Chalkless, a grip enhancer product founded by James Pidhurney and Greg Pope, aired on the 16th season of Shark Tank USA in 2024. The founders were seeking $400,000 for 4% equity for their business. However, they secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams, which was $400,000 for 4% equity, plus a royalty of $2.50 per unit sold until $4 million is repaid, after which the royalty drops to $0.25 per unit in perpetuity, valuing the company at $1 million. In this article, we will explore Chalkless Net Worth in 2025, details of the Shark Tank pitch, and more.

Chalkless Net Worth 2025 & Financial Overview

After the show aired, the company experienced significant sales, with an estimated growth rate of 10% per year. Based on the company’s growth rate and valuation after the Shark Tank show, Chalkless Net Worth is estimated at $16 million in 2025.

Annual Sales Revenue$4 million
ProfitsNot Available
Lifetime salesNot Available

Chalkless Shark Tank Pitch

Chalkless is a unique grip enhancer designed for athletes who struggle with sweaty hands. Two engineers created this product to solve a common sports problem and later introduced it on Shark Tank. Unlike regular chalk or powder, Chalkless has tiny granules that absorb oil and form a protective layer against moisture. This helps athletes maintain a strong grip for a longer time.

Using Chalkless is quick and easy. First, make sure your hands are completely dry. Then, sprinkle about half a teaspoon onto your palms and rub them together. Spread the product over your fingers and wrists for the best results.

Washing it off is just as simple. Soap and water will remove it quickly. While it may leave a thin coating on your hands at first, it naturally fades as your skin produces moisture and oil.

When James and Greg stepped onto the Shark Tank stage, they knew exactly what they wanted. There, they asked for $400,000 in exchange for 4% of Chalkless. They explained how their product absorbs skin oil and improves grip, boosting both performance and control.

To prove its effectiveness, they used a torque machine, showing that Chalkless increased grip strength by 60%. They also shared their experience in developing the product. While they discussed its benefits, Kevin O’Leary focused on sales. At that moment, James revealed that in 2024, Chalkless made $740,000 in total sales.

The company also holds two patents on the manufacturing material, with two more pending. Chalkless comes in two sizes. The larger container, with about 100 uses, costs $35.99, while the smaller one sells for $24.99.

Kevin O’Leary wanted to know how much it cost to make Chalkless, but the founders hesitated to share exact numbers. They only mentioned a 67% profit margin without giving specific details. This frustrated Mark Cuban, who didn’t like that they were holding back information. Annoyed, he dropped out of the deal.

Kevin further asked if professional leagues like the NBA allowed the product. The founders assured him that Chalkless is legal and widely used in many sports. They also revealed that their biggest market is the fitness industry.

However, guest shark Rashuan didn’t see this as the right investment, so he opted out. Barbara Corcoran felt she couldn’t add value to the business, so she also decided to step away. Lori Greiner liked the product but said it didn’t fit her interests or expertise, so she chose not to invest as well.

With no other offers left, David and James turned to Kevin O’Leary as their last hope. Then, Kevin proposed $400,000 for 4% equity, but with a royalty of $2.50 per unit until they repaid $4 million. After that, the royalty would drop to $0.25 per unit permanently. He also promised to help boost sales through a social media campaign.

As the founders considered the offer, Rashaun unexpectedly jumped in. He agreed to split the investment with Kevin under the same terms. Rashaun also brought valuable connections to professional athletes, making the deal even stronger. In the end, David and James accepted the offer, securing a deal with Kevin and Rashaun before leaving the Shark Tank show.

Company NameChalkless Grip Enhancer
FoundersJames Pidhurney and Greg Pope
BusinessGrip enhancer
EpisodeSeason 16, Episode 05
Asked Deal$400,000 for 4% equity
Final Deal$400,000 for 4% equity, plus a royalty of $2.50 per unit sold until $4 million is repaid, after which the royalty drops to $0.25 per unit in perpetuity
SharksKevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams

Summary of the Sharks’ Deal

SharkOfferCounteroffer
Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams$400,000 total investment ($200,000 each from Kevin and Rashaun) $2.50 per unit until the founders hit $4 million in revenue, then dropping to $0.25 per unit forever, 4% equityNo
Mark CubanNoN/A
Barbara CorcoranNoN/A
Lori GrinearNoN/A

What Happened to Chalkless after Shark Tank?

As of March 2025, Chalkless is still in business. After appearing on Shark Tank, It saw massive growth, especially in social media. On Instagram, it shares athlete testimonials and showcases how Chalkless improves grip in different sports. Its Facebook page provides updates on product availability and highlights from its Shark Tank journey.

