Draft Top on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who are the founders and where can you buy the beer can opener?
A nice chilled beer can make everything better, be it enjoying the warm summer evenings, or cheering for your favorite sports team, a can of beer always comes in hand. Unfortunately, canned beer can ruin the experience for many. Aside from the slightly 'aluminum' taste that always seems to accompany the drinking experience, it can also be restrictive to drink out of a can as you can't add any mixers or stick a wedge of lime to further enhance your drinking experience.
But that doesn't mean one has to give up the idea of enjoying a draft beer experience while drinking out of a can. A couple of entrepreneurs from New Jersey are all set to enter the tank to pitch for their innovative invention, Draft Top, which promises to give you a draft beer experience even when you're drinking from a can. Read on to know all about this interesting invention that will soon be featured on 'Shark Tank'.
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What is Draft Top?
Draft Top aims at revolutionizing the way one enjoys drinking beer. It's a handy metal device that can be placed on top of a beer can to detach the can's top, so that it can be used as a cup. Draft Top was created so that people can enjoy the many benefits of "drinking topless". With no lid on the can, the consumer can enjoy their delicious beer without the lingering aluminum taste and adding mixers, limes, or oranges to the drink to make it better,
The website describes the product as "We created the Draft Top® to enhance the experience of drinking from cans by allowing your senses to enjoy the aroma. Cans are infinitely recyclable and they go where glass is not allowed (beaches, pools, etc). Ditch the single-use plastic cups and enjoy your beverage the way the brewer intended." In case you're wondering how Draft Top works then we got you covered. This nifty tool uses 4 rotational blades that are known as splitters. They have been designed to use pressure to easily remove the top of the can without leaving any sharp or jagged edges. Draft Top works best on standard 12-16 oz. cans, and some 19 oz. ones if they have standard tops.
Who are the founders?
Armand Ferranti and Sean Kelly are the founders of Draft Top. Alex Caracappa is the CTO, while Pat Parizo is the head of sales. Armand and Sean have a long history of being keen innovators and experimenters, despite working in the aerospace insurance industry. Armand remembered how once a friend of his removed the top of a can of beer with his teeth. When the entrepreneur drank the topless beer he was impressed by how better it tasted. That experience stuck with him. Eventually, he began to work on an idea of creating a tool that would help remove the can's top part, and give everybody the opportunity of drinking topless. When he shared this idea with Sean he loved it. The two soon began researching and studying the mechanisms of available can openers in the market, and about the various cans.
The duo eventually came up with 12 prototypes, and they were ready to launch their masterpiece. So, they launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $75,000. They met the goal in just 36 hours. In June 2020, the Draft Top team launched its brand website and sold 3000 pieces in less than 24 hours. By December 2020, Draft Top 1.0s was out of stock, and the company restocked with Draft Top 2.0s.
What is the cost?
An individual Draft Top 2.0 piece retails for $24.99, while a bundle pack of two Draft Top 2.0s retails for $44.99.
Where to buy?
You can get your very own Draft Top from the brand's website here or from Amazon here.
Who will crack the deal?
Based on the brand's sales numbers, and demand, the sharks may decide whether to invest in it or not. Kevin O'Leary might be interested in the product if the numbers are good.
Where are they now?
Since launching their website in June 2020, Draft Top seems to be doing extremely well. In December 2020, they launched a new & improved version of Draft Top called Draft Top 2.0, which is currently available for purchase.
'Shark Tank' Season 12 airs on Fridays at 8/7c on ABC.