Everyone thinks landing a Shark Tank deal is the holy grail. Here’s the truth: sometimes getting rejected on TV is the best thing that can happen—if you know how to hustle after the lights go out. Neuro proved that with mints and gum built for the grind, not the hype.
Neuro’s Energy Mints and Gum: Built for the Hustle, Not the Hype
Neuro showed up sharp in Shark Tank Season 11, armed with a pitch so tight even the most skeptical Shark had to pay attention. The company? They make nootropic energy gum and mints—products pumped up to give you focus and clarity when your brain’s running on fumes.
They’re not selling miracles. They’re solving a real problem for founders, students, athletes, road warriors—anyone who wants a boost but doesn’t want to slam another chemical-laced drink. No sugar bombs, no needles, no secret formulas. Just functional supplements you pop in your mouth.
Why did they catch the Sharks’ eye? Because Neuro isn’t just a flashy package—it’s a business stacked with moving parts and real demand.
From Judo Mats to Boardrooms: Founders Who Don’t Quit
If you’re going to bet on a startup, you want to back founders who’ll crawl through the dirt when the game gets rough.
Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen aren’t your cliché Silicon Valley kids. Both are athletes. Kent brings hardcore discipline from his days on the Japanese Olympic Judo team. Ryan? He survived a spinal cord injury, then trained with the U.S. Paralympic team. Forget feel-good inspiration—these two have built their business on pain tolerance and making the impossible look possible.
They met in college, bonded over the athlete’s hustle, and knew there were more like them—people who needed an edge in the real world, without draining their wallets or their health.
If you ever wanted proof that relentless grit beats buzzwords, look at how these guys move.
Why Neuro’s Products Actually Stand Out
Thousands of brain boosters crowd gas stations and supplement aisles—and most are junk, or worse, just candy with caffeine.
Neuro’s edge is simple: convenience, speed, and ingredients that make sense. Their gum and mints use nootropics—think caffeine, L-theanine, and B6—stuff backed by science, not quackery. Chew it, feel it kick in, get back to work. No more pounding weird energy shots. No complicated routines.
Is the formula patentable? Nope. But the branding, community, and straight-shooting marketing? That’s what clicks. It’s clarity and focus, minus the shady hype. And for anyone who’s burned out on empty claims, that’s a breath of fresh air.
Inside the Shark Tank Pitch: Ask, Offers, and High-Stakes Poker
Let’s talk real numbers, because Shark Tank is always about money and leverage—and who blinks first.
Neuro’s founders asked for $750,000 in exchange for just 5% equity—a $15 million valuation. That’s a bold ask for gum and mints, but when they dropped their $3.5 million revenue number for just eight months in 2019, ears perked up.
Here’s where things got interesting:
Mark Cuban bailed fast. He didn’t want anything to do with supplement claims. Honestly? That’s his lane, and he sticks to it.
Daniel Lubetzky (a guy who knows snacks) couldn’t connect with the rapid growth and product type. He was out.
Kevin O’Leary played his usual royalty game: $750K for 5% plus $0.50 back per unit until he hit $1 million. Call it a Mr. Wonderful tax.
Robert Herjavec saw meat on the bone, countering with $1 million for 20%—but that dropped the founders’ $15 mil val to $5 mil. That’s a deep cut.
The catch? The founders never blinked. They knew what their company was worth, didn’t take the lowball, and walked out.
I’ve seen founders cave or get desperate. Kent and Ryan kept their backbone—even with Kevin wheeling and dealing in his corner. Sometimes the power play is to walk, not to settle.
The Valuation Poker Game: Where Did the Numbers Land?
Let’s dissect the numbers. The ask: $750K for 5%, putting Neuro at a crisp $15 million pre-money valuation. That’s not small potatoes for a company selling gum and mints—but when you toss $3.5 million in revenue in just eight months, it’s not off-the-wall either.
Sharks are infamous for knifing valuations—especially when they sense momentum but want a bigger cut for their money. Robert’s $1M for 20% said, Yeah, I’m interested—but only if you’re desperate. Kevin’s royalty play? It’s his go-to to de-risk the deal and get paid, no matter how the company fares.
Neuro didn’t budge. And that’s the kind of founder energy I respect: know your worth, show hard numbers, don’t get bullied down.
