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PittMoss is an innovative gardening product featured on Season 6 of the television show, “Shark Tank.” The company’s proprietary blend of organic materials creates a soil-like substance designed to enhance the growth and health of plants.
Rather than being extracted from the earth like traditional peat moss, PittMoss is made from recycled paper products, making it a far more sustainable choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
PittMoss’ unique structure facilitates enhanced water retention, one of its most notable characteristics. This property allows for less frequent watering and decreased runoff, thereby saving water.
Additionally, the product boasts improved aeration, which fosters better root development and provides a high nutrient availability to support plant growth. PittMoss also offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional garden soil options.
Peat moss, for instance, is a nonrenewable resource that takes thousands of years to form, and its extraction can harm the environment. PittMoss is made from recycled paper, which diverts waste from landfills and reduces carbon emissions associated with the decay of paper products.
Furthermore, PittMoss is manufactured in the United States, supporting domestic jobs and reducing the carbon footprint associated with international shipping. The product is also reported to be non-toxic and safe for children and pets.
PittMoss offers an innovative, sustainable, and effective solution for gardening. Its unique composition and features support healthier plant growth, promoting water conservation and environmental sustainability.
PittMoss also exemplifies a successful approach to upcycling, turning waste into a valuable resource, making it a good choice for gardeners aiming to reduce their environmental impact.
| Company Name | PittMoss |
| Entrepreneur | Mont Handley |
| Product | Peat moss alternative that is sustainable |
| Investment Asking For | $600,000 for 25% equity in PittMoss |
| Final Deal | $600,000 for 35% equity in PittMoss |
| Shark | Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, and Robert Herjavec |
| PittMoss Episode | Season 6, Episode 25 |
| PittMoss Business Status | In Business |
| PittMoss Website | Visit Website |
| PittMoss Net Worth | $500,000 (As of 2023) |
What Is PittMoss?
PittMoss is an environmentally sustainable potting soil manufactured at its facility in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. It is made from recycled paper and cardboard, providing a sustainable alternative to peat moss as a growing medium and potting mix.
PittMoss offers numerous advantages over traditional peat moss-based potting soils. This product reduces waste sent to landfills and conserves natural resources simultaneously since it uses recycled paper and cardboard as primary ingredients.
Manufacturing PittMoss involves shredding and composting the recycled paper and cardboard, breaking it down into a highly-effective organic material rich in nutrients.
PittMoss is also known for its excellent water retention properties, in addition to its eco-friendly production. Thanks to its unique composition, it can absorb and retain moisture more efficiently than peat moss, reducing the frequency of watering required for plants. This saves water, supports healthier root development, and ensures optimal hydration for plant growth.
Furthermore, plants grown in PittMoss enjoy improved aeration and drainage. The fibrous structure of the recycled materials allows for better airflow and prevents waterlogging, ultimately avoiding the risk of root rot and other water-related issues often encountered with traditional potting mixes.
PittMoss is a versatile product suitable for various indoor and outdoor gardening applications. The perfect growing medium for container gardening raised beds or even hydroponic systems, and it promotes healthy plant growth and development. Its lightweight nature makes it easy to handle and transport, offering convenience to gardeners of all levels.
PittMoss is an efficient and sustainable replacement for traditional peat moss-based potting soils that helps reduce the need for peat extraction, which harms peatland ecosystems.
PittMoss helps create a more sustainable future for gardening and protects our planet’s resources using environmentally friendly materials. The production process of PittMoss is detailed by Dr. Charles Bethke, a horticultural soil and nutrition consultant and PittMoss’ director of research development.
Through extensive research and experimentation, PittMoss has developed a formula that takes lignocellulosic fibers in paper and reforms them into small fibers. This process allows for the customization of PittMoss products to meet the requirements of different applications.
Who Is The Founder Of PittMoss?
PittMoss was founded by Mont Handley, a passionate environmentalist, and innovative entrepreneur. Born and raised in Indiana, Handley moved to Pennsylvania, where the concept of PittMoss took root.
Handley spent many years in various roles within the business world, including marketing and product management positions. His diverse background and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for what would eventually become PittMoss.
The idea for PittMoss came from Handley’s observation of the damage caused by the peat moss industry. Peat moss extraction is a process that involves removing the upper layer of peatlands, which are ecologically important habitats that have taken thousands of years to form.
Recognizing this, Handley conceived the idea of a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. He set out to create a product that could mimic the beneficial properties of peat moss without the environmental drawbacks, and thus PittMoss was born.
Handley’s concept involved upcycling paper waste into a peat moss substitute. After several years of research and experimentation, Handley developed the initial formula for PittMoss.
In 2011, he was awarded a grant from the Idea Foundry, a Pittsburgh-based non-profit innovation acceleration and commercialization organization, to refine the product further.
Before appearing on Shark Tank, PittMoss had gained some traction. The company secured additional funding and grants, including a $150,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
It also won a business competition sponsored by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, which helped raise its profile. Despite these early successes, PittMoss was still a relatively small and unknown company before its appearance on Shark Tank.
Handley saw the show as an opportunity to bring his product to a national audience and attract investors who could help him scale the business.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of PittMoss?
Mont Handley presented PittMoss on the sixth season of Shark Tank, which aired in 2015. He began his pitch by sharing the origin story of his product and emphasizing the environmental problems associated with traditional peat moss.
