Monkey Mat - Shark Tank Update

Long-time friends and former medical device company colleagues Courtney Turich and Christie Barany pitched their Monkey Mat, a portable 5-foot-square floor mat that folds into a compact 6" x 6" pouch, seeking $100,000 for 30% equity to solve the universal parental problem of finding clean surfaces for children. The innovative idea was born from Christie's traumatic experience during a 6-hour airport layover with small children, watching them crawl on dirty floors and brainstorming the concept of a "portable floor" that parents could carry anywhere.

The waterproof nylon mat featured weighted steel disc corners to prevent movement and could serve multiple functions as a picnic blanket, play area, or exercise mat, providing a clean surface regardless of location - whether airport floors, parks, or beaches. Available in four colors and completely machine washable, the mat buckled easily to diaper bags for convenient transport, addressing a genuine need for families on the go who wanted to ensure their children had clean, safe play surfaces wherever they traveled.

At the time of filming, they had achieved $60,000 in sales through their website and 51 retailers across brick-and-mortar stores and online platforms, including international sales in three countries outside the US, though the $39.99 retail price point raised concerns among the sharks about mass market viability with manufacturing costs of $13.14 per unit due to the specialized nylon material and steel corner weights.

Despite pricing concerns from several sharks, Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban saw the potential and partnered to offer $100,000 for 35% equity, believing their combined connections could help reduce manufacturing costs and expand distribution channels. The deal proved initially successful as the company implemented feedback from Barbara Corcoran (despite her rejection) by introducing new colors and patterns while dramatically reducing the price to a more accessible $19.99 for mass market appeal.

The business experienced significant growth, expanding their product line to include securing stakes for the mats and a quilted version, cleverly using a 2015 Kickstarter campaign that raised $30,000 (three times their $10,000 goal) as both funding and marketing, generating over 600 supporters and valuable Amazon reviews for their $29.99 quilted product. At their peak, Monkey Mat achieved nearly $6 million in sales over five years post-Shark Tank and secured distribution in major retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby, and The Container Store, while also expanding into pet products with their Fureez line of pet blankets, bowls, and slings.

However, after co-founder Courtney left in 2017, the business began declining, and by 2022 their website was down, social media had been inactive since 2019, and despite Christie still listing the company as "open" on LinkedIn through 2024, all evidence suggests this once-promising business has ceased operations, representing another example of how even successful Shark Tank companies can struggle with long-term sustainability.