Sales, Growth, and the Build After “No Deal”
Here’s the Shark Tank secret nobody tells you: Sometimes No Deal is worth more than a handshake. You get the brand exposure, you don’t lose equity, and the sharks have to watch you eat their lunch if you back up your pitch.
Neuro left the tank without cash—but also without strings or compromise. And guess what? Sales exploded. They were already raking in millions, but the Shark Tank buzz pushed them further. Their trajectory? Up.
No sob stories about running out of cash in a garage. Neuro moved their ops from apartments to something that looks more like a CPG up-and-comer. Their products landed in more retail stores and blew up online. They pivoted to cover both e-comm and retail, just like the top consumer brands.
I’ve seen DTC brands flame out after a TV rush. These guys played it right.
Hitting Walls: Lessons in Grit and Gut Checks
Every Shark Tank pitch, win or lose, comes with bruises. Neuro had theirs.
First, the supplement game is brutal—lots of players, crazy claims, endless FDA headaches. Mark Cuban saw that minefield and bailed. Also, royalty deals sound great on TV but can bleed cash in reality.
The founders knew those traps, held their line, and turned media attention into customer acquisition. Rejection didn’t end them; it accelerated the game. Want a real lesson? Don’t let a no go to waste—turn it into more eyes, more sales, more buzz.
Plenty of entrepreneurs bail on their mission after a public hit. Not these two. They hustled harder and built the community that TV couldn’t.
Where Is Neuro Now? The Grind Continues
A lot of Shark Tank businesses stretch out their 15 minutes of fame. Neuro took that attention, doubled down, and refused to fade. As of 2025, they’re fully in business—products pumping, shelves stocked at major retailers, e-commerce working overtime.
The team is bigger. The founders are still in the trenches, tweaking products and building out new channels. Their moves? Expanding the line, experimenting with flavors, and meeting customers where they are.
Annual revenue isn’t public, but their retail and press footprints scream growth. If they held onto their aggressive $15 million valuation, I wouldn’t be surprised. (Plenty of deals on the Tank valued less and tanked.)
Smart pivots, engaged customers, and a founder story that’s still authentic as hell—that’s what keeps the doors open, not just a lucky TV spot.
Why Neuro’s Story Matters If You Care About Business, Not Just TV
What does Neuro teach entrepreneurs and side hustlers?
First: TV doesn’t make you. Numbers do. If your foundation is strong, one episode is just a springboard, not a finish line.
Second: Know your value, stand your ground, and never take a shark’s deal just for the brag. You’ll get one shot at massive exposure—use it to win long-term, not just for headlines.
And third: Rejection can be rocket fuel. The best founders take a No as proof they’re onto something and grind even harder.
Neuro’s path wasn’t a fairy tale. It was all business: strong margins, a sharp team, and relentless execution after the cameras left. That’s how you build something real.
FAQs — Neuro & Shark Tank
Is Neuro from Shark Tank still in business?
Absolutely. The company is alive, expanding, and not coasting on past glory.
Did Neuro get a deal on Shark Tank?
No. They walked out with exposure and street cred, not a Shark’s check.
What is the current net worth or valuation of Neuro?
No current public number, but signs point to it matching or beating their $15M ask.
Where can I buy Neuro gum and mints?
Online or in major national retail stores—easy access for anyone who wants a fast energy fix.
What makes Neuro gum and mints different from typical energy supplements?
They use effective nootropics, act lightning-fast, and there are no drinks or pills to lug around.
Who are the founders of Neuro?
Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen—athletes first, founders always.
How much did Neuro have in sales before their Shark Tank pitch?
$3.5 million in just eight months. That’s why they came in bold with their numbers.
What’s the biggest lesson from Neuro’s Shark Tank experience?
Exposure feeds the top of your funnel. If you’re gritty and thoughtful, you can outgrow any no. Public rejection? Use it as fuel to build, not an excuse to quit.
The Operator’s Take
Neuro’s story isn’t about a lucky pitch or a magic check—it’s about standing your ground, using every shot, and never confusing TV with real traction. This is how you play the Shark Tank game for keeps. If you want to build something bigger than a segment, study the after-shows, not just the pitches. And keep hustling.
