Aaron Hirschhorn entered Shark Tank season 11 seeking $500,000 for a 2% equity in Gallant, his pet stem cell banking service. After detailed negotiations on episode 11, guest Shark Anne Wojcicki and Lori Greiner offered a joint investment of $500,000 for 5% equity.
Before appearing on the show, the company had secured $11 million in funding and four patents for stem cell preservation technology, as per Shark Tank Blog. Their service allowed veterinarians to collect and store stem cells during routine pet surgeries. Kevin O'Leary made two separate offers, but Hirschhorn focused on partnering with Wojcicki's biotech experience and Greiner's retail expertise.
After discussing valuation terms, Lori Greiner expressed her confidence, saying:
"I really believe in this. I know quite a bit about it and I just think that down the road a lot of things will be figured out. But you're in the beginning. I think Anne is a great partner so I'm really excited to work with him."
In the end, the entrepreneurs accepted Anne and Lori's offer.
Shark Tank investors Lori Greiner and Anne Wojcicki invest $500,000 in Gallant
Aaron Hirschhorn created Gallant following his personal success with stem cell therapy for chronic back pain. The company developed a specialized system enabling veterinarians to collect reproductive tissue during standard spay and neuter operations.
These tissues traveled to Gallant's FDA-approved laboratory, where technicians isolated and preserved stem cells through liquid nitrogen storage. The process allowed pet owners to bank healthy cells for potential future medical treatments.
Gallant built a sustainable revenue model offering two payment options to pet owners. The standard plan costs $95 annually for storage services. Pet owners could alternatively choose a one-time payment of $595 for lifetime storage. Each participating veterinary clinic earned $100 per collection kit used.
The company invested $275 per kit for processing, storage, and maintenance procedures. With four secured patents protecting their medical technology, Gallant established strong market protection. Silicon Valley investors provided $11 million in funding before the Shark Tank appearance, validating the business model.
First, Kevin O'Leary stepped forward with two distinct proposals. His first offer maintained the requested $500,000 investment while asking for 2% equity plus 2% in stock options. O'Leary's second proposal structured the same investment amount differently, requesting 1% equity combined with a 10% continuous royalty on every kit sold.
These offers sparked intense discussions about company valuation and future revenue sharing.
After Kevin, Shark Tank guest investor Anne Wojcicki advised raising service prices to ensure sustainable growth. After detailed discussions about business valuation and market strategy, Wojcicki and Lori Greiner made a joint offer. They proposed $500,000 for 8% equity, emphasizing their combined expertise in biotech and retail markets.
Hirschhorn countered with 4% equity, leading to final negotiations. The parties agreed on $500,000 for 5% equity, balancing the founder's valuation with the Sharks' investment terms.
Deal outcomes
Following Wojcicki's guidance, Gallant modified their pricing structure. As per Shark Tank Blog, the lifetime plan increased from $595 to $890, creating better profit margins. Monthly subscribers now pay $95 with an added $205 setup fee. The company expanded services beyond dogs to include cats and horses, broadening their customer base.
In 2019, Gallant acquired Cook-Regentec, strengthening their veterinary technology capabilities. The partnership with Greiner and Wojcicki helped Gallant reach significant milestones. Annual revenue grew to $5.9 million by 2023.
The company secured additional funding through a Series A round in January 2024, raising $15 million for expansion. These funds support their FDA approval process, scheduled for completion in 2025.
The Shark Tank company maintains a $20 million valuation while investing in research and development for new pet stem cell applications. Their FDA-approved laboratory continues processing and storing pet stem cells, serving an expanding network of veterinary partners across the United States.
Shark Tank season 16 is airing on ABC network.