Ready Set Food! Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025

Many parents worry about food allergies in their babies. This fear is real because food allergies in children are becoming more common every year. Foods like milk, peanuts, and eggs can cause scary reactions. These reactions can be as mild as a rash or as serious as life-threatening anaphylaxis. Parents live in constant worry about what their children might accidentally eat.

Even a small mistake at school or at a friend’s house could send a child to the hospital. Because of this, parents often feel like they must watch every bite their child takes. It’s exhausting and stressful.

This was the problem Daniel Zakowski, Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan, and Dr. Andy Leitner wanted to solve. They created Ready, Set, Food! after seeing research that early introduction of common allergens could help babies avoid developing allergies. They came to Shark Tank Season 11 to get help turning this life-changing idea into a bigger business. They asked for $350,000 for 7% equity.

Their goal was to give every parent a safe and easy way to expose babies to these allergens at the right time. In the episode, the sharks were interested but cautious. Some thought the idea was too complicated to explain. 

Some were worried about marketing challenges. But Mark Cuban believed in the product and the team. He made a deal for $350,000 in exchange for 10% equity, plus 2% advisory shares. The team accepted his offer. Since then, the company has grown, expanded its product line, and reached more parents. This article covers their full journey, the sharks’ reactions, what happened after the show, and where they are now.

Ready Set Food! Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025

Daniel, Katie, and Andy were looking for an investment of $350k in exchange for 7% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $5 million. Daniel, Katie, and Andy successfully secured a deal with Mark for an investment of $350k for 10% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $3.5 million. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Ready, Set, Food! is around $15 million.

Shark(s) name	$350,000 for 12% equity contingent on donation to low-income families	Counteroffer	Accepted?
Mark Cuban	$350,000 for 12% equity contingent on donation to low-income families	$350,000 for 9.5% equity$350,000 for 10% equity	Yes
Kevin O’Leary	$350,000 for 12% equity contingent on donation to low income families	N/A	No
Lori Greiner	$350,000 loan (2% interest) + 7% equity + $1 per unit royalty until $500,000 repaid	N/A	No
Barbara Corcoran	Out	N/A	N/A
Rohan Oza	Out	N/A	N/A

Daniel Zakowski, Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan, and Dr. Andy Leitner Backstory + Their Initial Pitch

Daniel Zakowski, Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan, and Dr. Andy Leitner created Ready, Set, Food! because they saw a big gap in how parents could help protect their children from food allergies. Dr. Marks-Cogan is a board-certified allergist who has treated many young children with severe allergies. She knew the heartbreak parents felt when their child developed a lifelong allergy. Around the same time, new studies showed that giving babies allergens early could reduce the chance of developing allergies.

However, many parents did not know how or when to do this. There were no simple ways to introduce these foods in the right amount, at the right time, and in a safe way.

Daniel Zakowski, who had experience launching products, partnered with Dr. Marks-Cogan and Dr. Leitner to find a solution. Together, they came up with Ready, Set, Food! It is a powder with measured doses of allergens like peanuts, milk, and eggs. Parents can mix it into bottles or food, following a simple plan. The plan gradually introduces the allergens when the baby’s immune system can learn to tolerate them.

Their early sales showed parents were interested. They had made $250,000 in a few months. They had also raised almost $2.5 million from early investors.

On Shark Tank, the founders shared their personal stories and the science behind their products. They explained how allergies can be life-threatening and how Ready, Set, Food! could help reduce this risk. They told the sharks they were asking for $350,000 for 7% equity. They shared their sales numbers and how they planned to use the investment to increase awareness and reach more families. The sharks listened carefully, but they had many questions about whether parents would understand or trust this new approach.

Queries + Sharks’ Responses, and Final Deal

Barbara Corcoran spoke first. She said she found the product idea interesting but thought it was too hard to explain to parents. She believed most parents would not buy something they did not fully understand. She worried they would be afraid to give allergens to babies. She decided to drop out because she did not feel confident she could help sell the product.

Kevin O’Leary had many questions. He wanted to know if they had clinical studies proving their approach worked. The team explained there was a lot of research supporting early allergen introduction, including studies by the National Institutes of Health. Kevin liked their numbers but thought they were asking for too low of an equity stake.

