LuminAid

LuminAID makes an inflatable, waterproof solar lantern that packs flat and charges in the sun, then puffs up to provide hours of light without batteries or wires. It was created by Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork, who developed the idea as graduate architecture students after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, looking for a safe, portable light source for disaster relief and for people living without reliable power.

The two asked the sharks for 200,000 dollars in exchange for 10 percent of the company. The pitch drew strong interest from the entire panel, but Mark Cuban stood out by offering the full ask of 200,000 dollars for 15 percent along with a commitment to help lead the next round of financing. Sreshta and Stork chose Cuban, valuing his backing and willingness to support their growth.

LuminAID was memorable both for its clever, collapsible design and for its mission. The founders had a genuine humanitarian origin story, and the product worked just as well for camping and emergency kits as for relief efforts. With all five sharks interested, the segment became one of the most-watched of the season and helped cement the brand's profile.

Following the broadcast, LuminAID's sales rose quickly, reaching around 2 million dollars within roughly nine months as the lanterns gained traction with outdoor and emergency-preparedness buyers. The company expanded distribution into retail stores and kept developing its product line, adding lanterns that double as phone chargers and brighter, more capable models for different uses.

As of 2026 LuminAID is still active and selling, with its products available on Amazon and through the official website alongside retail partners. The brand has grown its catalog of solar lanterns and chargers over the years while maintaining its disaster-relief work, pairing a commercial outdoor business with ongoing donations and partnerships for humanitarian use.