10 strange 'Shark Tank' inventions that are surprisingly useful
ABC
Since its inception in 2009, "Shark Tank" has seen a menagerie of business ideas ranging from absolutely brilliant to totally bizarre. Over the past eight seasons, judges on the hit ABC reality series — known as "sharks" — have made many aspiring entrepreneurs' light bulb moments a reality by providing the start-up capital and attaching their name to the business. Of course, they've also shattered many dreams and triggered waterworks from contestants along the way.
We've extensively covered the food ideas that have prospered and failed in the past, but a few of the household pitches have caught our attention, too. In honor of the show's ninth season premiere on Oct 1, we've rounded up our favorite "Shark Tank" home inventions — ranging from wow to WTF. Hint: Ideas that have to do with the bathroom were very well-received.
Squatty Potty
Let's face it: You can hardly beat a sales pitch that promises you the "best poop of your life". Since its appearance on Season 6 of the show, "Squatty Potty" has become somewhat of a unicorn of success. In fact, the company furthered its fame by releasing a unicorn and rainbow poop-themed short video in 2015, which raked in over 32 million views on Youtube.
Sales for the ergonomic stool, designed for more comfortable bowel movements, completely took off since then. Stools made from a variety of premium materials, such as bamboo and teak wood, are also available for purchase. The company was projected to make $30 million in sales in 2016. Who knew making pooping comfortable is such a gold mine?
Cost: Classic Ecco, $24.99
Lumio
This invention has become the design commodity du jour, and we aren't exactly surprised: It's received an overwhelming amount of interest from the sharks from the get-go. The smart reading light — which fans out beautifully like a book — is now retailed in Asia, Europe, and Australia. The product has been so well-received internationally that Max Gunawan, the founder, got recognized on the streets in Indonesia.
Cost: Classic Lumio, $200
Zipit Bedding
This product is a godsend for those of us who dread tidying up our beds. Essentially a sleeping bag in the shape of a mattress cover, you'd be able to zip yourself in and be done with it. We can see this Season 5 pitch becoming really popular at dorms, but we have to ask: Is it really comfortable to sleep in a flat cocoon?
Cost: "Extreme Sports" Twin Bedding Set, $24.98
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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