Birthday cakes are a staple of celebrations, but there’s one problem everyone ignores—when kids blow out candles, they spread germs all over the dessert. Most people don’t think about it, but saliva and bacteria end up on the cake, which everyone then eats. Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau saw this issue and created The Blowzee, a device designed to make candle-blowing hygienic.
When they pitched The Blowzee on Shark Tank Season 13, they asked for $100,000 for 20% equity in their company. Their invention used a small fan activated by blowing, creating a germ-free way to extinguish candles. The Sharks were intrigued by the concept but ultimately passed on the deal.
So, what happened to The Blowzee after Shark Tank? Did it take off despite the Sharks’ rejection, or did it disappear? This article covers their journey, the Sharks’ reactions, and where the product stands today.
The Blowzee Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau were looking for an investment of $100k in exchange for 20% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $500k. Mark and Lareau did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks. The company’s net worth stayed at around $500k. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of The Blowzee is $0, as the company is no longer in business.
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 |
Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau came up with The Blowzee after realizing how unhygienic traditional candle-blowing could be. They designed a small, handheld device with an electronic sensor that detects when someone blows into it. This triggers a fan at the other end, creating a burst of air to blow out candles, without any germs.
When they entered the Shark Tank, they demonstrated how The Blowzee worked. The Sharks tried it themselves and found it fun to use. However, the business numbers were less impressive. In their first five months, they had only made $12,000 in sales.
The founders asked for $100,000 for 20% equity, valuing their company at $500,000. They believed The Blowzee could become a must-have item for birthday parties, especially in a post-pandemic world where hygiene was a bigger concern.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Kevin didn’t hold back his opinion. He said he “hated it all the way around” and didn’t see a real business opportunity. He thought the product was more of a novelty than something people would buy repeatedly. Without hesitation, he was out.
Mark Cuban agreed with Kevin. While the product was clever, he didn’t think it had enough market demand to justify an investment. He also questioned whether parents would actually buy it instead of just letting kids blow out candles normally. He declined the offer.
Daymond liked the creativity but didn’t believe The Blowzee could grow into a big company. He pointed out that it was a one-time-use product for special occasions, making it hard to generate consistent sales. He chose not to invest.
Robert admitted that The Blowzee was fun to use, but he had the same concerns as the others. He didn’t see people buying it more than once, which made it a risky investment. He passed on the deal.
Lori, who usually loves unique gadgets, didn’t think The Blowzee had enough mass-market appeal. She said it was a “solution in search of a problem”—most people don’t worry about germs on birthday cakes enough to buy a special device. She was the last Shark to drop out.
What Went Wrong With The Blowzee On Shark Tank?
The Sharks decided not to invest in The Blowzee for a few reasons. First, the product wasn’t selling well; in five months, it only made $12,000, which is considered low. Second, it was a product that people would likely only buy once, meaning there wouldn’t be ongoing sales to help the business grow. Third, the market for this product was quite small because most people don’t think blowing out candles is a major issue that needs a solution.
Lastly, the founders hadn’t shown that they had a solid plan for how to make the business grow in the future. Even though the product was cleverly designed, the Sharks didn’t think it could become a successful and lasting business.
Product Availability
The Blowzee was a small, handheld device shaped like a tube. Kids (or adults) would blow into one end, and a fan at the other end would spin, creating a germ-free gust of air to extinguish candles. It was battery-operated and reusable, making it an eco-friendly alternative to single-use solutions.
Before Shark Tank, The Blowzee was sold for around $20-$25 on Amazon and their official website. At one point, it even ranked #1 in birthday candles on Amazon, showing early promise.
Unfortunately, the Blowzee no longer seems to be in business. Their official website is down, and the product is unavailable on Amazon and other retailers. Despite some initial media attention (including features in Real Simple and the New York Post), the company couldn’t sustain long-term success.
What Happened To The Blowzee After Shark Tank?
The Blowzee is a product that appeared on Shark Tank. After the show aired, The Blowzee briefly gained popularity, leading to a spike in sales. However, the product encountered a few significant issues. Most people didn’t think blowing out candles was a big enough problem that required a special tool, so there wasn’t a strong market for it.
The Blowzee, which was mostly related to birthdays, could only be sold during certain times of the year when birthdays are celebrated. This made sales inconsistent. The founders were unable to secure funding from Shark Tank. Without this support, it was challenging for them to grow the business.
Today, the Blowzee has vanished from the market. Their website is no longer functioning, and their social media accounts are no longer active. It seems the creators have moved on to other projects instead.
Conclusion
The Blowzee was a creative solution to a problem most people don’t think about. While the Sharks appreciated the innovation, they didn’t believe it could become a long-term business. Unfortunately, they were right—the product failed to gain lasting traction and is no longer available.
For now, it seems The Blowzee’s story ends here. But who knows? Maybe one day, a new and improved version will make a comeback. Until then, birthday cakes will have to rely on the old-fashioned (and germ-filled) way of blowing out candles.

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.