When Stryda stepped onto the Shark Tank Australia stage in 2023, few expected that a simple insole would spark a fierce bidding war. But founder Thien Trinh, a Melbourne-based podiatrist, brought more than just a product; he brought a mission: to help people move better, feel better, and live pain-free using the power of cork.
Today, Stryda’s net worth sits at an estimated $1 million (as of March 2025), according to multiple business reports. That’s a huge leap from the $125,000 valuation it landed post-Shark Tank, and an even bigger jump from the original $20,000 in sales the company had clocked before the episode aired.
But beneath this success lies a rollercoaster of strategic pivots, investor guidance, branding confusion, and online backlash.
So, what happened to Stryda after the cameras stopped rolling? Why did it get rebranded, and what went wrong? Let’s break it down.
Founder Profile: Who’s Behind Stryda?
Thien Trinh is not your typical startup founder. A qualified podiatrist with a degree from La Trobe University, Thien had seen firsthand how poor foot health could impact lives.
With his Vietnamese-American background and a career in clinical care, he fused science with entrepreneurial grit to launch Stryda in 2019.
“I wanted to build something that actually helped people beyond the clinic,” Trinh shared in an interview.
His vision was rooted in biomimicry and sustainability, using cork, a naturally antimicrobial and supportive material, to create a high-performance insole that addresses plantar fasciitis and daily discomfort.
Before Shark Tank, Trinh had bootstrapped the business with fewer than ten employees and minimal marketing. Stryda’s founder, Thien Trinh, has an unknown net worth as of 202.
The Shark Tank Pitch: High Stakes in the Tank
On Season 5, Episode 1 of Shark Tank Australia, Thien walked in asking for $50,000 in exchange for 10% equity, valuing Stryda at $500,000. While sales were modest, just $20,000 at the time, his pitch impressed all five Sharks.
Robert Herjavec was the first to speak: “You’ve got something real here, Thien. But your valuation doesn’t match the numbers.”
Jane Lu, known for her brand instincts, saw potential in the cork technology: “The branding is clean, the product feels premium, and it solves a real problem.”
After some heated back-and-forth, Trinh struck a group deal: $50,000 split between Robert Herjavec, Jane Lu, Sabri Suby, and Davie Fogarty. Each Shark received 10% equity and a $2 royalty on every sale until the investment was repaid.
It was a strategic move that traded short-term equity for long-term exposure, and it paid off. The deal pegged Stryda’s post-money valuation at $125,000, a far cry from Trinh’s original estimate, but the exposure was priceless.
Stryda Pitch on Shark Tank (Quick Info Card).
| Product | Cork insoles |
| Episode | Season 5 Episode 01 |
| Founder | Thien Trinh |
| Asked for | $50,000 for 10% equity |
| Company name | Stryda |
| Final deal | $50,000 in funding with 10% equity to each Shark + $2 royalty on each sale until the funding is paid back |
| Sharks | Robert Herjavec, Jane Lu, Sabri Suby, and Davie Fogarty |
| Location | Greater Melbourne Area |
Did the Sharks’ Investment Pay Off? Inside Stryda’s Post-Tank Boom
In the months following the show, Stryda experienced a short-term surge. Website traffic spiked, and the brand received a wave of orders from across Australia.
The company launched partnerships with retailers and also partnered with Sendle, Australia’s first 100% carbon-neutral delivery service. Stryda even explored global expansion with a U.S.-based version of the site under the name Stryda Movement.
However, despite the early momentum, cracks began to show. The rebranded U.S. site created customer confusion. Some buyers questioned the product’s quality and shipping timelines, especially after delays began appearing in late 2023.
Still, Trinh remained optimistic: “We’re iterating fast, improving materials, and doubling down on customer education. The Sharks have been instrumental in helping us stabilize.”
As of 2024, Stryda maintains a modest yet loyal customer base and is still active online, though not without its hurdles.
Stryda Reviews: What Are Customers Saying?
While Stryda’s cork insoles have received praise for comfort and sustainability, reviews have been mixed. Customers on platforms like Product Review and Trustpilot have raised concerns around:
- Inconsistent sizing
- Delayed shipping
- Lack of customer support
One reviewer noted, “The insoles were great, but it took over three weeks to arrive. That was frustrating.”
Others praised the product: “Instant relief from heel pain. I just wish they had more sizes.”
The mixed feedback suggests a solid product hindered by growing pains in fulfillment and operations, an area many Shark Tank startups struggle with post-exposure.
What Went Wrong? The Brand Identity Crisis
According to an interview with Jane Lu, one of the four Sharks who invested, the brand faced an identity crisis post-show.
“There was confusion around the name. Is it Stryda? Stryda Movement? We were getting emails asking if it was the same company,” she said.
This branding inconsistency impacted trust and slowed traction overseas. Internal reports suggest the company attempted to rebrand for the U.S. market but failed to streamline the messaging, leading to lower conversion rates.
Additionally, fulfillment issues and thin margins made it hard to scale quickly.
As of early 2025, Stryda has not been officially sold or closed, but it operates under multiple storefronts, which continues to muddy its brand clarity.
Was This the Sharks’ Best Deal Yet? Breaking Down the Profits
Let’s do the math. Each Shark owns 10% equity, totaling 40% shared ownership. With Stryda’s current net worth at $1 million, each investor’s equity is theoretically worth $100,000. That’s 2x their original investment, not including the $2 per unit royalty, which likely paid back their initial $12,500 shares within the first year of post-show sales.
Compared to mega-successes like Bombas (valued at over $100M) or Scrub Daddy, Stryda is a smaller win. But it’s still a rare all-in Shark deal with a modest return.
“It wasn’t a home run,” Fogarty said in a podcast, “but it was a solid single, and that’s part of the game.”
What Happened After Shark Tank?
After the show aired, Stryda saw a wave of sales and interest, partnered with eco-conscious couriers, and even expanded into the U.S. market. But operational gaps, brand confusion, and fulfillment issues began to slow growth.
While not sold or officially closed, the company now operates across stryda.com.au and strydamovement.com, which some fans have mistaken as different businesses.
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Investor Highlights: Other Businesses by the Sharks
The four Sharks backing Stryda have impressive portfolios:
- Jane Lu: Founder of Showpo, a fashion empire known for its social media marketing genius.
- Davie Fogarty: Creator of The Oodie, which grossed $500M in lifetime sales.
- Robert Herjavec: Known for cybersecurity firm Herjavec Group and Shark Tank U.S. investments like Tipsy Elves.
- Sabri Suby: Founder of King Kong, a digital marketing powerhouse.
All four brought strategic value, but branding issues outpaced even their combined expertise.
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Conclusion
Stryda’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation alone doesn’t ensure success. Execution, branding, and operational logistics matter just as much.
While Stryda isn’t a runaway hit like Bombas or Scrub Daddy, it still reflects a win, both for its founder, who turned medical insight into a business, and for its Sharks, who doubled their money.
Whether Stryda stabilizes or fades will depend on one thing: its ability to simplify and scale.
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TL;DR
Stryda net worth hit $1 million in 2025 after a 4-Shark deal, but brand confusion and fulfillment issues slowed its growth.
