Don’t let hard-to-remove stains take over your surfaces! DetraPel is a long-lasting, non-toxic stain preventer that can be used on virtually any surface – from plastic and fabric to concrete, wood, and more.
Even better? It’s eco-friendly and biodegradable too; no need to worry about color or texture alteration either. Individuals, as well as businesses, have discovered the power of this product – in fact, it lasts for up to one year so you don’t even have to think twice about reapplying soon after. It’s time to let your surfaces shine.
This product is designed to protect clothes from stains, and the sharks were interested in investing. So what happened after the show? We’ll give you a sneak peek into what happened behind the scenes.
What Is DetraPel?
DetraPel is a non-toxic spray that repels water and stains on practically any surface, including fabric, leather, wood, metal, glass, and stone [1]. It cleans dirty shoes, discolored sofa cushions, and even graffiti off a stonewall without changing the color of the surface.
Who Is The Founder Of DetraPel?
Before founding DetraPel, he worked as a strategic advisor. He remains the company’s CEO and has subsequently been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list as a candidate, and, like many successful CEOs, he provides motivational talks.
David started DetraPel at the age of 15 in 2013 to develop new solutions to the environmental and health consequences of produced items.
While attending a university part-time in the evenings to study chemistry, he investigated how DetraPel’s PFAS-free coatings resist liquids and stains.
His major goal was to create a product that was both ecologically friendly and risk-free for the consumer.
He gathered roughly $ 3000 in start-up financing using the crowdsourcing portal IndieGoGo, but only received 6 percent of his objective.
Any would-be investors who looked over this and didn’t invest should be kicking themselves, because following a successful launch, he was expecting yearly revenues in the $ 300,000 range.
It was now time to bring on an investor who could also provide assistance.
DetraPel Before Shark Tank
Founded in 2013, DetraPel is the brainchild of David Zamarin, an entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who had previously launched a successful shoe detailing service called LickYourSole [3]. A sneakerhead, he had come up with the idea of making a non-toxic spray, after failing to find a way to keep his collection clean without the use of toxic chemicals.
After a great deal of research, he successfully developed a hydrophobic solution―one that made use of decomposed lotus leaves. In act, it was so safe, that it could even be sprayed into one’s mouth (though highly not recommended).
Testing it out, he soon realized that he had put together an all-in-one protective coatings product. By varying the formula slightly, he eventually made it so that the product could be used on a variety of surfaces – including wood, metal, fabric, etc.
Within a year, the company had signed with a number of retailers in the Philadelphia area, including Dr. Denim. Aside from that, they also sold their products directly to consumers online.
By 2015, the company was well on its way. In fact, its success had led it to be featured by a number of sites such as Hatchpad, Huffington Post, and Biz Journals, to name a few. Still, it was obvious that there was room for growth. As fate would have it, it was later announced that the founder would be pitching the non-toxic spray on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank. Featured in season 9, the episode ultimately aired in the U.S. on January 7, 2018.
DetraPel On Shark Tank: The Pitch
Walking into the tank holding a cup, David “spills” a bit of the beverage on himself, before making it to the front of the set. Recovering from the incident as the sharks laugh, he introduces himself as the founder of DetraPel. Continuing, he tells his audience that he’s seeking a $ 200,000 investment in exchange for a 20% equity stake.
Gesturing towards his shirt, he comments that a spill can easily ruin someone’s chance to make an amazing first impression – like what he’s trying to do in front of the sharks.
To their surprise, however, he soon rips off the dirtied shirt, to reveal a clean one underneath. Pointing at it, he states that it is a super shirt, one “that won’t let you walk into a situation looking like a mess”.
Elaborating, he reveals that it has been treated with his product, DetraPel.
Demonstrating its effects, he goes on to pour a cup of coffee on himself. To everyone’s amazement, however, the liquid slides right off onto the ground. Putting the beverage down, he explains that DetraPel is a super-hydrophobic, liquid-repellent spray that is made to keep things clean.
As the camera zooms in on the product, he elaborates by saying that it is capable of shielding items from liquid-based substances, such as juices, sauces, and even bodily fluids.
Giving another example, he sets down a glass of wine on the table. Seconds later, it is poured onto a carpet, one that has been treated with Detrapel. As with his shirt, the red liquid soon slides off the surface. Impressed, the sharks look on as he moves on to his next example―a pair of shoes, which retains its white look despite being dipped into a tub of muddy water.
Continuing on about the product, David states that one application lasts a whole year―with no glossy barrier or discoloration. Completely non-toxic, the formula is so safe that it can even be ingested, he explains. With that, he ends his pitch by telling the sharks that they need their help as a young, growing brand.
