Entrepreneur Carlo DiMeo started a company called Wildcoat in 2020, which sells animal-themed winter coats. He got the idea for this business during a ski trip when he wore a bear coat but realized it wasn’t warm enough. This led him to create a better version of animal-themed winter coats that are both fun and warm.
After launching, the company introduced coats inspired by grizzly bears, polar bears, wolves, and more, featuring adjustable hoods, waterproof material, and oversized pockets.
For investment, Carlo appeared on Shark Tank Season 16, seeking $350,000 for 10% equity at a $3.5 million valuation. He secured a deal with Robert Herjavec for $350,000 in exchange for 23% equity.
As an update, Wildcoat has launched its V5 coat line with more designs and features, priced at an average of $449.
| Company Name | Wildcoat | |
| Founder | Carlo DiMeo | |
| Founded | 2020 | |
| Product | Animal-themed winter coats | |
| Asked For | $350k for 10% equity | |
| Final Deal | $350k for 23% equity | |
| Sharks | Robert Herjavec | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S16 E7 | |
| Air Date | Dec 13th, 2024 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado, USA | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $3.3 Million *estimated | |
| Valuation | $3.5 Million | |
| Website | Wildcoat.com | |
Who Is The Founder Of Wildcoat?
After completing his Bachelor of Science from The College of New Jersey, Carlo worked as an operations manager at CrossFit 1Force. He then spent a few years on the sales team at Wodify.
In 2017, he founded a supplements company called Life Pure Recovery, but he closed it in 2020 to start Wildcoat.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Wildcoat?
Carlo entered Shark Tank with his friends and team, explaining to the sharks that his animal-themed winter coats are made from faux fur, meaning they use fake and artificial fur. Each coat sells for $449, with a landed cost of $120 to $130.
All sales happen through direct-to-consumer (D2C) online channels, and Carlo uses paid marketing on social media. Since last year, he has also started focusing on in-person events. In 2022, his customer acquisition cost was $120.
Kevin O’Leary was interested in the sales numbers, and Carlo shared the following: in 2021, sales were $135,000; in 2022, sales reached $375,000; in 2023, sales were $505,000; and in 2024, he expects to generate $700,000 in sales.
Currently, he has 1,200 coats in stock, worth around $500,000 at retail value, but they cost him $150,000 to produce.
In terms of profit, he was breakeven in 2023. He has invested a total of $285,000 into the business—$25,000 from his own funds and $260,000 from his business partner. Carlo holds 65% ownership, while his business partner owns 35%.
Kevin O’Leary felt the business was not yet profitable and had a high valuation, so he opted out. Lori Greiner also decided not to invest. Mark Cuban did not see it as an investable business, so he too declined.
Daymond John made an offer of $350,000 for 30% equity, while Robert Herjavec offered $350,000 for 25% equity. Carlo did not want to give up too much control, so he countered with $350,000 for 23% equity. Both Daymond and Robert were interested, but Robert successfully convinced Carlo to close the deal with him.
Breakdown Sharks Offer
Note: Here’s a quick summary of the offers and counteroffers between the Sharks and Carlo DiMeo:
| Sharks | Offers |
| Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
| Daymond John | $350k for 30% equity |
| Mark Cuban | No Offer |
| Lori Greiner | No Offer |
| Robert Herjavec | $350k for 25% equity |
| Founder’s (Countered) | $350k for 23% equity |
| Final Deals | $350k for 23% equity (Robert) |
Wildcoat Shark Tank Update
After the episode aired in January 2025, Wildcoat’s official website received over 55,000 visitors. If even 10% of them purchased a coat at an average price of $449, the company could have easily generated around $2.2 million in sales that month.
In 2024, the company achieved over $2 million in estimated annual sales. Now, they are planning to launch the v5 model of their winter coat and have already started taking pre-orders at a price of $449. All pre-ordered coats are expected to be shipped to customers by September 2025.
The new design model includes several improvements, such as a hood/helmet magnetic connection, an inner pull-string waist cinch cord, a mitten thumb loop, and a mitten cinch cord.
What Is Wildcoat Net Worth?
This is a niche segment within the winter wear market. In 2024, the global winter wear market reached $343.87 billion. As for Wildcoat, the company raised funds on Shark Tank at a $1.52 million valuation. With an annual growth rate of 5%, its estimated net worth is now around $1.6 million.
