Joel Pennington founded Blackdot Tattoo to address a large issue in the tattoo business. Tattooing has long been a time-consuming and painful procedure. Tattoo artists primarily utilize hand needles to make designs on the skin. This process can be tedious and difficult to achieve. Joel aimed to simplify tattooing and make it more accurate. He created a robotic tattoo machine that can replicate an artist’s digital work precisely onto the skin.
In 2023, Joel launched Blackdot’s first automated tattoo studio in Austin. He partnered with some of the best tattoo artists to provide high-quality artwork. Joel appeared on Shark Tank and requested $1.5 million for 5% equity in his company. He wanted the funds to grow Blackdot and expand into major cities. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out the Blackdot update to find out!
In our Blackdot update research, Once Joel went on Shark Tank, Blackdot Tattoo continued to thrive. The firm did not receive a deal with Shark Tank but continued to expand. Joel opened additional studios in Austin and worked with famous tattoo artists. He also received additional funding. The company continued to innovate and perfect the robotic tattoo technology. As of 2024, Blackdot Tattoo was still operating.
They now provide high-end tattoos that are less painful and more accurate. The company is also expanding its presence.
In terms of the Blackdot update, No, Blackdot did not have a deal with Shark Tank. Joel requested a $1.5 million investment for 5% equity. The Sharks were worried about some things. The Sharks believed that the company was too early stage. They believed that the company was overpriced. There was no concrete plan for growing the company and making a profit that the Sharks could see. All of the Sharks ultimately did not make an offer.
Blackdot Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Joel was looking for an investment of $1.5 million in exchange for 5% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, he valued his company at $30 million. Joel did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Blackdot Tattoo in 2025 is around $40 million.
Joel Pennington established Blackdot Tattoo in 2019. Before Blackdot, he founded ClearAccess in 2005. ClearAccess enabled individuals to remotely manage home networks. In 2012, Cisco Systems acquired ClearAccess. Joel worked at Bellwether Coffee for a few months afterward. Joel also attended Clemson University to study Computer Information Systems.
His technological background assisted him in developing the concept for Blackdot Tattoo. Joel noticed the issues with the tattoo business. He needed to alter how tattoos were performed. His tattoo machine is robotic and employs a digital design that replicates flawlessly on the skin. Tattoos become more precise and less painful for clients. Joel was inspired by his technological background as well as his need to enhance a long-standing process
Initial Pitch
On Shark Tank, Joel requested $1.5 million for 5% equity in Blackdot Tattoo. He told the investors that the funds would be used to open additional automated tattoo studios. He also intended to rent his robotic machines to other tattoo salons. Joel demonstrated how his robotic machine operates. It utilizes a digital design from an artist and implements it on the skin with great precision.
He also informed that he had raised $4.5 million in funding prior to appearing on the show. Joel had previously collaborated with well-known tattoo artists such as Omer Tunca of Istanbul. They even designed a special collection of tattoos for Blackdot. The price for a tattoo at Blackdot can go from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the tattoo design. Joel also spoke of the exorbitant cost of producing the machines.
Each machine would cost $120,000 to produce, and it would be available for leasing at $1 million annually. All this notwithstanding, the Sharks were worried about the future of Blackdot Tattoo.
Queries About The Product
The Sharks had several questions for Joel. They asked him how the robotic tattoo machine functioned. They also asked him about the business model and how he was going to expand the company. Kevin O’Leary wanted to know the costs. Joel told them that each machine would cost $120,000 to make. However, it can be leased at $1 million annually. Daymond John wanted to know about the competition in the tattoo business.
Joel replied that Blackdot would be different due to the technology and the quality of tattoos that it provided. Rashaun Williams, who was a guest Shark, inquired about whether Blackdot could scale. He said that every company follows three phases—Product, Market, and Scale. He believed Blackdot was at the Product stage and was not yet ready to go to the next phase.
Lori Greiner had concerns about the business being too early stage and overvalued. She also believed that there was not yet enough demand for the product. The Sharks needed to understand how Joel would be able to sell his product to customers and expand the business.
Shark’s Responses and Final Deal
The Sharks were mixed in their reaction to Joel’s presentation. Daymond John believed in the potential of the tattoo business but that Blackdot was a risk. Lori Greiner felt the company was too new and too costly to be profitable. Kevin O’Leary shared concerns over the high valuation and unprofitability. Mark Cuban opined that Joel hadn’t yet learned how to sell to consumers.
Rashaun Williams stated that Blackdot was at the Product stage and had to get to the Market stage before it could grow. Ultimately, no Shark made an offer. They all declined the offer.
What Went Wrong With Blackdot On Shark Tank?
There were a couple of reasons why Blackdot didn’t receive an offer. The Sharks didn’t think the company was developed enough. They believed the product needed to be further developed before they could sell it to customers. They also didn’t think that Blackdot was worth the value. With a value of $30 million, the Sharks didn’t have a clear way to become profitable.
The business was still in the Product stage and had not proven its market yet. The Sharks did not want to risk it. They all chose to pass on the offer.
Product Availability
Blackdot Tattoo continues to operate and provides robotic tattoo services from its Austin location. The studio has original artwork from renowned tattoo artists. Omer Tunca’s signature designs and Tyler Hobbs’ algorithm tattoos are included. Clients pay a few thousand dollars for the premium tattoos. The tattoos are less painful and more accurate compared to traditional tattoos.
If you would like to see these one-of-a-kind tattoos, you can go to the Blackdot studio in Austin. The business is also making plans to open offices in other cities. Customers can find more information about Blackdot on the company’s web page. The web page offers information on the studio, the artists, and getting a tattoo.
Conclusion
Blackdot Tattoo’s experience on Shark Tank was interesting. Although the Sharks did not invest, Joel continued to expand the business. Blackdot is still operating and striving to better the tattoo business with its automated machines. The business is growing and providing more quality tattoos to clients. Blackdot may expand to other cities and open additional studios in the future.
Hi! I’m Fatima Muhammad, a writer with a passion for international relations, strategic analysis, and global affairs. As a bachelor’s student in International Relations, I love exploring geopolitical trends, economic policies, and global power shifts. I specialize in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging content that informs and sparks discussions. As someone who enjoys both business strategy and great storytelling, one of my favourite shows is Shark Tank. I love the show from the bold ideas to the unexpected deals. Beyond writing, I have a creative side I enjoy graphic design and storytelling, which helps me bring a unique perspective to my work.
