani. A CA-finalist, CPA-UK, and Master in Economics, with a decade-long business studies experience. I work as an Audit and Business Advisory Manager in a globally recognized accounting firm. I have been watching Shark Tank for a long time and have always admired the innovative business ideas. The revolutionary solutions to unaddressed day-to-day problems presented on the show used to impress me like no other thing on TV. Read more About me.
