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The $150,000 Rally: How Pepper Pong And Founder Tom Filippini Achieved Skyrocketing Success After Shark Tank Season 16

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Pepper Pong, the innovative portable tabletop game that blends the best elements of ping pong and pickleball, has seen its sales skyrocket following its highly-anticipated appearance on Shark Tank Season 16. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the company is not only thriving but has rapidly expanded its retail footprint across the nation, cementing its place as a breakout success story from the show.

The company’s journey to national recognition is deeply personal, rooted in the inspiring story of its founder, Tom Filippini, who created the game as a tool for connection and recovery. The deal secured with investor Todd Graves, co-founder of Raising Cane's, has since propelled the Denver-based startup from a passionate side project to a major player in the screen-free entertainment market.

Founder's Journey: The Inspiring Biography of Tom Filippini

The creation of Pepper Pong is inextricably linked to the personal journey of its founder, Tom Filippini. His entrepreneurial drive and commitment to social connection are central to the brand’s mission.

  • Origin and Location: Tom Filippini is the founder of Pepper Pong, a company based in Denver, Colorado.
  • Previous Ventures: Before creating Pepper Pong, Filippini was a serial entrepreneur, having founded three other companies in Colorado.
  • The Rally for Recovery (2016): Filippini's life took a pivotal turn in 2016 when he faced his "hardest rally"—his battle with addiction and mental health challenges. He began his journey to sobriety that year.
  • Inspiration for Pepper Pong: The game was born out of his deep love for ping pong and his desire to create a fun, screen-free activity to help "stave off" the struggle of addiction and foster real-world connection.
  • Product Development: The game formally launched in 2024 after over 100 prototypes and thousands of "garage rallies" to perfect the portable tabletop concept.
  • Mission-Driven Business: Filippini has integrated his personal mission into the business model: every Full Set of Pepper Pong sold helps fund donated sets for recovery centers, community groups, and mental health facilities.

The Shark Tank Pitch: Why Todd Graves Invested $150,000

Pepper Pong was featured on Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 6, where Tom Filippini presented the portable game as a hybrid of traditional ping pong and the wildly popular pickleball. The pitch immediately caught the attention of the Sharks due to the game's simplicity, portability, and strong social mission.

The Ask and the Surprising Deal

Filippini entered the tank asking for $150,000 in exchange for 10% equity in his company.

The initial sales figures presented were promising: in the fall of 2023, the company had achieved $160,000 in sales.

While several Sharks were interested in the unique concept—which uses a small, portable net, two paddles, and a specialized foam "jalapeño ball"—it was guest Shark Todd Graves who ultimately sealed the deal.

Graves, the co-founder and co-CEO of the fast-food chain Raising Cane's, saw the vision for a fun, community-building product. He offered Filippini a deal of $150,000 for 19% equity. This valuation of approximately $789,000 post-money was a higher equity stake than Filippini initially sought, but the founder accepted the offer, recognizing the immense value of Graves's partnership and operational expertise.

Pepper Pong Update 2025: Explosive Growth and Retail Expansion

The immediate aftermath of the Shark Tank episode airing led to an enormous surge in demand, proving the power of the "Shark Tank Effect." The company’s sales "skyrocketed," transitioning Pepper Pong from a direct-to-consumer online business to a major retail product.

National Retail Footprint

In a major update for 2025, Pepper Pong has successfully expanded its distribution to over 120 retail locations nationwide. This move signals a significant scaling of the business, making the game easily accessible to a much broader audience.

Key retailers now carrying the portable game include:

  • Scheels: A major sporting goods retailer.
  • Dick's Sporting Goods: One of the largest sporting goods chains in the United States.

This retail expansion, which occurred rapidly after the Season 16 broadcast, is a testament to the game's commercial appeal and the effective guidance from Todd Graves. The company initially limited sales to its website to ensure a controlled consumer experience, but the Graves partnership unlocked the necessary resources for a national retail rollout.

Product and Community Impact

The success of Pepper Pong is not just measured in sales, but in its impact on promoting social connection and an unplugged lifestyle.

  • Game Mechanics: The game is praised for its versatility, allowing players to set up a rally on any flat surface—from a kitchen table to a picnic bench or even a boardroom. The latest 2025 model features stronger foam balls and enhanced durability, improving the overall player experience.
  • Community Focus: Filippini's mission to donate sets to recovery centers remains a core part of the business, using the game as a positive tool for mental health and community building.
  • Market Position: By blending the best features of high-energy pickleball and classic table tennis, Pepper Pong has carved out a unique niche in the portable sports and outdoor games market, attracting players of all ages.

Ultimately, Pepper Pong’s journey from a personal recovery project in Denver to a national retail success story is one of the most compelling updates from Shark Tank Season 16. With the backing of Todd Graves and a strong mission, the company is set to continue its rapid growth throughout 2025 and beyond, proving that the best innovations are often those that bring people together.

The $150,000 Rally: How Pepper Pong and Founder Tom Filippini Achieved Skyrocketing Success After Shark Tank Season 16
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