Fishing can be a fun and relaxing activity for many people. But let’s be honest—it’s not always easy. One of the biggest problems that people face when fishing is finding the right bait. You can spend hours waiting for a bite, only to go home empty-handed. Fish are smart, and they won’t fall for just any lure. Most of the traditional lures in the market don’t move like real fish.
They may look like fish, but they don’t act like one. This makes it hard to attract fish in deeper or murky waters.
That’s where two passionate entrepreneurs came in with a fresh idea. Sobhan Sanaee and Kanz Kayfan created a robotic fishing lure called Animated Lure. This wasn’t just another fake fish. It was a self-swimming, rechargeable, robotic fish that moved just like the real thing. Their goal? Make fishing more exciting and effective. They took this idea to Shark Tank in Season 12, hoping to land a deal with one of the sharks. They asked for $325,000 for 10% equity.
Animated Lure Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Sobhan and Kanz were looking for an investment of $325k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $3.25 million. Sobhan and Kanz successfully secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary for an investment of $325k for 10% equity and a $3 royalty per unit sold until $1 million was paid back. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $3.25 million. After the show was aired, Animated Lure saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Animated Lure is around $3 million.
Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
Kevin O’Leary | $325k for a royalty of $3 per unit sold until $1M is paid + 10% equity | 1# $500,000 for 20% of equity 2# $325k for a royalty of $1.50 per unit sold until $500k is paid + 10% equity | Yes |
Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Sobhan Sanaee and Kanz Kayfan Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Sobhan Sanaee and Kanz Kayfan are two friends who love both fishing and technology. They saw that fishing lures hadn’t really changed much over the years. People were still using the same old rubber or plastic lures that barely moved. As fishing fans themselves, they knew there had to be a better way. That’s when they decided to make something different. They wanted to build a robotic lure that could look and move like a real fish.
But it wasn’t easy. In the beginning, they faced many technical problems. They had to design a body that could move naturally in the water. It also had to be waterproof, strong, and rechargeable. It took many prototypes and lots of testing before they found the right design.
Eventually, they made something that worked perfectly. Their Animated Lure could swim on its own and copy the movements of real fish. The lure came in different shapes and colors, made to look like various kinds of fish. This made it more appealing to real fish in the water.
When they walked into Shark Tank, they asked for $325,000 in exchange for 10% equity in their business. They came prepared with proof that their product worked. They even had a small tank in the studio to show the lure swimming like a real fish. Their pitch was clear, confident, and well-organized. They told the sharks about their costs, profits, and future plans.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
The sharks were very curious about the product and had lots of questions. Let’s go through what each shark asked and how the founders answered.
Mark Cuban was the first to speak. He said he loved technology but didn’t know much about fishing. He admitted he wasn’t the right person to help grow this kind of product. Because of that, he quickly said he was out.
Lori Greiner also said she wasn’t a fishing expert. She liked the idea and thought the product was fun, but she didn’t feel she could add much value. She decided to pass on the opportunity.
Robert Herjavec was interested in technology. He said the product was cool and looked great in action. However, he thought the business was still in early stages and needed more time to grow. He liked the concept but felt it was too soon for him to invest. So, he decided not to make an offer.
Daymond John is actually a fisherman, so he paid close attention. He thought the product was useful and attractive to people who love fishing. But he had concerns about whether the product could reach enough customers. He was worried about how fast he could get his money back. In the end, he decided to step out.
That left Kevin O’Leary as the only shark interested. Kevin is known for his royalty-based deals, and that’s what he offered here. He said he would give them the full $325,000 they asked for, in exchange for 10% equity. But, he also wanted a $3 royalty on every unit sold until he made back $1 million.
Sobhan and Kanz tried to negotiate a better deal, but Kevin stood firm. He even said he would back out if they didn’t accept. After some thinking, the founders decided to take Kevin’s deal. It was the only offer on the table, and they didn’t want to leave empty-handed.
Product Availability
The Animated Lure is a very unique product. It is a self-swimming fishing bait that looks like a real fish. What makes it special is that it is rechargeable and has a small motor inside. This motor helps the lure move like an actual fish in the water. It swims in a natural way, which makes it more likely to attract real fish.
The product is available in different styles. You can choose from various fish types like Mullet, Sardine, Yellowtail Snapper, and Atlantic Herring. Each version is made with strong materials like ABS plastic and stainless steel. The lures have a three-part body connected with metal hinges. These hinges are strong and help the fish move realistically.
You can buy the Animated Lure from their official website. It’s also available on Amazon. Prices range from around $29.95 to $79.95, depending on the model and size. While it’s more expensive than regular lures, many customers say it’s worth it because it works so well. The product is especially popular among serious fishing fans who want to improve their chances of catching fish.
What Happened To The Animated Lure After Shark Tank?
After the show aired, Animated Lure gained a lot of attention. People were impressed by how the product worked and wanted to try it. The company saw a big jump in online orders and website traffic. Even though Kevin O’Leary’s deal didn’t go through, the exposure from Shark Tank helped the brand grow.
As of today, Animated Lure is still in business and doing well. Their website is active and regularly updated with new products. They have expanded their product line to include even more types of lures. This gives customers more options to choose from, depending on where they fish and what kind of fish they want to catch.
The company is estimated to have a valuation of over $3 million. They have continued to sell through their website and Amazon, where customer reviews are mostly positive. Many customers say that the lure really does help them catch more fish. Some even say it’s the best fishing lure they’ve ever used. In addition to growing their sales, the company has kept a strong social media presence.
They post videos showing their lures in action and share tips for using them. This has helped them build a loyal following of fishing fans who trust their brand.
Conclusion
Animated Lure started as a simple idea to solve a real problem for people who love fishing. The founders, Sobhan and Kanz, wanted to create a better fishing lure that could swim like a real fish. Their invention was clever and exciting, and it caught the attention of the sharks on Season 12 of Shark Tank.
While most of the sharks didn’t invest, Kevin O’Leary made a deal with them for $325,000 in exchange for 10% equity and a $3 royalty until $1 million was paid back. However, the deal didn’t close after the show. Still, the company didn’t give up. They used the exposure from Shark Tank to grow their business and reach more customers.
Today, Animated Lure is still going strong. Their robotic lures are loved by fishing fans around the world. Even without a shark’s help, the founders have built a successful business with hard work and a great idea.

Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.