Milkify, a concierge breast milk freeze-drying service, made quite an impression when it appeared on Season 14 of the popular television show, Shark Tank. Founded by Pedro Silva and Dr. Berkley Luck, this innovative company focused on providing a unique solution for breastfeeding moms by converting their breast milk into a freeze-dried powder using a freeze-drying process called sublimation. This powder not only saves space compared to storing liquid breast milk in the freezer but also preserves the milk for a longer time.
On Shark Tank, Silva and Luck approached the sharks seeking a $400,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity in their company. Their pitch, which took place in April 2023, garnered the attention of investors Lori Greiner and Gwyneth Paltrow. Ultimately, they struck a deal acquiring a $400,000 convertible note for the option of 20% equity in Milkify.
Since the show, Milkify has continued to make advancements and gained traction in the market. Currently, the company’s net worth sits at around $2.1 million. The partnership with Shark Tank investors has undoubtedly contributed to Milkify’s ongoing success and increased its visibility in the public eye, making it an intriguing entrepreneurial story.
Beginning of Milkify
Milkify is a concierge breast milk freeze-drying service co-founded by Pedro Silva and Dr. Berkley Luck. The innovative company is based in Houston, Texas, and started as a unique solution to help mothers store their breast milk for an extended period.
The co-founders, Pedro Silva and Dr. Berkley Luck, both shared a strong passion for helping families through their service. Dr. Berkley Luck has a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Rice University, which played a significant role in the development of Milkify’s freeze-drying technology.
The idea behind Milkify began when the founders realized the challenges many breastfeeding mothers face when storing their breast milk in freezers. Traditional storage methods take up space and only preserve the milk for about 3 months. To address these issues, Milkify uses a freeze-drying process called sublimation to convert breast milk into a powder, which can be stored at room temperature and has a much longer shelf-life.
The company gained widespread attention when they appeared on season 14, episode 19, of the popular television show, Shark Tank. This exposure has since helped to catapult Milkify into the spotlight, garnering interest from potential customers and investors alike.
Unique Selling Proposition
Milkify is a concierge breast milk freeze-drying service that offers a distinctive solution for mothers who require efficient storage for their breast milk. The company’s USP is centered around the innovative method of Breast Milk Freeze-Drying, transforming liquid breast milk into a shelf-stable, freeze-dried breast milk powder without compromising its nutritional value. This process not only provides convenience, but also reduces storage space requirements and extends the shelf life of the milk.
The company, founded by Pedro Silva and Dr. Berkley Luck, utilizes a state-of-the-art process called SafeDry to ensure high quality freeze-drying. This technology is GMP-certified and adheres to stringent safety and quality standards. The final product is a portable, lightweight powder that can be easily reconstituted with water to produce a nutritious breast milk solution for babies.
Some key benefits of Milkify’s offering include:
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Shelf-Stable: Freeze-dried breast milk powder remains shelf-stable for extended periods, eliminating the need for freezer storage, reducing waste and inefficiencies.
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Space Saving: The transformation from liquid to powder form reduces the physical size of the breast milk, enabling mothers to save precious space in the freezer or fridge for other essentials.
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Portability: The freeze-dried powder is easy to transport in compact, secure containers, making it hassle-free for moms to carry around in their bags or purses during travels or daily activities.
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Nutritional Preservation: The SafeDry process employed by Milkify does not negatively affect the nutritional content of the breast milk, ensuring that all essential nutrients and antibodies remain intact.
Milkify’s unique service offerings endeared them to viewers when they appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, successfully capturing the attention and interest of breastfeeding mothers seeking convenient and innovative solutions for their breast milk storage needs.
Milkify on Shark Tank
Milkify made an appearance on Season 14 of the popular TV show Shark Tank. Co-founders Berkley Luck and Pedro Silva presented their innovative concierge breast milk freeze-drying service to the panel of investors, seeking an investment to help their company grow.
During their pitch, Berkley and Pedro explained the benefits of their service, which offers a contact-free way of freeze-drying breast milk for customers. This process preserves the milk’s nutritional value and allows for longer storage than traditional freezing methods, up to three months.
The Sharks were intrigued by the idea, and Lori Greiner, one of the show’s main investors, saw potential in Milkify’s business model. After some negotiation, Lori offered them an investment deal to partner with her and help scale the business.
Milkify’s appearance on Shark Tank helped raise awareness about their unique service and attracted a wider customer base. The deal with Lori Greiner provided them with valuable resources and expertise to grow their business, improving the lives of breastfeeding moms and their babies.
Inside Milkify’s Products and Services
Milkify is an innovative company that offers a freeze-drying service for mothers who need to store their breast milk for extended periods. Their concierge service takes the hassle out of preserving breast milk, allowing mothers to focus on other important aspects of their lives.
The process begins with a Milkify kit that mothers receive upon subscription to the service. Each kit includes a lactation bag for collecting and storing breast milk. Once the bag is filled, it is sent back to Milkify’s laboratory using the provided packaging and return label.
In the laboratory, Milkify’s proprietary Safedry technology is used to convert the liquid breast milk into freeze-dried breast milk powder through a process known as sublimation. This method ensures the nutritional content of the milk remains intact, while extending its shelf life significantly.
Unlike traditional refrigeration methods, which only allow breast milk to be stored for about three months, Milkify’s freeze-dried powder has a much longer shelf life. This is particularly useful for working mothers or those who may need to travel away from their infants for extended periods.
