Windcatcher Air Pad Update | Shark Tank Season 7

Ryan Frayne struggled to inflate air mattresses on camping trips because it took too long and was tiring without a pump. To solve this, he created Windcatcher, an air pad that inflates in seconds using a special design that makes each breath much more powerful. This means no pumps, less effort, and easy deflation for quick storage. Will the sharks invest in this business? Let’s find out in our Windcatcher update and pitch recap.

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

Ryan entered Shark Tank Season 7, seeking $200,000 for 8% equity in his inflation technology brand. After his pitch, he secured a deal with Lori Greiner for $200,000 for 5% equity and purchase order funding.

In terms of a Windcatcher update, the company faced legal challenges after Shark Tank, causing the deal with Lori Greiner to fall through.

Shark	Result
Lori Greiner	Accepted offer of $200,000 for 5% equity and purchase order funding
Kevin O’Leary	$200,000 as venture debt, with a 6% royalty on sales until he recouped $800,000, at which point he would receive 1% equity
Mark Cuban	$200,000 for 8% equity plus purchase order funding
Robert Herjavec	$200,000 for just 6.5% equity
Chris Sacca	No offer

Shark Tank Windcatcher Pitch

• Entrepreneur: Ryan Frayne
• Business: Quick, effortless inflation technology
• Ask: $200,000 for 8% equity
• Result: $200,000 for 5% equity and purchase order funding
• Shark: Lori Greiner

Ryan entered Shark Tank ready to change how people inflate air mattresses.

He wasted no time showing the hassle of traditional inflatables before revealing Windcatcher, which fills up in seconds without a pump.

He asked for an investment to expand production and explore new ways to use his patented technology.

The Windcatcher Air Pad is an air mattress that inflates almost instantly with just a few push of air.

Unlike traditional air mattresses that require pumps or take a long time to inflate, Windcatcher uses a patented valve that pulls in extra air, making inflation 10 times faster.

To prove its effectiveness, Ryan unrolled a full-sized air mattress and inflated it within seconds.

The product retails for $99. Kevin O’Leary then shifted the conversation to business strategy, asking whether Ryan planned to license the technology or focus on producing his own line of products.

Ryan explained that he intended to do both, as the valve had numerous potential applications beyond just air pads.

Nevertheless, Kevin made an unconventional offer of $200,000 as venture debt, with a 6% royalty on sales until he recouped $800,000, at which point he would receive 3% equity.

Ryan, however, was hesitant, concerned about the immediate repayments and the high total payout required under Kevin’s terms.

Sensing an opportunity, Lori Greiner stepped in with a more straightforward proposal: $200,000 for 15% equity. Kevin immediately criticized the offer, calling it expensive.

Lori defended it, emphasizing her extensive experience in scaling new products and launching them successfully.

Meanwhile, guest shark Chris Sacca saw potential in the deal and proposed joining Lori’s offer, believing his marketing expertise would add value.

However, Lori countered that for both of them to invest, Ryan would need to give up 20% equity, which made Kevin warn him against accepting such a high dilution.

At that moment, Robert Herjavec jumped in with another alternative offer of $200,000 for just 10% equity.

Seeing the competition, Lori and Chris adjusted their offer to $200,000 for 15% equity.

Kevin revised his deal, reducing his equity stake to just 1% once the loan was repaid.

Mark Cuban offered $200,000 for 8% equity and agreed to fund purchase orders, an added advantage for the business.

Robert, not wanting to be outdone, improved his own offer, lowering it to 6.5% equity.

Then, in a bold move, Lori cut Chris out of their joint deal and made a solo offer of $200,000 for just 5% equity, plus funding for purchase orders.

However, she made it clear that Ryan had to accept immediately. Ryan laughed but quickly recognized that Lori’s offer was the best deal on the table.

Without hesitation, he accepted, and Lori celebrated securing a deal for Windcatcher.

Let’s see how things worked out for both Lori and Ryan in our Windcatcher update.

Shark Tank Windcatcher Update

Our Windcatcher update found that the agreement with Lori fell through due to legal challenges with Cascade Designs, which claimed rights to similar technology.

Although Windcatcher eventually won the patent, the litigation drained significant resources.

Tragically, Ryan was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer during this period and passed away in June 2018.

Subsequent efforts by his wife and friend to revive the company, including a 2019 IndieGoGo campaign, were unsuccessful.

At the time of this writing, Windcatcher ceased operations, with its website shut down and social media accounts inactive.

Unfortunately, this is our final Windcatcher update.

Check out our company updates for the other products featured in Season 7 Episode 6.

• Rent Like a Champion Update
• HotShot Update
• Stem Center USA Update

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