The Saucemoto Shark Tank Pitch: Success & Unseen Drama

Eating fast food in the car has always been a messy compromise between enjoying a quick meal and ruining your upholstery with rogue condiments.

Enter Saucemoto, the simple but highly effective in-car dip clip that sparked an intense bidding war during Season 10 of Shark Tank.

Three childhood friends walked into the studio with a plastic clip and walked out with a deal from Kevin O’Leary, but the cameras rarely capture the entire story.

The Bottom Line (Executive Summary)

• The On-Air Deal: Saucemoto founders Tony Lahood, William Moujaes, and Michael Koury secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary on Shark Tank Season 10 for $45,000 in exchange for 25% equity.
• The Off-Camera Reality: The deal with Kevin O’Leary never actually closed. The founders walked away during due diligence after disagreeing on final terms.
• Current Status: Saucemoto is thriving today. The company operates profitably, boasting over 23,000 positive reviews on Amazon and expanding its product line into novelty ice trays and charcuterie boards.

What is Saucemoto?

Saucemoto is a specialized plastic cup holder designed to clip directly onto a car’s air conditioning vent to securely hold fast-food dipping sauce packets.

The simple accessory allows drivers and passengers to dip french fries and chicken nuggets without the risk of spilling sauce in the vehicle.

The idea sounds almost too simple, yet it solved a remarkably common annoyance. Fast food packaging is built for speed, not stability. Anyone who has ever tried to balance a small tub of barbecue sauce on their knee while navigating traffic understands the exact pain point Saucemoto addresses.

The product itself is engineered for universal compatibility. Through extensive testing, the founders ensured that the clip mechanism could attach firmly to the slatted vents of nearly any make and model of vehicle.

Furthermore, the sauce receptacle features a flexible grip design. It easily accommodates the rectangular sauce packets from McDonald’s, the deeper tubs from Wendy’s, and the unique shapes from Chick-fil-A.

For users who prefer bottled condiments like ketchup from home, Saucemoto includes a washable ramekin that fits perfectly into the holder.

The physical product is manufactured using durable plastics capable of withstanding the extreme temperature variations found in car interiors, from freezing winter mornings to sweltering summer afternoons.

Industry	Snack & Automotive Accessories
Founder(s)	Tony Lahood, William Moujaes, Michael Koury
Core Product	In-Car Sauce Holder (Dip Clip)
Retail Price	$10.99 (Two-Pack)
Target Audience	Fast food consumers, commuters, road trippers

The Founder(s) Behind Saucemoto

The brains behind the viral car accessory are Tony Lahood, William Moujaes, and Michael Koury. These three self-described “tinkerers and dreamers” have known each other since childhood.

They grew up constantly taking things apart and putting them back together, fostering a shared passion for engineering and product design. Together, they formed Milkmen Design LLC, an Ohio-based firm aimed at inventing quirky but practical consumer goods.

The initial inspiration for Saucemoto arrived nearly a decade before they actually stepped onto the Shark Tank stage. In 2007, the trio was on a road trip. Like many Americans hitting the highway, they pulled through a drive-thru to grab some chicken nuggets.

The inevitable happened: someone fumbled their dipping sauce, resulting in a sticky, frustrating mess on the brand-new interior of Lahood’s car. The friends realized there had to be a more efficient way to eat on the go.

Despite the initial spark of inspiration, the idea laid dormant for years. It was not until Moujaes purchased a 3D printer that the concept started moving from a funny idea into a tangible prototype. The 3D printer allowed them to experiment with various shapes, thicknesses, and attachment mechanisms at a low cost. They obsessively collected sauce packets from every major fast-food chain in their area, testing and refining the dimensions until they achieved a truly universal fit.

By late 2017, the trio felt confident enough in their prototype to launch a Kickstarter campaign. The crowdfunding route proved highly successful. They set a modest goal but ended up raising $63,308 from enthusiastic backers who immediately recognized the utility of the dip clip.

The Kickstarter funds provided the necessary capital to transition from 3D-printed prototypes to mass-produced injection molding, effectively launching Saucemoto into the consumer market and catching the eye of Shark Tank producers.

