Breathometer Shark Tank Update | What Happened To Breathometer after Shark Tank | Breathometer Net Worth
Table of Contents
About Breathometer
Breathometer was a gadget that claimed to be able to monitor a person’s blood-alcohol level using their iPhone or Android smartphone.
The Initial Breathometer was a gadget that inserted into the multimedia port of a smartphone. A user would blow into the gadget, and the Breathometer app would identify a blood alcohol level in five seconds.
Charles Michael Yim, the company’s current CEO, launched Breathometer in September 2013.
Charles Michael Yim, a serial entrepreneur who had previously launched three startup firms, including Chatterfly, a mobile reward program for businesses that was bought by Plum District in December 2011, founded Breathometer in 2012.
Yim pointed out that no commercial breathalyzers were accessible for smartphones, and the only portable breathalyzers that were available were both pricey and impossible for consumers to take out on a night out.
Part of the company’s funding came from preorders obtained through an Indiegogo crowd-funding effort that ran until April 2013.
The campaign’s initial objective was to fund $25,000, but it raised more than $138,000 by the time it ended.
Yim first appeared on Shark Tank in September 2013, asking for $250,000 for a 10% share in Breathometer; nevertheless, all five “sharks” ended up investing a total of $1 million for a combined 30% ownership in the firm.
What Was The Problem With Breathometer?
The application, however, proved to be unreliable, and the Federal Trade Commission shut it down.
An investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) culminated in a settlement with the corporation in 2017.
The FTC claimed that the business knew the device underreported BAC levels on a regular basis and made misleading marketing promises about accuracy.
Customers were alerted and granted full refunds when the app was taken down. Original and Breeze sales totaled $5.1 million, according to the complaint.
Following the FTC debacle, Mark Cuban dubbed Breathometer the “worst execution” in Shark Tank history, citing the founder’s financial irresponsibility.
How Does Breathometer Works?
The Breathometer was a little gadget that connected to a smartphone’s audio socket and came with an app that measures the user’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
The computational power was provided by the smartphone, allowing the gadget to be tiny enough to fit on a regular keychain.
If the user’s blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit, the app offered one-click calls to local taxi services, nearby acquaintances from contact lists, or nearby motels.
At the 2013 SXSW conference in Austin, TX, sample beta units were distributed. As a consequence of a deal with the FTC, the app was shut down in 2017.
The business repurposed its technology into Mint, a new device that measures foul breath and dental health.
The Mint was introduced by Breathometer in September of 2016. Sensors in the gadget assessed sulfur chemicals linked to poor breath and periodontitis, or gum disease, according to experts.
The Mint was later bundled with Sonicare oral health items thanks to a partnership with Philips.
The Mint is no longer accessible on their website or on Amazon as of 2021.
How Much Did Breathometer Raise In Shark Tank?
Breathometer’s CEO, Charles Yim, presented to the sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank and secured $1 million in funding from all five sharks — a remarkable achievement because they are the first and only business to do so.
On April 18, 2014, Shark Tank featured an update on Breathometer, which showed Kevin O’ Leary and Charles of Breathometer working the fulfillment lines and addressing the current backlog problem at Breathometer at DCL’s Fremont plant.
Who Is The Founder of Breathemeter?
Breathometer, founded by Charles Michael Yim in September 2012, introduced pioneering digital health solutions by combining unique breath sensing technology with great design and usability.
Breathometer was a pioneer in the field of breath analysis and its goal was to create the first portable breath analysis platform in the world to assist people to make better decisions and live better lives.
What Happened To Breathometer after Shark Tank
The app-enabled smartphone gadgets were presented on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” with five of the show’s sharks awarding Charles Michael Yim a $1 million contract.
The application, however, proved to be unreliable, and the Federal Trade Commission shut it down.
The Federal Trade Commission claimed consumers spent more than $5 million for Breathometer devices they were assured would reliably test their blood alcohol concentration, but the marketing was fraudulent.
The FTC now alleges that the claims made by the product’s marketers were not supported by scientific evidence.
Breathometer Original and Breathometer Breeze’s creators have deactivated the app and negotiated an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission.
According to the FTC’s decision, the business must provide full refunds to customers who seek it.
