Flated Inflatable Automotive Gear Update | Shark Tank Season 14

Truck owners often deal with heavy, permanent accessories that are hard to store and transport. Ken Hoeve, Monique Keefer, and Ryan Guay created Flated to fix this problem with inflatable options like the Air Topper, Air Carrier, and Air Deck. These products are lightweight, easy to store, and give truck owners more freedom. Will their company earn a deal on Shark Tank? Find out in our Flated update and pitch recap.

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

Ken, Monique, and Ryan entered Shark Tank Season 14, seeking $350,000 for 5% equity in their inflatable automotive accessories business. After their presentation, they secured a deal with Daymond John for $350,000 for an 8% royalty per unit until the $350,000 is repaid, after which the royalty reduces to 5% in perpetuity.

In terms of a Flated update, the company expanded its product line by introducing an inflatable picnic table with chairs in 2023, targeting outdoor enthusiasts. 

Shark	Result
Daymond John	Accepted offer of $350,000 for an 8% royalty per unit is accepted until the $350,000 is repaid, after which the royalty is reduced to 5% in perpetuity.
Kevin O’Leary	$250,000 for 10% equity
Mark Cuban	No offer
Robert Herjavec	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer

Shark Tank Flated Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Ken Hoeve, Monique Keefer, and Ryan Guay
• Business: Inflatable automotive accessories
• Ask: $350,000 for 5% equity
• Result: $350,000 for 8% royalty until paid back, then 5% in perpetuity
• Shark: Daymond John

Ken, Monique, and Ryan brought their impressive line of inflatable automotive accessories to Shark Tank.

Their mission with Flated was simple: to make durable, inflatable automotive accessories that are easy to store and transport.

They’re seeking an investment to scale production, broaden distribution, and ensure that their products get to a wider audience of outdoor adventurers.

The sharks inspect the samples closely. Lori Greiner, curious about the material, asks about the weave in the middle. 

Ryan explains that it is drop stitch technology, a feature that turns the inflatable material into a rigid panel. 

Lori deflates the product easily, showcasing its simplicity. Meanwhile, Robert Herjavec inquires whether the technology is unique to Flated. 

Ryan clarifies that while drop stitch technology is commonly seen in inflatable water sports products, their patent specifically applies to creating usable space in vehicles.

Furthermore, Ryan shares the team’s backstory. In 2009, he and his co-founders worked at a leading paddleboard company. 

At the time, they pioneered inflatable paddleboards, which were initially mocked by the industry. Nevertheless, they persevered, and now inflatable designs dominate 90% of the paddleboard market. 

This success inspired them to apply similar technology to automotive accessories. For example, their Air Topper costs $740 to manufacture and sells for $1,800. 

Flated offers toppers that are more affordable than fiberglass options, which cost over $3,500 and ships them nationwide.

By summer 2022, Flated had achieved $277,000 in sales and was on track to reach $600,000 by year-end. Additionally, they secured purchase orders from a national retailer. 

However, Kevin O’Leary questions the company’s valuation, and Daymond John asks if they have raised capital. 

Ryan reveals that they raised $500,000 and invested $200 each of their own funds. 

While Ryan works full-time on the business, Monique devotes most of her time, and Ken balances his efforts with another job as a bellman in Vail.

Lori exits, citing concerns about the valuation. Kevin also declined, arguing that the company was worth only $1 million. 

Mark Cuban also doubts the product’s ability to achieve rapid sales growth, leading him to withdraw. 

Robert admires the product but feels the founders lack the necessary drive, so he also declines.

Daymond, however, offers $350,000 for an 8% royalty per unit until the $350,000 is repaid, after which the royalty reduces to 5% in perpetuity.

Ryan counters with a 7% royalty until Daymond recoups his money, followed by 4% in perpetuity. 

Daymond refuses the counter. After deliberating, the team agrees to accept Daymond’s original offer and secure a deal. 

What happened next for their company? Keep reading our Flated update to find out.

Shark Tank Flated Update

Our Flated update found that the deal with Daymond John was successfully closed. 

Moreover, following the episode’s airing, Flated witnessed a substantial increase in exposure and customer interest.

Ken Hoeve noted a surge in orders, stating, “I’ve been monitoring my phone and our orders, and it has been absolutely crazy.” 

In 2023, Flated expanded its lineup to include an inflatable picnic table with chairs, aiming to attract outdoor enthusiasts seeking compact, portable solutions. 

Furthermore, at the time of writing, monthly revenues exceeded $750,000, with projected annual revenue of around $9 million.

Products are available on the Flated website and on Amazon.

Flated remains operational, with an estimated net worth between $7 million and $9 million.  

Once we receive another Flated update, we will let you know.

Do you want to learn about the other companies featured in Season 14 Episode 16? Follow the links below for our other company updates from the episode.

• Pluie Update
• Woof Update
• Sweetkiwi Update

Before you go, check out our Shark Tank Season 14 page for more updates.