Loliware Update | Shark Tank Season 7

After graduating from Parsons School of Design, Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker entered a Jell-O contest and saw how many plastic cups were thrown away. To cut down on this waste, they created Loliware, an edible and biodegradable cup that works like a regular cup but can be eaten or composted instead of tossed in the trash. It’s a simple way to reduce plastic waste while adding a fun twist to drinking. Will the sharks see the potential? Let’s get into our Loliware update and pitch recap.

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

Chelsea and Leigh Ann entered Shark Tank Season 7, seeking $150,000 for 15% equity in Loliware. After their pitch, they left with a deal from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran for $600,000 for 25% equity.

In terms of a Loliware update, the company later expanded into straws, funding production through Kickstarter and shifting its focus to selling exclusively to businesses.

Shark	Result
Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran	Accepted offer of $600,000 for 25% equity
Kevin O’Leary	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Robert Herjavec	No offer

Shark Tank Loliware Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker
• Business: Edible, biodegradable alternative to plastic cups
• Ask: $150,000 for 15% equity
• Result: $600,000 for 25% equity
• Sharks: Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran
  

Chelsea and Leigh Ann walk into Shark Tank with Loliware, an edible cup designed to replace plastic waste.

They ask for $150,000 to scale production and lower costs, making their eco-friendly cups more affordable.

To prove its uniqueness, they take a bite out of the cup, showing the sharks exactly how their biodegradable alternative stands apart.

Loliware cups look like colorful plastic drinking glasses but are made from seaweed and plant-based gelatin, making them completely biodegradable and edible.

The cups hold both hot and cold drinks, come in different flavors, and break down naturally, unlike paper or cornstarch alternatives.

The company sells to both consumers and businesses, offering multiple purchasing options.

They serve the sharks drinks in Loliware cups and they love them. Lori Greiner enjoys her sample and calls it delicious.

They were sugary, made with vegetable gelatin, and firm enough to hold a drink.

Each cup costs $0.97 to make and sells for $1.50, but they aim to reduce costs with higher production volume.

Barbara Corcoran asks about sales, and Chelsea reveals that despite only operating for three months, Loliware has already generated $110,000 in revenue.

Leigh Ann adds that they have been approached by a large event management company with a $1.3 million deal to supply cups for all their events in New York.

Additionally, they are close to finalizing an agreement with a major food distributor.

Mark Cuban inquires about funding, and the entrepreneurs confirm that they are currently raising funds, with $600,000 remaining in the round.

Robert Herjavec sees potential and offers to finish the round with $600,000 for 25% equity, provided another shark joins him. Mark immediately agrees.

However, Barbara and Kevin O’Leary also want in. Lori steps aside, allowing Barbara to team up with Mark.

Mark states he’s open to working with either Robert or Barbara, leaving the decision to the entrepreneurs.

After weighing their options, Chelsea and Leigh Ann accept Mark and Barbara’s deal.

Did this work out well for them? Keep reading our Loliware update to find out.

Shark Tank Loliware Update

Loliware’s deal with Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran went through, and by 2018, the company expanded into making straws, funding production through Kickstarter.

In 2019, they launched the Loliware Straw, but many backers reported not receiving their orders, raising concerns about the shipping process.

The company insisted that all orders had been shipped, but complaints persisted.

Despite these issues, Loliware secured $6 million in funding from New York-based venture firm Hatzimemos/Libby in 2020.

By 2022, they revamped their website, though products remained unavailable for direct purchase.

The company has since shifted its focus away from edible cups and moved to a business-only model, selling Blue Carbon straws exclusively to companies rather than individual consumers.

At the time of writing, Loliware remains operational but has fully transitioned to serving commercial clients.

If we get another Loliware update, we will let you know.

What about the other products featured in Season 7 Episode 2? You can find our company updates for the rest of the episode below.

• O’Dang Hummus Update
• Splikity Update
• Mikki Bey Eyelash Extensions Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 7 products.