Akeem Shannon, the founder of Flipstik, presented his product on Shark Tank Season 12, Episode 4, seeking $100,000 for 20% equity in his company. Flipstik is an adhesive device that adheres to any surface and functions as a synthetic setae, capable of supporting up to 2 lbs of weight.
Flipstik, based in St. Louis, Missouri, was launched in 2018. This innovative device allows users to attach their phones securely to various surfaces, leveraging NASA’s technology known as synthetic setae, which mimics the properties of gecko hairs.
The product is particularly useful for social media influencers who need to keep their phones stable while recording videos. Flipstik is designed to ensure that videos are not disrupted by shaky footage, making it ideal for activities like dancing, travel, or cooking demonstrations.
The device is simple to use: first, remove the 3M film; second, clean the back of the phone; and third, attach the Flipstik, which is now ready to stick to any surface.
It features a vertical mount with 180-degree flips and a kickstand with 90-degree flips. Priced at $15.00, Flipstik provides an affordable alternative to more expensive phone stands on the market.
| Company Name | Flipstik |
| Founder | Akeem Shannon |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Product | a space-technology-based adhesive device that lets users attach their phones to any surface |
| Asked For | $100k for 20% Equity |
| Final Deal | $100k for 25% Equity |
| Shark | Lori Greiner |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S12 E4 |
| Air Date | Nov 6, 2020 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | Visit Website |
| Headquarters | Saint Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $6.7M *estimated |
| Go To Amazon | Buy Now |
| Watch On | Amazon Prime |
Who Is The Founder Of Flipstik?
Akeem Shannon is the founder and CEO of Flipstik, a role he has excelled in despite facing significant challenges. Shannon, a former chemical engineering student at Harvard University, lost his scholarship and moved back to Missouri.
He subsequently worked as a salesperson for various telecom companies and spent a considerable time at the financial technology firm Square.
Though successful in his career, Shannon aspired to start his own business. His idea for Flipstik emerged from a late-night conversation with his uncle in 2017, during which he learned about a reusable adhesive that NASA had researched in the 1970s. Inspired by this technology, Shannon envisioned a solution to keep phones hands-free.
He developed Flipstik, a unique adhesive “kickstand” that attaches to a cellphone cover, allowing the phone to stick to any flat surface.
The Flipstik is also washable and can be cleaned with soap and water or alcohol pads. Available in various colors and designs, Flipstik provides a practical solution for keeping phones secure in a hands-free manner.
Did Flipstik Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Akeem Shannon, the founder of Flipstik, delivered a memorable pitch on Shark Tank Season 12, Episode 4, seeking $100,000 for 20% equity in his company. His pitch, which included a rap performance, impressed the Sharks, with many praising it as the best rap ever featured on the show.
Shannon, who previously worked in the cellphone industry at Sprint earning $30,000 per year, shared that the cost of manufacturing Flipstik is $0.58 per unit, while it retails for $15. The product is sold in bundles: $15 for one, $25 for two, and $30 for three. Over the past two years, he has generated $115,000 in total sales, with 60% of the revenue coming from the retail market.
Kevin O’Leary immediately offered $100,000 for the 20% equity Shannon was seeking. However, Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John declined to invest. Corcoran felt the business was not valuable enough, while John mentioned that his similar company, Love Handle, did not align with Shannon’s claims.
Mark Cuban questioned the low sales of $1,500 reported by Shannon for the previous month. Despite the concerns, Lori Greiner, who has extensive experience in creating compelling product visuals, saw potential and offered $100,000 for a 25% stake in the business.
Shannon accepted Lori Greiner’s offer, and the deal was finalized.
Flipstik Shark Tank Update
After appearing on Shark Tank, Flipstik experienced a significant boost in sales due to its unique and practical nature, which resonated with many smartphone users. Despite the initial excitement, Lori Greiner had not featured the episode on her Shark Tank website by July 2021, raising questions about the status of the deal.
To maximize sales, Lori’s marketing team listed Flipstik on Amazon. Following the show, Akeem Shannon received two $50,000 awards: one from St. Louis’s nonprofit Arch Grants and another from UMSL Accelerate’s Diversity program. These awards helped boost the company’s profile and growth.
In April 2022, Flipstik achieved its goal of being in 400 stores across the United States. The company’s annual revenue reached $5 million, reflecting its growing distribution and market presence.
Akeem Shannon was honored as Entrepreneur of the Year at the UMSL Accelerate Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
In December 2022, Flipstik secured $1.2 million in seed round investment funding from Maxine Clark. Akeem also shared on Instagram that Flipstik was featured in News4GreatDay Magazine and that he appeared on QVC on January 6, 2023.
With plans to introduce new products in Q1 2023, Flipstik continues to expand its reach and influence.
We’ll keep following Akeem Shannon and Flipstik for further updates.
Flipstik Funding List
Here is the investment list of Flipstik.
| Date | Amount | Investor | Round Name |
| Oct 28, 2020 | $50K | Arch Grants | Grant |
| May 18, 2022 | $50K | Arch Grants | Grant |
| Dec 19, 2022 | $1.2M | Maxine Clark | Pre Seed Round |
Where Can You Buy Flipstik?
Recently, Flipstik has expanded its distribution by listing its product on Amazon and other online marketplaces. This move has significantly boosted sales. Flipstik is now available in over 400 retail stores across the United States.
In addition to retail locations, the product can be purchased online through its official website, Amazon, and various other e-commerce platforms. Globally, Flipstik is accessible via Amazon, with a price of $14.99. It is offered in a range of colors, allowing customers to choose their preferred option.
What Is Flipstik Net Worth?
Flipstik secured a deal on Shark Tank at a valuation of $400,000. By April 2022, the company had achieved annual sales of $5 million, a significant increase from the $100,000 in sales at its inception. This growth was largely attributed to Lori Greiner’s guidance.
Currently, Flipstik is valued between $1 million and $2.4 million, based on its annual revenue and total investment. The company continues to perform well in 2023, with the majority of its sales coming from retail stores.
Yes, Flipstik is still in business as of April 2024.
