What Happened To Windcatcher After Shark Tank

Windcatcher was an inflatable mattress created by Ryan Frayne. The valve in the mattress quickly and easily inflated it with just two breaths without using a pump.

Ryan got the idea at the beach when he saw his brother struggling to inflate a beach bed. After some research, he discovered 'air entrainment,' which makes inflating objects easier. Noticing that other companies weren't using this technology for consumer products, he decided to create a valve for inflating objects.

To manufacture the product and cover the costs of the valve and mattress, Ryan launched a Kickstarter campaign in May 2013, aiming to raise $50,000. The campaign exceeded expectations, raising nearly $150,000. 

A year after the campaign, Windcatcher generated $145,000 in revenue and in the second year, they made $213,000.

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Windcatcher's Shark Tank Appearance

Key Information

• Founder: Ryan Frayne
• Investment Ask: $200K for 8% equity
• Deal: $200,000 for 5%
• Season Appearance: Season 7, Episode 4

Details

Ryan showed the sharks how his Windcatcher mattress inflates easily with just a few breaths using his unique valve. He requested $200,000 for 8% equity, valuing his company at $2.5 million.

After the pitch, Mark Cuban offered to match the 200,000 for 8% equity, but other sharks also wanted a share. Kevin O'Leary proposed a venture debt deal for $200,000 with a 6% royalty until $800,000 was repaid, plus 3% equity. Lori Greiner offered $200,000 for 15% equity, mentioning her experience in product launches. Chris Sacca joined her, suggesting 20% equity for both. 

Robert Herjavec proposed $200,000 for 10% equity, and the sharks started competing for the business. Finally, Lori offered $200,000 for just 5% equity and funding for purchase orders, which Ryan quickly accepted, sealing the deal with Lori.

What Happened to Windcatcher After Shark Tank

Right after the episode aired, Ryan Frayne faced several challenges. Cascade Designs, a competitor of Windcatcher, saw the potential of the product and claimed his idea as their own. A legal battle followed over the rights to Ryan's valve, causing Lori's deal to fall through. Windcatcher eventually won the patent, but the legal battle drained most of their funds.

In the same month, Cascade filed the lawsuit, Ryan was diagnosed with liver cancer at age 32. He moved to Brooklyn, New York, for chemotherapy and continued inventing despite his illness. However, Ryan passed away on June 5, 2018, at the age of 35.

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Is Windcatcher Still In Business?

Windcatcher is no longer in business with its website shut down in 2022.

In 2019, his partner and friend tried to revive the company with an IndieGoGo campaign for a new mattress pad but raised only $6,572 of their $75,000 goal, resulting in refunds to all backers.