A day at the beach should be relaxing, but for many people, carrying heavy chairs, umbrellas, and coolers can turn a fun outing into a stressful experience. Traditional beach gear is often bulky, difficult to transport, and time-consuming to set up. Many people struggle with folding chairs that are either too heavy or too flimsy, leaving them frustrated before they even get to enjoy the sand and waves.
Greg Besner and Leslie Hsu, the founders of Sunflow, recognized this problem and decided to create a solution. Their innovative beach chair is designed to be lightweight, portable, and easy to set up, making beach trips more enjoyable. The Sunflow chair comes with convenient accessories like a sunshade, drink holder, and storage pockets, eliminating the need to carry multiple items separately.
In Shark Tank Season 13, Greg and Leslie pitched their business, asking for $1 million in exchange for 6% equity. They impressed the sharks with their sales numbers, $2.9 million in just 13.5 months, but some sharks were hesitant due to the high valuation and expensive retail price ($200 per chair). After intense negotiations, Kevin O’Leary made a deal: $1 million for 5% equity plus a $5 royalty per chair until he recouped $1 million.
However, the deal ultimately fell through. Despite this setback, Sunflow continued to grow, raising over $3.5 million from investors and expanding its product line.
Sunflow has become one of the hottest new brands in beach gear over the past few years. Their stylish and innovative beach chairs have been a huge hit even landing the founders a deal on Shark Tank. So how much is this successful startup actually worth today? Let’s take a closer look at the rise of Sunflow and estimate their current valuation.
The Origins of Sunflow
Sunflow was founded in 2018 by husband and wife duo Greg Besner and Leslie Hsu. Both had extensive business experience before launching the company. Greg worked in finance at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, while Leslie designed handbags and founded several fashion brands.
The couple came up with the idea for Sunflow after struggling to find high-quality beach chairs during their seaside vacations. Leslie disliked lugging bulky chairs and umbrellas to the beach. So together, they designed a superior all-in-one beach chair.
The Sunflow chair solved common problems by integrating useful features like
- A sunglasses holder
- A cup holder
- A removable canopy for shade
- Backpack-style straps for easy carrying
The lightweight aluminum frame folded down small for storage and portability. After 3 years of prototyping, Sunflow launched their first chair in 2018.
Early Success and Shark Tank
The innovative beach chair was a quick success. Sunflow did $2.9 million in sales within their first year, an impressive number for a new startup. Rave reviews rolled in praising the chair’s thoughtful design and luxury beach experience.
In 2019, founders Greg and Leslie appeared on Shark Tank to pitch their surging new company They asked for $1 million in exchange for 6% equity, valuing Sunflow at $167 million.
Kevin O’Leary made them an offer of $1 million for 5% equity plus $5 royalty per unit sold. While a deal never finalized, the Shark Tank appearance brought enormous attention to the Sunflow brand.
Growth After Shark Tank
Although they didn’t score an investment from the show, Sunflow’s growth continued to skyrocket. The company raised $3.5 million in an investment round soon after. This allowed them to expand their product line, operations, and sales channels.
Sunflow made key moves like:
- Launching their direct-to-consumer website GetSunflow.com
- Selling through third-party retailers like Amazon
- Releasing new chair models and accessories
- Expanding their social media presence
By 2022, Sunflow’s revenue had surpassed $3 million annually. Their founding team grew to over 20 employees. The company also opened a new retail store in Spring Lake, New Jersey.
Estimating Sunflow’s Current Valuation
Sunflow does not publicly share their financial details or valuation. However, we can estimate their current worth based on growth trends and comparables.
The company was valued at $16.7 million during their 2019 Shark Tank pitch when making under $3 million in revenue. Experts estimate Sunflow’s revenue has grown 5-10x since then.
Successful direct-to-consumer brands typically sell for 3-5x revenue multiples during acquisitions. Using the low end of that range, we can conservatively estimate Sunflow’s current valuation:
Estimated 2022 Revenue: $15 million
3x Revenue Multiple: $45 million
Estimated Current Valuation: $45 million
This valuation would mean Sunflow has grown around 3x in worth since their Shark Tank appearance. While still a private company, their growth and brand strength make them an attractive acquisition target.
What’s Next for Sunflow?
Sunflow is poised to ride the wave of success further as the premier luxury beach gear brand.
Some areas of potential growth and expansion include:
- Releasing more chair models and accessories
- Growing international sales
- Building out their retail store presence
- Moving into related beach categories like towels, umbrellas, etc.
The company also has opportunities to grow revenue by lowering prices over time. Their $150-$200 price point, while justified by quality and features, limits mass adoption. With economies of scale, Sunflow could likely drop prices to capture more middle-class customers.
Sunflow’s meteoric rise from upstart to Shark Tank to a leader in beach lifestyle products is impressive. While the company keeps its financials private, we estimate its current valuation at approximately $45 million.
If Sunflow stays focused on product innovation and building their brand, they have a bright future ahead. The global beach gear market provides endless room for growth and is ripe for disruption by companies like Sunflow.
Sunflow Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Greg and Leslie were looking for an investment of $1 million in exchange for 6% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $16.6 million. Greg and Leslie successfully secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary for an investment of $1 million for 5% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $20 million. After the show was aired, Sunflow saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Sunflow is around $8 million.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Daniel Lubetzky | $1M for 22.5% equity | N/A | No |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | $1M for a 4% stake + a royalty of $5 per chair sold until $2M is paid$1M for a 6% stake + a royalty of $5 per chair sold until $1M is paid | $1M for a 4% stake + a royalty of $5 per chair sold until $1M is paid$1M for a 5% stake + a royalty of $5 per chair sold until $1M is paid | Yes |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Greg Besner and Leslie Hsu Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Greg Besner and Leslie Hsu were inspired to create Sunflow after experiencing the struggles of carrying heavy beach gear firsthand. They wanted a chair that was not only comfortable but also easy to transport and set up. After months of research and development, they designed a chair that folds flat like a yoga mat, weighs less than 5 pounds, and includes built-in accessories.
In the early stages, they faced challenges with manufacturing and scaling production. They also had to convince customers that their premium-priced chair was worth the investment. However, their persistence paid off, and within just over a year, they generated nearly $3 million in sales.
During their Shark Tank pitch, Greg and Leslie demonstrated how the Sunflow chair worked, highlighting its portability and convenience. They explained their business model, which included direct-to-consumer sales through their website and partnerships with retailers. They asked—$1 million for 6% equity—valued the company at around $16.6 million, which some sharks found too high.
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FAQ
What happened to Sunflow after Shark Tank?
Did Kevin invest in Sunflow?
During their pitch, Hsu and Besner sought a $1 million investment for 6% equity, valuing Sunflow at approximately $16.7 million. Kevin O’Leary offered $1 million for 5% equity, coupled with a $5 royalty per chair sold until the initial investment was recouped. The entrepreneurs accepted this deal.
Who is the owner of Sunflow?
SUNFLOW was founded in 2020 by wife and husband team Leslie Hsu and Greg Besner.
Which shark invested in Sunflow?
In the end, however, it was Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful, who struck a deal with Besner and Hsu, offering up $1 million in capital in exchange for 5% equity and a $5 royalty on each chair sold until O’Leary’s million dollar investment was recouped.