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Brake Free is a motorcycle helmet technology featured on Season 12 of Shark Tank. It is a creation by Brake Free Technologies Inc., a company founded by a group of motorcyclists who sought to increase the safety of fellow riders.
This smart helmet concept is unique in addressing one of the main safety concerns bikers face – visibility on the road, especially during nighttime rides.
The Brake Free helmet stands out due to its high-tech LED system. Equipped with 100 super bright LEDs arranged in four panels, it visually indicates a rider’s presence on the road.
Brake Free helmets feature smart sensor technology as one of their distinctive features. The helmet includes two integrated sensors combined with a state-of-the-art processing algorithm.
Moreover, the Brake Free helmet comes with a standardized module, which despite being somewhat bulkier than its competitors, incorporates all necessary components – hardware, firmware, and power.
Brake Free is a pioneering motorcycle helmet technology that ensures safety by increasing rider visibility. It provides a practical solution to a common safety concern by combining an advanced LED system, smart sensors, and a user-friendly interface.
Although there are potential drawbacks, such as the bulkiness of the module and the product’s legality in some areas, its benefits significantly outweigh these issues, making it a promising choice for riders committed to road safety.
| Company Name | Brake Free Technologies |
| Entrepreneur | Henry Li And Alex Arkhangelskiy |
| Product / Business | Attachment for motorcycle helmets with safety brake lights |
| Investment Asking For | $200,000 For 10% Equity in Brake Free |
| Final Deal | $200,000 For 20% Equity in Brake Free |
| Shark | Daymond John |
| Episode | Season 12, Episode 8 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | Brake Free Website |
What Is Brake Free?
The Brake Free is an innovative and potentially lifesaving device designed to enhance the safety of motorcyclists on the road. It has a built-in, highly visible LED lighting system that illuminates automatically when the motorcyclist decelerates or brakes.
Brake Free provides an additional warning signal to other road users and makes it easier for them to detect the motorcycle’s movements.
In essence, the Brake Free Helmet aims to minimize the risk of collisions caused by the inability of other drivers to notice or anticipate a motorcycle braking or slowing down ahead of them.
The beauty of the Brake Free Helmet lies in its seamless integration with the user’s existing headgear. The lighting system is easily attachable, utilizing powerful magnets to affix the light array onto any standard helmet without additional tools, modification, or cumbersome wiring.
Furthermore, the Brake Free Helmet boasts a self-contained power source, ensuring the lighting system functions independently of the motorcycle’s electrical system.
Thus, motorcyclists can confidently rely on the Brake Free Helmet’s superior visibility and increased safety measures while enjoying a hassle-free, non-intrusive riding experience.
Who Is The Founder Of Brake Free?
Henry Li and Alex Arkhangelskiy, both United States residents with significant technology industry experience, are the co-founders of Brake Free.
Henry Li is a product design engineer with a notable portfolio. He has worked at prominent tech companies like Facebook and Fitbit and was also associated with August Home Inc.
His extensive knowledge and experience in product development and design greatly contributed to the conceptualization and realization of Brake Free.
He took on the role of a co-founder at Brake Free Technologies in 2017, demonstrating his commitment to innovating in motorbike safety.
Alex Arkhangelskiy, the CEO and Co-Founder of Brake Free Technologies, also brought an extensive background to the venture.
Before co-founding Brake Free, Alex had been associated with various companies, including AT&T Mobility, EGO Boutique, and Parrot Cellular. His diverse experience across different sectors fortified his position as the CEO, driving the company toward achieving its mission.
The idea of Brake Free was conceived out of the need to enhance the safety of motorbike riders. The founders observed the common problem bikers face on the road, particularly the lack of visibility, which often leads to accidents.
Inspired to address this issue, they leveraged their expertise in technology to design a wireless brake detection device that would increase visibility and improve safety.
Before its appearance on Shark Tank Season 12, Brake Free was already a functioning business since 2014. They had sold 2,138 items before their Shark Tank debut, with their products available in various marketplaces across the United States and Canada.
The Shark Tank platform provided a significant boost to their visibility and popularity, but the groundwork had already been laid by the founders who had diligently been operating and marketing their business.
After the successful pitch and subsequent deal on Shark Tank, the business saw a significant increase in sales and gained further recognition among motorbike enthusiasts.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Brake Free?
Brake Free Technologies, co-founded by Henry Li and Alex Arkhangelskiy, made a notable presentation on Shark Tank on December 11, 2020. They were seeking an investment of $200,000 for a 10% equity stake in their company, valuing Brake Free at $2 million.
