Shark Tank update: What happened to Pavlok after the show? Founder’s conflict with Kevin O’Leary, revenue, and more explored

Pavlok, a wearable device designed to help users break bad habits, gained widespread attention after its appearance on Shark Tank in 2016. Despite a controversial pitch and a heated exchange with investor Kevin O'Leary, the company has continued to evolve and remain in business.

The device, which delivers mild shocks to users to discourage undesirable behaviors, has found a niche market. Post-show, while some investors and partners were alienated, Pavlok's founder, Maneesh Sethi, managed to navigate these challenges and secure further funding.

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Palvok's journey during and after Shark Tank

The Shark Tank pitch and Kevin O'Leary's conflict

Pavlok by Maneesh Sethi (Image via Youtube)

Maneesh Sethi entered season 9 episode 7 of Shark Tank with hopes of securing a $500,000 investment in exchange for a 3.14% equity stake in his company, valuing it at $14 million. Pavlok, designed to help users break habits such as nail-biting, overeating, and oversleeping, operates through a wristband that uses an app to administer mild shocks.

The concept was inspired by the work of Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov and his theory of classical conditioning. Despite Sethi's pitch, the presentation did not go smoothly. Many of the sharks, including Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, expressed skepticism about the product's scientific basis and the lack of clinical trials supporting its effectiveness.

The most notable interaction occurred with Kevin O'Leary, who was the last remaining investor. O'Leary offered $500,000 as a loan at a 7.5% interest rate in exchange for the 3.14% equity stake.

However, Sethi rejected the deal, stating that he would not work with O'Leary. This led to a dramatic exchange, with O'Leary calling Sethi words, saying:

"Maneesh, you're an a**hole, Get the f*** out of here!"

Despite this heated interaction, both Sethi and O'Leary later made public statements suggesting they did not regret their positions. Sethi remarked that he knew O'Leary was not a suitable partner for Pavlok, noting that business partnerships require alignment in both vision and style.

"Going in I knew Kevin was not a great investor fit for our company," he said.

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Pavlok's post-Shark Tank growth and expansion

Following its appearance on Shark Tank, Pavlok's business experienced a surprising surge. While the valuation set during the pitch was never realized, the company gained substantial exposure, leading to an increase in customer base. Nine months after filming, Sethi shared an update revealing that the company had gained 10,000 new customers.

This growth was accompanied by improvements in the product, including the addition of hand-detection technology, which enhanced Pavlok’s effectiveness for users. The company also developed a Chrome extension to help users limit time spent on distracting websites.

Despite the rejection of Shark Tank, Sethi secured additional investments from sources like IncWell and MassChallenge, helping to further refine the product. Pavlok also launched another successful crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for the Shock Clock, raising over $343,000.

However, some backers of the Shock Clock campaign voiced dissatisfaction, claiming they never received their devices.

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Is Pavlok still operational?

Pavlok is still operational today, offering a range of products through its website and on platforms like Amazon. The company continues to release new versions of its Shock Clock, including the Shock Clock 2, Shock Clock 3, and Shock Clock Max.

In addition, a new product, the Pavlok Smart Ring, was introduced, expanding the company’s wearable offerings. The Pavlok 2 and 3 are the latest models of the original wristband device.

To further engage with customers, Pavlok introduced the Pavlok Challenge, a subscription service that allows users to set specific goals and participate in a team-based accountability program.

The service offers users a Pavlok 3 device and the opportunity to earn rewards for completing daily activities and challenges. Teams with the best performance are rewarded with discounts or cash prizes.

Pavlok has also gained visibility through media appearances, including features on The Doctors, ABC News, and CBS. The company maintains an active presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, where it shares updates, advice, and promotional content.

A recent Instagram post from Pavlok's account @pavlok on December 4, features their product in line for Cyber Week, captioned:

"New habits don’t create themselves. Take control of your journey with Pavlok, the wearable that empowers you to build positive behaviors. This Cyber Week, make it happen for 40% OFF EVERYTHING."

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