"You just got to deal with the reality" — When Shark Tank's Robert gave the owner of 'Trippie' valuable advice

Shark Tank Season 9, which aired in 2018, featured Trippie, an airport navigation app, especially for food services. The founder, Ryan Diew, devised the app after experiencing a lot of trouble at the airports, figuring out the food spots and other amenities. He spent his college winter breaks developing this app while also focusing on her basketball career.

Ryan asked for $100,000 for 10% of his airport navigation app, Trippie, citing how the app can help busy travelers find what they need without getting lost at different terminals. However, the sharks could not find a unique differentiating point in Ryan's app that made it stand out. Having no backend directory to crosscheck customers was one of the main problems.

Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec wanted to understand why Ryan was not working to back the airport system data, and Ryan mentioned he did not have enough connections. While that seemed fine to the sharks, Ryan got himself in trouble when he remarked, "Unfortunately, I don't have that rich Uncle."

Robert did not find the statement appropriate and advised Ryan:

"Hey Ryan, don't say that. Don't say you don't have that rich uncle. Look my dad worked in a factory, my mom was a receptionist you just got to deal with the reality of what you have you got to be more innovative that's the beauty of being an entrepreneur. You get to create value."

---

Trippie founder Ryan Diew gets no deal from the investors on Shark Tank US Season 9

Ryan Diew got himself in hot waters when he tried to explain his lack of connection to source airport backend data because he did not have any "rich uncle." The comment was not suited to the Shark Tank's investors, especially Robert, who immediately cut him and mentioned that as an entrepreneur, being innovative and finding ways to work out a system is what he needs. He added,

"Go with what you have, don't look at what you don't have."

Robert explained to Ryan that the problem with the app was that it had no comparative advantage over its competitors, and therefore, Robert was out of the deal. Barbara Corcoran tried to encourage Ryan and explained that nothing was wrong with him but his app was at an initial stage where she did not feel like investing.

Ryan jumped back to pitching and mentioned that he was trying to build a user base, which was the main focus of his app at that point. Mark interrupted him and made him understand that many other apps are doing the same thing. Confused by his model, none of the sharks invested in Trippie, and Ryan had to leave with empty hands.

---

Shark Tank Season 16 airs on ABC on Fridays.