Almost immediately afterward, Barbara asks the entrepreneur how he came up with the idea. In response, he tells her that he has always been one to take good care of his things. Continuing his story, he shares that he had thought of the product, after wanting to protect a couple of Jordans, without the use of toxic chemicals. Pivoting the idea, he reveals that he eventually started a shoe-cleaning business, which did $ 25,000 a month in services.
Asked why he got rid of the successful business, David divulges that he had received an offer to sell for $ 150,000, which he took. Clearly impressed, a few of the sharks go on to give him a small round of applause. Giving them his full attention, he says that he has since put all the money into his new company, DetraPel.
Realizing that he’d done all that in high school, Barbara goes on to ask about his age, to which he replies that he is nineteen. Shocked, the sharks once again give him a round of applause. Carrying on where he had left off, he states that he eventually went on to study nanotechnology, which is the basis of DetraPel. Elaborating, he tells them that he had developed the formula at a lab over a summer.
On the topic of nanotechnology, Lori asks whether or not the product would go through the skin. In response, David explains that they use a water-based formula, which is the main reason why they are non-toxic and eco-friendly. Elaborating further, he tells her that the skin has also a natural wax layer that would block it from going in.
Prompted about the manufacturing process, David reveals that their initial manufacturer had gone bankrupt a few months into the project – taking their property par with them. As a result, he explains, they went into a three-year hiatus, as he worked to re-engineer the formula.
Asked about the story’s ending, David reveals that they no longer have the initial formula.
Continuing, he states that they’ve since recreated the formula in the lab, which is 100% theirs. With further prompting, he tells the sharks that they’re on track for $ 350,000 this year. Inquired about their main customers, he says that they mainly sell to other businesses, who sell furniture and carpet.
Curious to know more, Lori asks David whether or not any safety testing has been done. Nodding, he confirms that they not only adhere to all of the EPA regulations but have had FDA testing done. From there, Robert asks about the product’s price, to which he is told that the sample sizes sell for $ 12.99, while they cost $ 1.14 to make.
Impressed at the margins, Robert goes on to ask about possible knockoffs. In response, David reveals that none of the largest nanotechnology companies in the world has been able to replicate their formula. Almost immediately, the shark notes that it’s too good to be true.
From there, Mark chimes in with similar concerns, to which he is told that no one would be able to remake the product, even if they were to be given $ 200,000.
Cutting to the chase, Mark decides to make him an offer – $ 200,000 for a 25% stake, in addition to putting him in touch with other nanotech companies “that know their stuff”. Just as he’s able to reply, however, Lori surprises everyone by saying no.
Interested as well, she also gives him an offer – $ 200,000 for 25%. With that, David asks whether or not there is a possibility that the two sharks can partner up.
To his dismay, however, the sharks seem iffy with the idea. Asked about his ultimate goal, David states that it is to become “an actual chemical company” – one that creates an array of protectant products.
Elaborating, he points out that they work on the nanolevel, while most of their competitors focus only on one thing. Chiming in, Rohan soon also makes him an offer – $ 200,000 for a 25% stake.
Asked what expertise he needs, David admits that he needs help on the business side of things. Having heard that, Mark subsequently agrees to partner up with Lori. Noting that they can complement each other, the shark goes on to reveal that he also has some strong investments in the nanotech industry.
Moments later, Robert expresses that he’d like to partner up with Rohan on an offer. Sweetening the deal, he offers him $ 200,000 for a 23% stake, which Rohan agrees to. Pointing out the fact that he already has two lucrative offers, Barbara subsequently tells him that she will be backing out. With that, David is left having to decide between the two duos.
Asked what he’d like to do, David contemplates his options for a few seconds, before agreeing to Lori and Mark’s deal. As if on cue, the two sharks eventually go up to give the entrepreneur a brief hug.
DetraPel Now
What came next was the part that David had prepared for the least. In the first 24 hours after the episode aired, the DetraPel website had the most traffic the company had ever seen. Selling over $ 100,000.00 in just 24 hours meant that the team needed to get hard to work on fulfilling and shipping orders.
The success of the episode and the exposure that it gave DetraPel exceeded David’s expectations and back-ordered the company as a result! While he and his entire team were still in college, the next months were spent filling, packaging, and answering thousands of emails in regard to support, distribution, and general questions.
Shortly after running out of the product, the team spent many sleepless nights in the warehouse bottling product by hand to try to get out as many orders as possible. With a backorder that lasted 2 months, David now reflects that the aftermath of the show is as important to prepare for as the show itself!
