Since its debut in 2009, ABC’s Shark Tank has been a launchpad for eager entrepreneurs hoping to land a life-changing investment. The seasoned investors, or “sharks,” have witnessed a parade of pitches, from brilliant game-changers like the Scrub Daddy to missed opportunities like the Ring Doorbell. But alongside the triumphs, there have been some truly head-scratching, eyebrow-raising, and downright dumb product ideas. Get ready for a dive into 10 of the most memorable flops and follies that ever graced the Shark Tank stage.
10. Morninghead (Not as Exciting as It Sounds)
What happens when you wake up with serious bedhead but don’t have time for a shower? The creator of Morninghead thought he had the perfect fix. But this wasn’t a revolutionary dry shampoo or a high-tech styling tool. Instead, Morninghead is essentially a shower cap that you fill with water.
You pour water into the cap, pop it on your head, and give it a good rub. The result? Damp hair. Not clean hair, just damp. The idea was meant to be a quick solution for unruly morning hair, but it mostly just invited chuckles from the sharks and left the entrepreneur walking away without a deal. It’s a simple concept, perhaps too simple to be a groundbreaking product.
9. Sticky Note Holder
Office organization tools are always in demand, but some ideas feel a bit behind the times. This particular pitch for a sticky note holder seemed to miss the memo on the digital age. The product itself wasn’t wildly complicated: a pad designed to attach to the side of a computer monitor to hold your sticky notes.
The entrepreneur, Mary Ellen Simonsen, asked for a hefty million-dollar investment for her creation, claiming each holder would sell for $9.50 based on surveys she conducted. However, the lack of a patent and the sharks’ skepticism about the need for such a product in an increasingly paperless world led to a swift rejection. Daymond John bluntly stated, “I wouldn’t waste your money or time on the patent. I think no sales, a useless idea–I’m totally out.”
8. Licki Brush
This product toes the line between bizarre and oddly intriguing. The Licki Brush was presented by PDX Pet Design as a way for cat owners to groom their feline friends in a more… natural way. The pitch suggested that cats see humans as big, clumsy cats, so why not participate in their grooming rituals on their terms?
The solution? A large, silicone, spiky tongue that you put in your mouth to lick your cat, mimicking how a mother cat grooms her kittens. The sharks’ reactions were a mix of disbelief and amusement. Despite the unconventional approach, the entrepreneurs were serious, and believe it or not, the Licki Brush is still available for purchase for those who want to truly connect with their inner feline.
7. No Fly Cone
Bruce, an entrepreneur plagued by flies in his barn office, came up with the No Fly Cone. This invention is a cone-shaped fly trap designed to be placed over dog poop. Yes, you read that right. The premise is that the flies attracted to the waste will be trapped by the cone. To add a bit of star power, Seth MacFarlane (who takes horseback riding lessons from Bruce) made a surprise appearance as a spokesperson.
However, even a celebrity endorsement couldn’t quite sell the idea. The product’s reliance on having dog poop readily available and its niche appeal (primarily for people who work in barns, perhaps?) made it a tough sell for the sharks and the general public. For most, it’s an odd solution to a problem that has other, less messy, fixes.
6. Fish FrenZ
Over on Shark Tank Australia, Lourens Badenhorst presented Fish FrenZ, a container that releases bait as it floats in the water. Potentially useful, right? However, the pitch took a strange turn when Lourens marketed it as particularly good for women, giving them a “competitive edge” in fishing. This angle confused and irked the female sharks on the panel.
When pressed on why it was specifically for women, Lourens suggested men already know everything about fishing, implying women don’t. This clumsy and somewhat sexist marketing, combined with zero sales for Fish FrenZ, meant Lourens left without an investment. It was a clear case of a potentially okay product sunk by a terrible pitch.
5. UroClub
Ever been caught short on the golf course with no restroom in sight? The UroClub aimed to solve this pressing issue for male golfers. Disguised as a standard seven iron, the UroClub is actually a portable urinal. It even comes with a privacy towel that attaches to the front, allowing for discreet relief mid-game.
While the design showed some thought, and the problem it addresses is relatable for some, its practicality and market appeal were questionable. The device is not unisex, limiting its audience significantly. The sharks saw it as a novelty item rather than a mainstream solution, landing it a spot on the list of memorable, if slightly dumb, inventions.
4. BareEASE
Presented by Dr. Edna Ma, an anesthesiologist, BareEASE is a numbing kit designed for use before bikini waxing or laser hair removal. The kit includes special underwear pre-applied with numbing cream. Users wear this underwear for about an hour before their appointment to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
The sharks had mixed reactions. While the concept of pain reduction is appealing, concerns were raised about existing competition, the product’s sales figures, and the overall market size. Ultimately, Dr. Ma didn’t secure a deal. For some, the idea of numbing underwear might be a bit much, even for the sake of a less painful wax.
3. I Want to Draw a Cat For You
Some ideas sound utterly absurd on paper but somehow find success. Steve Gadlin’s “I Want to Draw a Cat For You” is a prime example. His business model was simple: people would send him specifications for a custom cat drawing, and he would draw it and mail it back. These weren’t fine art masterpieces, but quirky, stick-figure-like creations.
Amazingly, Steve was actually making money from this venture, even landing a Groupon deal before appearing on Shark Tank. Mark Cuban, seeing the unique charm and viral potential, invested $25,000 for a 33% stake, even promising to help draw cats. It’s a testament to how a seemingly dumb idea can become a brilliant, if niche, business.
2. Kook’n Kap
Do you ever worry about your hair smelling like the food you’ve just cooked? Juli Deveau and Ozma Khan certainly did, which led them to create the Kook’n Kap. Pitched as a modern version of the chef’s hat, it’s essentially a fancy hair cover designed to be worn while cooking to prevent food odors from clinging to your hair.
The problem? It’s very similar to a standard shower cap, a readily available and inexpensive item. The sharks weren’t convinced that this was a necessary product or a significant improvement over existing solutions. The pitch didn’t inspire much confidence, and the Kook’n Kap joined the ranks of easily forgettable (or hilariously memorable for the wrong reasons) Shark Tank ideas.
1. Pet Paint
Topping our list is Pet Paint. The name pretty much says it all: it’s colored hairspray for your pet. The product even came with stencils so you could create fun designs on your dog or cat. While the idea of decorating your pet might appeal to some for special occasions, the practicality and necessity are highly debatable.
One major downside is that every time you paint your pet, you’ll eventually have to wash them to get it out. This adds an extra chore for pet owners. While the entrepreneurs were passionate, the sharks and many viewers likely wondered if this was a solution to a problem that didn’t really exist. There are many things pets need; paint probably isn’t one of them.
The Shark Tank set has seen it all, from genius inventions to ideas that make you wonder, “What were they thinking?” These ten products stand out for their unique brand of questionable utility or outright silliness. They remind us that not every idea is a million-dollar one, but sometimes, even the dumbest ideas provide a good laugh.
What do you think are some of the dumbest products you’ve seen pitched? Did any of these make your list? Leave your comment below!
