Where is Bot-It now? 'Shark Tank' AI company projects over 1,500 paying subscribers in 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: At present, Bot-It maintains its position as a premier provider of AI-driven solutions for automating online tasks. The company is on track to surpass 1,500 paying subscribers.
On October 13, 2023, ABC aired the third episode of the 15th season of 'Shark Tank' where the episode kicked off with a pitch from Maurice Bachelor and Joel Griffith of Bot-It, a unique platform allowing users to create bots tailored to automate various online tasks, with their most sought-after bot being for securing golf tee times online.
Following its successful appearance on 'Shark Tank' and continued growth in sales and popularity, Bot-It is poised to further solidify its position in the market and explore new opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.
The company remains focused on enhancing its platform's capabilities and expanding its range of services to cater to the evolving requirements of its users. Notably, Bot-It's golf tee time bot has gained prominence as the top result for "golf tee time bot" searches on Google, underscoring its broad acknowledgment and user acclaim.
Furthermore, the company has solidified a strategic alliance with Turkey's largest shipping and logistics firm, emphasizing its dedication to extending its influence and capabilities worldwide.
What happened to Bot-It on Shark Tank?
Maurice Bachelor and Joel Griffith entered the 'Shark Tank' seeking $150,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in their web-based startup, Bot-It.
Their company provides bot services tailored to empower everyday individuals, allowing them to compete with entities like ticket scalpers who utilize bots to gain an advantage in purchasing concert tickets.
In addition to concert tickets, Bot-It focuses on facilitating dinner reservations and securing golf course tee times. While Bot-It offers pre-built bots to customers, it also provides custom-made bots tailored to their specific requirements.
Guest shark Michael Rubin, the founder of Fanatics, raised concerns about potential safeguards against bots, citing his company's struggles with bot orders for limited edition collectibles. Bachelor assured him that Bot-It had been engineered to evade detection, though he did not elaborate on the specifics.
When asked about sales figures, Griffith disclosed that Bot-It had generated over $30,000 in sales within three months, boasting approximately 350 subscribers paying between $40 and $300, with frequency unspecified.
During negotiations, Mark Cuban offered $150,000 for a 20% stake, prompting Rubin to counter with an offer of $150,000 for a 15% stake. Despite other Sharks opting out for various reasons, Bachelor inquired about the possibility of Cuban and Rubin joining forces. In response, they proposed a joint investment of $300,000 for a 30% stake, an offer which Bot-It accepted, sealing the deal.
What is the story behind Bot-It?
Joel Griffith and Maurice Bachelor, both avid golfers residing in Los Angeles, encountered difficulties booking tee times during the pandemic, amid a surge in sport's popularity.
Recognizing the challenges faced by many in securing sought-after tee times, Griffith, a former Trenton resident, and Bachelor, an engineer, sought to devise a solution. They noticed that companies using bots were monopolizing tee-time reservations and selling them on the black market. Determined to empower ordinary individuals, the duo resolved to level the playing field by creating Bot-It.
Bot-It emerged as both a website and smartphone app, leveraging AI technology to automate a variety of online tasks.
Griffith elaborated on its functionality, stating, "If you need anything automated—whether it's booking tee times, dinner reservations, or concert tickets—you can set up a bot, and the system will handle it for you. You don't have to be glued to your computer at the exact time."
The inception of Bot-It marked the beginning of a venture aimed at providing everyday people with the tools to combat automated processes utilized by larger entities in various online domains, such as sneakers, concert tickets, and restaurant reservations.
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What are Bot-It's co-founders Maurice Bachelor and Joel Griffith currently up to after appearing on 'Shark Tank'?
Following their appearance on the show, co-founders Maurice Bachelor and Joel Griffith have been working hard to make Bot-It more accessible. According to reports, Bot-It has gained over 200 subscribers in the two weeks following the episode's premiere, signaling growing interest in the startup's services.
Bot-It currently offers customers four distinct pricing tiers tailored to their needs and preferences. The Standard tier is priced at $9.99 per month, while the Standard Plus tier, identified as the most popular option, is available for $25.00 per month. For those seeking greater value, the Pro tier is offered at a yearly rate of $99.99, while the Pro Plus tier, highlighted as the premium choice, is priced at $275.00 per year.
Each tier offers unique features and benefits. For instance, opting for a higher tier grants users the ability to create a greater number of bots, with the Pro and Pro Plus tiers allowing for the creation of up to 10 bots, compared to five bots in the lower tiers. Additionally, certain prebuilt bots, such as the cancellation bot, camping bot, and restaurant reservation bot, are exclusive to the higher tiers. Furthermore, subscribers to these tiers enjoy access to "1-on-1 phone support" for personalized assistance.
Regardless of the chosen tier, all subscribers have access to essential features such as the ability to create custom bots, as well as access to golf tee time, tennis, and pickleball bots. Additionally, email support is included across all tiers, ensuring that customers receive timely assistance and support whenever needed.
Bot-It's co-founder Maurice Bachelor hopes to 'inspire other entrepreneurs' and 'share his story'
Maurice Bachelor, a graduate of Cleveland State University, serves as the co-founder and CEO of Bot-It, a company leveraging artificial intelligence to assist individuals and businesses in completing online tasks efficiently.
During their appearance on 'Shark Tank', Bot-It attracted the attention of Sharks Mark Cuban and Michael Rubin, who joined forces to offer $300,000 in exchange for a 30% stake in the company.
Since its Shark Tank debut, Bot-It has experienced unprecedented sales growth, marking a significant milestone in its journey. Reflecting on their success, Bachelor expressed a desire to "inspire others" from the local community to pursue their passions and dreams. He emphasized the potential of turning aspirations into reality through dedication and perseverance.
Bot-It's co-founder Joel Griffith has received 'great support from the people of Trenton' after appearing on 'Shark Tank'
In February 2024, Joel Griffith was featured in a profile by The Trenton Journal, which ambiguously referred to the deal with Mark Cuban and Michael Rubin as an "offer." While the article hinted at the possibility of a successful deal, Griffith himself did not provide any direct confirmation.
Griffith expressed his elation at the opportunity to appear on Shark Tank, describing the experience as "great" and expressing gratitude for the chance to showcase Bot-It. He emphasized the rigorous nature of the Shark Tank process, highlighting the extensive preparation required to face the panel of investors.
Despite feeling nervous during the encounter, Griffith reflected on being fortunate to have adequately addressed the Sharks' inquiries promptly. While admitting to experiencing nerves, he noted with relief that any signs of apprehension were not evident in the televised segment, attributing this to effective editing by the production team.
Since appearing on 'Shark Tank', Griffith shared that he has received overwhelming "support" from the community of Trenton. He recounted receiving numerous messages on social media, as well as phone calls and emails, all expressing encouragement and positivity towards Bot-It and its journey following the televised appearance.
'Shark Tank' Season 15 airs on Fridays on ABC at 8 pm ET. For those who missed the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.