Soy Yer Dough update

Soy-Yer-Dough Gluten Free Modeling Clay Update | Shark Tank Season 1

ByAndrew Smith

Sawyer Sparks saw a significant gap in the market for children with celiac disease. Motivated by a desire to help children with dietary restrictions, he spent countless hours developing Soy-Yer-Dough, a wheat-free modeling dough that is safe and fun for all kids. Will his product earn him a deal on Shark Tank? Find out in our Soy-Yer-Dough update and pitch recap.

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

Sawyer entered Shark Tank Season 1 to pitch Soy-Yer-Dough, seeking $125,000 for 25% equity. He reached an agreement with Kevin O’Leary, Robert Herjavec, and Daymond John for $300,000 for 51% equity.

In terms of a Soy-Yer-Dough update, the company was rebranded as Yer Dough and later sold for an undisclosed amount.

SharkResult
Kevin O’Leary, Robert Herjavec, and Daymond JohnAccepted offer of $300,000 for 51% equity
Barbara CorcoranNo offer
Kevin HarringtonNo offer

Shark Tank Soy-Yer-Dough Pitch

Shark Tank Soy Yer Dough update
  • Entrepreneur: Sawyer Sparks
  • Business: Gluten-free modeling clay
  • Ask: $125,000 for 25% equity
  • Result: $300,000 for 51% equity
  • Sharks: Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, and Robert Herjavec

Sawyer started his pitch by confidently introducing his innovative product, Soy-Yer-Dough, a gluten-free play dough designed for children with allergies.

He needed an investment to scale production and expand his reach, helping more children safely enjoy playtime.

Soy-Yer-Dough offers a safe alternative to traditional play dough for children with wheat allergies and celiac disease.

Originally made with soy flour, it was reformulated to use rice flour, making it both gluten-free and soy-free, catering to a wider range of dietary restrictions.

Available in various colors and with a pleasant scent, Soy-Yer-Dough appeals to both children and parents.

Sawyer informed the sharks that 1 in 8 children suffer from wheat allergies. Considering that the major modeling dough market totals 12 million units, this highlights a significant potential market.

The sharks were impressed with sales of 8,000 containers and an order for 11,000 more. They inquired if the material was proprietary.

Sawyer revealed he had a provisional patent on the product and that Hasbro, the makers of Play-Doh, had contacted him multiple times with offers to buy the patent for as much as $500,000.

This revelation excited the sharks. Kevin O’Leary offered $125,000 for 51% equity in the patent rights.

Daymond John, Kevin Harrington, and Barbara Corcoran dropped out, feeling Sawyer already had a good offer.

Sawyer countered Kevin with 40% equity, but Kevin declined.

Then, Robert Herjavec offered $125,000 for 40% equity.

Ultimately, Daymond and Robert came back in and joined Kevin’s offer, collectively proposing $300,000 for 51% equity, which Sawyer accepted.

With a deal in hand, let’s get a Soy-Yer-Dough update to see how Sawyer is doing.

Shark Tank Soy-Yer-Dough Update

Our research on the Soy-Yer-Dough update found that negotiations with the three sharks fell through for unclear reasons.

In response, Sawyer revisited the deal with Hasbro, aiming to maximize sales before selling the patent, but was unsuccessful.

To address potential consumer confusion about the product’s soy content, the name was simplified to “Yer Dough.”

Despite the unsuccessful deal with Hasbro, Yer Dough flourished for a decade.

Our research on the Soy-Yer-Dough update revealed that Sustainable Projects Group acquired the company in May 2020 for an undisclosed amount, and Sawyer Sparks remains CEO.

At the time of writing, it appears that the company is no longer in business, as the current website information does not align with the original service offering pitched on Shark Tank.

If we get another Soy-Yer-Dough update, we will let you know.

Would you like to learn about the other companies featured in Season 1, Episode 7? Follow the links below for our other company updates from the episode.

Before you go, check out our Shark Tank Season 1 page for more updates.

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Andrew is a lifelong fan of Shark Tank and an entrepreneur at heart. He started Shark Tank Recap because he wanted a single place to track what happens to the companies, founders, and deals after they air on TV. With a sharp eye for business insights and a passion for all things Shark Tank, Andrew makes sure every recap is accurate, engaging, and fun.