Ka-Pop Ancient Grain Snack Co Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025

Many people today want to snack healthier. They are tired of junk food that makes them feel bad after eating. Parents want their kids to eat snacks that are good for them, but most snacks in stores are full of junk. People with food allergies or gluten intolerance have an even harder time. They often feel left out because they cannot eat what everyone else is eating.

This can make social events uncomfortable, and it can even cause health problems when someone accidentally eats the wrong thing. There are snacks that say they are healthy, but they still use cheap ingredients. Many are made with artificial flavors and preservatives. Other snacks may be gluten-free but taste like cardboard.

That is why Ka-Pop! was created. Ka-Pop! uses ancient grains like sorghum to make popped chips that are crunchy, tasty, and healthy. These chips are free of gluten, allergens, and GMOs. The idea was to give everyone a snack that was safe, delicious, and fun. When Dustin Finkel brought Ka-Pop! to Shark Tank in Season 11, he wanted to show the sharks that healthy snacks do not have to taste boring.

He asked for $350,000 in exchange for 5% of his company. The episode had many ups and downs. Some sharks loved the taste. Some are worried about the sales. In the end, Dustin left without a deal, but that was not the end for Ka-Pop! This article shares the full story of Ka-Pop!’s Shark Tank pitch, what the sharks said, what happened after the show, and how the company is doing now.

Ka-Pop Ancient Grain Snack Co Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025

Dustin was looking for an investment of $350k in exchange for 5% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, he valued his company at $7 million. Unfortunately, he 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 Ka-Pop! is around $10 million.

Shark(s) name	Offer & Demand	Counteroffer	Accepted?
Kevin O’Leary	$350,000 for 17.5% equity	$500,000 for 10% equity	No
Lori Greiner	Out	N/A	N/A
Barbara Corcoran	Out	N/A	N/A
Mark Cuban	Out	N/A	N/A
Rohan Oza	Out	N/A	N/A

Dustin Finkel Backstory + Their Initial Pitch

Dustin Finkel is not just a businessman. He has a passion for healthy living and wants others to feel good about what they eat. Dustin had years of experience in the food industry. He worked on gluten-free brands with General Mills and helped launch successful products. He saw firsthand that most snacks were either tasty but bad for you or healthy but tasteless. Dustin believed he could do better.

He loved ancient grains, especially sorghum because it is packed with nutrients and naturally gluten-free. Sorghum has been eaten for thousands of years in different cultures. It is high in fiber and protein, and it is easy to digest.

He started experimenting in his kitchen. He popped sorghum in small batches and seasoned it with real ingredients. His friends and family loved the snacks. He saw a real business opportunity. Dustin worked hard to get Ka-Pop! off the ground. He built a team, designed fun packaging, and got his products into some small stores.

He spent time visiting local markets, doing tastings, and getting feedback. He learned what flavors people liked most, and he kept improving the recipes.

By the time he came to Shark Tank, he had four flavors: Rosemary Garlic, Salt & Vinegar, Vegan Cheddar & Garlic, and Olive Oil & Sea Salt. He had invested a lot of time and money to develop the brand. His goal on the show was to get a shark’s help to scale production and get Ka-Pop! into more national grocery chains. He knew having a shark partner could give him credibility and open doors that were hard to open alone.

Dustin stood confidently in front of the sharks and shared his story. He gave them samples of his popped chips and explained how they were made. He told them about sorghum’s benefits and how Ka-Pop! was different from other gluten-free snacks. He shared that his products were allergen-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

He also told the sharks that he had made $150,000 in sales in the past year. He asked for $350,000 for 5% of his company, valuing Ka-Pop! at $7 million.

Queries + Sharks’ Responses, and Final Deal

Barbara Corcoran was the first shark to respond. She tasted the chips and said they were surprisingly delicious. She complimented Dustin on his passion and sales skills. However, she worried that the sales numbers were too low compared to the valuation he had asked for. She felt she could not help him scale the business, so she decided to drop out. Dustin thanked her for her honesty.

Mark Cuban also tried the samples. He liked the taste but said he did not feel he could add value to the company. He admitted he did not know the healthy snack market well enough. He told Dustin that while he admired his hard work, he was out too.

Lori Greiner was impressed with Dustin’s presentation. She liked that the snacks were crunchy and flavorful without junk ingredients. But she said she was not sure how to make Ka-Pop! stand out in a crowded snack market. She also felt she was not the right partner to take the company to the next level. She chose to go out.

Guest shark Rohan Oza is known as a marketing genius in the food and beverage industry. He said he thought Dustin’s idea was strong. But he looked at the numbers and saw Ka-Pop! was still too early in its growth. He thought the margins and sales were not enough for him to invest at that stage. He also worried about competing with big snack brands. He decided to go out.

