Young Innovator's Glove Wrap Nets $50K from Top Investors
Gavin pitched with clarity and maturity, explaining that a single wrap around the glove achieves in minutes what traditional methods take weeks to accomplish. His father, Jon, and sister, Morgan, supported the presentation, highlighting initial sales of over 1,000 units—garnering nearly $20,000 in revenue since launch in 2022. Profit estimates, based on a $10 wholesale price, underscored strong margins, prompting visible approval from the shark panel.
Though some sharks, including Barbara Corcoran and Lori Greiner, opted out—Corcoran citing overlap with existing bands—Cuban suggested an alternative route: offering Glove Wrap in bulk to baseball teams and organizers, enabling branded giveaways to fans and players. Rubin endorsed the broader brand opportunity, stating he'd back any future ventures by Gavin, but only if Cuban joined the deal, leading to their joint offer valuing Glove Wrap at around $227,000 for 22% equity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gavin's appearance marks him as the youngest entrepreneur to secure a deal on the show. The Batarse family, based in Orange County, California, first introduced the band in 2022 when rubber bands fell short while breaking in Gavin's new glove. The result: a latex‑free thermoplastic elastomer band tailored to shape gloves evenly, gaining traction among amateur and Major League players alike.
Following the televised pitch, the team reported substantial upticks in demand. By October 2024, Glove Wrap products had landed in over 200 retail outlets, including 165 Dick's Sporting Goods locations and approximately 40 Scheels stores in Arizona. That same summer, the company became the official glove wrap supplier of Major League Baseball, bolstered by exposure during All‑Star Week in Dallas.
Media attention has driven social impact as well: the Glove Wrap Instagram account boasts more than 400,000 followers, with content viewed in excess of 100 million times. Despite the newfound fame, the Batarses emphasise their continuing focus on growth and normal family life; Jon, an executive pastor and marketing professional, noted that orders keep flowing but Gavin and his sister remain grounded.
Banking on mentorship from Cuban and Rubin, the team intends to scale distribution through professional affiliations and deeper retail penetration. The suggestion to target baseball teams with bulk packaging aligns with their new MLB licensing, offering a pathway into organised sport markets.
Gavin's win echoes earlier youth success stories on the show, including 13‑year‑old Sophie Overton's Wise Pocket venture, yet he stands out as the youngest to close a deal. His combination of product simplicity, market insight, financial awareness and pitch confidence may set a precedent for young entrepreneurs in sports innovation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Campaign ME
The future is unified: marketing at the speed of experience
Picture a customer zipping through a brand's universe: spotting a post on Instagram, clicking on a website, placing an order while chatting with a bot about express delivery, and later tweeting about a delayed order – all in one day. Every interaction is make-or-break, and a single misstep could send that customer packing. As marketers, we're juggling a million touchpoints to deliver seamless, unified and personalised experiences that keep up with today's demanding buyers. Deloitte's 2024 research tells us 78 per cent of consumers want personalisation that delivers real value – think discounts or exclusive deals, not just generic suggestions. Unified Customer Experience Management (Unified-CXM) is the linchpin for turning this complexity into loyalty by helping brands keep up with today's channel-hopping, expectation-heavy consumers. The consumers today are a restless bunch, oscillating between social media platforms, websites, apps, and peer reviews, expecting brands to match their pace. They might discover you on TikTok, check reviews on Reddit, compare prices on Google Shopping, and then buy through Amazon. One delayed response here and one impolite exchange on X, and they're gone. Social media has become the new storefront, with 40 per cent of Gen Z kicking off product searches there instead of Google. In the U.S., social commerce pulls in upwards of $70 billion a year, and platforms like TikTok alone rake in $1 billion monthly. Customers are discovering and purchasing in one fluid motion, and brands must meet them in the midst of this whirlwind: Everything Everywhere All at Once. So what's the catch? Way too many brands are grappling with a tangle of disconnected