Table of Contents
Gallant’s Innovative Stem Cell Therapy for Pets
Gallant, a business featured on Season 11 of Shark Tank, specializes in providing stem cell therapy for dogs.
Founded by Aaron Hirschhorn, who experienced successful stem cell therapy for chronic back pain, the company was inspired by the positive impact of this treatment. To kickstart Gallant, Aaron secured $11 million from Silicon Valley investors.
The process at Gallant begins with a dog being sterilized by a veterinarian, and their reproductive organs are then shipped in a special container provided by the company.
These organs are sent to FDA-approved labs where stem cells are extracted, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored for future use.
Pet owners have the option to collect and store their dogs’ stem cells through two main service plans: a yearly subscription for $95 or a lifetime service for $595, with additional costs for cell harvesting by veterinarians.
Despite facing competition from companies like ForeverTarget150 and Amnio Chor, Gallant has thrived since its inception, actively promoting its stem cell banking services.
Stem cells obtained and stored by Gallant can potentially aid in treating various conditions affecting pets, such as osteoarthritis, skin issues, and chronic dry eye conditions.
The founder of Gallant, Aaron Hirschhorn, recognized the potential of stem cell therapy for animals after witnessing its benefits for his chronic back pain and his dog’s arthritis.
With initial funding from Silicon Valley contacts and a successful entrepreneurial background that included creating Dog Vacay – a pet-sitting service later acquired by Rover – Aaron set out to democratize the benefits of stem cell therapy for pets.
Gallant aims to offer an alternative, regenerative approach to treating age-related ailments in pets by collecting and storing stem cells during routine procedures.
Before appearing on Shark Tank, Gallant had already established partnerships with veterinary offices, enabling the storage of pets’ stem cells for future use. The company had invested in research and filed for patents to protect its unique business model.
Despite facing challenges like high customer acquisition costs and the expense of stem cell extraction, Gallant sought additional funding through its Shark Tank appearance to further expand its services and reach in the market.
Gallant Shark Tank Pitch
Aaron Hirschhorn made a memorable pitch for Gallant on Shark Tank Season 11. During his presentation, he entered the Shark Tank, holding a basket of puppies.
After giving each shark a puppy, he made a bold statement – predicting that four out of the five puppies would likely develop age-related diseases within ten years. To emphasize his point, he brought in ‘the Grim Reaper’ to take away all but one of the puppies.
Seeking a $500,000 investment for a 2% stake in Gallant, Hirschhorn quickly explained how Gallant’s stem cell banking service could benefit pets globally.
Drawing from his own experience of finding relief from back pain through stem cell treatments, he highlighted the company’s partnerships with veterinary offices.
These partnerships involved providing kits to store pets’ stem cells, which were then sent for safekeeping. He also mentioned plans to explore the field of stem-cell medicine.
Despite Hirschhorn’s engaging presentation, the Sharks initially had doubts. They raised concerns about Gallant’s financial situation, noting that the company was losing money due to high costs associated with customer acquisition.
One major expense was paying veterinarians around $100 per pet for participation in the stem cell banking process. Additionally, the costly extraction process resulted in significant fund depletion, leading Gallant to secure $10 million for initial research.
While Mark Cuban and guest Shark Anne Wojcicki appeared undecided about the investment opportunity, Kevin O’Leary requested detailed financial figures.
After hearing Hirschhorn’s pitch, O’Leary presented two offers: $500,000 for a 2% stake and 2% stock options, or $500,000 for 1% equity and a 10% royalty per kit indefinitely.
Ultimately, Mark Cuban opted not to invest, expressing doubts about Gallant’s business model. However, Shark Lori Greiner recognized the potential in Gallant and, together with Anne Wojcicki, offered $500,000 for an 8% share of the company.
Hirschhorn tried to negotiate, proposing a 4% stake, but Greiner and Wojcicki countered with a final offer of $500,000 for a 5% stake. Hirschhorn accepted this deal, securing an investment from Lori Greiner and Anne Wojcicki.
From Shark Tank to Pet Health Innovation: Gallant After Shark Tank
After Gallant’s appearance on Shark Tank, the company experienced a significant increase in visibility and popularity, positively impacting its business operations. Gallant’s annual revenue rose to $2.5 million following the exposure.
Although deals with Lori Grenier and Anne Wojcicki did not materialize, Gallant heeded their advice and raised prices to boost revenue. The company also acquired vet tech firm Cook-Regentec in late 2019, adding more stem cell technology resources.
The company also managed to lower costs related to banking pets’ stem cells, maintaining a $95 annual fee. This cost reduction aimed to enhance affordability and attract a broader customer base.
However, not all developments were favorable. Despite Shark Anne Wojcicki’s advice to lower prices, founder Aaron Hirschhorn decided to raise the price of the Gallant service from $595 to $890.
Additionally, a one-time setup plan costing $205 was introduced, indicating ongoing efforts to find an optimal pricing strategy balancing customer appeal and cost coverage.
The unfortunate passing of founder Aaron Hirschhorn in a boating accident in 2021 marked a significant change for Gallant after their Shark Tank appearance, dealing a major blow to the company.
Despite the tragedy of losing founder Aaron Hirschhorn, Gallant persevered under the leadership of Linda Black, who assumed the role of CEO.
Nevertheless, Gallant remains dedicated to upholding Hirschhorn’s vision. The company continues its operations, selling products worth $5 million annually, and is committed to advancing pet health through innovative stem cell treatments.
The company offers various price plans on its website, providing pet owners access to stem cell treatment services. You can find detailed information about cell stem therapy, the procedure, and clinic locations online.
Gallant’s services are accessible across all 50 states. Gallant, though not consistently active on social media, has been featured in notable publications like Forbes, the Daily Mail, and TechCrunch.
Gallant is still in business with an estimated net worth of $7 million
Looking ahead, Gallant aims to uphold Hirschhorn’s vision of promoting animal health and longevity, envisioning a future where their services benefit pets and raise awareness about the potential of stem cell therapy for both animals and humans.