Kevin O’Leary liked what he heard about the ancient grain sorghum. He said he did not have any snack brands like Ka-Pop! in his portfolio. He saw potential in adding Ka-Pop! as a unique product. Kevin made an offer of $350,000 for 17.5% equity, which was much higher than the 5% Dustin offered. Kevin explained that he needed a bigger stake because he was taking a big risk on a company with low sales.

Dustin thought Kevin’s offer took too much equity away. He countered by asking for $500,000 for 10% equity instead. Kevin thought the valuation Dustin proposed was too high. They went back and forth but could not find common ground. Dustin wanted to protect his existing investors and keep his equity lower. Kevin would not budge on needing a bigger stake. In the end, they did not reach an agreement, and Dustin left the Shark Tank without a deal.

What Went Wrong With Ka-Pop Ancient Grain Snack Co On Shark Tank?

Several things worked against Ka-Pop! during the Shark Tank pitch. First, Dustin’s ask was very high for a company with only $150,000 in sales. This made sharks worry about the risk of investing. They thought the valuation of $7 million was too big for the stage the company was in. Dustin also shared that he already had many investors, and most were on convertible notes instead of equity.

This made the sharks uncomfortable. They feared their investment would be diluted in the future or become complicated by existing deals.

Some sharks also said they were not sure how to help Ka-Pop! stand out among many healthy snack options on grocery shelves. Even though they liked the taste, they wanted to see stronger proof of traction, like higher sales or big contracts with retailers. While the sharks praised Dustin’s energy and product quality, they thought it was too early to invest. Because of these reasons, every shark except Kevin O’Leary decided to drop out without making an offer.

Kevin made an offer, but it was for a much bigger equity share than Dustin was willing to give. They tried to find a middle ground, but their valuations were too far apart. Dustin’s belief in his company’s value was strong, and he did not want to give up too much equity too soon. Without a compromise, no deal was made.

Product Availability

Ka-Pop! Ancient Grain Popped Chips are made with real, simple ingredients. The main ingredient, sorghum, is an ancient grain full of protein and fiber. Ka-Pop! chips are free from gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, and GMOs, making them safe for people with many food allergies. The chips are popped, not fried or baked, giving them a light, crunchy texture that many people find addictive.

Ka-Pop! uses bold flavors like Vegan Cheddar, Sweet Onion, Fiery Hot, Rosemary Garlic, and Salt & Vinegar. The company has also introduced new flavors like BBQ, Red & Green Sriracha, Dairy-Free Cheddar, and Dairy-Free Sour Cream & Onion. They even create limited edition flavors like Birthday Cake to keep things fun for customers.

You can find Ka-Pop! products in over 1,700 stores across the United States. They are available in big chains like Kroger, King Soopers, City Market, and some Whole Foods locations. You can also order Ka-Pop! directly from the company’s website, where they offer single bags and variety packs. They often have special deals for online customers. Ka-Pop! is also sold on Amazon, making it easy for people to order from home.

The price for a standard bag is usually around $4, depending on the store and location. They have expanded their distribution steadily since appearing on Shark Tank, making their healthy snacks more accessible to people looking for tasty, guilt-free options.

What Happened To Ka-Pop Ancient Grain Snack Co  After Shark Tank?

Even though Dustin left Shark Tank without a deal, Ka-Pop! kept growing. The company gained a lot of attention after the episode aired. People wanted to try the tasty popped chips they saw on TV. Sales increased, and Ka-Pop! got featured in major media outlets like Forbes, Red Tricycle, and VegOut. Dustin continued to work hard to build the brand. He expanded the product line with new flavors and tested fun, limited-edition options that kept customers excited.

Ka-Pop! merged with another healthy snack brand called Bubba’s Fine Foods. Together, they created Awakened Foods, a company focused on launching innovative, better-for-you snacks made with ancient grains. This merger allowed Ka-Pop! to grow faster and have more resources for marketing, distribution, and new product development. Ka-Pop! products are now available in over 1,700 stores nationwide, and they continue to gain new retail partners.

As of 2024, Ka-Pop! is thriving with estimated annual revenues of around $5 million. The company shows how believing in your product and not giving up, even after hearing “no,” can lead to success.

Conclusion

Ka-Pop! came to Shark Tank with a big dream: to show the world that healthy snacks could taste amazing. Dustin Finkel pitched confidently and let the sharks try his crunchy, flavorful popped chips made with ancient sorghum grain. Although he impressed the sharks with taste and passion, they worried about the low sales and high valuation. Kevin O’Leary offered a deal, but Dustin and Kevin could not agree on equity terms.

In the end, Dustin walked away without a deal. But Ka-Pop!’s journey did not end there. The company grew after the show, added new flavors, reached more stores, and merged with Bubba’s Fine Foods to create Awakened Foods. Today, Ka-Pop! products are enjoyed by snack lovers across the country, proving that determination and belief in your idea can pay off, even if you do not get a Shark Tank deal.