What Happened To IceShaker After Shark Tank?
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While there may not be huge benefits associated with drinking cold water, downing a tepid fruit smoothie or protein shake doesn't sound enjoyable. That's why Chris Gronkowski developed and pitched a one-of-a-kind insulated bottle on "Shark Tank" in 2017. Gronkowski told the Sarah Scoop blog that after retiring from the NFL after three full seasons from a hamstring injury and helping his wife with her successful Etsy business, he decided to develop "IceShaker" after too many workouts drinking from "smelly" bottles.
The idea behind "IceShaker" is that, unlike its plastic competitors, the stainless steel vessel is double insulated and keeps drinks cool for up to 36 hours without odor or sweating (via Shark Tank Blog). With his four brothers and business-savvy father at his side, Gronkowski decided to pitch his idea to the sharks in Season 9, episode 4 of "Shark Tank" (per Shark Tank Tales). In his plea for sponsorship, Gronkowski asked the Sharks' for $100,000 in exchange for 10% of the business, which at the time was already averaging $80,000 in sales according to the budding entrepreneur (via Shark Tank Blog).
What did the Sharks think of the IceShaker?
During Chris and the rest of the Gronkowskis' "Shark Tank" segment, not only did the "Gronks" engage in a water chugging contest with the sharks, but they also won the investors' support. According to the Shark Tank Blog, guest judge Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez, asked shark Mark Cuban to co-invest in "IceShaker" and offer $150,000 for 20% of the business. While Lori Greiner offered $100,000 for 15%, Barbara Cocoran accepted the initial investment proposal of $100,000 for 10% (per Shark Tank Blog). Gronkowski was intrigued by the group offer from Rodriguez and Cuban and negotiates a deal of $150,000 for 15% of "IceShaker."
Gronkowski was awarded the investment he needed to kickstart his business. In the "IceShaker's" update in "Shark Tank" episode 1007, Gronkowski expounded on the success of his business and described new and upcoming products. According to Gronkowski via IceShaker, "Shark Tank took Ice Shaker to a full-time job overnight." The bottle may not have made the 24 best water bottles of 2022 list, but "Ice Shaker" has become a popular product in the current retail market.
Where is IceShaker now?
In addition to fueling your body with the best pre-workout snacks, you now have the option of purchasing the "IceShaker" and all its temperature control capabilities. The year following Chris Gronkowski's "Shark Tank" debut, his innovative product raked in over $3 million in sales (per CNBC) and continues to prove lucrative. As of 2022, the IceShaker website features a wide range of insulated products ranging from cooler bags to half-gallon jugs in multiple colorways.
Gronkowski continues to update his Instagram with IceShaker happenings, including the recent debut of a licensed camouflage bottle in direct affiliation with the U.S. Army.
Beyond its introduction on "Shark Tank," Gronkowski's brother and long-time NFL player Rob Gronkowski has since bought back IceShaker's shares from investor Alex Rodriguez but continues to work with A-Rod in an online trainer community known as Fit Plan (per YouTube). Ice Shaker remains successful and is currently available directly from the company website, Amazon, and a number of different retailers across the country.