Breathometer, Inc. and Yim are barred from making future accuracy claims for a consumer breathalyzer product unless such claims are backed up by thorough testing, according to the conditions of the FTC settlement.
Consumers who purchased the defendants’ gadgets must also be notified and receive full refunds.
How Did Breathometer Shark Tank Pitch Go?
Charles begins by requesting $250K for a 10% stake in his company. Charles then offered the Sharks champagne and starts asking if they are fit to drive.
The Breathometer, he says, is comparable to bulky portable breathalyzers. He then goes on to say that they started in March following a successful Indiegogo campaign.
When Kevin O’Leary asks about responsibility, Charles responds that there is no replacement for sound judgment.
Lori blows a.04 on the Breathometer, making her legal to drive. Charles goes on to say that he’s developing a diabetic testing app using identical hardware and technology.
He put up $50,000 of his own money, but he still needs more to produce the product. Mark recognizes an opportunity and offers $500K for a 20% stake.
Lori wants to work with Mark, but he refuses. Mr. Wonderful offers $250K in exchange for 15%, and Charles explains that he needs a million-dollar venture capital round in 60 days.
Robert, Kevin, and Lori then join forces to offer $750K in exchange for 30% of the business. Daymond John is offering $250K in exchange for 10% and unrestricted manufacturing.
Kevin then offers that all Sharks participate in the $1 million agreement if Mark and Daymond agree.
Breathometer Shark Tank Episode
Breathometer Shark Tank FAQs
What was the purpose of the Breathometer?
The Breathometer was a portable gadget that integrated into a smartphone’s audio port and had a specific app that measured the user’s blood alcohol concentration.
The computational power was provided by the smartphone, allowing the gadget to be tiny enough to fit on a regular keychain.
When was Breathometer founded?
Breathometer was founded in late 2012 by Charles Yim with the goal of creating the world’s first portable breath analysis application.
Who is the founder of Breathometer?
Charles Michael Yim is an inventor of the Breathometer, a portable device that has been available since its inception in 2013.
Breathometer was a device that claimed to be able to detect a person’s blood-alcohol level. The app, however, proved to be unreliable, and the Federal Trade Commission shut it down.
Charles Michael Yim, the company’s current CEO, launched Breathometer in September 2013.
What was the FTC’s point of contention?
It was dishonest and risky to underestimate the accuracy of the gadgets.” The FTC was concerned not just about the apparent reliability issues, but also about Breathometer’s response once it became aware of them in 2014.
The FTC was concerned not just about the apparent reliability issues, but also about Breathometer’s response once it became aware of them in 2014.
What’s the best way to test your product?
Regrettably, one big issue with this is the tendency to rush products into the market without adequately thoroughly testing them in order to avoid embarrassing recalls later on.
At the time, Yim’s argument appeared compelling, even if it succeeded to grab the interest of the renowned investors.
What was the impact of the Breathalyser?
The company initially generated a $5 million profit, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) demanded a recall in 2017, ordering the company to pay everyone who purchased the item.
The company initially generated a $5 million profit, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) demanded a recall in 2017, ordering the company to pay everyone who purchased the item.
What exactly is the issue with this device?
There never was sufficient testing is done, plus failure by the company to take immediate action against the product after being called out.
What exactly is a Breathometer?
The Breathometer is an integration of an app and a piece of hardware: the app is required to read the Breathometer breathalyzer, which is a little key fob that plugs into a phone’s headphone socket.
How did the Breathometer function?
In a summary, you buy a keychain-sized Breathometer gadget, put it into your phone’s audio socket, download the app, and blow into it after a drunken night out on the town.
How can I know if I’m above the legal limit for blood alcohol?
Well, Breathometer would have you believe so.
What’s new in this version of the Breathometer?
In this episode’s 604 updates, Yim shows off The Breeze, a new Bluetooth version of the Breathometer.
What was the FTC’s settlement with Breathometer?
As part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, Breathometer was forced to provide refunds for devices sold between 2013 and 2015.
What was the company’s failure to warn users?
Despite this, Breathometer chose not to notify its consumers about the problem and instead continued to advertise and sell its products.
What is Charles Yim’s historical background?
A Bachelor of Science in Business Economics graduate of the University of California and a seasoned entrepreneur who had previously launched two businesses.
