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Aaron Hirschhorn wasn't just promoting another pet product when he took the Shark Tank stage in season 11. He was proposing a ground-breaking idea that would permanently alter veterinary care.
Longtime Shark Lori Greiner and guest Shark Anne Wojcicki were drawn to Hirschhorn when he asked for $500,000 for a 2% share in Gallant, his pet stem cell banking firm. Greiner would later say:
"I really believe in this, I know quite a bit about it and I just think that down the road a lot of things will be figured out. But you're in the beginning. I think Anne is a great partner so I'm really excited to work with her."
Shark Tank, the Emmy-nominated reality show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of successful investors, has been a launchpad for countless innovative startups since 2009. Contestants have mere minutes to convince millionaire "Sharks" to invest in their dreams, turning nervous pitches into potential business empires.
What is Gallant and how did its Shark Tank pitch go?
Gallant wasn't just another startup. It was born from personal experience. Hirschhorn, who had previously benefited from stem cell therapy for chronic back pain, saw potential in applying similar technology to veterinary medicine. The company developed a specialized system allowing veterinarians to collect reproductive tissue during routine spay and neuter operations.
The process was ingenious. Collected tissues would travel to Gallant's FDA-approved laboratory, where technicians would isolate and preserve stem cells using liquid nitrogen storage. This meant pet owners could bank healthy cells for potential future medical treatments.
During the pitch, Hirschhorn faced multiple offers. Kevin O'Leary proposed two distinct deals: one with 2% equity plus stock options, another with 1% equity, and a 10% continuous royalty on each kit sold. But the game-changer came from Wojcicki and Greiner.
Wojcicki, known for her biotech background, and Greiner, a retail maven, made a joint offer of $500,000 for 5% equity. Their combined expertise was compelling. After negotiations, Hirschhorn accepted their investment.
Gallant’s success and story beyond Shark Tank
The Shark Tank appearance was just the beginning. Gallant refined its pricing strategy, increasing the lifetime plan from $595 to $890. They expanded services beyond dogs to include cats and horses, broadening their market reach.
By 2023, Gallant had reached impressive milestones. Annual revenue grew to $5.9 million. In January 2024, they secured a Series A funding round of $15 million, supporting their FDA approval process scheduled for completion in 2025.
The company maintains a $20 million valuation while continuously investing in research and development. Their FDA-approved laboratory processes and stores pet stem cells, serving an expanding network of veterinary partners across the United States.
Lori Greiner's words during the pitch ring true:
"I really believe in this."
What started as a passionate pitch on Shark Tank has transformed into a potentially game-changing veterinary technology company.
Gallant proves that sometimes, all you need is the right combination of innovation, timing, and belief to turn a revolutionary idea into reality.
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Season 16 of Shark Tank is currently airing on the ABC network.
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