Joel Pennington entered the Shark Tank with a bold pitch: an automatic tattooing device powered by robotics and digital art. He called it Blackdot, and he believed it could transform a centuries-old craft. The Sharks didn’t bite. But five years later, the company has raised $9 million, landed in 40 studios worldwide, and sparked one of the most divisive debates in tattoo history.
Shark Tank Rejection, and the Aftermath
On Shark Tank Season 16, Pennington asked for $1.5 million in exchange for 5% equity, a $30 million valuation. The Sharks were intrigued by the vision but skeptical about the execution. He had no real sales, only one working prototype, and hadn’t finalized leasing terms. Mark Cuban said it best: he hadn’t focused enough on the real customer, the shop owners.
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If you were a Shark, would you have invested in Blackdot’s robotic tattoo machine?
All five Sharks passed. But the pitch wasn’t a failure.
In fact, the exposure launched what many now call the “Blackdot effect.” The startup went on to raise $9 million from investors like Silent Angel and FusionX Ventures. It scrapped its original studio plans, doubled down on leasing, and deployed machines to 40 tattoo and permanent makeup studios across the globe.
The Artist Who Became a Disruptor
Before founding Blackdot, Joel Pennington was both a tech entrepreneur and a tattoo artist. He knew the pain points from both sides: clients who feared the needle and artists locked into a time-for-money model. He envisioned something different, a machine that could bring down pain, increase precision, and create an entirely new revenue stream for artists through licensed designs.
Pennington’s first version of Blackdot cost a jaw-dropping $120,000 to build. But with plans to drop that cost to $50,000 through mass production, he pivoted from owning studios to leasing the device to tattoo shops. It was a pragmatic move that would lower risk, scale faster, and fit his vision of turning tattoos into scalable tech.
So. What Is Blackdot Actually Worth?
During its Shark Tank Season 16 pitch in 2023, Blackdot was valued at $30 million, based on Joel Pennington’s ask of $1.5 million for 5% equity. No updated official valuation for 2025 has been published. The company is generating revenue, but exact figures remain undisclosed, making the $30 million pitch valuation the most recent verified estimate of Blackdot’s net worth.
What Makes the Blackdot Tattoo Machine So Different?
Blackdot’s core innovation is in the dot. Each tattoo is made up of ultra-tiny black dots, about the width of a human hair. These dots are layered with extreme precision, using a robotic arm that adapts to skin type and body part. The machine can learn from skin texture using concealed test dots, reducing the risk of blowouts and inconsistencies.
It’s faster, more predictable, and reportedly less painful than traditional tattoos, potentially attracting new clients hesitant about discomfort, as noted in industry reports.
But Not Everyone Is Celebrating
The backlash has been fierce. Some artists call it soulless. Others worry it could automate them out of work. Social media is split: one viral TikTok called it a “game-changer.” Another called it “a tech bro’s way to kill an art form.”
Even beyond opinion, there are technical doubts. Critics say the machine struggles on complex body parts like shoulders or ribs. And many microtattoos, Blackdot’s specialty, risk fading or blurring over time.
Will It Scale or Stall?
That depends on Blackdot’s ability to expand beyond its current 40 studios. Tattoos range from $2,000 to $10,000, with artists earning royalties from each design used through Blackdot’s marketplace.
The tech is real. The demand is rising. The net worth? Still a work in progress.
Final Take
Blackdot isn’t just selling tattoo robots. It’s selling a new way to think about creativity, ownership, and scale in an ancient art form. Whether it becomes a unicorn or an overhyped curiosity will depend on execution, not innovation.
But one thing’s clear: Shark Tank passed, and Blackdot inked its own future anyway.
🔹 TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Blackdot missed a Shark Tank deal, but raised $9M and expanded into 40 studios with its robotic tattoo machine by 2025.
FAQs
Is Blackdot still in business in 2025?
Yes, Blackdot is still active in 2025 and has expanded to 40 tattoo and PMU studios globally.
Did Blackdot get a deal on Shark Tank?
No, all five Sharks passed on Blackdot during its Season 16 pitch due to concerns over execution and customer focus.
What is Blackdot’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Blackdot’s most recent verified valuation remains $30 million, based on its Shark Tank pitch in 2023.
How does the Blackdot tattoo machine work?
Blackdot uses a robotic arm to layer ultra-fine dots on the skin, adapting to texture and body part for precision and reduced pain.
Where is Blackdot available now?
Blackdot devices are currently leased to 40 tattoo and permanent makeup studios around the world as of 2025.
