Tires are one of the most important parts of any vehicle, yet they haven’t changed much in decades. Traditional rubber tires wear out quickly, get punctures, and need constant replacement. For cyclists, flat tires are a common frustration, and for drivers, blowouts can be dangerous. The world needed a better solution—something stronger, longer-lasting, and more reliable.
Enter Brian Yennie and Earl Cole, the founders of SMART Tire Company. They decided to reinvent the wheel using NASA-inspired technology. Instead of rubber, their tires are made from nitinol, a shape-memory alloy that never goes flat and lasts much longer than conventional tires. This space-age material was originally developed for NASA’s Mars rovers, and now, SMART Tire Company is bringing it to everyday consumers.
In Shark Tank Season 13, Brian and Earl pitched their revolutionary tires, asking for $500,000 in exchange for 2.5% equity. However, despite the sharks being impressed by the technology, they had concerns about the business side. The high cost of the tires ($2,500–$3,500 per set) and the early stage of the company made the sharks hesitant. Ultimately, none of the sharks made an offer, leaving Brian and Earl without a deal.
The Smart Tire Company Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Brian and Earl were looking for an investment of $500k in exchange for 2.5% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $20 million. They did not secure a deal with any of the sharks. After the show aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of SMART Tire Company is around $30 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Kevin Hart
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Barbara Corcoran
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Brian Yennie and Earl Cole Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Brian Yennie and Earl Cole didn’t start SMART Tire Company just to make another tire—they wanted to change the future of transportation. Their inspiration came from NASA’s use of nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy that can bend and return to its original shape. This material was perfect for tires because it doesn’t wear out like rubber and can’t go flat.
However, turning this idea into reality wasn’t easy. In the early days, they faced huge challenges—developing prototypes, securing patents, and convincing investors that this futuristic tire could actually work. They used equity crowdfunding (raising money from small investors) to fund their research and development, which helped them get off the ground.
When they stepped into the Shark Tank, they presented their vision confidently. They explained how their tires could last a lifetime, eliminate flat tires, and even be used in space missions. The sharks were fascinated by the technology but quickly shifted focus to the business side.
Brian and Earl’s ask was $500,000 for 2.5% equity, valuing the company at $20 million. They believed this was fair because of their NASA partnership and the potential for their tires to disrupt the market. However, the sharks had doubts.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Mark Cuban expressed doubts about the company’s fundraising method. He felt that crowdfunding (raising small amounts of money from many people) was risky for casual investors who might not understand the potential downsides. He also questioned the founders’ experience in running a manufacturing business. Mark decided not to invest, stating, “I don’t think you guys can execute this. I’m out.”
Lori Greiner liked the innovative idea but thought it was too early to invest because the company hadn’t made any sales yet and was still developing the product. Without a solid plan for mass production, she also chose not to invest, commenting, “This is amazing, but it’s just too soon for me. I’m out.”
Kevin O’Leary focused on the product’s high price, which was between $2,500 and $3,500 for a set of tires. He doubted that everyday consumers could afford them and questioned whether the company could produce enough tires efficiently. His conclusion was, “This is too expensive for the market. I’m out.”
Barbara Corcoran found the pitch confusing and didn’t understand how the tires would be manufactured or sold. She needed a clearer business plan before feeling confident about investing. So, she said, “I don’t get it, and that’s a problem. I’m out.”
Kevin Hart, a guest shark, was interested but echoed the concerns of the other sharks regarding the lack of a strong business plan for bringing the tires to market at a reasonable price. He concluded, “I love the idea, but I don’t see the business working yet. I’m out.”
None of the sharks decided to invest in the tire technology because they were worried about its high cost, the company being in the early stages of development, and not having a clear business model.
What Went Wrong With The Smart Tire Company On Shark Tank?
The sharks, who are experienced investors, had several worries about a tire company. The company hadn’t sold any tires yet and was still just working on a prototype, so they didn’t have any real income coming in. The tires were priced between $2,500 and $3,500 for a set, which is a lot of money for most people. This could limit their customer base.
The company was relying on crowdfunding (collecting small amounts of money from many people online) to get started, but the sharks would rather see support from traditional investors, which they believe offers more stability. The founders had a hard time clearly explaining how they would produce the tires in large quantities and sell them, which is crucial for the company’s success. Due to these concerns, the sharks thought investing in this company was too risky.
Product Availability
SMART Tire Company is developing a new type of bike tire called the METL tire, which is set to start shipping next year. Even though they didn’t get a deal on Shark Tank, they have continued to move forward with their plans.
People could pre-order the tires on Kickstarter, where they raised $182,000 in just 15 minutes. When they officially launch, you’ll be able to buy them directly from the SMART Tire Company website for about $150 each. The company is also planning to work on tires for cars, but those will take more time to create.
What Happened To The Smart Tire Company After Shark Tank?
SMART Tire Company appeared on Shark Tank but didn’t receive any investment from the sharks. However, the company is thriving and has made significant progress since then. Here’s a simple breakdown of what they’ve achieved. They raised almost $1 million through a crowdfunding platform called WeFunder, which helps them keep developing their products.
Over 10,000 people have signed up to buy their innovative bike tires, demonstrating strong interest in what they’re offering. The company continues its collaboration with NASA to create tires that could be used for space missions, specifically for vehicles that may travel on the moon.
They started shipping their new METL bike tires in 2024. Brian Yennie, one of the founders, mentioned that even though the sharks didn’t invest, they’ve remained in contact and offered support. The company is now focused on increasing production and finding ways to make their tires more affordable for customers.
Conclusion
SMART Tire Company came to Shark Tank Season 13 with a revolutionary idea—tires that never go flat, made from NASA’s nitinol technology. While the sharks were impressed by the innovation, they had concerns about the high cost, early-stage development, and unclear business plan. As a result, no deal was made.
However, the company didn’t give up. They continued raising funds, built a 10,000-person waiting list, and launched their METL bike tires in 2024. With NASA’s support and a growing fan base, SMART Tire Company could still change the future of tires, even without a shark’s investment.
If you’re interested in their tires, you can pre-order them on their website or even invest in the company through WeFunder. The future of tires might just be airless, indestructible, and out of this world.
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.
