Air mattresses and other flexible devices are famously hard to fill. Most people, especially those who enjoy camping or outdoor activities, find it annoying to waste time and energy blowing air into these devices. Many people can identify with this discomfort. Besides being time-consuming, the process is exhausting.
Ryan Frayne identified this issue and came up with a fix that has the potential to completely change how people inflate their air pads. Ryan created Windcatcher, a minimal-effort quick-inflation technique. With a few breaths, a pad can instantly inflate because of Windcatcher’s innovative design, which eliminates the need for a conventional valve.
When Ryan presented the idea to the Sharks on Shark Tank, they were all captivated by how amazing it was. He asked for $200,000 for 8% equity in his company to expand his product line and gain a strategic partner. Did the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our Windcatcher update to find out!
Windcatcher Net Worth 2024
Ryan Frayne asked for a $200,000 investment in exchange for 8% equity in his company. This meant he valued his company at $2.5 million. He made a deal with Lori Greiner for $200,000 in exchange for 5% equity. This new deal valued his company at $4 million. Unfortunately, Windcatcher faced legal challenges and ultimately shut down after Ryan’s passing. As of 2024, the company is no longer operational, and the current net worth of Windcatcher is $0.
Windcatcher Shark Tank Update
As for a Windcatcher update, unfortunately, Windcatcher encountered a difficult journey after its Shark Tank debut. Ryan and Lori Greiner came to an agreement, but it never materialized. Because of other comparable items that were already on the market, the company faced legal issues. The previously mentioned circumstance slowed Windcatcher’s expansion, resulting in limiting Ryan’s ambitions.
Sadly, Ryan lost his life with pancreatic cancer in 2018. The company had to close because of his death and the legal problems. Windcatcher’s website is down and it is no longer in operation as of today. Despite Windcatcher’s potential, the challenges it experienced after the event were too big for it to overcome.
Yes, Ryan Frayne got a deal on Shark Tank with Lori Greiner. Ryan first requested $200,000 in exchange for 8% of his company’s shares. After intense competition among the Sharks, Lori made an offer of $200,000 in exchange for 5% shares and the money Ryan needed to complete purchase orders. Ryan agreed to this offer.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Lori Greiner | 1# $200,000 for 15% equity 2# $200,000 for 5% equity | N/A | Yes |
| Criss Sacca and Lori | 1# $200,000 for 20% equity 2# $200,000 for 15% equity | N/A | No |
| Kevin O’Leary | 1# $200k for a royalty of 6% until $800k is paid plus 3% equity 2# $200k for a royalty of 6% until $800k is paid + 2% equity 3# $200k for a royalty of 6% until $800k is paid + 1% equity | N/A | No |
| Robert Herjavec | 1# $200,000 for 10% equity 2# $200,000 for 10% equity + funding for purchase orders 3# $200,000 for 6.5% equity + funding for purchase orders | N/A | No |
| Mark Cuban | $200,000 for 8% equity + funding for purchase orders | N/A | No |
Windcatcher Shark Tank Pitch
Ryan Frayne was frustrated by the difficulty of inflating air mattresses and pads, which served as the inspiration for his novel Windcatcher. He set out to address the inconvenience that many others had encountered when using conventional valves.
He was inspired to develop a device that may enhance the experience of inflating air items by his love of outdoor exploration and his efficiency. Ryan did, however, have difficulties in the beginning, mostly with refining the technique and making sure a patent covered it.
Ryan made a strong but straightforward pitch on Shark Tank. He started out by showing how difficult and time-consuming it is to blow up a standard air pad. He then showed the mechanism of the Windcatcher, which inflated quickly and with little effort. The valve design, which collected all the air blasted into it and significantly sped up the inflation process, captivated the Sharks.
Ryan requested $200,000 in exchange for an 8% stake in his business. He also stated that he planned to grant licenses for the technology to other businesses. Keep reading our Windcatcher update to see what happens next!
Robert Herjavec was interested in learning about profitability and business statistics. When he inquired about manufacturing costs, Ryan avoided specific numbers, which worried the Sharks. He refused to reveal the exact cost but revealed a 60% profit margin.
In response to Kevin’s question regarding Ryan’s plans for growth, Ryan stated he planned to license the technology.
Shark asked about the price of the product. Ryan replied he sold the air pad for $99.95.
Lori Greiner asked about assisting Ryan in creating further inflatable products. She questioned whether Ryan had plans for a larger product line, and he confirmed his interest in expanding beyond just air pads.
Lori further inquired about the patent. Ryan said yes, he has a patent.
Robert Herjavec questioned how long he had been in the market and what the sales were. Ryan replied he started the business in 2013 and did $165,000 in sales.
Mark Cuban inquired about Ryan’s financial strategies and future for the business. Ryan said he needed some financing in order to complete big purchasing orders
The initial offer came from Kevin O’Leary. He offered Ryan $200k for a royalty of 6% until $800k is paid plus 3% equity, but Ryan didn’t like it because it was a loan arrangement with royalties. In the end, Kevin quit.
The most interested shark was Lori Greiner, who made an initial offer of $200,000 for 15% stock and eventually reduced it to 5%. She will help Ryan create more items since she recognizes the potential in his technology.
The partnership between Chris Sacca and Lori didn’t work out because Chris Sacca demanded greater ownership than Ryan was ready to provide.
Mark Cuban loved technology. In the end, he made an offer, but it could not match Lori’s last one.
In the end, Lori Greiner offered $200,000 for 5% equity and the line of credit Ryan asked, which he accepted.
Product Availability
From our Windcatcher update research, the main offer from Windcatcher was its quick-inflating air pad, which was created with a special valve mechanism that made it possible for it to inflate more quickly than any other air pad available. The pad was perfect for outdoor enthusiasts because it was portable and lightweight. Regretfully, the product is no longer available because of the company’s closure. As of today, the Windcatcher pads are not being sold by any allowed shops, and the website has been taken down.
Conclusion
The experience of Windcatcher on Shark Tank was intense, filled with excitement, a bidding war, and finally difficulties. Both the Sharks and the audience were thrilled with Ryan Frayne’s creative idea, but the business could not get past the personal and legal challenges it encountered after the presentation.
Even though Ryan’s death marked a devastating conclusion to the Windcatcher narrative, people who followed his journey were profoundly impacted by his inventive spirit and problem-solving approach. Although Windcatcher is no longer in operation as of today, Ryan’s inventiveness is still clear in the product’s concept.
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.
