Many people struggle to find the perfect pillow. Waking up with a stiff neck happens too often, and pillows sold in stores rarely match our sleep styles. One pillow might feel too soft or too high. Another may flatten too fast after a few nights. This makes restful sleep hard to come by. Often, people end up cycling through pillows without finding the right one. The result is restless nights, back pain, and a lot of frustration.
Enter Pluto Pillow: a company that offers personalized pillows based on what each person needs. Instead of one-size-fits-all, customers answer a simple quiz. Based on their answers, Pluto Pillow builds and ships a custom pillow made just for them. The idea is to remove guesswork and match each sleeper to their ideal pillow.
Founders Susana Saeliu and Kevin Li brought this concept to Shark Tank, hoping to elevate their business. They asked for investment to grow further. They asked for $400,000 in exchange for 5% equity. Although they left without a deal, Pluto Pillow has continued to grow and innovate since then. Let’s explore their journey from the tank to today.
Pluto Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Susana and Kevin were looking for an investment of $400k in exchange for 5% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $8 million. Susana and Kevin 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 Pluto Pillow is around $12 million.
Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
Daniel Lubetzky | Out | N/A | N/A |
Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
Robert Herjavec | $400,000 for 20% equity | $400,000 for 9% equity | No |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Susana Saeliu and Kevin Li Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Susana’s journey began one morning when she woke up with neck pain. She tried countless pillows, but none fit her body or sleep habits. Kevin, already skilled in product sourcing, helped her achieve her dream of a better solution. They spent months crafting a questionnaire that captured everything from sleep position to weight, height, temperature preference, and more.
They tested many materials until they found the best combination. Each pillow has a CertiPUR‑US foam core and a plush, breathable outer fill. Production began in a small workshop. They handled everything themselves, from manufacturing to packaging to customer responses.
On Shark Tank, they walked in with a finished, beautifully packaged pillow. They explained how they used the quiz and algorithm to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. They emphasized strong early sales and promised to use the investment for scaling production and marketing. Though they had proof of traction, they sought mentorship and funding to expand faster.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Each Shark had their own questions and concerns:
Lori Greiner asked about competition and noted she had already invested in pillow companies. She felt the space was crowded and bowed out early, worried Pluto couldn’t stand out enough.
Mark Cuban focused on inventory and data. He explained they could predict popular pillow types ahead of time and build inventory in advance. The founders had not yet tried this, so he withdrew.
Daniel Lubetzky acknowledged that while he loved pillows, he believed large mattress or bedding companies could copy the idea. He questioned Pluto’s uniqueness, so he stepped away.
Kevin O’Leary looked closely at their $8 million valuation. He felt it was too high, given their stage. He did not offer a deal and exited.
Robert Herjavec was the only Shark to make an offer. He said he believed in their ability to scale despite the challenges. He offered $400,000 for 20% equity. Susana and Kevin felt that this undervalued their brand. They countered with 9%. Robert refused to drop equity further, and the founders chose to walk away without a deal.
What Went Wrong With Pluto On Shark Tank?
Several factors prevented a deal on Shark Tank. First, the valuation was high. Asking for $400,000 at 5% meant an $8 million valuation, too ambitious for a brand with early-stage revenue. This raised doubts among the Sharks, especially O’Leary and Cuban. Second, the competitive nature of the pillow market concerned Sharks like Lori Greiner. Even with a unique algorithm, larger sleeping companies could replicate the personalized model easily.
Third, the founders had small-scale, build-to-order operations. They had not yet tested producing ahead of demand, something Mark Cuban recommended. The lack of pre-built inventory made it harder for them to scale quickly to new customers. Finally, equity offers suggested they wanted to retain control mostly.
Sharks look for partners willing to give up more to benefit from mentorship and networks. By rejecting Herjavec’s 20% offer, they lost the chance for his support.
Product Availability
Today, Pluto Pillow offers multiple sleep products on their website. You begin by answering their online quiz. It asks about your weight, height, sleep position, warmth preferences, and what you like or dislike in your current pillow. Based on that profile, they hand-build your pillow using a patented algorithm and ship it within 7–10 business days.
Their main pillow (Original) sells for $125. The king size retails at $155. They offer a “PUFF” companion body pillow and a “POD” travel pillow. All pillows come with a 125-night trial and a 1-year warranty. They use temperature-regulating foam and boast of being hypoallergenic.
In addition to their own store, Pluto has received strong press. They’ve been named the best overall pillow by sources like CNN Underscored, CNET, Oprah, and Homes & Gardens. Their packaging includes handwritten notes and small touches, making the experience feel personal and thoughtful.
What Happened To The Pluto After Shark Tank?
Following the show in May 2021, Pluto Pillow experienced the famous “Shark Tank effect.” Orders surged, and they became backordered by six weeks, selling over 2,000 pillows within hours of airing. The exposure helped Pluto pivot from early traction to scaling rapidly.
On their own blog, founders noted Shark’s concerns: valuation, existing investors, and production scale. Despite walking away, they found mentorship elsewhere and added staff, growing to a seven-person team.
By 2024, Pluto Pillow generated around $5 million in annual revenue. Their valuation rose to between $10 and $13 million. They also introduced a travel pillow (“POD”) and companion body pillow (“PUFF”), helping expand their product line.
Funding data confirms they raised $150,000 in seed funding in early 2020 from investors like 500 Global. They remain direct-to-consumer, with no major retail distribution, focusing instead on a web-first model and social media marketing.
Press reviews remain outstanding. Reviewers from Tom’s Guide and Homes & Gardens praise the pillow’s support and customization, though some note it takes adjustment time. Customer ratings average nearly 4.8 stars. As of today, Pluto Pillow operates profitably, sharpening its supply chain, expanding product variety, and planning broader reach in the future.
Conclusion
Pluto Pillow’s journey shows how a thoughtful problem-solution model can succeed even without a Shark deal. Susana and Kevin identified a universal need: finding the right pillow. Their custom-fit model provided a refreshing alternative in a crowded space. On Shark Tank, they asked $400,000 for 5% equity, ending with no deal due to valuation and scale concerns.
That moment in the tank did not halt progress; it accelerated it. Orders flooded in after the episode aired. They navigated production, added new products, and grew to $5 million in annual revenue. Valuation reached the low teens in millions while they gathered awards and customer praise.
Though they walked away from lucrative partnerships, Pluto Pillow chose control over dilution. They opted for smart early funding and kept decision-making close. Today, they remain lean yet impactful in the personalized sleep market. Their story demonstrates that belief, persistence, and execution can triumph even without a “yes” from the Sharks.

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.