When it comes to unique pitches on Shark Tank, Zip String is a product that most of the audience remembers. The way founders Austin Hillam and Stephen Fazio presented their product was unique and top-notch and enabled the Sharks to be blown away.
If you haven’t watched the fourteenth season of Shark Tank and have been curious as to what the product is about, it is a string toy that can move at 35 miles per hour. Not only is it fun to play with, it is quite an invention in itself.
With the lasting impression that the pitch left, it’s safe to assume that people are curious to know more about Zip String and what the brand is up to.
| Founders Name | Austin Hillam & Stephen Fazio |
|---|---|
| Business Details | Handheld toy that spins a looped string at high speed allowing tricks and “flying” motion; went viral on social media. |
| Founded In | 2021 (kick‑started) / officially launched 2022 |
| Location | Johns Creek, Georgia, USA (basement startup to online direct‑to‑consumer) |
| Asking of Company | $100,000 for 10% equity |
| Accepted Deals | $100,000 for 20% equity with Robert Herjavec & Kevin O’Leary |
| Sharks on Board (Investors) | Robert Herjavec & Kevin O’Leary |
| Shark Tank Episode | Season 14, Episode 9 (aired late 2022) |
| Net Worth (as of 2025) | Estimated revenue around US$650,000; valuation still early‑stage (not publicly disclosed) |
| Social Media Profile | Instagram & TikTok: @zipstringofficial – active content & product videos |
| Business Status | Still operating, launched “ZipString Luma” glow‑in‑the‑dark version, addressing earlier supply‑chain issues and knock‑off competition. |
| Last Updated Date | November 7, 2025 |
Social media has become a great marketing tool for businesses and that’s exactly what Austin and Stephen leveraged to grow their business. During their pitch, the founders exclaimed that their product had gone viral across different social media platforms.
However, the popularity and virality didn’t translate well in terms of sales since they had only managed to sell 10,000 units till then. The product retailed for $25 per unit.
Following that, Austin and Stephen also exclaimed that they launched a Kickstarter campaign with hopes of landing more investment from potential investors. The campaign was a hit as well. Listening to all this, the biggest question that the Sharks had was regarding product sales.
According to the sharks, how does a product that has managed to go viral on the internet not have good sales? To that, the founders said that when there was a peak demand for the product, they couldn’t meet the demand due to manufacturing restrictions.
Listening to that, both Robert Herjavec and Kevin O’Leary showcased their interest in the product and the business in general. The first offer was made by Robert who offered the same as the asking amount. Since Kevin was also desperate to place an offer, he suggested $100,000 for 9% equity.
However, the two sharks later decided to team up and offered $100,000 for 20% equity. Since Austin and Stephen didn’t have any other offer from the remaining sharks, they didn’t want to take a risk and lose a potential offer on the table. They quickly accepted.
Ever since the episode aired, Zip String has gained even more popularity and traction, bringing in thousands of more customers on their platform. People have not only loved the concept behind the product, they have also enjoyed the uniqueness and practicality that comes with it.
If you are considering buying their products, it is available on their official website for direct purchase. We couldn’t find any official reports regarding their revenue at the moment. But, given how widespread the product has become, it is safe to assume they are thriving.
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