Every parent has experienced the frustration of their child being too short for amusement park rides. The excitement builds, only to be crushed when they’re turned away. The long lines and limited options make it hard to find something equally thrilling.
That’s why Bumpeez was created, an at-home inflatable bumper car that lets kids enjoy the fun of an amusement park ride without ever leaving the house.
Michael Bergida and Israel Schaya took this common childhood disappointment and turned it into a thriving business. They designed Bumpeez, the world’s first patented inflatable bumper car for kids, to bring amusement park excitement into homes.
The ride includes parental remote control, adjustable speeds, and a five-point harness to ensure safety. When they stepped onto the Shark Tank stage, they hoped to secure a $100,000 investment to help grow their brand. Did they get the deal they were looking for? Let’s find out.
Bumpeez Journey Before Shark Tank
Michael Bergida had a long journey before launching Bumpeez. After graduating from Baruch College, he built a career in sales. He started as a Sales Manager at Vanderbilt Home and Pet Life LLC in 2011, then worked as a Sales Executive at Unique Petz for over three years.
His background in the pet industry led him to become President of Ruff ‘N Ruffus, a pet brand that made $7 million in revenue.
With years of experience in e-commerce, he saw an opportunity to create a new kind of children’s toy. In 2023, he and Israel Schaya founded Bumpeez, designed for kids as young as 18 months.
Bumpeez was made to be both fun and safe. Unlike regular ride-on cars, it features an inflatable bumper to soften impacts. A remote control allows parents to stay in charge of their child’s ride.
The car also has two-speed settings, so kids can start slow before picking up speed. It offers 360° rotation, a rechargeable battery, and built-in music and lights to make playtime even more exciting.
The five-point harness keeps children safely strapped in during play.
“We wanted to bring amusement park fun to the home while making sure safety was the top priority,”
Michael
Even though the business was still young, Bumpeez had already impressed customers. Parents loved the quality, safety, and entertainment value, leaving positive reviews on Amazon.
“The Bumpeez cars are manufactured using children-friendly, high-quality, and non-toxic materials,” ensuring they were safe for kids and their surroundings.
The company was self-funded, meaning Michael and Israel had not raised any outside investment before appearing on Shark Tank. Despite this, they had already achieved $520,000 in sales within nine months. Most of their revenue came from Amazon.
Shark Tank Pitch Recap
Michael and Israel entered Shark Tank asking for $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity, valuing their company at $1 million.
They presented Bumpeez as the first patented at-home bumper car. The entrepreneurs highlighted its inflatable bumpers, remote control, and adjustable speed settings.
The Sharks were interested but had questions. Kevin O’Leary wanted to know if similar products already existed. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner were skeptical and asked if Bumpeez was just a modified ride-on toy.
Michael and Israel reassured them, saying, “We have secured patents for both our design and utility, ensuring Bumpeez is one-of-a-kind”.
As the discussion continued, Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec teamed up to offer $100,000 for 10% equity. However, instead of accepting immediately, Michael and Israel hesitated.
They wanted to bring more Sharks into the deal. This move offended Barbara, who felt ignored and withdrew her offer.
Realizing their mistake, the entrepreneurs quickly apologized and proposed an alternative. They suggested a $5 royalty per unit for the first 50,000 units sold.
This brought Barbara and Robert back to the table. They revised their offer to $100,000 for 15% equity, plus the $5 royalty per unit.
“We were grateful to get another chance, and we knew this deal was the right one to help us grow,” Michael later shared.
Bumpeez Shark Tank Update
After the episode aired, Bumpeez saw a huge surge in sales and website traffic. On Amazon alone, they were selling around 400 units per month.
To take advantage of the momentum, they introduced a special Shark Tank Bundle, featuring their Dino and Unicorn Bumper Cars at a discounted price.
Their success didn’t go unnoticed. Bumpeez earned a spot among the Top 25 Toys for STEAM by The Toy Association.
“Receiving this recognition was a huge moment for us. It validated our product’s value beyond just fun—it helps with kids’ cognitive and motor skills,” Michael said.
With their growing customer base, Bumpeez set a new revenue goal. They aimed to reach $2.2 million in the next year.
Future Plans
Bumpeez is ready to expand beyond online sales. With guidance from Barbara and Robert, they are actively working to get their product into major retailers like Walmart and Target.
They are also in discussions for licensing deals with popular entertainment brands. This could lead to bumper cars featuring well-known children’s characters.
To strengthen their brand, they plan to increase social media marketing and customer engagement. “We’re just getting started. Our goal is to make Bumpeez a household name in children’s entertainment,” Michael said.
Final Thoughts
Bumpeez started as a solution to a common childhood problem. Today, it is a fast-growing business with a promising future. Though Michael and Israel nearly lost their Shark Tank deal, they adapted quickly and secured the investment they needed to expand.
Now, with strong sales, industry recognition, and ambitious growth plans, Bumpeez is on track to becoming one of the top-selling ride-on toys. If you’re looking for a safe, fun, and exciting bumper car for your child, check out Bumpeez on Amazon or their official website today!
We’re closely following the company to bring you valuable insights. Stay tuned for the latest updates on Bumpeez!
Feature Image Credit: @abc/@christopherwillard