Saucemoto’s Shark Tank Pitch & Deal

When Tony, William, and Michael walked into the Shark Tank during Season 10 Episode 22, they brought a palpable, infectious energy. Armed with a cardboard car cutout and a highly rehearsed, entertaining pitch, they handed out fries and Saucemoto clips to the panel.

They entered the Tank seeking $45,000 in exchange for 15% equity, placing their initial valuation at $300,000.

The panel’s reaction was mixed. Barbara Corcoran was the first skeptic. She questioned whether a sauce-spill problem was genuinely prevalent enough to build a sustainable business around.

Mark Cuban, however, disagreed with her entirely. He admitted that he consumes roughly 30% of his meals while driving, validating the founders’ target demographic.

The financials were promising for a young, niche startup. The trio informed the Sharks that they had already sold 12,000 units, generating approximately $77,000 in revenue.

Even more attractive were their margins: a single unit cost just $0.80 to manufacture and retailed for $5.75 (or $10.99 for a two-pack).

Despite understanding the problem, Mark Cuban dropped out, stating that the required time and effort to scale the business would not yield a high enough return for his specific portfolio.

Barbara Corcoran followed suit, citing concerns over the low overall dollar amount per sale. Lori Greiner also stepped back, leaving the floor open to Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec.

Herjavec appreciated the founders’ hustle and engineering backgrounds more than the product itself. He offered the $45,000 but demanded a staggering 40% equity.

Kevin O’Leary matched the $45,000 offer but asked for 50%. The founders pushed back. Realizing he wanted to secure the deal, O’Leary abruptly changed his terms. He offered $45,000 for 25% equity, framing it as a four-way partnership where each person (the three founders and O’Leary) would own exactly one-quarter of the business.

The founders quickly accepted O’Leary’s offer, celebrating what appeared to be a massive win.

Season / Episode	Season 10, Episode 21
Initial Ask	$45,000 for 15% equity
Initial Valuation	$300,000
Sharks Present	Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec
Notable Offers	Robert Herjavec ($45K for 40%), Kevin O’Leary ($45K for 50%)
Final On-Air Deal	Kevin O’Leary ($45,000 for 25% equity)

Did the Saucemoto Deal Actually Close?

While the on-air handshake made for fantastic television, the reality of business acquisition often looks different behind closed doors. Following the episode’s recording, Saucemoto and Kevin O’Leary’s team entered the standard due diligence phase.

According to a 2023 interview on the Everything Money podcast with co-founder Tony Lahood, the Saucemoto deal never officially closed. Lahood explained that as the legal and financial frameworks were being drawn up, the two parties realized they held different visions for the company’s future and operational structure. Lahood tactfully summarized the situation by stating, “At the end of the day, we didn’t see eye to eye on some of the terms”.

This outcome is incredibly common in the Shark Tank ecosystem. Many deals fall through once the cameras stop rolling due to disagreements over operating agreements, sudden changes in business valuation after the “Shark Tank Effect” sales spike, or founders realizing they no longer need the capital because the free publicity generated enough cash flow.

In Saucemoto’s case, they walked away amicably, retaining full ownership of Milkmen Design LLC while still reaping the immense marketing benefits of a prime-time television appearance.

Saucemoto After Shark Tank: The Latest Update

Even without Kevin O’Leary’s financial backing or strategic Rolodex, Saucemoto capitalized aggressively on their national television exposure.

The immediate aftermath of their episode airing resulted in a complete sell-out of their existing inventory. The founders wisely reinvested all of those initial profits directly back into manufacturing to meet the surging demand.

Over the last few years, the company successfully transitioned from a viral novelty into a consistent, stable e-commerce brand. While their core sales engine remains Amazon, where they frequently dominate the automotive accessories and kitchen gadget categories during the holiday gifting season, they also secured impressive retail placement.

Saucemoto clips have found their way onto the shelves of auto-focused chains like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, as well as craft retailer Joann Fabrics. They even managed to execute a promotional partnership with the fast-food chain Zaxby’s, creating custom-branded dip clips for the restaurant’s loyal customer base.

Their marketing strategy heavily leans on user-generated content and short-form video platforms. The Saucemoto clip frequently appears in TikToks and Instagram Reels, sometimes featured in extreme or humorous situations, like off-roading or inside the cockpit of a fighter jet. This constant social media visibility keeps the product relevant for new generations of drivers.