Chalkless is making waves in the sports world. It helps athletes improve their grip and performance. It has gained popularity among professionals in the PGA, USTA, NBA, NFL, PPA, and CrossFit communities. 

Everyone wants to perform at their best in their game, and Chalkless makes it easy. Whether you’re in sports, music, construction, special forces, or weight training, this innovative grip enhancer helps you stay in control. It works for tennis, basketball, pickleball, football, gymnastics, and more, solving grip issues for anyone who needs a better hold. 

Since entering the market, Chalkless has made huge strides. In March 2024, the team showcased its grip-enhancing technology at the PGA Show, introducing it to golf enthusiasts. That same month, they also attended the MSSADA Conference, connecting with high school athletic directors.

In April, they brought the Chalkless experience to the IHRSA Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles. Also, their reach expanded further with a feature on Wingding MEDIA’s ‘The Golf Director’ channel.

Moreover, by May, Chalkless impressed attendees at the CSCCa National Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Furthermore, the product delivered outstanding results during the AbMat Strength Test, proving its effectiveness in improving grip and performance. Also, the same month, Chalkless set up a booth at the Sorinex Summer Strong event in Lexington, South Carolina, showcasing its innovative grip enhancer.

By blending science with practicality, Chalkless has changed how athletes enhance their grip. With innovative partnerships, rising sales, and cutting-edge innovation, the brand is on track for rapid growth. Also, Chalkless is pushing deeper into the sports and fitness market with exciting plans:

  • New product lines designed for different sports.
  • Partnerships with pro leagues and athletes.
  • Global retail expansion to reach more customers.
  • Stronger digital marketing to boost brand awareness.

Chalkless is now available on Amazon, RogueFitness, and GolfBox, as well as its official website. With a solid foundation and big ambitions, Chalkless is set to transform grip technology.

Chalkless Founders

Chalkless Founders James Pidhurney and Greg Pope
Image Source: MEAWW.COM

James Pidhurney and Greg Pope are the founders of Chalkless which was started in 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, James Pidhurney, a coatings engineer, and Greg Pope, a chemical engineer, developed the idea for Chalkless. 

While playing tennis in Greg Pope’s backyard, he struggled with sweaty palms, affecting his grip and performance. Frustrated, he realized the issue was surface-related, and he thought there might be a solution to it using his engineering background.

Then, Greg shared the idea with James, who immediately got to work in his home garage lab, developing a solution to eliminate slippery grips. As James and Greg worked on their grip-enhancing formula, they discovered that oil, not sweat, was the real problem. The palms naturally produce oil to keep the skin moisturized, which reduces grip. This moment sparked the creation of Chalkless, a game-changing grip enhancer.

For two years, they tested and refined their product until they perfected Chalkless. When they shared it with friends in weightlifting, golf, and tennis, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone was impressed by how well it worked.

This success led to the official launch of Chalkless Grip in early 2023. Also, before starting their Wilmington, Massachusetts-based company, Greg and James worked in different industries, bringing their unique expertise together to develop their company so far.

In April 1980, Greg Pope founded Righters Group, Inc., an independent consulting agency he still owns and runs. Decades later, in June 2017, he co-founded Entry Point International with James Pidhurney, a company focused on introducing new construction materials and technologies to the market.

Meanwhile, James Pidhurney studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine. He later earned an MBA from Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business. From 1998 to 1999, he worked as a Co-op at Champion International Paper before spending three years as a Process Engineer at Teradyne Connection Systems.

In 2005, James Pidhurney joined Cabot Inkjet Colorants as a Customer Focus Engineer, where he worked for three years. In 2009, he transitioned to Cabot Corporation as a Global Business Development Manager. There, he used his Aerogel expertise to help a paint company develop Aerolon, a product incorporating particulate Aerogel.

After eight years, James left Cabot Corporation and co-founded Entry Point International with Greg Pope. They then founded Chalkless. Currently, Greg Pope is the CEO of Chalkless, and James is the Executive Vice President of that company. James Pidhurney and Greg Pope’s net worth is unknown as of 2025.

Conclusion

Shark Tank is a TV show showcasing different business ideas, helping them succeed. Chalkless was one of the ventures featured on the show. They made a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Rashaun Williams, showing that success is possible with the right idea and execution. Now, we eagerly await to see how their success story unfolds in the future.

Before you leave, check out the other company updates in Season 16, Episode 05.


SHARE
About Author
Malan White

Malan White is an article writer with many years of experience in the field. He is one of the best writers on our site. Malan has gained much knowledge about business news and is also a top fan of the Shark Tank TV show. He enjoys watching it in his free time.

View All Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts