Highlights
- Aaron Wypyszynski presents WYP Aviation’s Wingboard, a wakeboard-like device that tows behind an airplane, seeking $500,000 for 20% equity on Shark Tank.
- The Sharks, including guest Shark Richard Branson, are intrigued by the concept but ultimately pass due to the high risk and uncertain viability of the product.
- Following the show, WYP Aviation planned to develop an indoor air tunnel for “retailtainment,” but the company went out of business in 2019. Aaron now works as an Aerospace Engineer at Dynetics.
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | WYP Aviation |
| Founder | Aaron Wypyszynski |
| Industry | Aviation, Extreme Sports |
| Product | Wingboard, a wakeboard-like device for towing behind airplanes |
| Funding | Sought $500,000 for 20% equity on Shark Tank |
| Investment Ask | $500,000 |
| Equity Offered | 20% |
| Valuation | $2.5 million |
Aaron Wypyszynski, founder of WYP Aviation, pitches his wing board – a wake board like accessory – in the Shark Tank season 9 premier. The wing board tows behind an airplane with a rider on it! Essentially, it’s a wing on a tow rope. Riders launch behind a plane and control the pitch and steering by shifting their bodies. Landing is usually by parachute, but a real pro can land behind the plane while still in tow,
Aaron became a pilot at age 12 an, when he couldn’t qualify as an Air Force Pilot due to his height, he decided to design planes instead. He has a Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering and works as a flight test engineer in Alabama.
He got the inspiration for the WYP Aviation Wingboard from Kit Cloudkicker, a character in the animated Disney series Talespin. One of Kit’s tricks was wakeboarding behind an airplane. The Wingboard is a bit more sophisticated than Kit’s model, but the idea remains the same.
Aaron started the Wingboard project in 2013 with 1/10th scale prototypes. The product is currently in “phase three,” a full size prototype that he tests in a wind tunnel. It’s unsure when, or if, the product will ever be available to the public, but if Aaron lands a Shark, it could be sooner than later.
Will a Shark think this business will fly?
WYP Aviation Company Information
Video
Posts About WYP Aviation on Shark Tank Blog
WYP Aviation Shark Tank Recap
Aaron enters the Shark Tank seeking $500,000 for 20% of his business. A giant wing – his “product” is onstage. He gives his pitch and invites Richard Branson up to try it out. The product is still a prototype. You can get towed and ride behind an airplane or ride it in a wind tunnel. Branson says it could be a real thrill.
Lori is the first Shark out stating it’s too risky. Mark is afraid of heights; he’s out. Daymond thinks it’ll take too much time and money; he’s out. Despite thinking it’s cool, Richard doesn’t think it’s investable at this time; he’s out. Robert feels the same way as Richard; he’s out too.
WYP Aviation Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. In the immediate aftermath of the original air date, Aaron announced plans to build an indoor air tunnel that will be “full-blown RETAILTAINMENT.” Neither the wind tunnel nor the wing boards ever materialized. The company apparently went out of business in 2019 according to Aaron’s LinkedIn profile. He now works as an Aerospace Engineer for Dynetics. They build prototypes for new aeronautic products, mostly as a government contractor.
