Scrub Daddy’s inventor strikes gold, turning a simple kitchen tool into a $250 million empire

In a remarkable turn of events, a product featured on Shark Tank has become the show’s most successful investment, boasting a staggering current valuation of $250 million. The unexpected star of the entrepreneurial reality show is the Scrub Daddy, a seemingly ordinary kitchen scrubbing tool with an extraordinary success story.

Entrepreneur Aaron Krause first introduced the Scrub Daddy to the Shark Tank panel in October 2012, seeking a $100,000 investment in exchange for a 10 percent equity stake in his company. Pitching the product as the “cutest” and “most high-tech scrub tool in the world,” Krause demonstrated its unique feature: the ability to adjust its texture based on water temperature.

While Mark Cuban declined the opportunity, Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, and Lori Greiner made offers. Ultimately, Krause chose Greiner’s deal of $200,000 for a 20 percent equity stake. Greiner, known as the “QVC queen,” recognized the potential of the product and pledged to propel it into infomercial stardom.

Since then, Scrub Daddy has become a household name and is now valued at an astounding $250 million as of 2024, making it the most lucrative investment in Shark Tank history. Aaron Krause, once a car-washing entrepreneur, now enjoys a $20 million annual salary from his unexpected success.

Reflecting on his journey, Krause shared, “If you told me 25 years ago that my greatest invention would be a kitchen sponge, I wouldn’t have believed you.” The Scrub Daddy’s ascent to success proves that innovation can emerge from the most unexpected places, turning a simple kitchen tool into a multi-million-dollar empire.