The product they presented was an innovative brake light designed to attach to the back of a motorcycle helmet. This attachable light enhances the safety of motorcyclists on the road, ensuring other drivers can easily see when the rider is braking.
According to the founders, the light can be easily mounted on any helmet, and it automatically senses and indicates when the rider is slowing down or stopping.
At the time of the pitch, Brake Free Technologies was concluding an IndieGoGo campaign that had successfully raised $240,000 in pre-order sales. They were selling each brake light for $169, while the manufacturing cost was reported to be $42 per unit.
The founders expressed their vision of their brake light becoming an essential safety item within the motorcycle community in the coming years.
Their pitch was well-received by the Sharks, particularly Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban, who showed significant interest in the product and its potential market impact.
After a detailed discussion and negotiation, Herjavec and Cuban jointly offered $200,000 in exchange for a 20% equity stake in the company, effectively doubling the equity asked by the founders. Li and Arkhangelskiy accepted this offer, leading to a successful deal in the Shark Tank.
After its Shark Tank appearance, Brake Free Technologies completed its fundraising campaign and commenced selling the product directly via its official website.
Notably, a delay in shipping time indicated on the website suggested a surge in orders, presumably a direct effect of the increased visibility and validation from their successful Shark Tank pitch.
What Happened To Brake Free After Shark Tank?
Following their successful pitch on Shark Tank, Brake Free Technologies experienced a positive turn in their business operations.
The Shark Tank appearance resulted in significant exposure and validation for their innovative motorcycle helmet brake light product, undoubtedly contributing to increased customer interest and sales.
After wrapping up its IndieGoGo fundraising campaign, Brake Free began selling its product directly from its official website. Notably, there was a surge in orders post their Shark Tank appearance, as suggested by a notice on the website stating that orders would take 1-2 weeks to ship, indicating high demand and sales volume.
The successful fundraising campaign and the distinctive value proposition of their product placed Brake Free Technologies in a strong position for continued growth and market expansion.
Being able to partner with influential investors such as Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban was also likely beneficial for the company, as these individuals brought not only a financial investment but also valuable industry connections, business acumen, and strategic guidance to help the company navigate its growth trajectory post-Shark Tank.
Brake Free Shark Tank Update
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Brake Free experienced a significant increase in sales, with a reported 56% growth. This boost in popularity led to the expanded availability of the product, now sold on various online platforms such as Amazon and Walmart.
Brake Free’s success can also be seen in its net worth, which has grown to an impressive $2.6 million. The founders, Henry Li and Alex Arkhangelskiy established Brake Free as a recognized brand in the motorcycle safety industry.
In addition to the financial gains and increased sales, Brake Free also received recognition for its innovative solution.
The company was honored with the MIC Gas Tank Award for its helmet at the AIMExpo. This award highlights the effectiveness and value of Brake Free’s helmet light for enhancing motorcyclists’ visibility and safety on the road.
As of the current date, Brake Free continues to thrive in the market, actively selling its product and exploring opportunities for global distribution. The product’s availability is currently limited to the United States, but the company is working on expanding its reach worldwide.
With its innovative helmet brake light, Brake Free Technologies has successfully brought an effective and appealing product to the market, partly thanks to its appearance on Shark Tank.
Brake Free’s participation in Shark Tank led to increased sales, substantial investments, and the company’s establishment as a leading provider of motorcycle helmet safety enhancements.
The founders, Henry Li and Alex Arkhangelskiy, successfully capitalized on the exposure and investor interest generated through the show, enabling Brake Free to grow and thrive in the industry.
Is Brake Free Still In Business?
According to our research and available information, Brake Free is still in business today. Brake Free is a company that specializes in smart brake light attachments for motorcycle helmets, designed to enhance rider noticeability and safety on the road.
Since its appearance on Shark Tank, Brake Free has gained significant exposure and experienced a 56% increase in sales. The product is now available on various online platforms like Amazon and Walmart.
Furthermore, Brake Free has expanded its presence by becoming an official partner of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship, a prominent motorcycle road racing series in North America.
This partnership showcases the recognition and acceptance of Brake Free’s product in the motorcycling community, further emphasizing its commitment to enhancing motorcycle safety and visibility.
With its ongoing sales and partnership with MotoAmerica, Brake Free is still actively operating in the market, striving to improve rider safety and situational awareness through its innovative brake light technology.
What Is the Net Worth Of Brake Free?
According to our research, Brake Free net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million. The valuation of Brake Free was $1 million after securing an investment from Daymond John on Shark Tank.
