Journey of Mikey Bashawaty & Jeremy Quillico: Founder of FloatNGrill -Entrepreneur
Biography of Mikey Bashawaty & Jeremy Quillico
A Unique Idea is Born
Mikey Bashawaty and Jeremy Quillico came up with a creative
solution to an unusual problem—how to grill food while enjoying a day on the
water. Tired of soggy sandwiches while boating, Mikey envisioned a portable
grill that could float. With Jeremy handling the patent work and Mikey focusing
on design, they created Float ‘N’ Grill, a floating barbecue grill designed for
sea parties and sandbar gatherings.
A Slow Start with Kickstarter
The duo struggled to secure initial funding. They launched a
Kickstarter campaign hoping to raise $200,000, but it fell far short, gathering
less than $1,000 in contributions. Despite this setback, they pushed forward,
refining their design and manufacturing the product.
Going Viral on Social Media
In July 2018, Float ‘N’ Grill caught the internet’s
attention when a social media post featuring the floating grill went viral,
amassing nearly 5 million views. This surge in popularity encouraged Mikey and
Jeremy to officially launch the product at the Detroit Boat Show in early 2019.
The attention even led to television appearances, helping them reach a broader
audience.
Shark Tank Appearance and Investment
Mikey and Jeremy pitched Float ‘N’ Grill on Shark Tank
Season 12, Episode 24. The product retailed for $229, with a production cost of
$126.88. However, the sharks were unimpressed by the company’s low sales—under
$20,000 at the time of filming. Some doubted whether the “sandbar community”
would embrace the product.
A Tough Negotiation with the Sharks
Despite skepticism, guest shark Daniel Lubetzky saw
potential. He initially offered $200,000 for 50% of the company, but the
founders, unwilling to give up so much equity, countered. After some
back-and-forth, they agreed to a deal of $100,000 for 22.5% equity, plus a
$100,000 loan at 7% interest, and a 50% licensing agreement for any future
deals Daniel secured.
Early Success and Media Appearances
Following Shark Tank, Float ‘N’ Grill gained traction. The
investment led to a partnership with a major grilling company, and sales
increased. Mikey and Jeremy appeared on The Today Show, The Guy Gordon Show,
and other media outlets, fueling excitement about their innovative product.
Challenges in Expanding the Business
Despite initial momentum, the business faced hurdles.
Scaling production proved challenging, and customer demand wasn’t as high as
anticipated. The relatively high price point of $229 may have deterred
potential buyers, limiting widespread adoption.
Journey of Mikey Bashawaty & Jeremy Quillico: Founder of FloatNGrill -Entrepreneur#startup#age#net worth#investor#shark tank#FloatNGrill story
Patent Issues and Legal Roadblocks
A major setback came when Float ‘N’ Grill encountered legal
trouble over its patent. The company’s original patent covered a very specific
design using magnets to attach the grill to its floating base. In 2023, the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied the company’s request to
modify its patent, ruling that the magnets were an essential feature.
Implications of the Court’s Decision
Since Float ‘N’ Grill had likely altered its design, the
changes were no longer protected under the original patent. This left the
company in a difficult legal position. Without patent protection, potential
competitors could replicate the concept, and licensing agreements became nearly
impossible to secure.
Why Float ‘N’ Grill Disappeared
With no clear legal path forward, Float ‘N’ Grill eventually
vanished from the market. The product was removed from Amazon, the official
website went offline, and the company’s social media accounts disappeared.
These signs pointed to the unfortunate reality that the business had shut down.
What Could Have Been
Float ‘N’ Grill had a promising concept and an enthusiastic
response from some customers. However, a combination of legal complications,
pricing concerns, and limited market demand prevented it from achieving
long-term success. Had the patent issues been resolved differently, the company
might have continued innovating and expanding.
Lessons from Float ‘N’ Grill’s Journey
The story of Float ‘N’ Grill highlights the importance of
securing strong legal protection for innovative products. Additionally,
entrepreneurs must carefully assess market demand and pricing strategies to
ensure long-term viability. Even a viral product can struggle without a
sustainable business model.
Can Float ‘N’ Grill Make a Comeback?
The court ruling doesn’t prevent Float ‘N’ Grill from
reintroducing its original patented design. If Mikey and Jeremy choose to
relaunch the company using their initial concept, they could still have a shot
at success. However, unless they resolve their legal challenges and rework
their strategy, the brand is likely to remain a memory.
Final Thoughts on the Float ‘N’ Grill Story
While Mikey and Jeremy’s journey started with an exciting
and unique idea, their business ultimately fell into legal and financial
difficulties. Their experience serves as a lesson for aspiring
entrepreneurs—having a great idea isn’t enough; execution, scalability, and
legal security are just as crucial to long-term success.
Timeline for story
2017 – Mikey Bashawaty envisions a floating grill; teams up
with Jeremy Quillico.
2018 (Early) – Kickstarter campaign fails, raising less than
$1,000.
2018 (July) – Social media post goes viral with nearly 5
million views.
2019 (Early) – Official launch at the Detroit Boat Show.
2021 – Appears on Shark Tank Season 12, secures a deal with
Daniel Lubetzky.
2022 – Faces challenges scaling production and struggles
with sales.
2023 – U.S. Court of Appeals denies patent modification
request.
2024 – Business shuts down; website, Amazon listings, and
social media disappear.