Handley then introduced PittMoss as a revolutionary alternative, explaining that the product was made from recycled paper and could hold up to 20 times its weight in water, which is a superior capacity compared to traditional gardening soils.
Handley initially asked for $600,000 in exchange for 25% equity in the company, placing the PittMoss valuation at $2.4 million. This is a considerable amount, given that at the time of the pitch, PittMoss had only recently begun production and hadn’t generated significant sales.
The sharks were initially skeptical due to the high valuation. Handley explained that the valuation was based on the large potential market size, estimated at $50 billion globally for growing media.
Additionally, he pointed out that PittMoss could be disruptive in this market due to its unique features and sustainable nature. The sharks were intrigued by the concept, but some raised concerns about the company’s valuation and the challenges of scaling the business.
For instance, Robert Herjavec felt that the valuation was too high for a company at its stage, while Kevin O’Leary was concerned about the cost and complexity of manufacturing the product.
Lori Greiner saw potential in the product but felt the company would need more time to establish itself in the market.
Ultimately, it was Mark Cuban who saw the most potential in PittMoss. Cuban was impressed with the product’s potential environmental impact and market-disrupting potential.
After some negotiation, he offered $600,000 for a 35% stake in the company, implying a $ 1.71 million valuation. Handley accepted Cuban’s offer despite the lower valuation, securing the investment needed to help take PittMoss to the next level.
Final Deal: PittMoss secured an investment from Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O’Leary of $600,000 for a 35% stake in the company.
What Happened To PittMoss After Shark Tank?
After appearing on Shark Tank and securing a joint investment from Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, and Robert Herjavec, PittMoss was able to scale up production and increase its market presence.
The exposure from the show and the financial backing of the Sharks allowed the company to expand its operations significantly.
In the years following the Shark Tank appearance, PittMoss introduced a range of products, offering customers different mixtures for different types of plants, from lawns to vegetable gardens to indoor plants.
By continually improving their product, they’ve attracted an increasing number of environmentally conscious gardeners who prefer a sustainable alternative to traditional peat moss.
Furthermore, Mont Handley eventually stepped down as CEO but remained a part of the company. Handley’s successor, Brian Scott, brought new energy and ideas to the company, helping to foster continued growth and innovation.
The company has also partnered with various retailers and distributors, making the product available across the United States and reaching international customers.
It’s worth noting that while the Sharks’ investment was crucial to PittMoss’ early growth, the company’s success can also be attributed to its innovative product and the increasing consumer desire for sustainable and environmentally friendly products.
PittMoss experienced significant growth and expansion following its appearance on Shark Tank. The investment and publicity provided by the show, combined with the company’s commitment to product development and sustainability, have contributed to its continued success.
PittMoss continued to grow and innovate in the gardening industry. I recommend checking the company’s official website or social media profiles for the most recent updates.
PittMoss Shark Tank Update
After appearing on Shark Tank, PittMoss, a Pittsburgh-based company known for producing eco-friendly potting soil from recycled materials, experienced growth and expansion. PittMoss expanded internationally by opening a new factory in Lebanon. The company aims to establish five to ten more facilities through partnership models in the next five years.
They collaborated with the nonprofit DTCare to provide jobs and promote soil remediation in Lebanon’s agricultural area, benefiting the refugee population. PittMoss grew with an anticipated $1 million in sales in a particular year, and its products received positive reviews on platforms like Amazon.
PittMoss also conducted a crowdfunding campaign and raised over $379,000 from over 2,000 investors, including notable investors such as Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, and Robert Herjavec.
PittMoss entered the cannabis growing industry, providing a solution for achieving higher yields and THC content while reducing fertilizer costs. They also expanded into the backyard chicken market with their Roost product.
PittMoss faced manufacturing issues but increased production and engaged with a distributor. The company explored options for further expansion, including international expansion and establishing additional facilities in partnership with nonprofit organizations.
Mont Hanley, the founder of PittMoss, stepped down as CEO but retained a board seat. PittMoss continued to grow and expand its presence in the market after appearing on Shark Tank.
They focused on international expansion, secured funding, entered new markets, faced manufacturing challenges, and maintained a commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.
Is PittMoss Still In Business?
According to our research, PittMoss is still in business. After appearing on Shark Tank, PittMoss continued its operations and pursued various growth strategies. PittMoss has expanded its operations globally, with plans to open a factory in Lebanon and establish additional facilities through partnership models.
PittMoss’s eco-friendly potting soil, made from recycled paper and cardboard, has gained traction in the market. The product offers advantages such as reducing carbon emissions, requiring less water and fertilization, and delivering higher yields and THC content in the cannabis industry.
The company has also introduced new products like Roost, targeting the backyard chicken market. PittMoss has raised funds through crowdfunding, securing support from investors like Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, and Robert Herjavec.
PittMoss has experienced a backlog of over $600,000 in backorders, indicating demand for its products and continued business operations. Mont Handley, the founder of PittMoss, remains actively involved in the company’s growth and operations.
PittMoss is still in business and pursuing its mission of providing eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to traditional peat-based soils.
What Is the Net Worth Of PittMoss?
According to our research, the net worth of PittMoss is estimated to be $500,000. The valuation of PittMoss was $1.71 million after securing investment from Sharks on the Shark Tank show.
Also, read other businesses that appeared on Season 6 of Shark Tank:
