Ka-Pop is a snack company that produces gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and vegan chips made from ancient grains, primarily sorghum. Sorghum is rich in calcium and iron, providing health benefits.
Ka-Pop offers chips in four different flavors: Dairy-Free Cheddar Puffs, Cinnamon Churro Puffs, Sweet and Salty Kettle Puffs, and BBQ Puffs.
These snacks are available at various retail stores, including Ralphs, Whole Foods, and Kroger, as well as on Amazon and the company’s website.
| Company Name | Ka-Pop! | |
| Founder | Dustin Finkel | |
| Founded | Apr 2017 | |
| Product | Non-GMO, Air-popped, Ancient Grain Chips | |
| Asked For | $350k for 5% equity | |
| Final Deal | No Deals | |
| Shark | No Sharks | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S11 E12 | |
| Air Date | Jan 19, 2020 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado, US | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $11M *estimated | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Ka-Pop?
Dustin Finkel is the founder and CEO of Ka-Pop. He studied finance at Emory University and earned an MBA in Marketing from Northwestern University. After several years in the finance sector, he transitioned to various roles in the food industry.
In 2014, Dustin founded MacGray, LLC, a consulting firm that provides leadership, strategy, marketing, financial, and valuation services to businesses.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Ka-Pop?
In Shark Tank, Dustin asked the sharks for $350,000 in exchange for 5% equity in Ka-Pop. Rohan Oza expressed strong interest in the product.
In 2018, the company reported $150,000 in sales and Dustin estimated sales of $1.2 million in 2019. Notably, the head of Whole Foods, the founder of Boulder Brands, and the founder of Pacific Foods have invested in Ka-Pop.
Dustin personally invested $50,000 in the business, while investors contributed $943,000 during the first pre-revenue round. After this round, Dustin held a 67% stake in the company.
All the sharks declined to invest, but Kevin O’Leary offered $350,000 for 17.5% equity at a $2 million valuation. Dustin countered with an offer of $500,000 for 10% equity at a $5 million valuation, which Kevin refused.
What Happened To Ka-Pop! After Shark Tank?
Ka-Pop did not receive funding on Shark Tank because Dustin and Kevin O’Leary could not negotiate a deal due to the high valuation.
Following the episode’s airing, all of the company’s snacks sold out within nine days. In 2021, Ka-Pop merged with Bubba’s Fine Foods, leading to the creation of Awakened Foods, a new food brand.
As of September 2023, Awakened Foods products are available in over 1,815 retail stores, including Kroger, King Soopers, City Market, Whole Foods, Fred Meyer, and QFC. The company’s annual revenue for 2023 is projected to be $5 million, with expectations for gradual growth.
There has not yet been an updated segment on Shark Tank regarding this business, but any updates will be provided in this section when available.
What Is the Net Worth of Ka Pop?
Ka-Pop has an estimated net worth of $4.5 million. The snack food industry is highly competitive, making it challenging for new brands to succeed. In 2021, the global snack food market was valued at approximately $557.85 billion.
Annual Revenue by Years
Note: This report is based on our research and data so far. In this, we are only estimating the annual revenue.
| Years | Annual Revenue |
| 2023 | $5M *estimated |
| 2017-22 | $6M *estimated |
Funding Reports to Date!
| Years | Funding Amount | Investor |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
Yes, Ka Pop is Still in business as of September 2023.
