Here’s the headline—sometimes, the Shark Tank spotlight makes you, and sometimes, it just spotlights the hype. Boost Oxygen waltzed onto Season 11, asking for big money and talking even bigger. But was it all just canned air, or did they really create a category-defining business? I’ve seen too many founders walk into the tank with confidence, get a handshake, then fizzle out when real distribution kicked in. Boost Oxygen? These guys had a grip on their numbers—and on reality.
Meet the Founders: Rob Neuner and Mike Grice—Operators Who Don’t Flinch
Let’s start with who runs this show. Rob Neuner and Mike Grice are not your average inventor in the garage story. Neuner is a serial entrepreneur, the type who’s hustled distribution deals in harsh retail trenches. Mike Grice brought operational brass—he’s ex-military, which means structure, discipline, and no-nonsense execution.
That’s critical. I’ve seen too many tech bros fake it ‘til they tank it on big stages. Neuner and Grice? They built Boost Oxygen up to $6.4 million in sales before ever stepping onto Shark Tank. That’s not luck—it’s grind, and it shows.
The Product: Oxygen in a Can—Gimmick, Joke, or Genius?
Alright—portable oxygen cans. I’ve heard people say, Who needs this? It’s just air—can you even sell that? Boost Oxygen sells lightweight canisters filled with 95% pure oxygen. You pop the cap, give it a squeeze, and get a shot of clean O2.
Why would you want that? The pitch goes: athletes, hikers, travelers, or anyone needing a quick boost instead of a jittery energy drink. Sounds nuts? Maybe. But you know what else sounded weird back in the day? Bottled water.
Is Boost Oxygen a medical product? Nope. That’s important—they’re clear it’s for recreational use only. And honestly, you have to admire their branding game. The cans look sleek enough to end up in a Kardashian gym bag.
The Numbers: Real Money, Real Margins, No Pipe Dream
Forget fairy tales and Shark Tank edit tricks. Here are the hard facts—they came in asking $1 million for 5% equity, putting a $20 million price tag on their business.
Pre-show numbers didn’t lie. Boost Oxygen had $6.4 million in sales and $1.5 million in profit. Not revenue. Not just orders. Pure profit. That’s almost 25% net—frankly, more than you see in most brick-and-mortar brands.
Why does it matter? Because Shark Tank is littered with founders cooking the books, talking about projections, not shipments. These guys already had:
- Shelf space in big box chains
- National Walmart rollout underway
- Amazon listings plus retail giants like CVS, Dick’s, and Kroger onboard
If you’re chasing that kind of growth, you know how tough it is just to get a buyer at Walmart on the line. They closed the deal and put the product nationwide—before they even pitched to the Sharks.
Net Worth and Valuation: Does Boost Oxygen Deserve the Hype?
Let’s talk net worth, valuation, and reality checks. At pitch time, they came in hyped at $20 million.
A lot of founders get greedy here—dollar signs in their eyes, hoping a Shark will bite because it’s TV, and egos get big in the studio heat. Boost Oxygen knew what they had. The profit and the retail traction justified that valuation in a way most As Seen On TV products just don’t.
And in 2023, they blasted through $15+ million in sales, on track for $50 million. You don’t need to be Mr. Wonderful to see that’s an eight-figure valuation all day, every day. Even if you play it conservative, the business has matured beyond what most Tank hopefuls could ever dream of.
If you’re looking for a SharkWorth breakdown: this is what the site’s readers care about—real numbers, not just theoretical multiples. Boost Oxygen played in the big league from day one.
The Shark Tank Pitch: Who Bit, Who Bailed, and Who Played Hardball?
Now, let’s set the scene. Rob and Mike walk in, confident. Five Sharks on the panel: Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Barbara Corcoran, Rohan Oza.
Here’s what happened on the carpet:
- Rohan Oza checks out instantly. Too much customer education needed, not his jam.
- Barbara Corcoran is surprisingly close—she’d seen her husband use it, but she’s not writing a check.
- Lori Greiner? Loves the founders, but she’s not sold on the product itself. Pass.
- Mark Cuban hits the can, gets the Boost, but he’s not feeling the energy—out.
- Kevin O’Leary? Oh, he smells a deal.
