On "Shark Tank," the sharks are intrigued by the invention; Eric Corti asks for $40,000, 30% equity. He demonstrates the Wine Balloon by placing it in a half-filled bottle of red wine, squeezing the valve, and inflating it to its maximum capacity. He even turns the bottle completely upside down to show how air-tight the seal is — not a drop of liquid spills out. Corti explains how he invested $65,000 of his own money and sold 700 units to some retailers. At the time, each Wine Balloon, made from medical-grade latex that doesn't affect the taste of the wine, cost $6.50 to make and sold for $22.
Kevin O'Leary makes an offer drastically different from Corti's goal; he'd go with Corti to a company that already manufactures an air plunging system for wine, negotiate a royalty deal, and take 30% of what's made in perpetuity. Lori Greiner, who believes the Wine Balloon should go directly to consumers, offers to buy Corti out for $500,000. Mark Cuban gets in on this deal, bumping Corti's potential check up to $600,000.
There's some tense back-and-forth between the two sharks and Corti, who asks for a 3% royalty. Greiner and Cuban aren't happy about this and pressure Corti to take the deal. In the end, he agrees to a buyout of $400,000 from the two with no royalties.
