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Hicc Away Details
Shark Tank Episode Details
The Shark Tank Pitch
Dr. Ali Seifi's journey from frustrated anesthesiologist to successful entrepreneur began two decades ago in hospital recovery rooms, where he repeatedly witnessed patients struggling with persistent hiccups after surgery - a seemingly minor but potentially dangerous complication that existing medical protocols couldn't adequately address.
As director of the Neuro-ICU and associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Dr. Seifi possessed both the medical expertise and innovative mindset necessary to tackle this universal yet medically overlooked problem that affects virtually everyone but has no reliable cure.
His breakthrough solution, HiccAway, represents a masterful combination of simple engineering and sophisticated medical science - an L-shaped straw with strategically placed pinholes that creates precisely the right amount of suction pressure to simultaneously trigger the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm and the vagus nerve in the epiglottis, effectively "rebooting" the involuntary muscle spasms that cause hiccups. The device's elegant simplicity belies its scientific rigor, having been validated through peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrating 90% effectiveness in stopping hiccups, far superior to traditional home remedies like holding your breath or drinking water upside down.
When Dr. Seifi, alongside partners Amanda Azarpour and Victor Feldberg, entered Shark Tank seeking $250,000 for 10% equity at a $2.5 million valuation, they had already achieved $300,000 in sales through successful crowdfunding campaigns and early retail partnerships, positioning HiccAway as both a scientifically validated medical device and an accessible consumer product.
Where Are They Now?
The successful partnership with Mark Cuban, who invested $250,000 for 20% equity after recognizing the scientific backing and universal appeal of the hiccup solution, has proven instrumental in transforming HiccAway from a medical innovation into a mainstream consumer success story that validates the power of evidence-based entrepreneurship. Mark's investment and guidance helped the company navigate the complex landscape of medical device marketing while scaling production and distribution to meet growing consumer demand from people seeking reliable alternatives to ineffective folk remedies for hiccup relief.
We found that the deal officially closed by October 2022, leading to explosive growth that has seen HiccAway achieve $11 million in lifetime sales by August 2024, with the product now available internationally through major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, H-E-B, and distributors in the UK, Canada, Spain, Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, and China. The company has successfully leveraged Dr.
Seifi's medical credibility and the product's scientific validation to build trust with both healthcare professionals and consumers, earning coverage in prestigious publications like The New York Post, The Washington Post, Healthline, and The Guardian while maintaining its position as the only scientifically proven hiccup cure on the market. The continued success of HiccAway demonstrates that innovative solutions to common problems can create substantial businesses when backed by rigorous research, proper validation, and strategic partnerships that help scale distribution while maintaining product quality and scientific integrity.
Revenue
$1-2 million+