Once the freeze-drying process is complete, the powdered milk is packaged and sent back to the mother for easy storage at room temperature. To reconstitute the milk, simply add water to the powder according to the instructions provided.
Milkify’s innovative approach to breast milk preservation not only saves space in the freezer but also ensures the milk remains nutritionally rich for the baby’s consumption even after extended periods of storage. By offering a convenient and reliable service, Milkify has become an invaluable resource for breastfeeding mothers across the United States.
Science Behind Milkify
Milkify utilizes a unique freeze-drying process, pioneered by a team that includes research scientist Dr. Berkley Luck, who has a background in gut microbiome research. The process is designed to preserve the essential nutrients found in breast milk, such as antibodies, immune factors, and beneficial bacteria.
Freeze-drying, also known as lyophilization, works on the principle of sublimation. It involves freezing the milk and then reducing surrounding pressure to enable the frozen water to evaporate directly from a solid to a gas. This process maintains the integrity and nutritional value of the breast milk, ensuring that essential components like antibodies and immune factors are retained.
Milkify’s collaboration with molecular biologists ensures that the best preservation methods are used to maintain the effectiveness of these elements within the milk. The freeze-drying process also promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, which is essential for a healthy gut microbiome in infants.
By employing a combination of research expertise and advanced freeze-drying technology, Milkify offers a convenient and effective solution for mothers who need to store their breast milk for extended periods. This innovative method ensures that their babies continue to receive the essential nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development.
Customer Experience and Reviews
Milkify has attracted the attention of many mothers, especially nursing mothers and on-the-go moms, who have been keen to try this breast milk freeze-drying service. As a unique solution for breastfeeding moms who need to store their milk for extended periods, Milkify has received positive feedback from its customers.
Many mothers have praised the convenience offered by Milkify’s freeze-drying concierge service. This innovative approach allows them to preserve their breast milk without the need for bulky freezer storage. The space-saving aspect of Milkify has been widely appreciated by nursing moms, making it an ideal solution for those living in small apartments or with limited storage space.
In addition to providing a valuable service to breastfeeding mothers, Milkify has demonstrated its commitment to excellent customer support. The team behind Milkify has been proactive in addressing any concerns or questions raised by potential customers. This friendly approach has garnered praise from satisfied clients and helped to establish the brand’s reputation.
However, some customers have raised concerns over the price of Milkify’s services. While the benefits of freeze-drying breast milk are undeniable, certain potential customers may be deterred by the costs associated with the process. Despite this, many moms find the advantages offered by Milkify to be worth the investment and opt for it as a reliable solution for their breast milk storage needs.
Overall, Milkify has managed to make a positive impact on the lives of nursing mothers, providing them with a practical and effective solution for storing and preserving their breast milk. By taking the concerns and feedback of its customers seriously, Milkify continues to enhance its services and maintain its steady growth since its appearance on Shark Tank.
Milkify’s Market Performance
Milkify, a concierge breast milk freeze-drying service, was founded by Berkley Luck and Pedro Silva in 2019 and gained significant attention after appearing on season 14, episode 19 of the popular television show, “Shark Tank.” Since then, the company has experienced a notable increase in business, primarily on a local level, thanks to increased publicity from the show.
While exact figures for revenue, profit, and net worth are not publicly available, it is apparent that Milkify has seen growth in its market. The unique service they offer enables mothers to store their breast milk for extended periods by freeze-drying it, making it not only more shelf-stable but also saving space compared to traditional freezing methods. This innovative approach to breast milk storage has garnered significant interest and allowed Milkify to carve out a niche in the market.
The valuation of Milkify is difficult to determine since it is a private company, but it is clear that their appearance on “Shark Tank” led to a boost in their market presence. As more people become aware of the advantages of freeze-drying breast milk, Milkify’s potential for further growth and expansion in the market is promising.
In conclusion, the market performance of Milkify since its debut on “Shark Tank” has been quite positive. The increased awareness, coupled with the original and innovative service they provide, allowed them to gain market traction and expand their reach. While specific financial figures are not available, there is no doubt that Milkify has a bright future in the breast milk storage market.
Expansion and Future Plans
Milkify has come a long way since their debut on Shark Tank in Season 14. They have been working on expanding their services and improving the customer experience.
One significant milestone for Milkify is the introduction of nationwide shipping. This allows them to cater to breastfeeding moms all across the United States, making their unique breast milk freeze-drying service even more accessible. Before this development, their services were limited to specific regions, but now, they can reach out to moms in need everywhere.
To handle the increased demand, Milkify has set up a state-of-the-art facility designed explicitly for processing and freeze-drying breast milk. This facility ensures that the process is done efficiently and according to the highest standards, guaranteeing the quality of their freeze-dried milk.
As the popularity and demand for Milkify’s services grow, they have begun utilizing a waitlist system. This helps the company manage the incoming requests efficiently and provide better service to their customers. The waitlist ensures that everyone gets a chance to use their innovative breast milk preserving method.
Finally, Milkify has shared their intention to research and develop more products that cater to moms’ needs, such as a potential breast milk formula. This could offer an alternative to traditional infant formulas, giving moms even more options when it comes to feeding their babies safely and effectively.
Overall, Milkify’s future looks promising as they continue to expand and refine their services. With nationwide shipping, a state-of-the-art facility, a waitlist system, and plans for innovation, they are poised to bring a new level of convenience and quality to breastfeeding moms across the country.
