Shark Tank Season 17, Episode 12

Mar 4, 2026 · Uncle Nearest's Fawn Weaver Debuts and Backs Two College Students' Untie-Proof Laces

On the panel: Daniel Lubetzky, Fawn Weaver, Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary

Who Got a Deal on Shark Tank Season 17, Episode 12

Recap

The Verdict

Two deals, two walk-aways: a cranberry shot that admitted it tastes gross got no offers, and a cat litter founder outlasted three rounds of Kevin's royalty math.

Fawn Weaver, founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, joined the panel for the first time and left with a deal in her debut. Two of the four pitches got funded; the other two left after long negotiations or none at all.

Cranel, a concentrated cranberry wellness shot for UTI prevention from Christine Jurzenski and Erica Schultz, opened with $3.5 million in lifetime sales but about $200,000 in annual losses on $500,000 of ad spend. The sharks winced at the tartness, and the founders shot back that it's gross but it works. Nobody bid. The Chair Blanket, a fleece-and-waterproof outdoor chair cover from Rockville, Maryland couple Chris and Tiffany McCasland, had sold 9,000 units in its first three weeks. Robert Herjavec offered $200,000 for 20% and Kevin O'Leary countered with 15% plus a royalty, suggesting the extra equity come out of their absent partner's stake. Chris refused to touch his partner's shares and took Robert's deal.

BRCĒ, untie-resistant athletic laces from Michigan State students Tanvi Gadamsetti and Madhav Aggarwal, drew four offers after a demo dragging a heavy object across the stage by its laces. Fawn asked for 25% plus first refusal on their next invention, Kevin wanted a royalty to 3x, Robert bid 15% then went out, and the students took a joint $300,000 for 20% from Daniel Lubetzky and Fawn. The closer was Paco & Pepper, Kristina Drobach's olive-pit cat litter with $1.8 million in year-to-date sales and 300 Target stores. Kevin opened at 49% and worked through three equity-plus-royalty structures; Drobach countered at 13% with a small royalty, they never met, and she left without a deal.

Pitch by Pitch

CranelCranelHealth & Wellness
No Deal

Asked $250,000 for 7%

Christine Jurzenski of Lake Tahoe and Erica Schultz of San Diego pitched Cranel, a concentrated cranberry wellness shot for UTI prevention with the equivalent of 3,000 cranberries and 500 milligrams of proanthocyanidins per shot, sold in four-packs for about $15. Frustrated that existing cranberry products had too much sugar or too little active cranberry, they had raised $1.1 million from angels. Lifetime sales were $3.5 million, with $1.3 million in 2023, but the company spent about $500,000 a year on advertising and lost roughly $200,000. Lori Greiner would use it herself but questioned acquisition costs, Robert Herjavec worried about the marketing strategy, Fawn Weaver saw a high cost of educating customers, Daniel Lubetzky said it wasn't right for his portfolio, and Kevin O'Leary questioned the competitive landscape. None of the five made an offer.

Best Moment
“After the sharks winced at the shot's tartness, the founders answered: it's gross, it works. When Lori asked whether it treats an existing UTI, Erica told her to see a doctor, since Cranel is a preventative, not a cure.”
Out
Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Fawn Weaver, Daniel Lubetzky, Kevin O'Leary

Where they are now:Thriving$2M revenueFull update →

Health & Wellness companies have a 59% deal rate on Shark Tank

The Chair BlanketThe Chair BlanketOutdoor & Adventure
Deal

Asked $200,000 for 10% · Deal $200,000 for 20% with Robert Herjavec

Chris and Tiffany McCasland of Rockville, Maryland pitched The Chair Blanket, a $49.99 two-in-one outdoor chair cover with ultra-soft fleece on one side and a waterproof, windproof backing on the other, plus a built-in carry pouch, that fits most patio and Adirondack chairs. Chris had co-founded the portable fire pit company City Bonfires, which sold more than 1.5 million units during the pandemic; the couple prototyped the blanket at home and launched in November 2024, selling 9,000 units in the first three weeks and $400,000 before the show. Daniel Lubetzky questioned the growth projections, Lori Greiner worried big companies could copy it, and Fawn Weaver felt Robert's offer was the strongest. Robert Herjavec offered $200,000 for 20%. Kevin O'Leary offered $200,000 for 15% plus a 4% royalty until recouped. Chris asked Robert for 15%, Robert declined, and the McCaslands took his $200,000 for 20% over Kevin's royalty.

