Many parents today want their children to learn useful skills early. One important skill is coding, or computer programming. In our digital world, knowing how to code is like having a superpower. However, teaching young children to code can be difficult. Most coding tools are either too hard or not fun enough. Kids often lose interest because the programs are boring or confusing.
This makes it hard for parents and teachers to keep children engaged. Parents want their children to be creative and confident with technology, but they need an easy way to do it.
Samantha John saw this problem. She believed children should start learning coding in a fun, simple way. She created an app called Hopscotch to help kids learn to code by making their own games. This app does not just teach coding. It lets kids build and share their games with others. Hopscotch changes learning into playing, which motivates kids to keep going.
Samantha went on Shark Tank Season 12 to grow her company and get help from the Sharks. She asked for $400,000 for 4% equity. After the pitch and negotiations, she left with a deal from Mark Cuban. Since then, the app has grown a lot, with many more downloads and users. This article will explain everything about Hopscotch, the Shark Tank experience, and what happened after the show.
Hopscotch Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Samantha was looking for an investment of $400k in exchange for 4% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, she valued her company at $10 million. Samantha successfully secured a deal with Mark for an investment of $550k for 11% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $5 million. After the show was aired, Hopscotch experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Hopscotch is around $12 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 |
Barbara Corcoran | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | $400,000 for 16% equity $500,000 for 11% equity | $600,000 for 5% equity $600,000 for 10% equity$550,000 for 11% equity | Yes |
Samantha John Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Samantha John’s story begins with her own experiences with technology. Growing up, she thought computers and coding were mainly for boys. She did not imagine herself learning to code. But in college, she took a computer science class. This changed everything for her. She found coding was not only logical but also creative. It was like making art with computers.
She felt empowered and inspired. This passion led her to create something special for kids. She wanted to help them feel the same joy and confidence she found in coding.
Samantha started Hopscotch in 2012. Her vision was simple: make coding fun and easy for children. The app lets kids drag and drop commands to build games, animations, and stories. Kids don’t need to write complex code; they use blocks that fit together like puzzles. The app also has a community where kids can share their creations and try games made by others. This social part encourages learning and creativity.
Before Shark Tank, Hopscotch was already popular. At its best, it had around 400,000 monthly users. However, Samantha wanted to grow bigger. She aimed to reach more children worldwide and improve the app. For this, she needed money and a strong partner. Her plan was to offer the Sharks 4% equity for $400,000. She hoped the deal would help her expand marketing, improve the app, and reach more schools.
In her pitch, Samantha showed the Sharks how Hopscotch works. She let them try some games made by kids. The Sharks were impressed by the creativity of the users. Samantha also shared how the app’s business model was based on subscriptions, costing $8 per month or $80 per year. But she said she wanted to change this model soon.
She planned to add an in-app currency to allow kids to earn money from their games. This, she believed, would make the app more accessible and encourage entrepreneurship among kids.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
During the pitch, the Sharks asked many questions.
Daymond John was the first to speak. He said the business had too many risks. He worried if Hopscotch could keep growing in a competitive market. So, he decided not to invest.
Lori Greiner was next. She said she didn’t see how she could help Samantha grow. Lori thought the business was too technical for her expertise. Because of this, she passed on the deal.
Kevin O’Leary also declined. He said he did not want to return to the computer industry. He didn’t believe he could add value or make a good deal.
Barbara Corcoran followed. She felt Samantha was not confident enough in her business plan. This made Barbara uneasy. Without trust in the founder’s vision, she chose to step away.
Mark Cuban was the only Shark who showed strong interest. He said he had personal experience using Hopscotch with his own children. Mark liked the app’s concept and the community it built. He saw the potential for growth and impact. He offered $400,000 for 16% equity. After some discussion, they agreed on $550,000 for 11% equity. This deal gave Samantha more funding and a partner who understood technology and marketing.
Product Availability
Hopscotch is a coding app designed for children. It teaches coding by letting kids create their own games and animations. The app uses a simple drag-and-drop system. Kids don’t need to write complex code. They can make projects with colorful blocks that fit together. This makes coding accessible and fun.
One special feature of Hopscotch is the community. Kids can share their creations with other users. They can play games made by friends or kids from around the world. This social aspect encourages learning and creativity.
The app is available on Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads. It can also be used online via a web browser. Hopscotch offers a subscription service costing $8 per month or $80 per year. Users can try a free seven-day trial before deciding to pay. This gives families a chance to test the app without a full commitment.
On the Hopscotch website, teachers have free access to lesson plans and accounts. This helps schools use Hopscotch to teach coding in classrooms. The company supports educators with resources to make coding lessons fun and effective. Hopscotch’s pricing and accessibility make it a popular choice for families and schools interested in teaching children coding.
What Happened To The Hopscotch After Shark Tank?
Since appearing on Shark Tank in Season 12, Hopscotch has grown significantly. Samantha John shared in a recent interview that the app saw a 500% increase in downloads. Many new users joined after the exposure on the show.
Hopscotch continues to update its features. The company is working on replacing the subscription model with an in-app currency system. This change aims to make the app more accessible to all kids. It will also allow kids to earn money for their games. This fits Samantha’s goal of helping young entrepreneurs start their first businesses online.
The app remains available on Apple devices and online. The free trial helps new users explore the app before buying. Hopscotch is also popular in schools, with many teachers using the free lesson plans.
As of today, Hopscotch is still active and growing. It has become one of the top apps for kids to learn coding and game creation. The company’s focus on creativity and community continues to attract users. Samantha’s vision to empower kids with coding skills is closer to reality than ever.
Conclusion
Hopscotch is a special app that makes learning to code fun and easy for kids. Samantha John created it to help children gain important digital skills in a playful way. Her appearance on Shark Tank Season 12 led to a deal with Mark Cuban, who invested $550,000 for 11% equity. While some Sharks passed due to risks and business model concerns, Mark saw the app’s potential and personal value.
Since the show, Hopscotch has grown fast, with many new users joining. The company is working to improve the app’s business model and make it even more accessible. It remains a popular tool for parents and teachers who want to introduce coding to children. Hopscotch’s journey shows how passion, creativity, and smart investment can help a business grow and make a real difference in education.

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.