Finding the perfect polo shirt can be frustrating. So many shirts fade after a few washes. Collars curl badly. Some just never keep their shape. These problems matter because people wear polos to look sharp at work, on trips, or just out with friends. No one wants a shirt that looks worn after its first wash. It leads to wasted money. It leads to disappointment every time you try it on.
That’s the challenge that Brandon Davenport and Marcellus Alexander decided to fix. They believed a polo should last longer and stay crisp, clear, and comfortable. They wanted a shirt men could trust all day, no matter the stain or spill. Their motto became “no stains, no fades, no collar curling.”
On Shark Tank Season 11 (Episode 1104), Brandon and Marcellus introduced Baobab, a polo treated with their BaoTech™ process. They asked for $150,000 in exchange for 10% equity, valuing their company at $1.5 million. They showcased a dramatic demo: coffee, red wine, even ketchup slapped onto white polos, then wiped clean with no mark left. They shared that they had used Kickstarter and Indiegogo to raise $57,000 for prototyping.
They also explained that each shirt costs $38 to make and sells for $88 (short sleeve) or $98 (long sleeve). Unfortunately, the Sharks liked the shirts, but raised concerns over slow initial sales, about $83,000 so far. In the end, no deal was made, and Brandon and Marcellus left empty‑handed.
Baobab Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Brandon and Marcellus were looking for an investment of $150k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $1.5 million. Brandon and Marcellus did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks, so the company’s net worth stayed at $1.5 million. After the show was aired, Baobab saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Baobab is around $3.5 million.
Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Brandon Davenport and Marcellus Alexander Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Brandon Davenport and Marcellus Alexander were long‑time friends. Both had backgrounds in tech and business. They felt frustrated by polo shirts that faded, shrank, or developed stiff collars after a few wears. They saw no good solution in stores. That sparked their idea. They decided to use high‑quality Peruvian Pima cotton.
Then they developed a fabric treatment, BaoTech™, to make shirts resistant to stains, odors, wrinkles, fading, and shrinking. They even patented a “stay‑flat” collar to avoid that dreaded “bacon collar.”
Their journey started in 2017 with crowdsourced research. They ran Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns, raising a total of $57,645. They used feedback to design and test prototypes. They focused on fabric feel, color retention, and durability. They added smart features too: a hidden microfiber cloth for cleaning glasses or screens.
They priced shirts at $88 for short sleeves and $98 for long sleeves. This pricing covered a $38 production cost and left room for profit.
When they entered the Tank, Brandon and Marcellus brought samples. They presented their vision clearly. They told the Sharks about design challenges and customer research. They explained their production process and pricing. They explained that each shirt, thanks to BaoTech™, could be worn many times between washes. They showed off the stain‑resistance demo.
It looked impressive. But despite the appeal, the founders had faced slow traction. They had only made $83,000 in sales, well under their $150k ask valuation, so the Sharks remained cautious.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Each Shark had questions about the business. Here is a detailed account, in human terms, of what was asked and answered:
Daymond John asked first. He wanted to know if the market for high‑end polos was big enough. He warned about competition from big brands. Brandon explained that their shirts offered unique value: better materials, better treatment, and better performance. They had built community trust through prototypes and crowdfunding.
Robert Herjavec then spoke. He said he loved the product, but he already owned a clothing company called Buttercloth. That was a conflict. He also felt the shapewear market was crowded. Ultimately, he stepped away to avoid competing interests.
Kevin O’Leary spoke up. He focused on numbers. “You’ve made $83k. At $98 per shirt, that’s under 900 units. Not much,” he pointed out. He also noted that other fast‑fashion and athletic brands have similar features. He decided the risk outweighed the potential.
Lori Greiner warmed to the products and said she would buy them personally. But she also said sales had been slow and lacked a compelling reason for other consumers to buy right now. She had to pass.
Mark Cuban asked about marketing channels and sales strategy. He wanted to know how the brand stood out online. Brandon and Marcellus described their Facebook and Instagram campaigns and press hits. Still, Mark didn’t see a strong enough marketing edge to justify a deal. He passed too.