What was the idea of the business?
Charles noticed that there wasn’t a breathalyzer that connected to the smartphone market and was portable, he realized that all current devices were either large and bulky or highly costly.
What were the problems with their products?
They alleged Breathometer knew their users’ blood and alcohol levels were being recorded incorrectly using unreliable technology and made misleading promises about its accuracy in their marketing.
What was the purpose of the Breathometer?
Breathometer was on the market from 2013 to 2015, however, the business switched to Mint, a similar gadget that measures dental health and hydration levels.
Where did the Breathometer app go?
Charles and the Fair Trade Commission reached an agreement, and the app was taken down.
What is the most affordable Breathometer? How much is a Breathometer?
Breathometer became available at a reduced price of $39.99 at a number of shops (and even online) since appearing on Shark Tank and raising the full million dollars.
Some knock-offs are available for $34.99, however they employ an earlier version of the Breathometer’s sensor.
Where Can I Buy Breathometer?
Breathometer was available at several locations (and even online) for a reduced price of $39.99 after appearing on Shark Tank and raising the full million dollars.
The item has been removed from the market.
What is the purpose of the new Breathometer?
Breathometer is also working on a new device, codenamed “Mint,” that appears to include some of the diabetes testing technologies that Charles mentioned he wants to invest in, as well as being a much more streamlined, smaller form-factor version of the Breathometer.
How much does it cost?
They’re also in small-scale manufacturing and are now available for $49.99.
What was the revenue generated by Breathometer?
Original and Breeze sales totaled $5.1 million, according to the complaint.
What exactly is a Breathometer?
Yim highlighted out that no commercial breathalyzers were accessible for smartphones, and the only portable breathalyzers that were available were both pricey and impossible for consumers to take out on a night out.
What happened to Breathometer after shark tank?
Breathometer was a startup that received a lot of attention after appearing on Shark Tank.
They later had dependability issues and committed to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission in which the business would provide refunds for mobile-connected breathalyzer devices sold between 2013 and 2015.
What was the deal?
Yim left shark tank with only a $1 million investment for only 30% of his business.
What were the issues that were raised?
Breathometers would make inaccurate readings, implying that blood alcohol levels were lower than they actually were, putting people’s lives in danger.
What are the possible risks of using a Breathometer?
Breathometer findings might be lower than someone’s real BAC level, according to the FTC, and readings can be impacted by ambient humidity and temperature.
What are the advantages of BAC software?
The app also encourages healthy decision-making by stating that the app’s information should not be used to influence any prospective decisions, such as driving home or exceeding the legal BAC limit in the region.
What was the FTC’s decision?
Customers were notified and granted full refunds when the app was taken down.
The FTC compelled Breathometer to reimburse any cash given to clients and to stop selling the device to the general public because its promises were misleading, despite the fact that the firm is still worth at least $1 million after pivoting into various sectors.
What exactly is Mint?
Mint, Yim’s latest invention, uses the same technology as the Original to assess a person’s dental health and hydration.
It is Bluetooth-enabled and worked in the same way as the original.
What is Breathometer net worth after Shark Tank?
According to Charles Yim, the company was valued at a $50 million dollar business. He also noted that they made about 4.1 Million dollars in sales that year.
What was the business’s plan?
The business repurposed its technology into Mint, a new device that measures foul breath and dental health.
What’s Next for the Breathometer Settlement?
They are currently working with [the FTC] to make sure the promises are accurate and that the manufacturing is pretty reliable according to Yim.
What episode is Breathometer?
BreathOmeter pitch was featured in Shark Tank in Episode 5 of Season 2 aired in September 2013
Is Breathometer still in business?
The Breathometer was a device that claimed to measure a person’s blood-alcohol level.
Breathometer was on the market from 2013 to 2015, however, the business switched to Mint, a similar gadget that measures dental health and hydration levels.
The app, however, proved to be unreliable, and it was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission.
For all legal purposes, the business has been non – operational since 2017. Charles and the Fair Trade Commission reached an agreement, and the app was suspended.
The business is still working on improving its Mint gadgets, which evaluate a user’s dental health.
The breathalyzer app (Breathometer) has been removed from the app store. They are still in business as of August 2021, with yearly sales of $5 million.
