Pili Hunters is a food and beverage business based in Bend, Oregon, founded in January 2014 by Jason Thomas. Jason, originally from Barrow, Alaska, has a diverse background, including roles as a mountain guide, archaeologist’s assistant, and glaciology field hand.
While on a kite-surfing trip in the Philippines, Jason discovered the Pili nut, which he found highly beneficial. Upon returning to the United States, he had difficulty finding these nuts, so he brought 10 pounds back with him and successfully sold them at various food stores.
To establish Pili Hunters, Jason partnered with a farmer from the volcanic regions of the Philippines to harvest Pili nuts. Jason appeared on Shark Tank Season 11, Episode 6, seeking $325,000 for 10% equity, valuing the company at $3.2 million.
Pili Hunters specializes in producing a range of natural and healthy products from Pili nuts, which are exclusive to the volcanic regions of the Philippines. These nuts are rich in fat and protein, making them ideal for keto and vegan diets. Due to the lengthy processing required, Pili nuts are more expensive than commercially grown nuts.
You can purchase Pili nuts from Amazon, Walmart, Thrive Market, and select retail stores nationwide.
| Company Name | Pili Hunters | |
| Founder | Jason Thomas | |
| Founded | 2014 | |
| Product | Nutritious, Delicious, Sustainable Pili Nuts | |
| Asked For | $325,000 for 10% equity | |
| Final Deal | No Deals | |
| Shark | No Sharks | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S11 E6 | |
| Air Date | Nov 3, 2019 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Bend, Oregon, United States | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $21M *estimated | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Pili Hunters?
Jason Thomas is the founder and CEO of Pili Hunters. After earning a Bachelor of Science from Alaska Pacific University, he worked as a mountaineering guide at Alpine Ascents International.
His extensive travels have exposed him to various cultures and global perspectives.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Pili Hunters?
On Shark Tank, Jason Thomas presented his business and sought $325,000 for 10% equity. The sharks sampled and enjoyed the pili nuts.
The manufacturing cost for a small bag of nuts ranges from $0.40 to $0.88, while the retail price is $5.99. To date, Jason has achieved $2.5 million in sales, with $700,000 of that coming in the first three years and reaching $1 million in the current year.
Jason has developed 14 different products, which has hindered his focus. He has invested $400,000 in inventory. Despite the positive reception of the product, none of the sharks decided to invest in his business.
Finalized: The Pili Hunters didn’t get the deal on Shark Tank.
What Happened To Pili Hunters After Shark Tank?
Despite not securing funding on Shark Tank, Pili Hunters saw significant interest, with most sales now coming from the company’s website and Amazon store.
In 2021, the company’s annual revenue reached $4 million. By 2022, it was estimated to be between $5 and $6 million. As of June 12, 2023, Jason has streamlined the product line, focusing solely on nuts. By July 2023, the annual revenue was estimated at $5 million.
The sharks’ decision not to invest was based on their concern that Jason had not focused on a single product. Since then, Jason has gained valuable business insights and is now concentrating on gradually expanding the business.
We’ll continue to follow Jason Thomas and Pili Hunters for further updates.
What Is the Net Worth of Pili Hunters?
The current estimated worth of Pili Hunters is $6 million. Jason sought funding on Shark Tank at a $3.2 million valuation but did not secure an investment.
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 |
| 2022 | $5M-$6M *estimated |
| 2021 | $4M *estimated |
| 2020 | $2.5M *estimated |
Funding Reports to Date!
| Years | Funding Amount | Investor |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
Pili nuts are produced in commercial quantities only in the Philippines, with a market size in the billions. Since its founding in 2014, Pili Hunters has been actively running and Jason is focused on marketing the product to boost sales. Given the growing interest in healthy diets, Pili nuts hold significant market potential.
The company, headquartered in Bend, Oregon, employs between 2 and 10 people.
Yes, Pili Hunters is still in business as of June 2023.
