Hiccup Shark Tank Update | Season 16

Hiccup walked away from Shark Tank without a deal because the Sharks, including Mark Cuban, didn’t see it as a scalable investment.
Quick Shark Tank Update on Hiccup
Hiccup Shark Tank Update | Season 16

Imagine you’re running a marathon, giving it your all, when you reach a hydration station only to see a sea of discarded paper cups littering the streets. Kristina Smithe, a fellow runner, experienced this firsthand and knew there had to be a better way.

That’s why she created Hiccup, a reusable silicone cup service designed to reduce waste, keep races clean, and promote sustainability, all while making it easier for organizers to manage post-race cleanup.

She described the moment as a wake-up call, saying,

“I was taken aback by how much waste is produced in water cups at running events and wanted to do something about it.”

Appearing on Shark Tank, Kristina shared her vision for Hiccup and its mission to “eliminate single-use cup waste.”

While she left the Tank without a deal, her passion for creating a sustainable future continues to propel her business forward.

Read on to learn about Hiccup’s rise, its Shark Tank experience, and what lies ahead for this impactful company.

Hiccup’s Journey Before Shark Tank

Kristina’s journey began during a marathon in California, where she saw piles of discarded cups lining the streets. That experience led to the creation of Hiccup. “The idea hit me from a personal marathon experience in California,” she shared.

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The business offers silicone cups that are used during races, collected afterward, and then cleaned for future events.

This process minimizes waste while simplifying cleanup for race organizers. Kristina launched Hiccup as a self-funded venture and quickly made impressive progress.

With an inventory of 70,000 reusable cups, Hiccup has already served over 120 events across the U.S. She shared, “The company currently can’t keep up with demand,” underscoring its growing popularity.

In 2023, Hiccup generated $67,000 in revenue, with one of its largest single events requiring 50,000 cups and earning $6,500 in revenue.

Kristina also tested her solution at major events like the Chicago Marathon, proving its scalability. Despite running the entire operation herself, from washing cups to managing deliveries, Kristina’s determination has kept her business on track.

“I wanted to hear what Mark Cuban’s thoughts were on my business,” she said, emphasizing her excitement for the Shark Tank opportunity.

Shark Tank Pitch Recap

Kristina entered the Tank in Season 16, Episode 8, asking for $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity, valuing Hiccup at $2 million. Her pitch highlighted the environmental damage caused by single-use cups and the financial benefits of her reusable alternative.

“With every event we serve, we are moving closer to making cup waste a thing of the past,” Kristina told the Sharks.

She explained that Hiccup rents cups for $0.15 each, with costs dropping to $0.10 after renting 10,000 cups. In contrast, disposable paper cups cost $0.07 each.

Kristina emphasized that large marathons, such as the Chicago or Boston Marathon, could use up to 2 million cups per event.

The Sharks admired Kristina’s mission, but they also expressed concerns. Robert Herjavec appreciated the concept but noted, “I do see a demand for Hiccup but am not assured of its scalability.”

Lori Greiner echoed this sentiment, saying she admired Kristina’s vision but added, “I don’t think this is the right business for me.”

Mark Cuban acknowledged the potential but shared that it wasn’t enough for him to invest. “The problem with Hiccup is that it is not a big enough business for an investor,” he remarked.

Despite her enthusiasm, Kristina left the Tank without a deal. Kevin O’Leary was the harshest critic, advising, “Shut this thing down. You obviously have talents you can pursue.” However, Kristina walked away determined to keep pushing forward.

Hiccup’s Shark Tank Update

Despite leaving Shark Tank without a deal, Hiccup has made significant progress. The company has saved over 700,400 cups from landfills and expanded its reach to multiple states.

Kristina also developed a patent-pending dishwasher capable of cleaning 1,500 cups per cycle using just 30 gallons of water.

Hiccup has partnered with several notable races, including the St. Pete Run Fest, Publix Half Marathon, and Florida’s first zero-waste race. Kristina noted, “Each event brings us closer to a waste-free future.”

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Future Plans

Looking ahead, Kristina plans to expand Hiccup by securing partnerships with major marathons such as the Boston and London Marathons.

She also hopes to introduce branded sponsorships on the cups, which will provide an additional revenue stream. These partnerships will also create opportunities for eco-conscious brands.

Mark Cuban’s parting advice remains central to her strategy. He stated, “The only thing you need to do is lock in a big marathon.”

With her innovative dishwasher and a growing network of partnerships, Kristina is well-positioned to scale Hiccup’s impact in the running community.

Closing Remarks

Kristina Smithe’s Hiccup may not have landed a Shark Tank deal, but her determination and innovative approach have left a mark on the running industry.

From saving hundreds of thousands of cups from landfills to expanding across the U.S., Hiccup exemplifies the power of sustainability-driven entrepreneurship.

Could this small business with big aspirations soon become the standard for zero-waste events? Only time will tell. “My mission is to eliminate single-use cup waste,” Kristina says, and she’s well on her way to making it a reality.

We’re closely following the company to bring you valuable insights. Stay tuned for the latest updates on Hiccup!


Feature Image Credit: @abc/@christopherwillard