In the end, no Sharks offered a deal.
What Went Wrong With Baobab On Shark Tank?
Baobab had a strong product and a clear inspiration. Still, several factors held them back: First, low initial sales. By the Tank aired, they’d made only $83,000 in revenue. That was small for a $1.5 million valuation. Seeding a business takes testing, but Sharks need traction to invest.
Second, stiff competition. Many brands produce durable polos with tech features now. Kevin worried Baobab wasn’t different enough. Without a unique moat, Sharks feared it was just another clothing brand. Third, fthe ounder’s valuation is too high. The task implied strong growth, but the results didn’t match. CEOs often overestimate brand potential early on, and Sharks penalize that.
Finally, the marketing strategy is unclear. Sharks asked how they planned to scale sales beyond social ads. They didn’t yet have a clear acquisition funnel or retail partnerships. That felt risky. All these points meant no deal with any Shark; they each walked away to avoid a shaky investment.
Product Availability
Baobab sells its polos exclusively online at baobabclothing.com. They use soft Peruvian Pima cotton treated with BaoTech™. This treatment guards against stains, odors, shrinking, wrinkles, fading, and collar curling. Each polo includes a hidden microfiber cloth sewn inside for convenience. Long‑sleeve versions and basic T‑shirts were later added to their line.
Shirts retail at $88 for short sleeves and $98 for long sleeves. The production cost is about $38 per shirt, giving a healthy margin. Baobab offers a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee. No physical stores yet, they ship direct‑to‑consumer to many countries. Customer pickup is mostly online, supported by strong customer testimonials praising the silk‑smooth feel and performance. Their product line has stayed cohesive ,no retail overexpansion, but they continue adding features and colors.
What Happened To The Baobab After Shark Tank?
After the show aired in 2019, Baobab saw a spike in traffic. A Shark Tank blog reported they sold out of inventory within 12 hours following the episode. While no deal came through, that exposure validated their brand.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the founders shifted to making sustainable linen face masks. They met demand and added revenue. In April 2021, they raised $103,459 via a Regulation CF fundraiser on Republic. PitchBook confirms this crowd equity raise was completed in April 2021. A crowdfunding summary on their site also notes over $250k of revenue and 800 % growth in two years.
By mid‑2024, Baobab had grown to about $900,000–$1 million in annual revenue. That strong growth was driven by repeat customers (35 % repurchase rate) across more than 3,000 buyers in 22 countries. They won industry nods like Men’s Journal’s “Best New Polo Shirt of the Season” and an innovation award for their collar design.
They maintained independent control, focusing on product expansion. In 2021, they launched long‑sleeve polos and T‑shirts. Marcellus also made Forbes’ “Next 1,000” list that year. They partnered with Malagon Group for marketing growth. While PitchBook in early 2025 notes activity, revenue numbers haven’t been updated publicly, but the company remains active with a healthy direct‑to‑consumer presence.
Today, Baobab is a profitable niche brand offering durable menswear. They continue investing in fabric tech and customer experience. They didn’t need Shark Tank funding to find stability. Instead, they built momentum through crowdfunding, smart pivots, and loyal customers.
Conclusion
Baobab Clothing’s story shows how a passion for everyday problems can spark a lasting business. Brandon and Marcellus saw cheap polos fail, so they engineered a better one. Their BaoTech™ polos answer real needs: resisting stains, wrinkles, collar curling, and fading. When they went on Shark Tank, they asked for $150k at a $1.5 million valuation.
Though the Sharks were impressed by their shirt and demo, they held back due to low sales, competition, and unclear scaling plans.
Despite leaving with no deal, Baobab thrived. Post‑Tank, they sold out quickly and shifted to PPE masks during COVID. A successful $103,000 crowdfunding round supported product expansion. By 2024, they reached nearly $1 million in annual sales, launched T‑shirts and long sleeves, and earned industry awards.
Today, Baobab stands as a self‑made brand built on trust and product excellence. Their journey proves that even without a Shark Tank deal, smart entrepreneurs can grow by listening to customers, adapting fast, and staying true to their vision.

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.