They continue to source and manufacture their products in the USA. In February 2019, they moved to a 12,000-square-foot facility in Framingham, Massachusetts. They were doing $ 125,000 a month in sales when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. When that happened, David shifted 98% of his production capacity to disinfectants and hand sanitizer for local businesses, hospitals, and first responders.
In December 2020, David was named to the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. As of June 2021, disinfectants and sanitizers are part of their line. They moved into a 40,000-square-foot facility and employ 15 people, including in-house chemists. They now make products for stain removal, auto care, leather care, outdoor products, babies and toddlers, and clothing.
In early 2022, the company introduced “DetraPel Industrial” to focus on paper, food packaging, and textile coatings. In November 2022, the company announced a $ 7 million series funding round. Annual revenue is $ 12 million [4].
The Net Worth Of DetraPel
Two months after appearing on the show, Detrapel began to ship out their orders. In fact, they’ve become so popular (10,000+ sales) that there is currently a two-month back-order on their site―which had received a huge spike in traffic following Shark Tank (at one point, they received 9,000 hits per second).
David was chosen to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2021 in December 2020.
Disinfectants and sanitizers will be part of their product line by June 2021. They relocated into a 40,000-square-foot building and employ 15 employees, including chemists on staff.
At the moment, annual revenue is $ 5 million [5].
FAQ
- Is DetraPel safe?
Yes, DetraPel is completely safe. It is made from all-natural ingredients and has been thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness.
- Does DetraPel work on leather?
Yes, DetraPel works on all kinds of materials, including leather. Whether you want to waterproof your boots or protect your leather handbag from the elements, DetraPel will help keep it looking and performing its best for years to come [6]. Just be sure to test a small spot first and allow time for it to dry completely before applying more liberally.
DetraPel is a highly effective waterproofing spray that has quickly become one of the most popular products in its category. Made from natural ingredients and free of harsh chemicals, it is safe for use on a wide variety of materials, including leather.
- Does DetraPel work on suede?
Yes, DetraPel can be used to waterproof suede as well. In fact, it is often recommended for use on high-quality leathers like suede since it leaves a smooth, clean finish that won’t rub off or discolor the material over time. Just be sure to test a small spot first and allow time for the spray to dry completely before applying more liberally.
- How do they open DetraPel?
DetraPel uses a super-charged formula to make it easier than ever to remove any stain quickly and easily. The product works in just seconds, even on tough stains like red wine or grease. DetraPel is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe for use around pets and kids without harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes that damage your clothing or upholstery.
- Is there an expiration date for DetraPel?
There is no expiration date for DetraPel, as it is made with all-natural ingredients that are formulated to provide long-lasting protection against stains [7]. The product can be used on a variety of surfaces, including fabric, upholstery, carpets, and even leather. Unlike other stain removers on the market, DetraPel does not leave behind any residue or unpleasant odors once it has been applied.
- How much does DetraPel cost?
DetraPel is priced at $ 19.95 for a 6-ounce bottle, making it an affordable and effective stain remover that can be used on a variety of surfaces and fabrics. There are also bulk discounts available for larger orders, and the product ships quickly to customers all over the world.
- What are the weaknesses of DetraPel?
One potential weakness of DetraPel is that the product does not work well on certain types of stains, such as ink or rust.
Additionally, some users may find the price of DetraPel to be a bit high compared to other stain removers on the market.
Finally, some people may be uncomfortable using a chemical-based product around their pets and children.
- Does DetraPel ship internationally?
Yes, DetraPel ships internationally to customers all over the world. Orders are typically processed and shipped within 1-2 business days, and orders can be tracked through the website using a tracking number provided by the company [8].
- Is DetraPel FDA-approved?
DetraPel is FDA-approved and has undergone extensive testing to ensure its safety and effectiveness. In fact, DetraPel was originally developed by a team of scientists at a major research university.
Useful Video: DetraPel – Shark Tank
References:
- https://househomeandgarden.com/detrapel-net-worth
- https://gazettereview.com/2018/08/detrapel-after-shark-tank-update
- https://sharktankrecap.com/detrapel-update-shark-tank-season-9
- https://biznewske.com/detrapel-shark-tank-update
- https://2paragraphs.com/2018/07/detrapel-what-happened-to-stain-protector-spray-after-shark-tank-deal
- https://www.sharktankblog.com/business/detrapel
- https://www.stuffmadein.com/detrapel-is-swimming-beyond-shark-tank-3432
- https://www.detrapel.com/blog-sharktank