Here's What Went Down With Kalyx Sports Bras After Shark Tank
You'll have to cast your mind pretty far back to remember Kalyx Technologies' sports bras on "Shark Tank." The business appeared on the very first season of the ABC show, which aired all the way back in 2009. Yes, it really has been that long! Kimberly Cayce, Kalyx Technologies' founder, came up with her concept after finding it increasingly difficult to find the right sports bra. She wanted something that not only gave her the support she needed, but also looked good at the same time. Cayce had some serious credentials behind her, too. She was actually a professional golfer for half a decade, having participated in golf tours around the world before becoming an entrepreneur. In other words, she certainly knew firsthand the serious struggle to find stylish and functional sportswear.
Cayce attended the University of Los Angeles to get her MBA and, while there, started Kalyx Technologies. Soon, she began working with a team in order to create a unique sports bra, with a big focus on making sure the fabrics used were eco-friendly. But after running into financial difficulties with the business and putting in six-figures of her own money, Cayce knew she was going to need some extra help to get the company off the ground. That's when she took a chance on an entrepreneurial show that was then in its infancy.
Kalyx Technologies failed to land a hole in one in the Tank
Kimberly Cayce opened her pitch to the Sharks by speaking about the dangers many people face trying to exercise or play sports in unsupportive clothing. After all, ill-fitting bras, including sports bras, can have some serious side effects. Looking to exchange 20% of equity in Kalyx Technologies for $120,000, the former pro-golfer explained she had developed a design that stops the chest from moving during excessive exercise.
Things seemed to go south, though, when Cayce explained to Robert Herjavec that her success was mainly based on a waiting list of potential customers rather than actual sales. She then elaborated that she wanted the cash injection in order to properly patent her invention, but that explanation just wasn't enough to convince the Sharks to part with the six-figure sum.
Entrepreneur Kevin Harrington dropped out first. Barbara Cororan also made it clear she wouldn't be parting with any money after Cayce explained it could take as long as five years for any investor to see a return on their investment. And, with that, Daymond John, Kevin O'Leary, and Robert Herjavec also declared themselves out. O'Leary was particularly harsh about the product. After John (who would later go on to invest in SHEFIT sports bras) attempted to tell Cayce she could potentially see success if she got the right patent, he remarked, "There's no hope. That's going to zero." An emotional Cayce was then forced to leave the Tank without a deal.
Kalyx Technologies saw success after a difficult Shark Tank experience
Speaking about her time in the Tank on AOL's "AfterShark" in 2009, Kimberly Cayce admitted, "It definitely did not go the way we had planned." But despite not getting the investment she needed from the Sharks — and some pretty harsh criticism to boot — the entrepreneur revealed that she didn't let the negative response from the Sharks stop her from moving forward with her business. "In a weird way, it motivated and inspired by entire team," she explained. She went on to admit that although she left the Tank feeling very down, the rest of her team lifted her up and they became more determined than ever to get funding and prove they could be successful.
And it seems that determination worked. Cayce later revealed in that same interview that she and her team had managed to raise twice the amount of money she was hoping to get from the Sharks after meeting with private investors. Because of that cash injection, Cayce said, "The company is fully funded and right before our segment aired, we actually put all of our lines into production."
According to Volusion, Kalyx Technologies' official website saw 6,000 hits in the wake of the "Shark Tank" episode. That translated to impressive sales, too. Days after the company's "Shark Tank" episode aired, it received $4,000 worth of orders.
Kalyx Technologies was bought by a business that appears to have ceased trading
After seeing some success on its website post "Shark Tank," Confessions of an Overworked Mom confirmed that ActivewearUSA had been bought Kalyx Technologies in 2012. At the time, ActivewearUSA sold a lot of activewear via its website. However, the outlet no longer appears to be an e-commerce brand and has instead transformed into a blog that offers advice on exercise and exercise clothing. But it seems as though ActivewearUSA is no more. The company hasn't updated its Facebook page since 2016 and its Instagram account hasn't been updated since 2015. With that, it appears ActivewearUSA is no longer in business — and neither is Kalyx Technologies.
Kalyx Technologies has an extremely limited internet presence as of April 2024. The now former business has no social media channels and no official website still available online, nor do it sports bras appear to be available to purchase via other outlets.
Kimberly Cayce is focused on a new career since leaving Kalyx Technologies behind
Kimberly Cayce appears to have turned her hand at helping others make their business dreams com true following the end of Kalyx Technologies. She's currently working as an adjunct professorial lecturer in the School of International Service at Washington, D.C.'s American University. She also has her fingers in a couple of other pies, which are also linked to the business world. Per her LinkedIn account, she lists herself as being the CEO of Luna Startup Labs, which focuses on entrepreneurial skills such as business planning and marketing, a role she's had since 2012. She's also been the organizer of TEDxPearlStreet since 2020. On the banner of her page, Cayce confirmed that she's also a business coach, branding expert, and professional speaker. However, Cayce makes no reference of Kalyx Technologies on her page.
The entrepreneur is a little more elusive about her work on social media. Though she has a public Instagram account, where she refers to herself as an entrepreneur in her bio, she hasn't updated her page since 2021. The page also links to her own website, which is no longer active.