Au Baby is a Portland-based consumer goods company specializing in sustainable baby blankets. Founded by Alexandra Ulmer in January 2019, the company emerged from her experience in knitwear design at Nike, where she worked for six years.
Ulmer observed that conventional baby blankets often lacked warmth and softness and were made from pesticide-ridden cotton or plastic fleece, which is not ideal for sensitive baby skin. To address these issues, she developed a high-quality, eco-friendly alternative.
Alexandra Ulmer pitched Au Baby on Shark Tank Season 15, Episode 13, seeking $80,000 for 25% equity at a $320,000 valuation. The company, also known as “Oh Baby!” (with “AU” meaning “for the baby” in French), uses natural merino and cashmere wool to create its blankets.
These materials are not only soft but also sustainable, featuring chemical-free, long-lasting, and biodegradable yarns. Each blanket is priced at $160 and is available for purchase on the company’s website.
Company Name | Au Baby | |
Founder | Alexandra Ulmer | |
Founded | 2019 | |
Product | Sustainable Baby Blankets | |
Asked For | $80k for 25% equity | |
Final Deal | $80k for 35% equity | |
Shark | Kevin O’Leary | |
Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S15 E13 | |
Air Date | Feb 2, 2023 | |
Business Status | In Business | |
Website | Visit Website | |
Headquarters | Portland, Oregon, USA | |
Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $138k *estimated | |
Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Au Baby?
Alexandra Ulmer is the founder and CEO of Au Baby, a company established in January 2019. Before launching Au Baby, Alexandra worked as a knitwear designer at Nike for six years.
With over 20 years of experience in the knitwear industry across various companies, she leveraged her expertise to create Au Baby’s sustainable baby blankets.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Au Baby?
After entering Shark Tank, Founder Alexandra Ulmer asked for $80k in exchange for 25% equity. She explained her blanket product to the Sharks, noting that the landed cost per unit is $74, while it sells for $160.
Lifetime direct-to-consumer sales total $62,000. Sales reached $38,000 in 2022, and in 2023, they have reached $14,000 so far, with an expected total of $100,000 by the end of the year. Robert Herjavec decided not to invest due to concerns about the cost of customer acquisition.
Mark Cuban suggested that Alexandra needed to improve her marketing strategy and, therefore, chose not to invest. Lori Greiner felt the business was still too early for her to invest in. Emma Grede also declined, citing the early stage of the business and the high cost of the product.
Kevin O’Leary offered $80k for 50% equity. Alexandra countered with $80k for 30% equity. Kevin then revised his offer to $80k for 40% equity. Alexandra countered again with 35% equity, and Kevin agreed to the deal.
Sharks Offers list!
Sharks | Offers |
---|---|
Robert Herjavec | No Offer |
Kevin O’Leary | $80k for 50% equity (#1) $80k for 40% equity (#2) |
Mark Cuban | No Offer |
Emma Grede | No Offer |
Lori Greiner | No Offer |
Founder’s (Countered) | $80k for 30% equity (#1) $80k for 35% equity (#2) |
Final Deals | $80k for 35% equity |
Au Baby Shark Tank Update
Au Baby secured a deal on Shark Tank when Kevin O’Leary invested $80k in exchange for 35% equity. Following the episode’s air date, Alexandra received thousands of dollars in orders within just two days.
On February 5, 2023, she shared a story on the official business Instagram handle, showcasing the product cost and ready-to-ship items.
Alexandra delivered an excellent pitch on Shark Tank, presenting her business and sales reports effectively. The episode significantly boosted sales, with parents quickly purchasing blankets for their children.
What Is Au Baby’s Net Worth?
Au Baby’s net worth is estimated at $0.1 million. The global baby blankets market size is projected to reach USD 2.5 billion in 2023, with an annual growth rate of 3.80%. The industry is dominated by large brands, making it challenging for smaller companies to compete.
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 |
2024 | $ *estimated |
2023 | $100k *estimated |
2022 | $38k *estimated |
Funding Reports to Date!
Years | Funding Amount | Investor |
2023 | $80k | Kevin O’Leary |
Is Au Baby Still In Business?
Alexandra used to work in knit materials design for Flyknit and has a long time experience. She does not have much experience in product marketing, hence she needs good investors like sharks to scale the business.
The current headquarters of this baby product business is located in Portland, Oregon, United States, and the founder is managing it independently.
Yes, Au Baby is still in business as of February 2024.
frequently asked questions
Who founded Au Baby?
Au Baby was founded by Alexandra Ulmer.
Did Au Baby get a deal on Shark Tank?
Yes, Au Baby got a deal in Shark Tank.