Corrosion engineers David (Greg) Pope and James Pidhurney noticed that many athletes struggled with sweaty or slippery hands. Traditional grip solutions in the market were not effective enough, so they founded Chalkless, a company that creates a grip-enhancing product to help athletes improve their hold on sports equipment without the mess of chalk.
They appeared on Shark Tank Season 16, seeking $400,000 for 4% equity, valuing their company at $10 million. They secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams for $400,000 for 4% equity, plus a $2.50 per unit royalty until $4 million is paid, after which the royalty drops to $0.25 per unit in perpetuity.
As an update, they have launched two new products: the Chalkless Dispenser and the Dispenser Stand.
| Company Name | Chalkless | |
| Founder | David (Greg) Pope and James Pidhurney | |
| Founded | 2023 | |
| Product | Hands Grip Enhancer | |
| Asked For | $400K for 4% equity | |
| Final Deal | $400K for 4% + $2.50/unit until $4M, then $0.25/unit | |
| Sharks | Rashaun Williams and Kevin O’Leary | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S16 E5 | |
| Air Date | Nov 15th, 2024 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $1 Million *estimated | |
| Valuation | $10 Million | |
Who Is The Founder Of Chalkless?
Chalkless Sporting Goods, a manufacturing company, was founded in 2023 by entrepreneurs David (Greg) Pope and James Pidhurney.
They come from different professional backgrounds—David is a corrosion engineer and also owns a construction company called Righter Group, Inc.
Meanwhile, James is a chemical engineer and the co-founder of Entry Point International, a construction company.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Chalkless?
After entering Shark Tank, the entrepreneurs introduced their hand grip enhancer product, explaining that it helps athletes maintain a strong grip on sports equipment. They highlighted that the product is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
To demonstrate its effectiveness, James invited Guest Shark Rashaun Williams to test the product. Rashaun rubbed the grip enhancer on his hands and used a torque test machine, which showed a 50% improvement in grip strength.
David explained that the product contains subtractive materials that remove natural oils from the hands, enhancing grip. He also revealed that as of 2024, the company had generated $740,000 in sales. Each bottle, which lasts for up to 100 uses, is sold for $35.99.
When Kevin O’Leary asked about production costs, James declined to disclose the exact figures, stating that they preferred to discuss it privately. However, he did reveal that their profit margin is 67%. Mark Cuban, unhappy with their reluctance to share the cost, decided to step out.
When Lori Greiner asked about patents, David confirmed that they hold two patents for the materials used in their product. They emphasized that they needed the Sharks’ support to increase brand awareness and boost sales.
Both Barbara Corcoran and Lori Greiner opted out, choosing not to invest. However, Rashaun Williams and Kevin O’Leary teamed up to offer $400,000 for 4% equity, plus a $2.50 per unit royalty until $4 million is paid, after which the royalty drops to $0.25 per unit in perpetuity.
David and James ultimately accepted the offer.
Breakdown Sharks Offer
Note: Here’s a quick summary of the offers and counteroffers between the Sharks and David (Greg) Pope and James Pidhurney:
| Sharks | Offers |
| Kevin O’Leary | $200K for 2% each + $1.25/unit until $2M, then $0.125/unit. |
| Barbara Corcoran | No Offer |
| Mark Cuban | No Offer |
| Rashaun Williams | $200K for 2% each + $1.25/unit until $2M, then $0.125/unit. |
| Lori Greiner | No Offer |
| Founder’s (Countered) | No Counter |
| Final Deals | $400K for 4% + $2.50/unit until $4M, then $0.25/unit |
Chalkless Shark Tank Update
After the episode aired, the product’s official website received over 30,000 visitors in just one month. Assuming a 20% conversion rate, they likely generated thousands of dollars in sales without spending money on marketing.
Chalkless products are now available on Amazon and Rogue Fitness marketplaces. Additionally, they are being sold not only in the United States and Canada but also in Japan.
What Is Chalkless Net Worth?
Chalkless secured a royalty deal on Shark Tank at a $10 million valuation. If we assume an annual growth rate of 5.4%, the company’s estimated net worth for the current year could be around $10.5 million.
