Every parent who has taken kids on a long road trip knows the same feeling. It starts with excitement. But after a few miles, it can quickly turn into a nightmare of yelling, crying, and endless arguments in the backseat. Brothers and sisters fight over toys, snacks, space, and everything else. They poke each other, they push, and they scream. Parents try everything they can think of, but nothing seems to work.
The whole trip becomes stressful and exhausting. This problem is not small. It affects millions of parents every day. It leads to distracted driving, which can even be dangerous. Parents feel trapped because they can’t stop every time their kids argue.
Krissy Pruske and Rachel Lincoln, two moms from Texas, understood this problem better than anyone. They knew there had to be a way to give each child their own space in the car without buying a bigger vehicle. So, they created Space Traveler, a backseat divider for kids. Their invention promised to keep children separated so they could ride in peace, giving parents a calmer, safer drive.
When Krissy and Rachel appeared on Shark Tank Season 11, they offered their idea to the sharks. They asked for $100,000 in exchange for 33% equity in their business. Their pitch showed how the Space Traveler worked in real life, with three kids in the backseat finally sitting quietly. It looked like magic. But would the sharks see the potential, or would they think the idea was too early to invest?
In this episode, viewers saw the challenges of bringing a simple parenting solution to market and what it takes to win a deal on Shark Tank.
Space Traveler Net Worth Shark Tank Update
Krissy and Rachel were looking for an investment of $100k in exchange for 33% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at about $303k. Krissy and Rachel successfully secured a deal with Barbara for an investment of $100k for 33% equity in the company, plus a $2 royalty per unit until the $100k was repaid. The investment kept the company’s net worth at around $303k. After the show was aired, the company experienced a brief boost in exposure and sold out its first small batch, but it does not appear to be operating as an active business now. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Space Traveler is $0.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Barbara Corcoran
$100,000 for 33% equity + $2 royalty per unit until $100,000 repaid
N/A
Yes
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
No
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
No
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
No
Robert Herjavec
Out
N/A
No
Krissy Pruske and Rachel Lincoln Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Krissy Pruske and Rachel Lincoln were best friends and moms who knew firsthand how chaotic car rides with kids could be. During every road trip, their children fought about space, toys, and personal boundaries. They tried to solve the problem themselves. First, they stuck a laundry hamper in between the car seats. But the hamper was awkward, fell over easily, and didn’t fully separate the kids.
Then they tried a collapsible dog kennel. That idea was even worse. It was uncomfortable, looked silly, and wasn’t safe for travel. They didn’t give up. They kept trying different ideas until they settled on a soft, tent-like divider with mesh windows so kids could still see and talk but not touch each other.
Their final prototype was made of soft material that folded easily. It had pockets for each child’s belongings and holes to allow seatbelt buckles to pass through safely. They called their invention the Space Traveler. It was lightweight, easy to install, and looked like a solution that every parent could use on long drives.
When they entered Shark Tank, Krissy and Rachel explained their backstory as moms who simply wanted peace in the car. They told the sharks how they had spent their own money developing the Space Traveler. They described their early challenges, including trying to get licensing deals for other products in the past. Sadly, they shared how those products were stolen and sold by bigger companies without giving them credit or money.
They were determined to do it right this time by partnering with a shark who would help them grow. They clearly demonstrated their prototype in the tank with three kids pretending to fight. When they set up the Space Traveler, the kids calmed down instantly, each having their own space. The sharks laughed at how relatable the problem was.
Krissy and Rachel asked for $100,000 in exchange for 33% equity in their company, hoping one of the sharks would believe in their dream.
Queries + Sharks’ Responses, and Final Deal
Robert Herjavec went first with his thoughts. He admitted that he liked how Krissy and Rachel presented their idea. He said they were confident, clear, and funny. But Robert explained that he simply did not like the product itself. He thought it was too niche, meaning that not enough parents would want to buy it to make it a big success. He told them that he couldn’t see himself investing in a product he didn’t love, so he decided to drop out.
Lori Greiner spoke next. She told the moms that she admired their energy and drive. But Lori said that because the Space Traveler was still only a prototype and they had not sold any units yet, it was way too early for her to get involved. Lori explained that before she invests, she likes to see market testing to prove there are customers who want the product. Since Krissy and Rachel had not tested the market yet, Lori decided she would pass.
