Think every Shark Tank win is a golden ticket? Think again. Sometimes, the biggest winners are the ones who leave empty-handed—like Pet Plate. The pitch was slick. The product looked strong. But the Sharks didn’t bite. So, why is Pet Plate now worth millions, making moves nationwide, and still shaking up the premium dog food game?
Pull up a chair. This isn’t your regular TV highlight reel. This is the real business story. Here’s what happened to Pet Plate, founder Renaldo Webb, and what their journey teaches every hustler who’s ever been told no.
Straight to the Pitch: What Was Pet Plate’s Ask on Shark Tank?
Back in Season 8, Episode 10, Renaldo Webb stepped on that expensive rug with his dog, Winston, and a killer mix of nerves and swagger. He wanted $100,000 for 10% of Pet Plate—valuing his young, fresh dog food operation at a cool $1 million.
This was no hyped-up pet treat. Pet Plate delivered freshly cooked, human-grade dog meals straight to customers’ doors. Bones, veggies, proteins—all the real stuff you’d pay extra for at Whole Foods, just for dogs. The hook? Subscription. Recurring revenue. Different sizes for different pets.
He wasn’t playing it safe. He passed food samples for Sharks to taste. Mark Cuban called it delicious, probably the first time on TV he’s called dog food that. Still, presentation was only half the battle. The Sharks wanted numbers.
Founder Focus: Who Is Renaldo Webb?
Renaldo Webb is not your average petpreneur. Before Shark Tank, he started out in consulting and analytics, always torn between making a living and making an impact. Seeing junk ingredients getting fed to dogs in commercial food lit a fire in him.
He wasn’t in this for a fad or a quick dollar. He wanted to change how pet parents think about food. Renaldo’s backstory is classic founder fuel: solve your own pain, see the gap no one else is willing to tackle. Before Shark Tank, he had 100 customers, a small radius around New York, and a product with cult potential. After Shark Tank? That’s where grit comes in.
The Outcome: Did Any Shark Bite?
Let’s cut to it. No deals, no handshakes, no confetti.
Lori Greiner liked the mission but didn’t believe in the model. Robert Herjavec fretted about the logistics. Chris Sacca had other bets he didn’t want to cross. Mark Cuban knew the grind of operations would eat him alive. Kevin O’Leary just wanted his money back, and didn’t see enough upside.
None of them ponied up. Pet Plate walked out without a dollar. But, if you’ve watched enough episodes, you know: Sometimes the only thing worse than a no is a yes on the wrong terms.
Pet Plate’s Net Worth and Revenue: Where’s the Money Today?
Now, here’s where you stop caring about who shook hands on TV. Pet Plate has raised $47 million since its Shark Tank rejection. That’s venture money, not reality TV money. Over 18 million meals shipped. Annual revenue over $9 million as of 2023.
So, what’s Pet Plate’s net worth? No official number on paper, but smart money puts it comfortably in the low tens of millions. Why? Raising nearly $50 million at post-Series B valuations plus double-digit annual growth. The numbers would make most DTC founders jealous.
This isn’t kept afloat after Shark Tank. This is a big dog in premium dog food, all without a Shark on the cap table.
Growth After the Tank: How Did Pet Plate Scale Up?
Here’s what I love—Pet Plate took the no from the Sharks and used it as raw fuel.
First, they expanded shipping nationwide. When most small DTC brands implode, they 10x’d their footprint. Then, came the funding: $4 million in 2018 to ramp up. By 2020, a $9 million round—big players joined, like General Mills’ investment division.
In 2021, they snagged a deal with Paramount for Paw Patrol branded packs. In short: pet parents noticed, kids noticed, big retailers started calling. By 2023, $47 million total raised, retail pilots rolling out, and over 18 million meals delivered.
No Shark-backed bump, just savage execution and a team that shut out the noise. I’ve seen companies fizzle after TV fades—Pet Plate went the other way, pulling a Bombas-style pivot but in the dog food aisle.
