For too long, mainstream comics and animations have overlooked the rich history of Black culture before slavery. Most stories focus on struggle and oppression, missing the vibrant kingdoms, heroes, and legends that existed centuries ago. This lack of representation leaves many Black readers hungry for stories that celebrate their heritage.
Geiszel Godoy, Manuel Godoy, and Teunis De Raat wanted to change that. They founded Black Sands Entertainment, a media company creating comics, animations, and books centered on ancient Black civilizations. Their flagship series, *Black Sands: The Seven Kingdoms*, follows a young hero named Ausar on a quest to rule Kemet (ancient Egypt).
In Shark Tank Season 13, they pitched their business, asking for $500,000 for 5% equity. The sharks were impressed by their $800,000 in yearly sales and passionate mission. Kevin Hart and Mark Cuban teamed up to offer $500,000 for 30% equity, which the founders accepted.
Black Sands Entertainment Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Geiszel, Manuel, and Teunis were looking for an investment of $500k in exchange for 5% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $10 million. They successfully secured a deal with Mark Cuban and Kevin Hart for an investment of $500k for 30% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $1.67 million. After the show aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Black Sands Entertainment is around $30 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Mark Cuban & Kevin Hart
$500,000 for 30% equity
$500,000 for 10% equity + $0.25 royalty per hardcover
Yes
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Barbara Corcoran
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Partnership with Kevin Hart
N/A
N/A
Geiszel Godoy, Manuel Godoy, and Teunis De Raat Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Black Sands Entertainment was founded by Manuel Godoy, who was frustrated by the lack of representation of Black heroes in comics. He wanted to create stories featuring Black characters who were portrayed as kings, warriors, and scholars, instead of just being side characters or slaves. Together with his wife Geiszel and his business partner Teunis De Raat, they developed a comic series that draws from real African history.
Initially, they encountered several significant obstacles. Many investors were not interested in Black historical fiction, making it hard to secure financial support. It was challenging to get comic shops to carry their independent books. A lot of potential readers weren’t aware that these types of stories were available.
Despite these setbacks, they continued to push forward, selling their comics online and at conventions. By the time they appeared on the show Shark Tank, they had made impressive progress, boasting:
– 12 different comic titles to their name
– $800,000 in annual sales
– An expanding fanbase that recognized their work
During their pitch, they showcased a trailer for an animated series, highlighting the broader potential of their stories beyond just comics.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Kevin Hart, a well-known Black creator, liked the idea behind Black Sands because he valued the representation of Black voices in media. He also believed animation had great potential. He offered to bring in writers, artists, and help with distribution to make the project successful.
Mark Cuban, a successful entrepreneur, was impressed with the sales figures of Black Sands and noticed opportunities in technology. He also wanted to help the project reach a wider audience online. His offer included collaborating with Kevin Hart.
Together, Kevin and Mark proposed to invest $500,000 in exchange for 30% ownership of the company.
Manuel, one of the founders, wanted to keep more ownership. He countered with a request for the same amount of money but only giving away 10% ownership, plus an additional payment for every hardcover book sold.
After negotiating, the founders decided to accept Kevin and Mark’s original offer of 30% ownership. They believed that Kevin’s connections in Hollywood and Mark’s business skills would help their project grow significantly.
In short, a deal was struck to help take Black Sands to a bigger audience with the support of two influential figures.
Product Availability
Black Sands is a company that creates various forms of entertainment, primarily focusing on stories influenced by African culture and characters. You can find their products in several places like Amazon, their official website and some comic book stores.
Prices for their products vary: digital comic issues start at about $10, while hardcover books (which are more durable and often nicer to display) can cost $30 or more.
What Happened To The Black Sands Entertainment After Shark Tank?
Black Sands, a company that creates comics and stories focused on African mythology, has experienced significant growth since making a deal on Shark Tank. They’ve sold over $2 million worth of comics, indicating that their products are very popular and flying off the shelves.
They’ve teamed up with a media company to produce an animated series based on their stories, which will help them reach a broader audience. Their comics are being introduced into schools, making their stories accessible to students and promoting cultural education. They are working with the famous comedian and actor’s company, which will support them in producing their content and expanding their brand.
Overall, their time on Shark Tank had a major impact, leading to over 200,000 copies of their comics being sold after the show aired, indicating a spike in interest and demand.
Black Sands Entertainment entered Shark Tank Season 13 with a powerful mission: telling Black stories forgotten by history. Though they gave up 30% equity, the deal with Kevin Hart and Mark Cuban opened doors to animation deals, wider distribution, and mainstream success.
Today, they continue to grow, with comic sales booming and an animated series on the way. For fans of historical fiction, comics, and Black culture, Black Sands is a must-follow brand.
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.
