Basepaws Update | Shark Tank Season 10

Anna Skaya noticed that while dog owners had access to DNA testing, cat owners had no similar option. So, she created Basepaws to fix that, a simple at-home DNA test made just for cats. It helps owners learn about their cat’s breed, traits, and health risks using a small fur sample. Will the sharks back this unique idea for pet lovers? Let’s find out in our Basepaws update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Basepaws after Shark Tank.

Anna entered Shark Tank Season 10, seeking $250,000 for 5% equity in her cat DNA testing product. After her pitch, she secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec for $250,000 for 10% equity.

In terms of a Basepaws update, the company capitalized on the exposure by expanding its product line and scaling operations, which led to a sharp rise in revenue and visibility. The company was later acquired by Zoetis for over $50 million.

Shark	Result
Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec	Accepted offer of $250,000 for 10% equity
Daymond John	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Mark Cuban	No offer

Shark Tank Basepaws Pitch

• Entrepreneur: Anna Skaya
• Business: DNA Testing for Cats
• Ask: $250,000 for 5% equity
• Result: $250,000 for 10% equity
• Sharks: Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec

Anna pitched Basepaws to the sharks as the first-ever DNA test made specifically for cats. She explained that while dog owners had many testing options, cat owners had none.

With Basepaws, cat owners can learn about their pet’s breed, health risks, traits, and ancestry using a simple at-home kit.

She walked the sharks through how it works. Customers receive a kit by mail, collect a fur or cheek swab sample from their cat, and send it back to the lab.

Basepaws processes the sample and sends back a detailed report with genetic insights. Anna handed out samples of the kit.

Kevin O’Leary noted there was a swab instead of tape. Anna explained that they provide both since some cats don’t shed enough fur.

Robert Herjavec pointed out that other companies offer DNA tests for pets. Anna clarified that Basepaws is the first company focused on cats.

She said they would be ready to expand to dogs and horses by the following year.

Lori Greiner asked if people care more about testing dogs than cats. Anna agreed that dogs have a bigger market but said cats are still overlooked and have strong potential.

Robert asked what made them different. Anna said Basepaws uses their own technology and is more affordable.

Each kit costs $25 to make and sells for $95.

When asked about sales, Anna said they’d been on the market for 10 months and had sold 2,500 kits, earning $250,000. They aimed to reach $400,000 in revenue by the end of the year.

Robert asked how much funding they had raised. Anna said $350,000, which went into building the lab and product development.

Lori asked how they launched. Anna said they used their website and Instagram. She also shared that this was her fourth company.

She grew up around science, both her parents were biologists and had worked with international cat breeders.

Kevin offered $250,000 for 8.3% equity and 1.7% in advisory shares. Anna countered with 5% equity, explaining that other investors had offered that.

Meanwhile, Lori dropped out, saying the sales didn’t justify the target revenue. Mark Cuban and Daymond John also dropped out, citing scale concerns.

Robert then made the same offer as Kevin. Anna asked if they would team up. Kevin agreed and offered $250,000 for 10% equity, with 5% evenly split between them.

Anna accepted the deal. She left with both Kevin and Robert on board and a plan to grow Basepaws beyond cats.

It’s now time to get our Basepaws update to see how this innovative DNA testing company for cats has performed since its Shark Tank appearance.

Shark Tank Basepaws Update

Our Basepaws update found that the deal closed after filming, and sales took off soon after.

In 2022, revenue jumped from $200,000 to $3.5 million, helped by new products like a cat dental health test and a COVID-19 test for pets.

The brand got solid exposure through Shark Tank updates, Facebook’s Boost My Business, and events hosted by Amazon Launchpad. Kevin O’Leary even brought them to his summit.

In June 2022, Zoetis, an animal health giant, acquired Basepaws for over $50 million. The brand name stayed.

Our Basepaws update found that Anna remained in charge of its operations, with the team still operating out of Santa Monica.

In 2023, Basepaws expanded into dog DNA testing and rolled out new vet-focused microbiome tools.

Products are now sold on Amazon and the Basepaws website, with Zoetis helping distribute to clinics.

At the time of this writing, their annual revenue has reached $3.8 million with 36 employees across several countries.

We can’t wait for more exciting news in our next Basepaws update.

You can find the other company updates from Season 10 Episode 21 here:

• Best Pocket Square Holder Update
• Kymera Body Boards Update
• The Bang Shack Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 10 products.