The SMART Tire Company had the makings of a futuristic disruptor. With NASA-grade materials, ambitious co-founders, and a bold pitch on Shark Tank, it captured the imagination of millions.
But just a few years later, many are wondering, what happened to the SMART Tire Company, and what is the SMART Tire Company net worth in 2025?
Founded by Survivor winner Earl Cole and software engineer Brian Yennie, this startup promised to revolutionize the tire industry with airless, space-age wheels made from NiTinol, a shape-memory alloy used by NASA.
The duo appeared on Shark Tank in Season 13, asking for $500,000 in exchange for 2.5% equity, implying a whopping $20 million valuation.
Despite initial buzz and impressive NASA credentials, the road to commercial success proved far from smooth. In this deep dive, we’ll explore the company’s evolution post-Shark Tank, what went wrong, and what its net worth really looks like today.
Founder Profile: Who’s Behind The SMART Tire Company?
The SMART Tire Company was co-founded by Earl Cole and Brian Yennie. Earl, known for winning Survivor: Fiji, brought charisma, fundraising savvy, and a network of media connections.
Brian, a seasoned software engineer, added the technical edge to help translate a NASA invention into a consumer-ready product.
Earl shared, “We didn’t just want to build a better tire, we wanted to reimagine mobility for the future.”
Before Shark Tank, the team raised over $1.3 million in equity crowdfunding and formed a Space Act Agreement with NASA, giving them commercial licensing access to NiTinol-based tire technology.
As of 2025, both founders had a combined estimated net worth of $2 million.
The Shark Tank Pitch: High Stakes in the Tank
Appearing on Shark Tank in Season 13, Episode 10, the SMART Tire Company delivered one of the show’s most futuristic pitches. Dressed in black and wielding a coiled metal tire, they pitched their NASA-based airless tires, designed to never go flat.
“We’ve put robots on Mars, but we still drive around on rubber tires filled with air,” Brian said during the pitch. “It’s time for an upgrade.”
Their ask? $500,000 for 2.5% equity. That placed the company’s valuation at $20 million. The product: tires made from NiTinol, a shape-memory alloy that bends but returns to its original shape.
Despite the excitement, the Sharks had serious concerns. Mark Cuban questioned the business model, stating, “You’ve raised money, you’ve got amazing tech, but I don’t see a go-to-market plan.”
Guest Shark Kevin Hart was stunned at the high valuation: “You’re telling me I get 2.5% for half a million? That’s a comedy punchline.”
The founders revealed exclusivity in the micromobility market and a rubber integration patent pending, but ultimately, none of the Sharks made an offer.
Did the Sharks’ Investment Pay Off? Inside the Post-Tank Boom
While they didn’t land a Shark, the SMART Tire Company did see a temporary surge in visibility. Their bike tire, METL, gained attention across media outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, and TechCrunch.
They launched another crowdfunding campaign and received press coverage for potential partnerships with cycling and scooter companies.
Yet sales remained sluggish. As of 2023, METL had not achieved mass-market release, and the commercial tire launch continued to be delayed.
“We’re not giving up. Revolutionary tech takes time to integrate,” said Earl Cole in a 2023 interview.
By 2024, the company’s valuation dropped significantly from its Shark Tank pitch, settling closer to $2 million according to Wefunder reports.
What Happened After Shark Tank?
After the show aired, the SMART Tire Company rode a wave of media hype but struggled to convert that into revenue. Their dependence on NASA-grade materials led to manufacturing delays. Although their Wefunder campaign helped with short-term capital, scaling proved difficult.
Additionally, issues with commercial rubber integration slowed down product development.
In 2025, the company rebranded to SMART Mobility Inc., shifting its focus from tires to a broader vision of advanced transport technologies.
Why Is The SMART Tire Company Closed?
The original brand, The SMART Tire Company, quietly shut down operations under that name in late 2024. Key reasons include:
- Lack of recurring revenue
- High manufacturing costs
- Limited B2B adoption
- Ongoing technical integration issues
The founders transitioned the intellectual property and remaining assets into a new venture, SMART Mobility Inc.
What Is THE SMART Tire’s New Name?
As of 2025, the company is now operating under the name SMART Mobility Inc. and is focusing on next-gen vehicle tech beyond just tires.
THE SMART Tire Reviews: What Customers Are Saying
Early feedback for the METL bike tire was mixed. While many praised its futuristic look and flat-proof functionality, issues arose regarding cost and compatibility:
- High price point ($500+ per tire)
- Limited availability for common bike models
- Concerns about weight and ride comfort
One Reddit user commented, “It’s cool, but I’m not paying more for a tire than my whole bike cost.”
What Went Wrong?
The SMART Tire Company had everything going for it, vision, innovation, NASA credibility. But several factors led to its downfall:
- Overvaluation and lack of Shark investment
- Delays in go-to-market execution
- Expensive manufacturing and scalability issues
- Failure to build strong retail or OEM partnerships
RELATED: The Best Shark Tank Products
Investor’s Other Businesses: Where Are the Sharks Now?
Although no Shark invested in SMART Tire, it’s worth noting that Mark Cuban and Kevin Hart have multiple successful ventures. Cuban is known for deals in companies like Ten Thirty One Productions and BeatBox Beverages. Kevin Hart, through HartBeat Ventures, has invested in plant-based foods and digital media platforms.
RELATED: Top 4 Most Successful Shark Tank Investments of Mark Cuban
How Much Did the Sharks Earn From THE SMART Tire Company?
Since no deal was made on Shark Tank, none of the Sharks profited from the SMART Tire Company. However, had a Shark invested $500,000 for 2.5%, that stake would now be worth roughly $50,000, reflecting the company’s steep drop in valuation from $20 million to $2 million.
Comparatively, this would have ranked among the least profitable Shark Tank investments, especially when stacked against winners like Bombas and Scrub Daddy.
TL;DR
The SMART Tire Company net worth is $2 million in 2025. The brand shut down and rebranded as SMART Mobility Inc. after Shark Tank.
