5 Virginia startups that competed on ‘Shark Tank’
From sweet potato pies to plant-based Mediterranean food, discover what these Virginia companies that competed on “Shark Tank” are cooking up.
From Bombas socks to Scrub Daddy sponges, many of the products you know and love were pitched on “Shark Tank” before finding their way into homes across the country. “Shark Tank,” ABC’s entrepreneur pitch show that debuted in 2009, recently wrapped its 16th season. Throughout its decade and a half on air, several Virginia-based business owners have appeared and pitched their products to potential investors, also known as sharks.
Keep reading to learn more about the Virginia business owners who competed on “Shark Tank,” what deal they reached—if any—and how their company is doing now.
1. “Mango Mango” Mango Preserves
Lakesha Brown-Renfro, Nzinga Teule-Hekima, and Tanecia Willis are the founders of event planning firm Simply Panache, but that’s not the business the women pitched on “Shark Tank.” On a September 2013 episode of the show, Brown-Renfro, Teule-Hekima, and Willis pitched their gourmet mango preserves to the hungry sharks.
The all-natural, gluten-free preserves—a mixture of mango, sugar, vanilla, and lime juice—were used in a variety of recipes served at Simply Panache events and were so popular, the three women decided to commercially manufacture them. After seeing success at farmers markets and food shows, “Mango Mango” Mango Preserves was picked up by Whole Foods Market. Then came the company’s big break—its “Shark Tank” debut. While Brown-Renfro, Teule-Hekima, and Willis didn’t get a deal out of their Shark Tank appearance—they were seeking $75,000 in exchange for 20 percent equity—the national platform the show provided proved valuable. Within 48 hours after it aired, they received 15,000 orders (about 100,000 jars) for their mango preserves.
Eventually, revenue reached more than 100 million, and Brown-Renfro, Teule-Hekima, and Willis opened Mango Mangeaux A Simply Panache Bistro, which serves French, Creole, and NeoSoul cuisine. Many of the restaurant’s menu items incorporate the preserves that started it all, such as the Chicken Fried Chicken French Toast, which is served with Mango Mango whipped butter, and the Creole Cobb Salad, drizzled with Mango Mango balsamic vinaigrette. Other companies under the Simply Panache umbrella include a spa and a boutique hotel.
You can purchase a 16-ounce jar of “Mango Mango” Mango Preserves for $20 online or dine at the bistro at 33 E. Mellen St. in Hampton.
2. Joyebells
Joye B. Moore often baked sweet potato pies—from a family recipe that’s been passed down for six generations—as gifts during the holidays, but after being let go from her job at a nonprofit, she decided to start selling them. The pies became the flagship product of Joyebells, which Moore launched in 2019.
Fast forward to February 2025, when Moore’s “Shark Tank” episode aired. Moore served the sharks her sweet potato, peach, and pumpkin pies and asked them for $600,000 to help her rebrand and re-enter the retail market in exchange for a 10 percent equity in her business. (In 2023, a manufacturing issue resulted in 315,000 of the company’s pies being pulled from store shelves, and Joyebells lost its partnership with Sam’s Club.)
Despite receiving high praise from the sharks, Moore was unable to secure a deal, with Kevin O’Leary noting the cost of goods was too high to turn a decent profit. However, Joyebells is still slated to return to stores despite its unsuccessful “Shark Tank” pitch. Joyebells is “coming soon” to select Kroger, Schnucks, and Costco stores, according to its website. For now, you can order Joyebells’ sweet potato, pumpkin, peach, and apple pies online for $19.99.
3. Go Oats
Go Oats founder and COO Nahum Jeannot appeared on an October 2020 episode of “Shark Tank” to pitch his “oatmeal on the go.” Go Oats, breakfast balls made from steel-cut oats, milk, and sweetner, are a more travel-friendly version of the oatmeal he was served by his mom and grandmother as a kid.
Jeannot asked the sharks for $150,000 in exchange for 10 percent equity in his business. Barbara Corcoran offered $150,000 for a 25 percent stake, and after some negotiating, the pair reached a deal for $150,000 for 20 percent equity.
Prior to appearing on “Shark Tank,” Go Oats was stocked at Whole Foods, but now you can find the product at several other retailers, including Target, Sprouts Farmers Market, Dawson’s Market, Gelson’s Markets, and Heinen’s. They’re also sold on the company’s website for $8.50 per bag of nine balls. Available flavors include Maple Brown Sugar, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Apple Cinnamon.
4. Prime 6
The owners of Prime 6, a charcoal company that uses sustainable hardwood sawdust to create its products, appeared on a Season 12 episode of “Shark Tank.” Riki and Oron Franco were seeking $200,000 in exchange for 10 percent of their company and received multiple offers, however, they ended up making a deal with O’Leary for $200,000 in exchange for 25 percent equity.
“It was extraordinary and thrilling, stressful, and also a lot of fun. The sharks were asking a lot of questions and were really intrigued by the product and innovation. It’s a once in a lifetime experience for sure,” Riki Franco told NYC BBQ of their experience on the show.
Prime 6 was already doing well before “Shark Tank,” but within three months after the episode aired, sales and purchase orders increased from $300,000 to $1.3 million, and the company announced an expansion into 5,000 additional stores. In November 2024, Prime 6 broke ground on a new $35 million facility in Fairmont.
Home grillers looking to try Prime 6’s charcoal, firelogs, or grill kit can find these items at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, and Amazon. The company also sells its products to professionals, such as restaurant owners and chefs, and offers samples to those working in hospitality and procurement.
5. TaDah Foods
TaDah Foods’ founder John Sorial appeared on a September 2019 episode of “Shark Tank” seeking an investment of $300,000 from the sharks in exchange for 10 percent equity in his business.
TaDah sold East Mediterranean plant-based foods inspired by Sorial’s Egyptian heritage and is best known for its frozen falafel wraps. On the show, Sorial pitched the wraps and the company’s stuffed falafel poppers. At the time, lifetime sales were more than $8.2 million (the company launched in 2010) but production issues led to a drop in sales.
Sorial received multiple offers from the sharks and ultimately accepted guest judge Daniel Lubetzky’s offer of $500,000 for 25 percent equity.
“Daniel has been extremely hands-on in the best possible way, and the momentum has been building by leaps and bounds,” Sorial told CNBC Make It after his episode aired.
By late 2020, TaDah Foods was stocked in a number of major retailers, such as Harris Teeter, Target, Publix, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Sprouts, and Walmart. However, today the company’s website is no longer live and its products aren’t currently available for purchase. The most recent reviews on the company’s Facebook page are from early 2022. In February 2024, TaDah Foods captioned an Instagram photo, “We know it has been awhile but we’re working on coming back stronger and better than ever.” Nothing has been posted since and the future of the company remains unknown.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