He offered two options: $350,000 for 11% equity, or $350,000 as a 36-month loan with 8% interest plus 4% equity. He wanted a better return for the risk he would take.

Lori Greiner offered another option. She proposed giving them $350,000 as a loan with just 2% interest. But she also wanted 7% equity and a $1 royalty on every unit sold until she made back $500,000. Lori explained that she liked the product but wanted to reduce her risk by earning money back quickly through royalties.

Rohan Oza thought the science was promising, but he said he worried about marketing. He believed convincing parents to use the product would be too difficult. He shared his concerns that big advertising dollars would be needed, and he was not interested in putting in that kind of effort for a niche market. He chose to drop out.

Mark Cuban was the last shark to speak. He told the founders he believed many parents today are proactive about their children’s health. He thought parents would research allergies themselves and find Ready, Set, Food! online. He offered them $350,000 for 10% equity plus 2% advisory shares. He also asked them to promise they would donate one subscription to a low-income family for every subscription sold.

This, he said, would help children in poor communities who could not afford allergy prevention.

The team asked if he would do the deal at 9.5% equity without the advisory shares. Mark listened but stood firm at 10%. The founders thought about it and decided his experience and reach were worth it. They accepted Mark’s deal.

Product Availability

Ready, Set, Food! Products are easy to use and designed for busy parents. The powder packets come in different plans depending on a baby’s age and allergy risk. Parents can follow a 6-month plan where allergens like milk, peanuts, and eggs are introduced slowly. The powder mixes into bottles or baby food without changing taste or texture. The company also expanded its products.

Now they offer a 9-allergen option for older babies who eat purees. This version includes milk, egg, peanut, cashew, almond, walnut, sesame, soy, and wheat.

For babies allergic to milk or eggs, they have a peanut-only option. This allows parents to protect against peanut allergies while avoiding allergens their baby might already be sensitive to. Each plan comes with easy instructions and a guide to help parents. The products are sold on the Ready, Set, Food! website, where parents can also find educational materials. Ready, Set, Food! products are available at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Wegmans, and Meijer.

They are also sold on Amazon, which makes them easy for parents to buy online with fast shipping. The price for the basic plan starts around $30 to $40, depending on the plan and retailer. Subscriptions are available, so parents do not have to remember to reorder each month.

What Happened To Ready, Set, Food! After Shark Tank?

After the episode aired, Ready, Set, Food! saw a big increase in sales and awareness. Mark Cuban helped the founders fine-tune their marketing to speak directly to parents who wanted to protect their children. They worked with pediatricians to spread the word about early allergen introduction. Ready, Set, Food! Products became more visible in stores like Target, Walmart, and grocery chains like Wegmans and Meijer.

This retail growth allowed them to reach parents who might not have heard of the product online.

The company also expanded its product line. They launched a new organic oatmeal cereal designed for babies that includes the same allergens in an easy-to-feed form. The company now serves over 25,000 families and keeps growing. Parents report feeling relieved knowing they have a safe way to introduce allergens. By 2024, Ready, Set, Food! reached an estimated $3.5 million in annual revenue.

The team continues to develop new products, support allergy research, and educate parents about preventing food allergies. They also keep their promise to donate subscriptions to low-income families, helping children who might not otherwise have access to allergy prevention.

Conclusion

Ready, Set, Food! tackled a scary problem many parents face every day. Food allergies in children can cause anxiety, hospital visits, and lifelong challenges. Daniel Zakowski, Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan, and Dr. Andy Leitner used research and personal passion to create a simple powder that could help prevent these allergies. On Shark Tank, they asked for $350,000 for 7% equity. 

Most sharks thought the product was too hard to sell to worried parents. But Mark Cuban believed in the team and offered $350,000 for 10% equity, plus 2% advisory shares. The founders accepted. Since then, Ready, Set, Food! has expanded its products and grown sales to $3.5 million a year. They sell in major stores and online, making it easier for parents to find allergy protection for their children.

Their journey shows that with the right team, research, and support, even a complicated problem like food allergies can be tackled and turned into a successful business that helps families everywhere.