The Product: What Sets Pet Plate Apart Now?
Let’s get something straight. The DTC premium pet food space is crowded. But Pet Plate cut through by focusing on real, human-grade food—no sketchy fillers, no mystery meal byproducts.
You order from their site, enter your dog’s info—age, weight, sensitivities. Pet Plate cooks up meals in USDA kitchens and ships them to your door on a subscription. No more late-night runs for kibble. It’s basically Blue Apron for dogs, but less complex. They’ve even added supplements, treats, and, yes, the limited-edition movie tie-in boxes.
What’s the differentiator? It’s trust. You could eat it yourself and not flinch (some Sharks did, remember?). That’s stickiness—the kind that keeps a DTC business from becoming a one-and-done novelty.
Real Lessons: What Hustlers Can Learn from Pet Plate’s Journey
Here’s the truth: getting rejected on Shark Tank isn’t a death sentence. Sometimes it’s an accelerator. Renaldo Webb didn’t fold; he kept betting on his own vision.
Lesson one? The real game starts after TV. Funding chases momentum. Solid branding, relentless focus on product, and a refusal to stall at setbacks—that’s what kept Pet Plate rising.
Lesson two? Own your worth. Too many founders get shark-bitten because they lowball themselves. Renaldo walked out rather than cave on equity. Now he owns a bigger slice of a much bigger pie.
If you’re in the game, chasing early customers and thinking it gets easier—think again. The grind never stops. But so does the chance to surprise every last doubter.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Pet Plate?
So you’ve raised millions, broken nine figures in meals, and found your way into retail—what now? The signals are strong. Pet Plate is moving fast into retail channels. Those Paw Patrol partnerships? Just the start.
More SKUs, new treats, a line for cats (maybe)—you can bet their team is sniffing out every lucrative niche. The U.S. premium pet market is just their launching pad. Global shipping could be around the corner.
Renaldo still sits in the driver’s seat. Investors are happy. Every year, more pet parents look for human food for their four-legged kids. There is plenty of room left to run.
Conclusion: Why Pet Plate’s Story Matters More Than the Deal
If you only watch Shark Tank for the handshake, you’re missing the best part. Pet Plate didn’t win a partner—but they won in the place it counts: the market. It takes guts to stand in front of five billionaires and walk away empty-handed, then go build real tens-of-millions success anyway.
That’s why Renaldo Webb’s story matters. Pet Plate shows you don’t need a Shark if you have hustle, brains, and a damn good product. Learn the lesson. Chase the growth, not the TV moment.
You can follow Pet Plate’s journey and check their latest products over at SharkWorth, the ultimate site for tracking real post-Tank winners.
FAQs for Hungry Readers and Wannabe Founders
1. Is Pet Plate still active and shipping meals in the U.S.?
Absolutely. Pet Plate is shipping millions of meals nationwide and is running full-throttle.
2. Did any Shark invest in Pet Plate after the cameras stopped rolling?
No. Renaldo Webb stayed independent. All growth has come from outside investors, VCs, and his own hustle.
3. How much is Pet Plate worth today?
No official net worth, but after raising $47 million and delivering 18 million meals, think low tens of millions.
4. Can you buy Pet Plate in stores, or is it only online?
Originally online-only. Now, select retail pilots and more brick-and-mortar deals are coming soon. Check their site for locations.
5. What makes Pet Plate’s food better than regular dog food?
It’s made in USDA kitchens, using only real, human-grade ingredients—no byproducts, fillers, or artificial junk.
6. Where is Pet Plate headquartered?
Pet Plate runs its show out of New York.
7. Who owns Pet Plate right now?
Renaldo Webb remains the major owner, alongside venture capital investors.
8. Has Renaldo Webb started any other businesses since Pet Plate?
No new solo startups—his focus is still 100% on Pet Plate and growing that brand.
Real brands, real hustle, real money moves. Pet Plate wrote their own rulebook, and that’s the story we should watch.
