Pete and Bianca Badawy, the founders of GarmaGuard, appeared on Shark Tank Season 12, Episode 1. Bianca asked for $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity in their company.
As environmental changes increase the risk of various diseases, many people are becoming susceptible to new illnesses, some of which are transmitted through clothing. To combat this, Pete, an Army veteran and police officer, invented GarmaGuard, a spray designed to kill germs and viruses on clothing.
Pete and Bianca, a nurse, were motivated to create this product out of concern for their family’s health. With strict cleanliness rules at home, Bianca would change out of her work clothes before entering the house. Unable to find a suitable product on the market to sanitize clothes, Pete decided to develop one himself, leading to the creation of GarmaGuard.
During the pandemic, the demand for such products surged, resulting in $476,000 in sales over 1.5 years. GarmaGuard is the world’s first Non-GMO, natural, on-the-go garment and fabric cleanser. It is lab-tested and claims to eliminate 99.99% of viruses and bacteria from clothing, shoes, uniforms, towels, bedding, car seats, sports equipment, couches, dog beds, and more.
This natural spray, free from harsh chemicals and bleach, is portable and safe for use by anyone, including doctors, fitness enthusiasts, and self-employed individuals. It retails for $12.99 and is made in the United States.
| Company Name | GarmaGuard |
| Founder | Pete Badawy and Bianca Badawy |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Product | natural, organic garment and fabric cleanser that kills germs and viruses on clothing |
| Asked For | $100k for 10% Equity |
| Final Deal | No Offer |
| Shark | No Shark |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S12 E1 |
| Air Date | October 16, 2020 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | Visit Website |
| Headquarters | New York City Metropolitan Area |
| Go To Amazon | Buy Now |
Springer Pets Shark Tank Update
Who Is The Founder Of GarmaGuard?
Pete and Bianca Badawy, the husband-and-wife team behind GarmaGuard, founded the company in 2017 in New York. Pete, a former U.S. Army officer, now serves as the Chief Executive Officer, while Bianca is a nurse. In 2020, they welcomed a daughter into their family.
GarmaGuard, their flagship product, initially faced slow sales, but as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, demand surged as people sought ways to stay safe.
The pandemic was a challenging time, with widespread fear and uncertainty, but GarmaGuard provided a solution for those concerned about the cleanliness of their clothes.
When Pete and Bianca searched for clothing sanitizers, they found that most available sprays were filled with chemicals and toxins.
These substances can trigger immune responses and cause skin, eye, and lung irritations. To address this, they developed GarmaGuard, a natural, non-toxic spray that is safe for everyday use.
Each container of GarmaGuard holds 225 sprays, with one spray lasting up to 30 days.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of GarmaGuard?
In Shark Tank Season 12, Episode 1, GarmaGuard founder Bianca Badawy requested $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity in her company.
Before making any investment decisions, the Sharks discussed various aspects of the business, including its sales performance. Blake Mycoskie noted that GarmaGuard could potentially save users a lot of money on laundry and dry cleaning.
Over the 1.5 years following 2020, GarmaGuard generated $476,000 in sales. Daymond John acknowledged that half a million dollars in sales is impressive and not to be taken lightly.
GarmaGuard is sold exclusively online through their website and is also available on Amazon. The product is priced at $12.99, with a manufacturing cost of $1.85, and it is produced in the United States.
Shark Feedback:
- Mark Cuban: Praised the product but pointed out the intense competition in this market. He felt that success in this field would require a strong marketing strategy, and for this reason, he decided to pass.
- Kevin O’Leary: Mentioned that the product’s relevance might peak during the pandemic, but it wasn’t the right fit for him, so he opted out.
- Daymond John: Believed that GarmaGuard didn’t need an investment to reach the next level and could potentially scale to a million dollars without outside funding, leading him to decline.
- Lori Greiner: Liked the product but felt it was too early in its development for her to invest.
- Blake Mycoskie: Echoed Daymond’s sentiment, suggesting that the founders should continue growing the business on their own without giving up equity, so he also declined.
Ultimately, no Shark invested in GarmaGuard, and the founders left without securing a deal.
GarmaGuard Shark Tank Update
Before appearing on Shark Tank, GarmaGuard had reached half a million dollars in sales. Since then, their annual sales have surpassed $1 million.
Within 24 hours of the episode airing, the product generated an additional $250,000 in sales. While GarmaGuard’s product was well-received, the lack of a strong marketing strategy was the primary reason they didn’t secure funding on Shark Tank.
After the show, the founder revised their marketing approach, reinvesting a portion of their profits into more effective marketing efforts. As a result, sales have significantly improved. Initially sold only through their official website, GarmaGuard is now also available on Amazon and in retail stores.
As of November 2022, the company’s annual revenue is estimated to be between $500,000 and $900,000. Although they didn’t receive an investment on Shark Tank, it’s likely that thousands of GarmaGuard sprays have been sold since the episode aired.
Currently, there isn’t much additional information available about the company, but their revenue projections indicate strong growth.
What Is GarmaGuard Net Worth?
GarmaGuard co-founder Bianca requested $100,000 for 10% equity, valuing the company at $700,000. Since its inception, GarmaGuard has shown significant growth, particularly since 2020, although it requires better marketing to reach its full potential.
The product, priced at $12.99, has seen robust sales and continues to perform well as of June 2022. The company has expanded its presence both domestically in the United States and internationally, with availability online and in retail stores.
Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 60% of reviews on Amazon rating the product five stars. Additionally, GarmaGuard has been featured in prominent media outlets, including Inc, HSN, and Heavy.
Yes, GarmaGuard is still in business as of August 2024.
