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Breathometer is a device that tracks an individual’s breath quality and alcohol levels. Founded by Charles Yim, the company rose to fame after appearing on the hit show Shark Tank.
The Breathometer allows users to monitor their daily breath health and track how much alcohol they are consuming.
The Breathometer device utilizes advanced fuel cell technology to measure ethanol molecules in exhaled air, enabling it to accurately detect the molar mass of alcohol in parts per million (ppm).
Users can then use this data to decide their drinking habits and overall health better. Breathometer syncs with a mobile app that displays the user’s breath quality over time and offers advice on improving it.
Breathometer also has built-in safety features, such as sending alerts when users exceed safe limits for alcohol consumption or suffer from bad breath.
What Is Breathometer?
Breathometer is a portable device that functions as a breathalyzer, designed to measure the blood alcohol content (BAC) of a person through their breath.
The compact device can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth or the headphone jack. It works with a mobile app that displays the BAC reading, giving users an estimate of their intoxication level.
Breathometer is a device you attach to your mobile device’s audio jack, download the app, and blow into after a wild night on the town. It takes seconds for your smartphone to tell you your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
The Breathometer was first introduced through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in 2013 and gained widespread attention after appearing on the television show “Shark Tank.”
Its purpose is to help people make more informed decisions about their alcohol consumption and avoid the dangers of driving under the influence.
It should be noted that while the Breathometer can provide an approximate BAC reading, it may not be as accurate as professional-grade breathalyzers used by law enforcement.
You’ll get a cab, be alerted to friends and family, and be given hotel recommendations if you exceed the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
| Company Name | Breathometer |
| Founder | Charles Yim |
| Product | A smartphone attachment that acts as a breathalyzer |
| Investment Seeking | $250,000 For 10% equity in Breathometer |
| Final Deal | $1,000,000 For 30% equity in Breathometer |
| Shark | Robert Herjavec, Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Daymond John |
| Episode | Season 5, Episode 2 |
| Business Status | Out Of Business |
| Website | Breathometer Website |
Who Is The Founder Of Breathometer?
Charles Yim is the founder of Breathometer. A graduate of the University of California with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and a lifelong entrepreneur, she has founded two businesses in her career.
With his firm, Sync VC, Charles is now a San Francisco-based venture capitalist. His LinkedIn profile indicates that he raised over $1 billion for start-up investments, many of which he served as a Board Member or Advisor.
He also does guest speaking and business mentoring, and in May 2021, he had a book about entrepreneurship published.
Charles got the idea for the company when he realized there wasn’t a portable breathalyzer connected to the smartphone market. Charles Yim founded Breathometer at the end of 2012 to create the first breath analysis program that could be carried around with you.
Early beta trials were given away at the SXSW music festival in Austin, TX after IndieGoGo raised close to $140,000 in funding to get production going. Charles then put the product on the market and sold it online and in physical stores.
Breathometer produced only one product before its appearance on Shark Tank: the all-inclusive device known as the Breathometer. Searching for new ways to expand his business and reach a wider audience led him to seek high-profile investors.
How Was The Shark Tank Of Breathometer?
Charles Yim appeared on Shark Tank requesting an investment of $250,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in Breathometer. The Shark Tank pitch of Breathometer took place during Season 5 of the show, which aired in 2013.
Charles Michael Yim, the founder and CEO of Breathometer, presented his product to the panel of investors known as the “sharks.”
He described the device as a portable, smartphone-connected breathalyzer to help people make responsible decisions regarding alcohol consumption and reduce drunk driving incidents.
Yim demonstrated the product’s functionality by connecting it to a smartphone and having one of the sharks test its breath. The mobile app displayed the BAC reading instantly. He then asked for a $250,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity in the company.
The sharks were impressed by the potential impact of the device and its marketability. They saw value in promoting responsible drinking and believed the product could succeed with the right marketing and distribution strategies.
In a rare occurrence on the show, all five sharks – Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary – decided to collaborate and invest in Breathometer.
The final deal was $1 million for 30% equity in the company, with each shark contributing $200,000 for a 6% stake. The investment enabled Breathometer to scale its production, expand its distribution channels, and increase its marketing efforts, ultimately contributing to the product’s success in the market.
All five sharks offered $1,000,000 For 30% equity in Breathometer. Charles took a moment and happily accepted the deal of $1 million for a 30% stake in Breathometer.
Final Deal: All the Sharks invested $1 million for a 30% equity in Breathometer.
What Happened To Breathometer After Shark Tank?
Breathometer stated that they would receive a huge increase in the demand for their product after the show. It has been more than seven years. It earned over $30 million in sales and performed well until 2015.
It was discovered that Breathometer does not measure blood alcohol content accurately, which caused the company to suffer massively, and the FTC charged the company with fraud for misleading customers.
The Breathometer ceased functioning due to the settlement between the FTC and them and will be liable to refund its customers the money they paid for the device. This is a huge loss for the company and its investors.
Breathometer devices frequently understated blood alcohol levels, and the FTC investigators concluded that the company was well aware of this.
Breathometer decided not to inform its customers despite this fact and continued marketing and selling its products. Breathometer is unavailable, and it seems the company has gone out of business.
Breathometer Shark Tank Update
After the Shark Tank episode featuring Breathometer aired in 2013, the company experienced significant growth and attention. The investment and support from the sharks helped Breathometer scale up production, expand distribution, and increase marketing efforts. The device gained popularity, and sales increased.
However, in 2017, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged Breathometer for making false claims about the accuracy of its devices, the Original Breathometer and the Breeze.
The FTC alleged that the company had failed to test the devices’ accuracy adequately and did not have sufficient scientific evidence to support its claims.
As a result, Breathometer settled the case with the FTC, agreeing to refund customers who had purchased the devices and cease making unsupported claims about the accuracy of its breathalyzers. The company also had to notify affected customers about the settlement and the refund process.
Despite the setback, Breathometer shifted its focus and continued to innovate. They expanded their product line to include Mint, a device that measures oral health and hydration levels.
By pivoting and addressing a different market segment, Breathometer aimed to overcome the challenges it faced with its initial breathalyzer products and maintain a presence in the health tech industry. However, Breathometer ceased its operation and went out of business.
Is Breathometer Still In Business?
Breathometer operated from 2013 to 2015, and the company switched to Mint, which measures oral health and hydration levels. Breathometer production was halted in 2015 due to increased complaints and an FTC investigation. The company has essentially been shut down since 2017.
Charles and the FTC agreed, and the app was taken down. Charles will be required to contact all customers who purchased the Breathometer device and offer a full refund of over $5 million under the agreement with the FTC.
What Is the Net Worth of a Breathometer?
The valuation of Breathometer was $2.5 million when it appeared on Shark Tank. The net worth of Breathometer is $0 since the company went out of business.