O’Leary comes in with classic structured-finance play: a $1 million loan at 9% + 7.5% equity. The founders push back—negotiation gets gritty. They work him down, locking in a $1 million loan at 7.5% with only 6.25% equity on the table.
That’s not rookie stuff. That’s negotiating like you’ve been through the ringer before. These guys didn’t blink, didn’t let TV pressure box them in. I’ve seen operators freeze up, then give away the house. Not here.
Where Is Boost Oxygen Now? The Post-Tank Scorecard
Here’s where it gets real. Shark Tank launched the brand to a bigger, national stage—but the show only builds a bridge. The founders had to walk across themselves. And did they ever.
Since their episode:
- Sales shot up from $6.4M to more than $15M, with reports of a $50M projection in 2023.
- Distribution exploded—Walmart, CVS, Kroger, Amazon, Dick’s, Bass Pro Shops—if you’re in the U.S., you can probably buy it within three miles of your house.
- Boost Oxygen came back for a follow-up episode in Season 12 (yes, another Where Are They Now? segment—and they only bring those back for winners).
- Retail and international expansion are underway. The brand exists in airports, health stores, and now outdoor chains nationwide.
Let’s call it how it is: most Shark Tank deals stall, or die a slow death in due diligence. Boost Oxygen made the Sharks look smart—and kept the business roaring.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs: What Boost Oxygen Teaches About Category Creation
Here’s the takeaway for every hustler, founder, and would-be Shark in the wings.
1. Don’t Be Afraid of Weird
Oxygen in a can is weird—no getting around it. But the founders stood firm, educated the market, and didn’t flinch when the Sharks called it confusing.
2. Nail the Numbers Before the Pitch
They didn’t come in with guesses. Margins, operating profit, per-store sell-through—these guys were ready for every question. That’s how you fend off predatory deals and keep your valuation strong.
3. Own Customer Education
Boost Oxygen had to teach America why anyone should buy O2 in a can. It took years, but they invested in branding, marketing, and packaged it to look aspirational, not medical. That’s how you normalize a strange product.
4. Don’t Get Played in Negotiations
Kevin O’Leary is no pushover. He offered a crushingly expensive loan with equity. The founders pushed back—settled on better terms. Learn the value of your company, and don’t get boxed in by TV drama or ego.
5. Momentum Trumps Flash
Many Shark Tank companies see a sales spike, then collapse when the hype dries up. Boost Oxygen doubled down on retail and doubled their revenue post-show. Brands like Bombas and Scrub Daddy pulled this off. Boost Oxygen is in that league.
Conclusion: So, Does Boost Oxygen Deserve the Hype?
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Most as seen on Shark Tank hype fades fast. Boost Oxygen, though? Still crushing it. Real sales, real profits, real retail muscle.
They didn’t just get lucky—they brought numbers, experience, and grit, then maximized their moment in front of the world. Not every founder gets that right.
Bottom line—Boost Oxygen deserves the reputation as one of the Tank’s more legit success stories. If you’re chasing big growth with a weird product, study these founders. They didn’t get rich off hype. They got rich off execution.
Hustlers, that’s your playbook.
FAQs – Straight Answers for Real-World Questions
1. Is Boost Oxygen from Shark Tank still in business?
Yes, and thriving. Sales topped $15 million, and retail footprint keeps growing nationwide.
2. Did Kevin O’Leary’s deal actually close after the show?
Yes—the structured loan and equity deal went through. Kevin’s money is in the business.
3. How much is Boost Oxygen worth now?
No hard numbers, but with over $15M in sales and projections of $50M, think eight-figure valuation at least.
4. Where can I buy Boost Oxygen today?
Basically everywhere—CVS, Walmart, Kroger, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, Amazon, and at boostoxygen.com.
5. What do customers actually think of Boost Oxygen?
Mixed, but loyal. Some call it a game changer for energy and altitude, others think it’s overhyped. Reviews are strong online.
6. Was the Shark Tank investment the reason for its growth?
It helped, but these founders already had national momentum before TV. Shark Tank just lit the fuse.
7. Is canned oxygen even safe or legal?
Yes, when sold for recreational use—not as a medical device. Boost Oxygen is upfront about this in all branding.
8. Are there any real competitors to Boost Oxygen now?
A few, but none with their shelf space or brand reach. Boost built a moat with retail, branding, and execution.
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