Best Moment
“When Kevin suggested carving the extra equity out of their absent partner Ryan's stake, Chris refused on the spot, and Robert backed him for standing by his partner.”
Interested
Robert Herjavec, Kevin O'Leary
Out
Daniel Lubetzky, Lori Greiner, Fawn Weaver

Where they are now:Operating$400,000 revenueFull update →

Outdoor & Adventure companies have a 83% deal rate on Shark Tank

BRCEBRCEFashion & Beauty
Deal

Asked $300,000 for 15% · Deal $300,000 for 20% with Daniel Lubetzky, Fawn Weaver

Michigan State students Tanvi Gadamsetti and Madhav Aggarwal pitched BRCĒ, pronounced brace, untie-resistant athletic shoelaces made with a patented polymer Lattice Grip that locks under movement but pulls apart easily on purpose, at $19.99 a pair on a 52-cent production cost. Both former athletes, they built the idea from a rejected classroom assignment and a 36-hour startup challenge. Tanvi lost her father during COVID, and Madhav's parents sold their home in New Delhi to send him to the U.S. Early sales were about $100,000 after launching at Sneaker Con. Lori Greiner lacked the industry connections. Fawn Weaver offered $300,000 for 25% plus right of first refusal on their next invention; Kevin O'Leary offered 20% plus a royalty until 3x, which they declined; Robert Herjavec offered 15% then went out over how little brands pay for laces. Daniel Lubetzky and Fawn made a joint offer of $300,000 for 20%, which the students accepted with Fawn keeping her right of first refusal.

Best Moment
“The founders dragged a heavy object across the stage tethered by their laces to prove the knot would not slip, while Fawn was drawn to the students' immigrant story and Daniel saw licensing potential with major footwear brands.”
Interested
Daniel Lubetzky, Fawn Weaver, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec
Out
Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec

Where they are now:ThrivingFull update →

Fashion & Beauty companies have a 58% deal rate on Shark Tank

Paco & PepperPet Products
No Deal

Asked $300,000 for 5%

Kristina Drobach pitched Paco & Pepper, a dust-free, fragrance-free cat litter made from crushed upcycled olive pits, at about $24 retail on a $6.87 cost per bag. She moved to the U.S. from Russia at 17 and lost her childhood cat Sonia to asthma triggered by dusty litter; when her cat Paco developed the same symptoms she researched alternatives and launched in August 2020. Sales were $1.1 million in 2024 and $1.8 million year to date, with 300 Target stores and hundreds of Walmart stores anticipated, at a $6 million valuation. Daniel Lubetzky prefers dogs, Fawn Weaver had no litter-industry knowledge, Lori Greiner worried about shelf competition, and Robert Herjavec couldn't accept the valuation. Kevin O'Leary opened at $300,000 for 49%, revised to 20% plus a $2-per-bag royalty, then 20% plus $1.50 per bag. Drobach countered at 13% plus 60 cents a bag, rejected the royalty model as too costly at scale, and left without a deal.

Best Moment
“Kevin opened by asking for 49% of the company for $300,000, then cycled through three rounds of equity-plus-royalty structures before Drobach walked away from his final offer.”
Interested
Kevin O'Leary
Out
Daniel Lubetzky, Fawn Weaver, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec

Where they are now:ThrivingFull update →

Pet Products companies have a 57% deal rate on Shark Tank

Where to Buy the Products from Shark Tank Season 17, Episode 12

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