In an effort to diversify their revenue streams, Milkmen Design LLC introduced several new products under their brand umbrella. They launched custom BPA-free ice trays designed to create fast-food style “nugget” ice and donut-shaped ice cubes.

They also introduced the “Sauce-cuterie” board, a specialized acacia wood charcuterie board featuring built-in stainless steel cups with silicone lids, specifically designed for serving various dipping sauces alongside meats and cheeses.

While availability for these secondary items fluctuates based on supply chain logistics, it shows the founders are actively expanding their catalog.

What is the Net Worth and Valuation of Saucemoto?

Because Saucemoto is a privately held company that did not take on venture capital beyond their initial Kickstarter round, exact revenue figures are guarded closely by the founders. However, we can analyze the available data to build an accurate picture of their valuation.

During their 2019 Shark Tank pitch, they had generated $77,000 by selling 12,000 units. Post-show reports indicated their revenue quickly climbed into the $250,000 to $500,000 range annually just off the initial television spike.

Fast forward to today, Saucemoto has established a massive footprint on Amazon. With over 23,000 global ratings, e-commerce metrics suggest they move thousands of units per month consistently. During Q4 holiday rushes, those numbers historically spike dramatically as the product is a popular, inexpensive stocking stuffer.

Assuming an average retail price of $10.99 for their standard two-pack and maintaining their exceptionally high profit margins (the cost of goods sold is under a dollar per unit), the business operates with highly favorable cash flow. Industry estimates place Saucemoto’s current annual revenue between $1.5 million and $3 million.

Based on standard multiples for consumer packaged goods and e-commerce novelty accessories, the estimated net worth and valuation of Saucemoto stands between $4 million and $6 million. The founders, having walked away from the O’Leary deal, continue to split this equity entirely among themselves, making the decision to decline the Shark’s terms a highly lucrative choice.

Is Saucemoto Still in Business?

Yes, Saucemoto is absolutely still in business. They operate out of Ohio and maintain a robust direct-to-consumer website. Their Amazon storefront remains highly active, consistently restocking their core product in multiple colors, including standard red, black, white, and limited-edition metallic finishes.

The founders continue to oversee Milkmen Design LLC, focusing on steady, manageable growth rather than aggressive, high-risk scaling.

Where to Buy Saucemoto?

If you are looking to purchase a Saucemoto Dip Clip today, you have several accessible options:

• Amazon: This remains the fastest and most reliable platform to purchase Saucemoto. They offer Prime shipping and frequently bundle the clips in two-packs, four-packs, or even six-packs for families with multiple vehicles. You can also find their expanded color options here.
• The Official Website (saucemoto.com): Purchasing directly from the founders’ website guarantees authenticity. The site often features exclusive holiday bundles, bulk wholesale purchasing options, and occasionally stocks their secondary products like the novelty ice trays.
• Automotive Retailers: Saucemoto maintains distribution deals with physical retailers like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts. You will typically find the clips hanging in the impulse-buy sections near the cash registers or alongside interior car accessories like phone mounts and air fresheners.

Top Saucemoto Alternatives

The success of Saucemoto naturally bred competition. If you are exploring the market for in-car dining accessories, a few alternatives have popped up in recent years:

• Generic Vent Clips: A quick search online will reveal dozens of unbranded, imported knock-offs. While these are sometimes slightly cheaper, customer reviews often cite poor tension in the vent clip, causing the sauce to spill anyway.
• French Fry Cup Holders: Rather than attaching to the vent, these larger plastic inserts drop directly into your vehicle’s center console cup holder. They feature a large compartment for a carton of fries and a small side-slot for a single dipping sauce. They are great for fries but consume valuable cup holder space.
• Steering Wheel Trays: For those eating a full meal while parked, steering wheel trays hook onto the bottom of the wheel to create a flat desk surface. These are excellent for eating a messy burger or working on a laptop, but they cannot be used safely while the vehicle is in motion, giving Saucemoto the clear edge for active commuters.

The Saucemoto journey proves that you do not always need a billionaire investor to build a profitable, lasting brand. By identifying a universal frustration, engineering a simple fix, and leaning into the power of internet virality, three friends turned a spilled packet of sauce into a multi-million dollar business.