Zuvaa Update | Shark Tank Season 9

Kelechi Anyadiegwu had difficulty finding stylish African-inspired clothing in mainstream markets. This lack of accessible African fashion motivated her to create Zuvaa, a platform that connects global fashion enthusiasts with these unique designs. The sharks seemed intrigued by her idea. Let’s take a look at our Zuvaa update and pitch recap to see if any of the sharks were willing to invest in her business. 

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

Kelechi Anyadiegwu entered Shark Tank Season 9, seeking $460,000 for 10% equity in her African-inspired fashion and accessory business. Despite an inspiring pitch to the sharks, she unfortunately left without a deal.

In terms of a Zuvaa update, the company rebranded to Uju Media. Kelechi attempted to scale with this new brand but eventually went out of business.

Shark	Result
Kevin O’Leary	$460,000 loan at 12% interest for 10% equity
Mark Cuban	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Daymond John	No offer
Sara Blakely	No offer

Shark Tank Zuvaa Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Kelechi Anyadiegwu
• Business: African-inspired fashion and accessories
• Ask: $460,000 for 10% equity
• Result: No deal
• Sharks: None

Kelechi confidently began her pitch to the sharks, showcasing vibrant African designs that celebrate her heritage. 

She targeted fashion-forward individuals aged 18 to 35 and sought a $460,000 investment for a 10% stake in her company. 

She aimed to use the funds to scale operations and bring Africa’s rich cultural aesthetics to a global audience.

Zuvaa is an online marketplace created specifically for those seeking African clothing and accessories.

The platform boasted a curated selection from over 85 international designers, offering a wide variety of styles and aesthetics. 

The user-friendly website allows customers to browse through hundreds of products, ensuring a smooth shopping experience. 

Notably, Zuvaa functions not just as a retail site but also as a bridge connecting fashion enthusiasts directly with designers and producers. 

This offered customers a unique opportunity to discover hidden gems and support independent creatives, all while potentially finding affordable options and discounts. 

With its extensive selection and focus on African fashion, Zuvaa appeals to a broad audience interested in incorporating vibrant African design into their wardrobe.

After discussing the impressive quality of the designs on Zuvaa, Kelechi informed the sharks that she turned an initial $500 investment into a company generating $2 million in sales in less than two years, which impressed the sharks. 

She earns by charging designers a $50 monthly fee plus a 17% commission, making $50,000 in monthly revenue.

Some of the sharks had concerns about the valuation Kelechi had placed on her company. 

Mark Cuban didn’t like the valuation and was the first shark out. 

Guest shark Sara Blakely followed, also citing the valuation as an issue. 

Lori Greiner felt Kelechi didn’t need an investment and opted out. 

Daymond John saw potential liability issues in vetting designers and bowed out as well. 

Kevin O’Leary offered a $460,000 loan at 12% interest for 10% equity, but Kelechi declined the offer, leaving the tank without a deal.

Let’s get a Zuvaa update about what happened after Shark Tank.

Shark Tank Zuvaa Update

Our Zuvaa update research revealed that the business shut down before its original air date on January 21, 2018. 

However, in February 2020, Kelechi rebranded her business to Uju Media with plans to relaunch in 2021. 

By June 2021, the new website was live, but revenue information was unavailable. 

Later in November 2022, Uju Media promoted three clothing brands, adding a home decor brand by February 2023. 

At the time of writing, the company’s website and social media presence are inactive, although the business still has an active store on Tumblr.

Despite a brief revival, Zuvaa appears to have officially gone out of business around 2019. 

Unfortunately, this will be our final Zuvaa update.

You can find the other company updates from Season 9 Episode 19 here:

• The Wingman Update
• Bouquet Bar Update
• Saucemoto Update

Before you go, check out our Shark Tank Season 9 page for more updates.