SoundBender Amplifier Update | Season 4
Rabbi Moshe Weiss created a product to change the way sound is amplified from smart phones and tablets. Will it earn him a deal on
Shark Tank SoundBender Update
- Entrepreneur: Moshe Weiss
- Business: Magnetic, power-free amplifier
- Ask: $54,000 for 26% equity
- Result: $54,000 for 40% equity, contingent on Walgreens interest
- Shark: Daymond John
Rabbi Moshe came on the tank to show the sharks his business and invention, the SoundBender. By magnetically attaching to a user’s phone or tablet, the SoundBender literally bent the soundwaves back to the listener or viewer’s ears, amplifying it without the need for an external speaker.
When demonstrating the SoundBender, Kevin O’Leary was impressed to see it made a real difference in the volume of the sound. He immediately asked about the margins, learning that Rabbi Moshe was selling it for $12.99 against a $1 cost to make it.
Robert Herjavec asked about sales and learned that Moshe sold 7,000 units both online and through wholesale distribution. He went on to state that Walgreens had recently expressed interest in carrying the SoundBender. This was enticing for the sharks.
Kevin asked if Moshe considered licensing the product, but the Rabbi was resistant. Because of this, Kevin decided he was out. He was not interested in selling the SoundBender, but would’ve been pleased to collect a $0.04 royalty on each unit sold by an existing major player in the market.
Mark Cuban went out next, applauding the Rabbi for having the “chutzpah” to come on the tank. Mark might have just been excited to use Yiddish in the presence of the Rabbi. Nonetheless, he couldn’t see getting a return on his investment. For that reason, he was out.
Barbara Corcoran echoed Mark’s sentiments, concerned that she would not get her money back in a timely fashion. She asked if the Rabbi would consider making a deal in which she collected a royalty on each unit sold until her money was recouped. He was adamantly opposed to this idea however, and with that, Barbara went out.
Daymond John spoke up, indicating his interest. Rabbi Moshe asked how much equity Daymond would ask for in exchange for the $54,000. Daymond said 40% seemed fair, but it would be contingent o the Walgreens deal going through.
Robert was interested as well, and also offered Rabbi Moshe $54,000 for 40% equity, but without any contingencies. Unfortunately for Robert, the Rabbi accepted Daymond’s deal and he even confessed in a post-pitch confessional that he considered Daymond to be a “marketing genius!” What transpired after the tank? Keep reading our SoundBender update to find out!
We have some very mixed news to share in our SoundBender update. The deal with Daymond did close, and the partnership led to an influx in sales. Sadly, Rabbi Moshe passed away in 2016 at the age of 41 due to heart complications, and the company went out a business. The good news is that in 2021, the SoundBender website returned, and so did products. As of the second quarter of 2023 however, products do not seem to be available for purchase.
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Andrew Smith is the founder and owner of Shark Tank Recap. He is a longtime Shark Tank fan that has been watching it for years and has seen every episode multiple times. His friends know him as the Shark Tank expert, because he can answer any question about the show! His favorite Shark Tank products are Bertello's pizza oven and Bug Bite Thing!