Many raw fish today contain mercury, parasites, and microplastics, which are highly dangerous for the human body. Private chef Zoya Biglary came up with the idea of creating plant-based seafood, like vegan tuna and salmon. She founded Finneato Fysh Foods, which offers healthy, plant-based seafood options made from organic fruits, vegetables, and sea algae.
Zoya and her partner, Alix Traeger, appeared on Shark Tank Season 16, seeking $150,000 for 10% equity at a $1.5 million valuation. They secured a deal with Daniel Lubetzky for $150,000 in exchange for 30% equity, valuing the company at $500,000. As an update, they have launched a saffron oil product, priced at $34.99.
| Company Name | Finneato Fysh Foods | |
| Founder | Zoya Biglary and Alix Traeger | |
| Founded | 2021 | |
| Product | Vegan Seafoods | |
| Asked For | $150K for 10% equity | |
| Final Deal | $150K for 30% equity | |
| Sharks | Daniel Lubetzky | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S16 E4 | |
| Air Date | Nov 8th, 2024 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, USA | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $100k *estimated | |
| Valuation | $1.5 Million | |
Who Is The Founder Of Fysh Foods?
Fysh Foods was founded in 2021 by Zoya Biglary, a professional chef, public speaker, and content creator.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University, Fullerton. After that, she worked for a few years as the Director of Business Development at LSTN Sound Co.
Her business partner, Alix Traeger, is a food content creator who previously made recipe videos for BuzzFeed Tasty.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Fysh Foods?
Zoya and Alix explained to the Sharks that their plant-based seafood tastes almost identical to tuna, salmon, and yellowtail fish. They highlighted that their products are rich in Omega-3, protein, iron, and fiber.
Alix revealed that they have a combined following of over 3 million in the food space. However, they are currently focused only on B2B sales because Zoya believes they don’t have enough funding to enter the retail market.
When Robert Herjavec asked about their sales numbers, Zoya shared that their wholesale sales last year were only $50,000, limited to Los Angeles. The cost of producing their plant-based seafood is $4 per pound, and they sell it wholesale for $10 to $13 per pound.
Kevin O’Leary criticized them for not leveraging their 3 million followers, saying, “Shame on you!” before opting out. Robert liked the product but felt the sales were too low, so he also backed out. Lori Greiner said it was too early for her to invest, and Mark Cuban believed scaling a B2B business would be challenging, so both declined to invest.
Their last hope was Daniel Lubetzky, who initially offered $150,000 for 40% equity. Zoya wasn’t willing to give up that much equity, so after some negotiation, they agreed on a deal for $150,000 in exchange for 30% equity.
Breakdown Sharks Offer
Note: Here’s a quick summary of the offers and counteroffers between the Sharks and Zoya Biglary and Alix Traeger:
| Sharks | Offers |
| Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
| Daniel Lubetzky | $150k for 40% equity $150k for 30% equity |
| Mark Cuban | No Offer |
| Robert Herjavec | No Offer |
| Lori Greiner | No Offer |
| Founder’s (Countered) | $150k for 20% equity |
| Final Deals | $150k for 30% equity |
Finneato Fysh Foods Shark Tank Update
After this episode aired, Fysh Foods’ official website received over 30,000 visitors. If even 10% of them converted into customers, the company would have generated thousands of dollars in revenue within a month.
Following Shark Tank, they launched a new product, saffron oil, priced at $34.99. In January 2024, Fysh Foods teamed up with Gimme Seaweed to launch the Ultimate Vegan Sushi Set at Whole Foods.
What Is Fysh Foods Net Worth?
The food industry is highly competitive, with many big players dominating the market. However, the plant-based seafood market is gradually growing. Experts estimate that by 2032, this industry could reach a value of $758.4 million.
Currently, Fysh Foods’ estimated net worth is around $700,000.
