Shirah and Michael Benarde pitch Night Cap, their device for preventing drink spiking, in Shark Tank episode 1208. Shirah was 17 when she created the first prototype out of some old pantyhose and a scrunchie.
The brother and sister team have a lot of success under their belts. They’ve won many awards, including: Florida State University’s InNOLEvation Challenge, Tallahassee Startup Week’s Annual Pitch Competition, FSU’s Turkey Tank, and FSU’s Jim Moran Micro Grant.
Now, they’d like a Shark’s cash to help them grow their business even more.
About Night Cap
| Category | Details |
| Founder (Plural if multiple) | Shirah and Michael Benarde |
| Product Type | Drink-spiking prevention device in the form of a scrunchie cover |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self Funded |
| Investment Asked | $60,000 |
| Equity Offered | 20% |
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What Happened on the Shark Tank Episode?
Shirah had heard horror stories and wanted to give people, particularly young women, an added measure of protection from drink spiking. When Michael, who was in college at the time, came home and saw the prototype, he told his sister they should start a business.
The brother-and-sister duo, Shirah and Michael, enter the Tank seeking $60,000 for 20% of their business. They demonstrate how easy it is to put a NightCap on a drink. The entrepreneurs tell the Sharks that 70% of their customers are between 18 and 24 years old, with 98% being women.
In what was only a ten-minute pitch during taping, Lori immediately expressed the impact the product had on her and said it “needs to be in every woman’s hands.”
Lori then offers $60,000 for 25% and says she’ll help blow it up on social media. Barbara says she’s never heard Lori speak so passionately about a product and urges the Benardes to take the deal. They did!
What Makes Night Cap Unique?
Drink spiking is a big problem, particularly on college campuses. Alcohol.org states, “56% of women report they’ve unknowingly had their drink spiked.” The Benardes feel they have a way to make things a bit safer. They offer the following disclaimer on their website: “NightCap can deter drink spiking in many instances, but cannot guarantee your safety. Always buy your own drink and never leave it unattended.”
The product itself is simple. Inside a scrunchie, which you wear on your wrist or in your hair, is a small fabric cover with a hole for a straw. It attaches to a drink cup with elastic. Put it on the cup, stow the scrunchie, insert your straw, and you’re good to go. They cost twelve bucks on Amazon.
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Did Night Cap Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Yes, Night Cap received a deal on Shark Tank. Shirah and Michael Benarde accepted Lori Greiner’s offer of $60,000 for 25% equity. The deal closed successfully, and Lori helped the company grow significantly. In August 2023, they partnered with dating app Bumble to help create a safety kit for college students. At a conference in Las Vegas in early 2024, Shirah introduced herself and her product to Forever 21 CEO Winnie Park. Park put the product in all 400 Forever 21 stores.
As of March 2024, they’ve sold 500,000 scrunchies in 40 countries. They’ve also sold them to the Navy and Air Force, as well as liquor brands Bacardi, Patron, and Grey Goose. At this point, Shirah and Lori have amicably parted ways after Shirah bought out Lori’s stake in the company.
The company began offering beer cans and bottle tops that cover the top of a beer can or bottle.
They also entered into a partnership with a British company called Stop Topps, which makes a disposable, adhesive version of the Night Cap. Stop Topps sells Stop Topps on its website. In August 2024, Shirah got a scholarship from Pinod-Ricard, “the world’s leading premium spirits company,” to “build positive social spaces and tackle harmful drinking and its wider impacts in their countries and communities.” At this time, lifetime revenue is $4 million.
What Happened to Night Cap After Shark Tank?
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. This deal closed, and the company is listed on Lori’s website. Sales in the aftermath of the show blew up their newly redesigned website, and they are about three weeks out on shipping due to the sustained publicity. As of November 2021, Lori announced that singer-songwriter Julia Michaels has “joined the team” because she’s also concerned about drink spiking. In December 2021, the company rolled out a keychain version of the product. The drink cover comes in a little pouch that can attach to a keychain.
The company gets an update segment in episode 1318. In the update, they say they did $2.1 million in sales in the year since they appeared on Shark Tank. They talk about their new colors and the keychain Night Cap. They also talk about the Julia Michaels investment. Apparently, they’re doing 12% of their sales in the UK, which has a big drink spiking problem.
Where Can You Buy It?
Get a NightCap now to keep your drinks safe from spiking. It is available on their website and on Amazon. Also, check out their social media handles for new updates.
Quick Summary
- Shirah and Michael Benarde seek $60,000 for 20% equity in Night Cap, a drink-spiking prevention device designed as a fabric cover inside a scrunchie.
- Lori Greiner offers $60,000 for 25% equity, emphasizing the product’s potential to protect people. Shirah and Michael accept Lori’s offer.
- Night Cap achieved $2.1 million in sales in the year following their Shark Tank appearance and partnered with Bumble and Forever 21, selling 500,000 units in 40 countries.
Also, read NightCap – Roofie Prevention Device for more information.
