Statistics: Todd Graves Invested $700k on Shark Tank

Todd Graves entered Shark Tank Season 16 with years of business experience behind him. He was already popular for building Raising Cane’s before sitting in the guest Shark chair. Therefore, Todd did not come on the show only with money because he had spent years building restaurants, brands and investments.

However, Todd did not remain on Shark Tank long enough to build a big portfolio. Todd made four accepted deals from his two Season 16 appearances, investing in RigStrips, Topsail Steamer, Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs. His attributed investment from the four companies came to $700,000.

The $700,000 figure has another problem that should not be ignored. It represents the money accepted by entrepreneurs inside the Tank, but Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs have much stronger closing evidence than RigStrips and Topsail Steamer. Therefore, Todd’s accepted Shark Tank investment and his confirmed actual investment should not be considered the same number.

How Much Did Todd Graves Invest on Shark Tank?

Todd Graves invested an attributed $700,000 in four Shark Tank companies. RigStrips, Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs were investments without another Shark, while Topsail Steamer became his only partnership. All four investments happened during Season 16.

The calculation does not have much complication either. RigStrips contributes the complete $300,000, Pepper Pong another $150,000 and Kaans Designs $75,000 because Todd invested alone, while Topsail Steamer is divided equally with Lori Greiner. No different cash contribution was disclosed, so $175,000 goes to Todd and the remaining $175,000 to Lori.

This gives Todd three solo deals and another investment with a Shark. The four agreements also represent his complete portfolio because he did not return after Season 16 to add more companies. So basically, one season carries everything when we discuss Todd Graves as a Shark Tank investor.

However, calling the complete $700,000 actual money invested would be too early. Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs have strong public evidence of closing, while Topsail Steamer was still going through due diligence and RigStrips does not have the same direct confirmation. We know what Todd agreed to invest inside the Tank, but the post-show process spoils the fun when calculating the actual amount.

Todd Graves’ Season 16 Investments

Todd Graves started his Shark Tank investment record during Season 16. RigStrips and Topsail Steamer were two companies that got his money during the first appearance, and Todd committed an attributed $475,000 between them. One was a solo agreement, while the other involved Lori.

He returned later during Season 16. This time Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs added another $225,000 to his record. His complete Shark Tank portfolio was finished after only two appearances.

However, Todd did not waste his limited time. Two appearances resulted in four accepted investments, meaning he found two businesses to invest in every time he entered the Tank. For a guest Shark with such a small sample, he was not shy about writing checks.

Todd Graves Invested $300,000 in RigStrips

Zhach Pham and Steven Graf entered Shark Tank with RigStrips, a simple solution to an annoying vehicle problem. Skis, snowboards, fishing rods and other outdoor equipment can scratch vehicles while people are carrying them around. RigStrips basically gave the equipment its own protection.

Zhach and Steven entered Shark Tank asking for $300,000 for 7.5% equity. The demand placed a $4 million valuation on RigStrips. Todd liked the company but did not like the valuation.

Still, Todd did not accept the founders’ valuation. He offered the same $300,000 for 20% equity, which was more than twice the ownership Zhach and Steven originally wanted to surrender. The founders tried bringing him down, and Graves eventually moved to 15%.

Zhach and Steven accepted. RigStrips entered the Tank with a $4 million valuation, while Todd’s agreement reduced it to approximately $2 million. Graves basically doubled his ownership without putting another dollar into the business.

Unfortunately, I would not classify the $300,000 as confirmed Todd Graves funding yet. RigStrips continued operating after the episode, while stronger public evidence confirming the original investment has not surfaced. A successful television negotiation is not enough to show that every dollar reached the company after due diligence.

Todd Graves Invested $175,000 in Topsail Steamer

Danielle Mahon entered Shark Tank with Topsail Steamer, a seafood steam-pot business built around ready-to-cook meals. It was another food company built around a problem people already understood. Danielle demanded $350,000 for 8% equity.

The product also gave Todd an obvious place to help. He had spent years around restaurants, branding and food operations, while Lori understood physical products and retail much better than him. Suddenly, the weaknesses of one Shark could be covered by the strengths of the other.

Todd and Lori eventually offered $350,000 for 18% equity. Danielle accepted, giving Todd an attributed commitment of $175,000 under an equal split. Topsail Steamer became his only group investment on Shark Tank.

However, the final deal status remains unclear. Danielle stated after the episode that the investment was still going through due diligence and Topsail Steamer had not confirmed that everything was finalized. Therefore, the $175,000 remains part of Todd’s accepted Shark Tank commitment rather than confirmed actual investment.

Todd Graves Invested $150,000 in Pepper Pong

Tom Filippini entered Shark Tank with Pepper Pong, a portable variation of ping pong that could be played on almost any flat surface. The product did not require a normal ping-pong table to play. Tom demanded $150,000 for 10% equity.

