Life Lift Systems Update | Shark Tank Season 10

Most homes in tornado zones don’t have a safe place to hide during a storm. To fix this, Levi Wilson and Tim Todd built Life Lift Systems, a metal shelter that goes under your bed and keeps you safe during tornadoes, hurricanes, or even break-ins. It’s simple, strong, and doesn’t take up extra space. Will the sharks get on board? Let’s find out in our Life Lift Systems update and pitch recap.

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

Levi and Tim entered Shark Tank Season 10, seeking $550,000 for 15% equity in their innovative tornado shelter. After their pitch, they secured a deal with Mark Cuban for $550,000 for 25% equity.

In terms of a Life Lift Systems update, the company closed its deal with Mark Cuban and expanded quickly after the show, adding 19 distributors and launching new shelter products.

Shark	Result
Mark Cuban	Accepted offer of $550,000 for 25% equity
Lori Greiner	$550,000 for 25% equity
Kevin O’Leary	No offer
Robert Herjavec	No offer
Charles Barkley	No offer

Shark Tank Life Lift Systems Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Levi Wilson and Tim Todd
• Business: Tornado shelter that fits under a bed
• Ask: $550,000 for 15% equity
• Result: $550,000 for 25% equity
• Shark: Mark Cuban

Levi and Tim pitched Life Lift Systems on Shark Tank, offering a telescoping tornado shelter that fits under a standard bed.

The shelter is built to withstand severe storms and is bolted to a concrete slab to prevent it from being lifted. It’s delivered in parts and assembled inside the home.

The sharks examined the shelter on stage. It fit four of them comfortably. Kevin O’Leary asked if it could survive a tornado that destroys a house. Levi said yes.

Mark Cuban wanted to know how it was installed. Levi said the parts are brought in and assembled on-site.

Lori Greiner asked if the shelter could close while someone was inside. Levi said a battery safety feature prevents that.

Tim shared that his own experience with tornadoes led to the product’s creation.

Guest shark Charles Barkley asked for the total cost. They confirmed it’s $6,000 for a queen or king-size shelter, fully installed.

Robert Herjavec asked how that price compares to other shelters. They said it’s about the same.

They had sold 119 units in the past 3–4 months, mostly through social media marketing, and made $550,000 during that period.

Kevin asked if all units had been installed. They said they were still working on it.

When asked about production costs, they said it cost around $3,600 per unit and retailed for $4,850. The sharks thought the margins were too low.

Mark suggested raising the price. Kevin believed customers would pay $9,000. Levi was hesitant, but Tim said they were still learning and adjusting.

Charles asked if they worked on Life Lift full-time. Levi said he runs a machine shop, and Tim works in marketing.

Kevin asked if the product was patented. Levi said the telescoping system was patent pending.

Robert asked about their growth strategy. They said they had two dealers in Oklahoma and planned to expand through wholesale partnerships.

Robert was the first shark to drop out of negotiations because he felt the margins were too tight. Kevin and Charles also passed for the same reason.

However, Mark offered $550,000 for 25% equity and said he could help scale the business and make new contacts.

Lori made the same offer. Levi asked if either would accept 20% equity plus a $100 per-unit royalty.

Initially, Mark agreed to the revised terms but later went back to his original offer of  $550,000 for 25% equity. He added that he wouldn’t partner with Lori.

Levi and Tim accepted Mark’s deal.

Now let’s get a Life Lift Systems update to see how the company is doing.

Shark Tank Life Lift Systems Update

Our Life Lift Systems update confirmed that the company successfully closed its deal with Mark Cuban after appearing on Shark Tank.

Following the show, the company gained a lot of traction and expanded its product line to include garage and workbench shelters. It also added 19 new distributors.

In 2021, the company rebranded as Vortex Vaults. In April 2023, its annual revenue had reportedly grown to around $4 million.

However, not long after, customer complaints began to surface. Reports included power failures, faulty lift mechanisms, and beds that didn’t align correctly.

In response, some frustrated customers formed online communities to share their experiences and search for support.

Meanwhile, our Life Lift Systems update found that Tim exited the company in June 2019. He later turned his attention to other ventures, such as Delta Heavy Metal and WeedHosters.

As of the time of this update, Vortex Vaults appears to have ceased operations. The company’s website and social media accounts have gone dark.

Additionally, multiple customers have reported that they cannot get in touch with the company for repairs or assistance.

Despite its early success and backing from Mark Cuban, these ongoing issues ultimately appear to have contributed to its downfall.

It looks like this will be our final Life Lift Systems update.

You can find the other company updates from Season 10 Episode 13 here:

• Fresh Bellies Update
• SubSafe Update
• Zorpads Update

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