Geoffrey Woo and Michael Brandt entered the spotlight during season 8 of Shark Tank, aiming for a $2,000,000 investment in their innovative chewable coffee product, Nootrobox, while offering 5% equity in return. Their ambitious pitch came with a staggering $40 million valuation, setting a record as the highest ever presented on the show.
Despite their enthusiasm, they left the Tank without a deal since they devoted too much time to discussing the concept of biohacking and metabolic enhancement rather than showcasing their business’s commercial viability to the sharks.
Undeterred by their initial setback, they restructured their business strategy post-show. In 2017, they rebranded Nootrobox as Health Via Modern Nutrition (HVMN), broadening their focus beyond nootropic supplements to include ketones. That same year, they introduced their flagship offering, Ketone Ester, which underwent enhancements in 2019, evolving into Ketone-IQ. In 2020, they received funding from the US Special Operations Command to research ketones.
The evolution of Nootrobox, supported by high-profile partnerships, allowed the company to scale into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, reportedly amassing approximately $4 million in yearly revenue.
Nootrobox’s Historic Investment Appeal on Shark Tank
Geoffrey and Michael stepped into the Shark Tank with hopes of securing a $2 million investment for their nootropic supplement venture, Nootrobox, in exchange for a 5% stake in the company. Armed with confidence in their product, they set out to convince the sharks of their business’s potential while seeking to leverage their expertise to broaden their product line and improve distribution.
Their offerings included various supplements, all claiming to enhance cognitive function. This range featured Go Cubes – chewable coffee cubes designed for a quick energy boost, and Sprint, aimed at sharpening focus and concentration, alongside Rise, which promised to enhance long-term memory and cognitive performance.
Nootrobox also introduced a Keto Series, featuring MCT Oil Powder and Ketone Mix for those following a ketogenic diet, as well as a sleep aid called Yawn to facilitate better rest. The products were scientifically crafted with researched ingredients aimed at boosting cognitive performance.
Despite being captivated by the entrepreneurs’ visionary approach, the sharks were left skeptical due to Nootrobox’s ambitious $40 million valuation. This led to doubts regarding the company’s true market potential, and ultimately, none of the sharks opted to invest.
Chris Sacca withdrew, expressing concerns about potential long-term health repercussions. Lori Greiner advised them to find a stronger sales pitch and subsequently stepped away. Robert Herjavec echoed this sentiment, deeming their presentation unclear, while Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban were not convinced by their valuation and chose not to invest.
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Michael and Geoffrey experienced a surge in order volume, receiving up to six times their normal request level. In response, they opted to revitalize their business approach to establish themselves as a formidable player in the health and performance sector.
In 2017, they transitioned from Nootrobox to Health Via Modern Nutrition (HVMN), shifting their attention away from nootropics. That year, they unveiled their key product, HVMN Ester, and by 2019, they had phased out earlier offerings like Go Cubes to zero in on the ketone market.
Ketone Ester transitioned into the flagship product, with an upgraded variant later introduced as Ketone-IQ.
In March 2019, Ketone-IQ was reformulated into an energy shot targeting enhanced focus and athletic performance. That same year, HVMN launched a podcast delving into health, nutrition, and dietary trends, with Geoffrey and Michael conducting interviews with athletes and experts.
The following February, HVMN secured a $6 million contract from the US Special Operations Command to investigate the effects of ketones on soldiers and pilots, a collaboration that continued until September 2023, ultimately enhancing Ketone-IQ’s effectiveness and affordability.
Prominent figures like snowboarder Senna Leith, marathon runner Matthew Johnson, and YouTube star Jake Paul have all worked with Nootrobox to demonstrate their products.
HVMN’s expansion trajectory has remained strong, reportedly attracting over $8.2 million in funding, transforming the Shark Tank hopeful into a leading name in the health and performance industry, now generating an impressive $4 million annually.
Catch the premiere of Shark Tank season 16 on October 18 at 8 PM ET exclusively on ABC.
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