tools – CRMs, social platforms, analytics- that leave them with disjointed information and frustrated customers. Multiple Forrester and McKinsey studies show brands with unified customer data grow revenue faster than those wrestling with silos. Unified-CXM fixes this by pulling data from social, web, and CRM systems into one view, letting brands craft interactions that feel intuitive. Say you're rolling out a luxe, eco-conscious fashion brand aimed at a niche crowd who value sustainability. You connect your digital channels to spot someone eyeing your summer collection on Instagram, then hit them with personalised offers via email or in-store. That kind of smooth, tailored experience hooks those selective shoppers, building loyalty and setting your brand apart in a crowded market. Then there's AI, the game-changer making these experiences possible. It's not just about automating tasks anymore; it's about real, human-like connections. For example, a beauty brand that lets customers virtually try on makeup through AI-powered tools or generative AI, which can handle entire customer journeys – from understanding a chatbot query to pulling up past orders and guiding them to checkout with a custom deal. Conversation is the new interface, the new way to shop, replacing click-based workflows for something that feels more natural. To make this work, brands need AI-native tools designed to optimise every step of the journey, from sparking interest to sealing the sale. Speed is another non-negotiable. Customers expect brands to move as fast as they do, whether it's resolving a complaint on X or jumping on a trending topic. Standard Chartered, for example, can streamline its customer service by integrating social platforms like WhatsApp, allowing agents to resolve enquiries in minutes with full context from past interactions. Or look at McDonald's, who noticed a social media buzz around plant-based diets. By quickly analysing real-time data, it rolled out targeted campaigns for a new vegan option, keeping it relevant to health-conscious diners. These brands show how real-time agility lets you seize opportunities and turn potential detractors into advocates. Trust is what seals the deal in this decentralised world. Customers don't just believe your ads anymore; they trust what they hear from peers, family, or influencers. Brands like Patagonia prove this, winning loyalty through transparent supply chains and zero traditional marketing, relying instead on authentic word-of-mouth. Your brand's narrative isn't just on your website; it's scattered across every touchpoint, shaped by voices you don't always control. Unified-CXM helps you monitor and steer these conversations, ensuring every interaction builds trust and reinforces your story. For marketers, this is a wake-up call. You're not just running campaigns anymore – you're steering the ship for growth. Today, 62 per cent of marketers say customer experience is now marketing's domain, not sales', putting you at the heart of how customers connect with your brand. Plus, 88 per cent of marketing leaders are on the hook for revenue goals. That means unifying data to predict what customers want, leaning on conversational AI to make interactions feel human, and moving fast on real-time insights. Case in point, Sephora. Since launching its AI-powered Sephora Virtual Artist chatbot in 2016, the beauty retailer has shifted from traditional sales to interactive, customer-focused experiences. This embrace of AI and digital innovation expanded its customer base, boosted brand loyalty, and grew e-commerce net sales from $580 million in 2016 to over $3 billion in 2022, a fourfold increase in six years. The old marketing playbook is gone, and that's not a bad thing. Fragmented tools and siloed efforts won't cut it in a world where billions of customers drop breadcrumbs of intent daily. Sticking with disjointed systems risks broken experiences and missed opportunities. Smart brands are moving to unified ecosystems that activate data across touchpoints, power AI-driven automation, and deliver consistent experiences. This is marketing's new frontier. As marketers, we've got to tear down walls between teams, ditch those one-off tools, and let tech work its magic. It's about leading with a clear plan, staying nimble, and tying it all to the company's big picture. We're at a turning point, and the future belongs to those who unify data, humanise experiences through AI, and respond in real time to turn marketing into a growth powerhouse. Choose transformation and turn the chaos of today's customer journey into loyalty that lasts. By Arun Pattabhiraman, Chief Marketing Officer at Sprinklr.