Kevin O’Leary asked how many units they had sold so far. Krissy and Rachel admitted they had not sold any units yet, and they were hoping Shark Tank would help them bring Space Traveler to market. Kevin said he believed it would take a lot of time and money to develop, market, and scale the product. He explained that he wasn’t willing to wait or invest in such an early stage. He decided he did not want to “take the journey” with them, so he dropped out.
Mark Cuban asked if they had done research on patents or similar products. He suggested that there might already be other dividers or similar items on the market. He was worried that Space Traveler could face legal problems or be easily copied by bigger brands. Mark told Krissy and Rachel that they should look into existing patents. Because of those risks, he said he would not invest.
Barbara Corcoran was the last shark standing. She listened carefully to the presentation. She told Krissy and Rachel that she didn’t really understand the product at first, but she had learned in the past that sometimes products she didn’t understand could become huge successes. She reminded everyone of The Original Comfy, a cozy wearable blanket she invested in during Season 10. Barbara said she didn’t get that product at first either, but it had since sold over $150 million.
Because of that past experience, Barbara decided to take a chance on Space Traveler. She offered exactly what the moms had asked for: $100,000 in exchange for 33% equity. But she added one condition. She wanted a royalty of $2 per unit sold until she had earned her $100,000 investment back. Krissy and Rachel were thrilled. They accepted Barbara’s offer right away with big smiles and grateful hearts.
Product Availability
The Space Traveler is a soft, collapsible divider designed to sit on a car’s backseat bench. It has tall sides that create three separate spaces for kids. It has mesh windows so children can still talk to each other without touching or fighting. There are pockets on both sides for storing toys, snacks, or drinks. It also has openings for seatbelts so kids can stay safe while using it.
The design is lightweight and folds easily for storage when not in use. Krissy and Rachel wanted to sell Space Traveler directly to parents online, through their website, and eventually in stores like Walmart or Target.
The original retail price of Space Traveler was planned to be around $50 to $60, which they felt was affordable for parents who often spend more on car seats or travel accessories. When the episode aired, Krissy and Rachel’s website received a lot of traffic. Parents loved the idea, and many wanted to buy it immediately. But because they were still finalizing manufacturing, they could only take pre-orders.
Their first inventory round sold out quickly in December 2020. However, they never restocked after that. By 2021, the website showed the product as out of stock, and no new updates were posted. There were no signs of Space Traveler appearing in big-box stores or other online retailers. As of now, the product is no longer available for purchase anywhere online or offline.
What Happened To Space Traveler After Shark Tank?
After appearing on Shark Tank, Krissy and Rachel experienced a big surge in interest from parents who watched the episode. They sold out of their first small batch of Space Traveler units in December 2020. Unfortunately, they struggled to produce more units. The COVID-19 pandemic made manufacturing difficult.
Supply chains were disrupted around the world, and factories faced delays or shutdowns. These problems made it nearly impossible for Krissy and Rachel to keep up with demand or restock their website.
Our research found that the deal with Barbara Corcoran never officially closed. It’s unclear if Barbara changed her mind or if the production delays caused the agreement to fall apart. Over time, interest faded as parents moved on or found other solutions for backseat fights. The company never released new product designs or improved versions of the original Space Traveler.
Their website is still online, but it hasn’t been updated since 2020. The shop section says “sold out” and hasn’t changed for years. There are no new social media posts, and customer emails reportedly go unanswered.
As of today, Space Traveler appears to be out of business. Krissy and Rachel have not posted any updates or announcements explaining what happened. Without new inventory or communication, it’s safe to assume they have shut down operations. While the idea was clever and the need for the product was real, the challenges of launching a new brand during a pandemic were simply too great to overcome.
Conclusion
Krissy Pruske and Rachel Lincoln came to Shark Tank with a relatable problem and a creative solution. They invented the Space Traveler, a collapsible backseat divider that gave each child their own space on long car trips. Their pitch was heartfelt and funny, and they asked the sharks for $100,000 in exchange for 33% equity.
Most sharks dropped out because they worried the business was too early, lacked sales, and faced competition. Barbara Corcoran saw potential in the moms’ passion and offered them the deal they wanted, plus a $2 royalty per unit until she recouped her investment.
Sadly, after the episode aired, the company struggled with production and supply chain problems. They sold out of their first inventory in 2020 but never restocked. As of 2024, Space Traveler appears to be out of business, with no new updates or products available. This story shows how a great idea and even a Shark Tank deal aren’t always enough without the ability to manufacture, market, and scale a product.
It also highlights how tough it can be for small businesses to survive in uncertain times, even with big dreams and good intentions.
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.