Todd also seemed attracted to entrepreneurs with grit. His own career was not a straight road to success because people rejected his Raising Cane’s idea before he finally built the company. Therefore, an entrepreneur willing to learn and build could easily catch his attention.

Tom Filippini checked this box. His story and the community surrounding Pepper Pong got Todd interested in the company. The product was simple, but Tom gave Todd another reason to believe in the business.

Todd eventually agreed to invest $150,000 for 19% equity. There was no other Shark in the agreement, so the complete amount belongs to Todd’s Shark Tank investment record. Pepper Pong became his third accepted investment during Season 16.

There is strong public evidence suggesting that Todd Graves continued his relationship with Pepper Pong after the episode. Tom said Graves sent a straightforward term sheet that respected the handshake agreement, while Forbes reported that the investment was finalized in September 2024. The Shark Tank agreement did not simply disappear after filming.

In the case of Pepper Pong, the evidence looks much better than businesses where founders later confirmed negotiations collapsed. Todd remained connected with the company publicly, while Tom started working with members of Todd’s investment and Raising Cane’s marketing teams. Considering this, the safest conclusion is that the investment has strong public support as a completed deal.

The exact financial return is another story. Pepper Pong is privately owned, and Todd has never publicly disclosed exactly how much money he made from the investment. Therefore, putting an exact profit number on his $150,000 commitment would be nothing more than guesswork.

Todd Graves Invested $75,000 in Kaans Designs

Ashley and Kenny Green entered Shark Tank with Kaans Designs, a family lifestyle brand focused on matching clothing and encouraging parents to appear in photographs with their children. The couple wanted additional capital to continue growing the business. They demanded $75,000 for 15% equity.

Todd eventually agreed to provide $75,000 as a loan for 10% equity. Ashley and Kenny accepted, giving Todd the complete $75,000 commitment. Kaans Designs became his fourth and final Shark Tank investment.

There is strong public evidence suggesting that Todd Graves continued his relationship with Kaans Designs after the episode. Forbes reported that Graves completed the agreement in late August 2024, while Raising Cane’s later prepared a collaboration with the company. The Shark Tank agreement did not simply disappear after filming.

In the case of Kaans Designs, the evidence looks much better than businesses where founders later confirmed negotiations collapsed. Todd completed the agreement after filming, while Raising Cane’s later prepared a collaboration with the company. Considering this, the safest conclusion is that the investment has strong public support as a completed deal.

Kaans Designs also became Todd Graves’ smallest Shark Tank commitment. RigStrips contributed $300,000, Topsail Steamer added an attributed $175,000 and Pepper Pong another $150,000. Kaans Designs sat at the bottom with $75,000.

Todd Graves’ On-Air Investments Vs Actual Investments

Todd Graves’ $700,000 Shark Tank investment figure tells only one side of the story. The amount represents the accepted offers attributed to Todd across four deals. It does not mean that $700,000 definitely left Todd’s bank account after filming.

RigStrips contributes $300,000 to his television total, but the final investment does not have strong closing confirmation. Topsail Steamer adds another attributed $175,000 accepted commitment that was still going through due diligence after filming. Todd was ready to invest the money, but the post-show process keeps both agreements uncertain.

Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs followed another path. Todd completed the Kaans Designs agreement in August 2024 and finalized Pepper Pong during September. Two agreements continued instead of simply disappearing.

Therefore, Todd’s Shark Tank number should remain exactly where it started: $700,000 in accepted on-air commitments. At least $225,000 has strong public support as completed financing, while the exact amount ultimately transferred across all four businesses cannot be confirmed from public records. Accepted investment and actual investment are two different things.

Did Todd Graves Make Money From Shark Tank?

The exact financial return is another story. The final private ownership documents are not available, and Todd has never publicly disclosed exactly how much money he made from Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs. Therefore, putting an exact profit number on the two companies would be nothing more than guesswork.

Simply seeing a company remain in business does not give us Todd’s profit. We can calculate the money entrepreneurs accepted from him inside the Tank. The money that eventually came back to Todd is not public.

Conclusion

Todd Graves committed $700,000 across four accepted Shark Tank deals during Season 16. RigStrips contributed $300,000, Topsail Steamer added an attributed $175,000, Pepper Pong another $150,000 and Kaans Designs $75,000. Two appearances were enough to build the complete portfolio.

Three investments were solo deals. Topsail Steamer brought Lori Greiner into the agreement, giving Todd a partner with different experience. Many of the businesses were also close enough to consumer products, branding and marketing for the investments to make sense.

However, the $700,000 remains safest as an accepted on-air commitment rather than guaranteed completed funding. Pepper Pong and Kaans Designs were completed after filming, while RigStrips and Topsail Steamer remain uncertain. The exact amount of money Todd eventually made from Shark Tank remains private.