Entrepreneur Destin Bell pitched his gamified movement app, Card.io, on Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 1. This app turns outdoor cardio into a community-based team turf game. Users join one of three teams: Red, Blue, or Green. Once on a team, players work to capture territories or blocks. The app sends an alert if a player steals someone else’s turf. Overall, the app offers a fun way to stay active outdoors by turning cardio into an interactive game.
Did any Sharks show interest in investing in this interactive outdoor cardio game app business? And what is the current status of this business? Let’s find out more about it.
| Company Name | Card.io | |
| Founder/Co-Founder | Destin Bell | |
| Founded | 2022 | |
| Product | Run the Map | |
| Asked For | $150k for 5% equity | |
| Final Deal | $150k for 15% equity | |
| Shark | Rashaun Williams and Daymond John | |
| Episode | S16 E1 | |
| Air Date | Oct 18th, 2024 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Annual (Revenue) | $50,000 *estimated | |
| Worth / Valuation | $3 Million Valuation | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
What Is the Background of The Founder?
Destin George Bell is the co-founder and CEO of the Card.io Fitness mobile app. After completing his Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from the University of Kentucky, he worked as a Fellow at the nonprofit organization Venture For America. Following that, he decided to start his venture.
Although he was searching for a job after graduation, he eventually moved to Austin, Texas, where he spent two years working in real estate, B2B SaaS, and content creation before entering the cardio fitness industry.
For his business, Destin raised $59,400 from 42 investors through the Wefunder platform by February 2024.
Business Pitch Episode Recap
Destin Bell asked the Sharks for $150,000 in exchange for 5% equity in his fitness tech company, Card.io. He demonstrated the Card.io app using examples from Mark and Lori, explaining how outdoor cardio can be fun like a game.
The Card.io app focuses on social gamification. Like sports games, a different map is generated each time based on how players capture blocks. The app is available in 70 countries and had a total of 22,000 users in 2023, 14,000 of them active users.
The company operates on a freemium model; if a user joins a group or club, they must pay $25 monthly to participate in team-based games.
Last month, the company’s sales were $4,000. To scale the business to $400,000, Destin has already partnered with marathons like the Austin and San Francisco Marathons. The company started in June 2022, and as of 2023, it has raised a total of $470,000, including a $150,000 grant from Pokémon Go.
Lori Greiner said she doesn’t like running and gaming, so she is out.
Kevin O’Leary said it is not investable for him, so he is out.
Mark Cuban said he has no idea how to scale this business, so he is out.
Rashaun Williams and Daymond John teamed up to offer $150,000 for 15% equity in the company. Destin countered with an offer of 10% equity, but Rashaun declined. Destin then brought his mother on stage and accepted Rashaun and Daymond’s offer.
Sharks Offers list!
| Sharks | Offers |
|---|---|
| Rashaun Williams | $75k for 7.5% equity |
| Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
| Mark Cuban | No Offer |
| Daymond John | $75k for 7.5% equity |
| Lori Greiner | No Offer |
| Founder’s (Countered) | $150k for 10% equity |
| Final Deals | $150k for 15% equity |
Card.io Run the Map Shark Tank Update
After this episode aired, the company gained much attention, and many people started using the Card.io app. Additionally, the app introduced new premium energy features that users can now access.
Entrepreneur Destin plans to expand Card.io’s user base, improve the app’s user experience, and form partnerships with new global fitness brands to reach fitness enthusiasts worldwide.
On November 9, 2024, The Trail Conservancy, in partnership with fitness app @downloadcardio, is organizing Austin’s biggest fundraiser—a one-million-mile challenge on Lady Bird Lake’s Town Lake Trail.
Participants can compete solo or in groups to win $1,000 prizes while supporting the Ann and Roy Hike-And-Bike Trail. 🏃♀️🌟
We are currently tracking the company for more information. Stay tuned for further updates.
We have covered more businesses from Season 15, and you can also check them out!
