Mr. Wonderful Kicks Pavlok Entrepreneur Out Of The Tank | Shark Tank US

Mr. Wonderful Kicks Pavlok Entrepreneur Out Of The Tank | Shark Tank US | Shark Tank Global

[Applause]

Next up is a unique way to break bad habits.

[Music]

Boston, Massachusetts resident Manish Sethi enters the Shark Tank seeking $ 500,000 in exchange for 3.14% of his company, Three Point One. On the occasion of Pi day, Sethi presents his product, Pavlok, which aims to help people break their bad habits.

Pavlok is a wearable device that not only tracks your behavior but also helps you change it. The device alerts you when you engage in undesired behaviors and delivers a mild electric sensation when you press the button, helping you reduce cravings and break bad habits in the brain. Sethi claims that Pavlok has been successful in changing behaviors, with users reporting positive results.

When asked how he came up with the idea, Sethi explains that he had always struggled with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and found it challenging to stay focused. In an unconventional approach, he hired someone to slap him whenever he went on Facebook. This idea went viral, and Sethi decided to create a device that could provide a similar aversive stimulus without the need for physical intervention.

He then proceeds to explain the science behind Pavlok, which is based on aversive conditioning. When two stimuli are paired together, the brain starts associating them and begins to avoid the discomfort caused by the unpleasant stimulus. Sethi showcases the Pavlok device, demonstrating how it delivers a mild electric pulse when triggered.

However, the Sharks express skepticism about the validity of Pavlok's claims. Robert Herjavec questions whether the device requires self-discipline, while Kevin O'Leary challenges the scientific backing behind it. The Sharks demand concrete proof and clinical trials to support the product's effectiveness.

Sethi claims that more than 50% of Pavlok users break their habits in five days or less, and over 81% of users quit nail-biting in four days. He also reveals that the company has generated $ 800,000 in revenue through pre-orders and prototypes.

Despite the impressive sales figures, the Sharks remain unconvinced. They believe that the product lacks sufficient evidence and scientific research to back its claims. Mark Cuban criticizes Sethi for not conducting his own clinical trials, and Barbara Corcoran finds the presentation exhausting and complicated.

One by one, the Sharks bow out, leaving Kevin O'Leary as the only one interested. However, Sethi declines his offer, stating that he does not want to work with Mr. Wonderful. Sethi emphasizes that his focus is not solely on money but on helping people break bad habits, making O'Leary an unsuitable partner.

In the end, Sethi leaves the Shark Tank without a deal but remains determined to continue his mission of changing human behavior through Pavlok.

Keywords

Pavlok
Manish Sethi
Shark Tank
Aversive conditioning
Behavioral change
Bad habits
Wearable device
Electric stimulation
Clinical trials
Kevin O'Leary

FAQ

What is Pavlok? Pavlok is a wearable device designed to help individuals break bad habits. It combines tracking technology with aversive conditioning by delivering a mild electric stimulus when triggered, helping users reduce cravings and change their behavior.
Did Pavlok undergo clinical trials? During the Shark Tank episode, the Sharks questioned the lack of clinical trials and scientific evidence supporting Pavlok's effectiveness. Manish Sethi, the entrepreneur behind Pavlok, mentioned that they had based their studies on existing aversion therapy research but did not conduct their own clinical trials.
How successful is Pavlok in breaking bad habits? Sethi claimed that more than 50% of Pavlok users break their habits in five days or less, while over 81% of users quit nail-biting in four days. However, without substantial evidence, the validity of these claims remains questionable.
Why did Manish Sethi decline Kevin O'Leary's offer? Sethi turned down Kevin O'Leary's offer because he believed that O'Leary would not be the right partner for his vision. Sethi emphasized that his focus was not solely on monetary gain but on helping people break bad habits, making O'Leary's profit-oriented approach incompatible with his goals.