PipCorn appeared on Shark Tank Season 6 Episode 9, Aired November 14, 2014
Pipcorn is one of the most successful Shark Tank products yet.
We recap the episode and try it out. If you’re a fan of Pipcorn snacks, be sure to leave a review below.
This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information. Some products may be gifted to us but all opinions are our own.
- What is Pipcorn?
- Who are the Founders of Pipcorn?
- The Story Behind Pipcorn
- Pipcorn Shark Tank Pitch
- Pipcorn Episode Recap
- Did Pipcorn Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
- Where Can You Buy Pipcorn?
- How much Does Pipcorn Cost?
- Pipcorn Review
- Pipcorn Alternatives and Competitors
- What Happened to Pipcorn after Shark Tank?
- Final Thoughts
- Other Products Featured in this Episode
- Related Reviews
What is Pipcorn?
Pipcorn’s a healthy, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and delicious snack made from heirloom popcorn. It’s a “spin on something everyone’s had forever.”
Pipcorn uses heirloom corn, a variety of corn that produces popcorn that is easier to digest than regular popcorn due to its smaller shells. This results in mini-popcorn. The shells don’t get stuck in your teeth like regular popcorn. Plus, it is high in fiber.
Who are the Founders of Pipcorn?
Brother and sister, Jen, Jeff Martin and his wife Teresa (who did not appear on this episode) founded Pipcorn in 2012. Not only are Jen and Jeff siblings but also best friends.
The Martin siblings have always been entrepreneurial. When other kids sold lemonade in front of their homes, they sold popcorn.
The Story Behind Pipcorn
Jen was working in a health food store when a farmer introduced her to a special variety of corn called heirloom. One night, after Jeff helped Jen move into her new apartment, they were both starving. They mixed up a few ingredients from the health food store with the popcorn and it was amazing.
They started selling bags of popcorn at Smorgasburg, an outdoor food market. Before appearing on Shark Tank, Oprah included them as one of her favorite things.
Pipcorn Shark Tank Pitch
Asking for:
Jen and Jeff ask for $200,000 for 10% of their company.
Sharks present:
Barbara, Kevin, Lori, and Robert.
Pipcorn Episode Recap
Featuring Storm Stoppers, Pipcorn, Squatty Potty, Heido Ho
They tell the Sharks that they need help with manufacturing and distribution. They’re both working full-time jobs and barely making ends meet. Everything they have goes into their business. Jen tells them she slept in a friend’s closet to save money.
They give out samples of their three flavors: sea salt, rosemary, kettle, white truffle (made with the real stuff). Robert and Lori immediately say how much they love the taste.
They mention that Oprah featured Pipcorn as one of her favorite things just one month after they launched Pipcorn.
Did Pipcorn Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Out
Kevin questions why he can’t buy his own heirloom corn and pop it himself. He also wonders why anyone would spend $4.99 on a bag of Pipcorn when they can buy a bag of traditional popcorn for $1.99. He tells them he’s the only Shark to tell the truth, they’re not worth $2 million, and he’s out.
Offers
Robert asks them if they take a salary. They don’t. He loves the popcorn and loves the name. He offers $200,000 for 20%. They counter at 10%.
Barbara then jumps in with an offer, calling them winners. She offers their full asking, $200,000 for 10% with a contingency: she gets a draw (10% of any distributions) and tells them, “If you don’t take cash out, I don’t get cash out.”
Kevin really does not believe in this company. His response to Barbara is, “are you out of your mind?”
Finally, Robert makes an offer at their asking price: $200,000 for 10% of the company with no contingency, telling them that he’s doing OK and doesn’t need the extra $100 bucks a week like Barbara.
He believes in them and says that he knows they will make this a massive homerun. (Spoiler alert: they do). He offers their full amount with no contingency.
Deal
The siblings choose Barbara whom they had targeted from the beginning. She has done a lot of deals involving food.
Kevin turns to Barbara and warns her that “this is going to be a heartbreak for you. Every time I eat popcorn, I’ll cry for Barbara.”
| PRODUCT | PIPCORN (aka Pipsnacks) |
| FOUNDERS | Jen, Jeff, and Teresa Martin |
| PRODUCT DESCRIPTION | bagged heirloom popcorn |
| SEEKING | $200,000 for 10% of their company |
| DEAL | YES |
| TERMS | $200,000 for 10% with contingency |
| SHARK | Barbara Corcoran |
| COMPANY WEBSITE | www.pipsnacks.com |
Where Can You Buy Pipcorn?
You can buy Pipcorn (aka Pipsnacks) on their website, on Amazon, Target, Instacart, Thrive Market, Kroger, some Costcos, and most grocery chains.
How much Does Pipcorn Cost?
Pipcorn retails for about 3 to 4 dollars.
Pipcorn Review
What customers are saying
Pros
- great tasting
- doesn’t get stuck in your teeth
- easier to digest
Cons
- miss the fluff of real popcorn
Our Review of Pipcorn
Pipcorn is small enough to eat a lot of them at once and they taste exactly like popcorn. One problem with popcorn is the kernels can get stuck in your teeth but Pipcorn doesn’t.
The Seasalt Corn Dippers are tasty chips, aren’t too salty, and can easily be paired with guacamole or any other condiments. The Truffle flavor is similar to the original flavored Pipcorn, but is sweeter in flavor.
Leave a Review of Pipcorn
Pipcorn Review
Have you tried any of the Pipcorn products? If so, please leave a review. If you have more to add, write it in the comments section at the end of this article.
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Quality
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Price
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Would you buy it again?
Overall
Pros
- doesn’t get stuck in your teeth
- easier to digest
- tasty
- feels like you’re eating a larger serving because they’re so small
Cons
- pricier than a regular bag of popcorn
Pipcorn Alternatives and Competitors
A company called Tiny But Mighty also makes bagged heirloom popcorn. You can find this product at many of your local grocery stores including Whole Foods and Amazon, although you’re more likely to find their microwave version.
You can also buy unpopped heirloom popcorn kernels on Amazon or I like the Amish baby white kernels that I make in this silicone popcorn maker.
What Happened to Pipcorn after Shark Tank?
Within 24 hours of airing on Shark Tank, Pipcorn had 7,000 orders (compared to 26 in the previous 3 months). But it wasn’t always easy.
A little over a year after appearing on Shark Tank, Whole Foods started carrying Pipcorn in all their stores nationally. Over the years, Pipcorn redesigned its packaging and introduced new snacks: Heirloom Cheese Balls, Heirloom Corn Dippers, Heirloom Crackers, and Heirloom Crunchies.
They introduced crackers (sea salt, cheddar, and everything), partnered with celebrity Jennifer Garner and were featuring on the popular podcast How I Built This with Guy Raz.
Pipcorn products are currently sold in over 10,000 stores.
Details:
- baked, not fried
- made from heirloom corn
- no artificial colors or flavors (organic cheese & natural color from paprika)
- gluten-free
- non-GMO
Still, in a later episode, Barbara Corcoran reveals that despite Pipcorn making over $12 million dollars, she still has not been able to pay herself back.
Final Thoughts
Pipcorn is one of the most successful businesses that has come out of Shark Tank. Kevin is eating his words right now, especially after his angry rant.
Other Products Featured in this Episode
Heidi Ho
Pipsnacks
Squatty Potty
Storm Stoppers
Related Reviews
TaDah!
Snacklins