ME Construction
2 days ago
- ME Construction
Ardee launches sales of Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island
Property Ardee launches sales of Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island By Ardee's master agency Christie's International Real Estate, Ras Al Khaimah, are overseeing the GCC and international outreach Ardee has partnered with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to launch the sale of its flagship branded residential project, Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island. The sale, which commenced during a broker event in Dubai, aims to redefine traditional luxury through master-planned developments. The project boasts 523 residences, including beachfront apartments, townhouses, and villas ranging from one to six bedrooms. As part of the launch, Ardee also unveiled its exclusive Sea Villas, which offers expansive floor plans of approximately 1,850sqm and beyond, amenities, unobstructed sea views, private beach cabanas, and dedicated basement parking, designed for individuals seeking privacy, prestige, and exceptional amenities. Ardee's master agency Christie's International Real Estate, Ras Al Khaimah, are overseeing the GCC and international outreach, and will leverage Christie's global network and local expertise to drive awareness, attract buyers, and ensure transactions from initial inquiry through to handover. Bringing together the Fairmont brand and the ease of coastal resort living, residents will enjoy exclusive access to a private beach, Fairmont Fit Fitness Centre & Studio, family and kids' pool, adults-only sky pool, terrace & bar, resident owners' lounge, private dining room, boardroom, games room, kids' club, screening room, and wellness facilities including treatment rooms. All residences are also directly connected to the adjacent Fairmont Al Marjan Island resort, said a statement. Enhancing everyday living is a curated suite of à la carte services, including private chef experiences, in-home catering, childcare, dog walking, housekeeping, concierge support, and a home maintenance program designed for when residents are away. Buyers will also enjoy membership in the Accor Owner Benefits Program, which includes Diamond status in the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) programme, the ability to gift Gold status, and VIP privileges at over 5,700 hotels and resorts worldwide, it added. Spanning over 2.5m sqft, Ardee Al Marjan Island is designed as a lifestyle community. Blending luxury living with hospitality, retail, leisure, and entertainment, the master-planned development will feature branded and serviced residences, townhouses, and private villas, along with a luxury hotel, an immersive F&B and retail promenade, and diverse lifestyle amenities, all integrated into a future-forward coastal environment, the statement concluded.
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Campaign ME
The engagement shift: How search is reshaping the media landscape
The role of search is undergoing a profound evolution, reshaping how audiences discover, access, and engage with content. From trending TikTok videos to AI-curated news summaries, search behaviour is now central to how people navigate and consume media. It is not only influencing what people see, but also how they interact with brands, publishers and platforms. This shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge, in equal measures, for marketers. As user journeys become more dynamic and discovery happens across multiple surfaces, from Google and Instagram to voice assistants and geo-based prompts, search is emerging as the critical link between content and context. Search is now driving a new wave of media engagement, shaped by regional contrasts between MENA's fast-growing, mobile-first environment and Europe's increasingly consolidated media landscape, demanding that global brands rethink how they remain visible, relevant, and trusted across both. Fragmented media, connected audiences In the MENA region, we are seeing two things happen at once: An increasingly fragmented media environment and a rise in mobile-first, hyper-engaged audiences. Mobile video continues to dominate. Statista projects the number of digital news users in MENA to reach over 167 million by 2029. As people access content across diverse platforms, search is emerging as the connector, and a way to navigate complexity and discover relevance in real time. In this landscape, brands must ensure that their content is structured, localised, and easily found, especially as geo-awareness and mobile intent play a growing role in consumer decision-making. The pressure on media in Europe and the U.S By contrast, media outlets across Europe and the United States are under pressure. Declining advertising revenue and platform consolidation are leading to layoffs and even closures. So far, this year, key media titles like Business Insider, TechCrunch, and The Washington Post have all announced job cuts. Fragmentation of this size has a direct impact on how and where consumers go to find credible information. As trusted media channels shrink, the burden on search to deliver quality, context, and relevance grows. For marketers, this underscores the need to build trust at every touchpoint, including search. The rise of social as a search engine Search is no longer limited to traditional engines. For younger audiences, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are now primary sources of discovery. This is particularly visible in MENA, where mobile-first usage and short-form video dominate. Audiences aren't just searching; they are swiping, scrolling, and stumbling across content that matches their intent in unexpected ways. Social search brings new challenges for marketers. It's not enough to rank well on Google. Brands need to consider visibility across platforms, through voice, video, and social discoverability. AI is changing the search experience Artificial intelligence is transforming how we discover content. Predictive prompts, summarised responses, and generative search tools are creating more intuitive, less linear experiences. For marketers, this requires a different approach. Content must now be structured for AI readability, geo-relevant, and adaptable across formats, from voice assistants to augmented browsers. What this means for global brands Navigating this shift requires flexibility and local understanding. While Europe faces media consolidation, MENA is expanding digitally, demographically, and behaviourally. Global brands must recognise that engagement starts with discovery. Discovery today means optimising not just for search engines, but for the full spectrum of consumer behaviour, from Google to TikTok to AI. Generic content strategies will no longer perform. It's time to prioritise local SEO, geo-targeted content, and platforms that reflect how people really search. Search has become the starting point for everything, from brand awareness to conversion to trust. As media and marketing continue to evolve, brands that treat search as a strategic engagement tool will be best positioned to lead. We're entering a new phase of media engagement. As marketers, the challenge is clear: Meet your audience where they are searching, and earn their attention once they find you. By Melis Ertem, CEO, MMA MENA.
