Whatever Happened To Detrapel Liquid Stain Repellent Spray After Shark Tank Season 9?
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Just about everyone has experienced the struggle of stepping into a mud puddle in brand-new shoes or spilling condiments on their favorite shirt. Young CEO David Zamarin, however, decided to put that struggle to good use and develop a product to fix this problem. On season 9, episode 15 of "Shark Tank," Zamarin showed off his new product, Detrapel, to the Sharks. These investors are no strangers to products that promise to solve everyday issues, and the group received the idea quite enthusiastically.
Detrapel is a super hydrophobic treatment that can be applied to your existing clothes, shoes, furniture, and linens to ensure liquid spills and stains will bead right off rather than soak in. According to Zamarin's pitch, the product can provide protection for up to a year after application, is non-toxic, and doesn't leave an unsightly or unpleasant cast on the treated material. All of these characteristics, alongside the product's flexibility and solid profit margins, made it one of the most popular pitches on season 9 of "Shark Tank."
What happened to Detrapel on Shark Tank?
David Zamarin began his "Shark Tank" pitch by demonstrating the power of his product. He showed how easily spills like coffee and condiments beaded off of a shirt, how well carpet treated with Detrapel effectively repelled red wine, and how pristine white shoes maintained their flawless finish even after being dipped in murky water. The judges already appeared to be impressed by the demonstration, but Zamarin's assistant spraying the product in his mouth to prove that it's non-toxic seemed to convince most of the Sharks that it was worth their time.
Zamarin was asking for $200,000 in exchange for a 20% stake in the company. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner countered and asked for a 25% share for the same investment, and Robert Herjavec and guest Shark Rohan Oza decided to hop in while the bidding was hot. The pair offered to give Zamarin the same $200,000 for a 23% stake, but Zamarin ended up sticking with the initial offer from Cuban and Greiner.
Detrapel after Shark Tank
After his time on "Shark Tank," David Zamarin said the brand experienced a massive surge in orders of their product. Detrapel's many offers, memorable demonstration, and flexibility in use drove customers to the website after the episode aired, and that major dose of publicity almost proved too powerful for the up-and-coming company. Detrapel quickly sold out of products and had to go on backorder for two full months while they worked to fulfill orders for their new customers.
After struggling a bit to keep up with the initial publicity, it seems that Zamarin was able to regain his footing, despite the fact that he was still taking college classes when Detrapel's "Shark Tank" episode aired. Since his time on the show, the brand has expanded to include even more products that promise to keep customers' surfaces clean, like stain remover, leather cleaner, and different protector formulas for specific applications on common items and fabrics.
Is Detrapel still in business?
Detrapel's success on the show and public support after season 9 of "Shark Tank" aired got the brand started on the right foot, but it was up to CEO David Zamarin to maintain that positive momentum. Luckily, it appears he was able to keep the ball rolling and continue selling his protective formula, even expanding to include more and more products that serve a similar purpose.
Detrapel is currently sold on the retailer's website, through Amazon, and at Walmart. It was also sold on QVC and spent some time on shelves at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Homegoods, but it appears that the bulk of the product has been sold online. This appears to have been a beneficial move, especially around the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Zamarin even made Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, joining the ranks of some of the most influential young entrepreneurs, entertainers, and tastemakers in the world. According to his Forbes profile, it says the brand was expected to earn $12 million in revenue in 2021.
What's next for Detrapel?
After Detrapel's success on the show and positive publicity, it seems the brand is only continuing to grow its product selection and influence. Currently, the company hasn't revealed any of its up-and-coming products, but it's possible that the focus is still on marketing and building up consumer interest in the current selection of relatively new offerings. The brand began with just one universally-protective product, but it has expanded significantly to offer more specific selections for each application, like a shoe protector, outdoor upholstery protector, and an auto fabric and carpet protector. Detrapel also sells stain removers, disinfectants, hand sanitizer, and leather conditioner in an effort to cover any of customers' potential cleaning needs.
Currently, this brand shows no signs of losing its momentum any time soon, so it's safe to say the stars of "Shark Tank" made a solid investment when they chose to take David Zamarin up on his offer.