The passage discusses the challenges athletes face with maintaining a good grip, especially when their hands become oily. This can hinder their performance in various sports and increase the risk of injuries. Traditional solutions, like liquid chalk, are often messy and can be harmful, leading to the need for something better.
That’s where Chalkless comes in, founded by David Pope and James Pidhurney. They’ve developed an eco-friendly product that improves grip by absorbing the oils from your skin, rather than just creating a sticky layer like traditional chalk. It’s lightweight, safe to use, and effective even if your hands are wet. This makes it particularly useful for athletes involved in activities like weightlifting, golf, or racquet sports.
The founders presented Chalkless, asking for a $400,000 investment in exchange for 4% of their company. They showcased how well the product works, provided details on their sales and explained the unique technology behind it. After negotiations, they secured a deal with investors Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams.
The passage then raises the question of whether this deal was a wise choice for the founders, hinting at further evaluation of that aspect.
Chalkless Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
David and James were looking for an investment of $400k in exchange for 4% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $10 million. David and James successfully secured a deal with Kevin and Rashaun for an investment of $400k for 4% equity, plus a royalty agreement. The investment kept the company’s net worth at around $10 million. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Chalkless in 2025 is around $15 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Rashaun Williams and Kevin
$400,000 for 4% equity + $2.50 royalty per unit until $4M repaid, then $0.25 royalty
N/A
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
Out
N/A
N/A
David Pope and James Pidhurney Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
David and James are athletes who faced a common issue while working out: their hands would get slippery, making it hard to grip equipment. Traditional chalk was messy and didn’t always help, so they decided to create a better solution called Chalkless.
The process of making Chalkless wasn’t simple; it took them several years of research and testing to develop the right formula. They overcame various challenges, such as finding the right ingredients and getting legal protections (patents) for their product. Their determination paid off when they successfully launched Chalkless, generating $740,000 in sales by 2024.
In a presentation on the show Shark Tank, David and James explained how their product works. Users apply a small amount of Chalkless to their hands, rub it in, and clap off the excess. It quickly absorbs moisture, allowing for a much stronger grip. They even conducted a test to show that using Chalkless improved grip strength by 60% compared to not using it.
During their pitch, they sought $400,000 in exchange for 4% ownership of their company. The money would be used to promote their brand and establish important business partnerships.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Mark Cuban wanted to know how much it cost to make the product. David and James wouldn’t share that information, making Mark feel like they weren’t being open enough. Because he didn’t have all the information he needed, he decided not to invest.
Lori Griener thought the product was good but realized it wasn’t something she specialized in. She chose not to invest because it didn’t fit her area of expertise.
Barbara felt she couldn’t really help improve or grow the business. Because of that, she also decided not to invest.
Rashaun was initially hesitant about investing in the product. However, he later surprised everyone by joining an investment deal with another investor, Kevin O’Leary.
Kevin liked the product and its sales numbers, so he made a big offer. He proposed to invest $400,000 in exchange for a 4% share of the company, plus he wanted a fee of $2.50 for each unit sold until he got back $4 million. After that, the fee would decrease to $0.25 per unit sold. He also offered to help promote the product on social media to increase sales.
David and James accepted Kevin’s offer. Rashaun decided to join in on this deal and agreed to split the investment with Kevin. Additionally, Rashaun offered to help connect the business with professional athletes, which could further enhance the product’s marketability.
Product Availability
Chalkless is a product that you can buy online, either from their official website or on Amazon. They offer two sizes: a larger container that has about 100 doses for $35.99 and a smaller one for $24.99. This product is quite popular, especially among athletes from various sports organizations like the PGA (golf), USTA (tennis), NBA (basketball), NFL (football), PPA (pickleball), and CrossFit.
What Happened To The Chalkless After Shark Tank?
After appearing on Shark Tank, Chalkless experienced a lot of growth. Their unique technology became popular in major sports communities, and they built a strong presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. They connect with their customers by sharing reviews and updates about their products.
As of today, Chalkless is still doing well, with good sales and a loyal group of customers.
Conclusion
Chalkless is a company that appeared on the TV show Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors (the Sharks) in hopes of securing funding. The founders, David and James, created a grip enhancer that helps athletes and professionals improve their grip strength. This is especially useful for activities like rock climbing or weightlifting, where a strong grip is crucial.
Even though not all of the Sharks were interested in investing, David and James managed to secure a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams, who saw the potential in their product. Since appearing on the show, Chalkless has continued to succeed, thanks to the effectiveness of their product and the hard work of its founders.
Overall, Chalkless is a promising company, particularly for anyone engaged in sports or fitness, as it offers a solution to improve grip. The business is worth following as it grows and develops!
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.
