Cup-a-Bug’s Financial Leap From Kickstarter to Shark Tank Star

Want to get rid of insects without killing them? Use Cup-a-Bug, a humane way to capture creepy crawlers around the house without having to catch them yourself. Invented by Justin Huang, the product quickly became an internet sensation, and he recently landed a deal with Mark Cuban. After the show, Cup-a-Bug was worth an estimated $200,000.

Justin Huang’s Background

Mr. Huang has a phobia of spiders, so he basically created this product for himself. Justin’s technical background helps him a lot, as he graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Justin owns a company called Solid Factory that uses 3D printing to make cool products. They sell a variety of products like chucks, dice towers, and battery dispensers. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has been a mechanical engineer at Astro Flight for over 13 years.

The Origin of Cup-a-Bug

Justin borrowed the idea from the old “paper cup” bug-catching technique. However, he designed it to be operated one-handed. The device is attached to a pole via a lever, so you don’t have to get close to the bug.

The inventor launched a Kickstarter campaign during the product development phase in 2022. After making various prototypes, more than 700 pre-orders were sent to customers. At the end of the Kickstarter campaign, 573 backers pledged more than $28,800.

Sales of this insect-free bug catcher skyrocketed after it went viral on TikTok. Their first video has over 16 million views, but the most popular video has over 25 million views. The videos were posted on Justin’s personal account, which has now become his official company page.

After Shark Tank

Although Cup-a-Bug already has a strong social media presence, the power of Shark Tank will greatly boost their virality. If Justin can keep up with the orders, he should be able to make at least $100,000 in sales. You can buy their products at Cupabug.com and in their official Amazon and Etsy stores.

The original price is $49.99, but they are selling it for $10 off right now and offering free shipping within the U.S. This offer is only valid on their website, where they have a 5-star rating out of 6 reviews. If you don’t get the free shipping offer in time and live near Irvine, CA, you can contact their socials to request a local pickup. Your shipping costs will be refunded.

Currently, Cup-a-Bug only delivers to customers in the United States. However, Justin plans to expand the business globally. If he succeeds and becomes a huge success, the company will become a well-known brand in the smart insect trap market, which is expected to grow to $1.5 billion by 2030.



Categories: Shark Tank
Source: dut.edu.vn