Hiccup is revolutionizing marathons with eco-friendly, reusable silicone cups to reduce waste. Join the sustainability movement and make your race greener!
Kristina Smithe, the founder of Hiccup, came up with her idea after noticing the excessive waste generated at marathons in California. During these events, runners would grab water from single-use cups and toss them aside, creating piles of trash. Kristina made a solution by developing Hiccup, a service that provides reusable cups for races, collects them afterwards, and cleans them for future use. This initiative helps reduce waste and maintain cleaner race environments. Let’s see what happened with Hiccup after Kristina’s appearance on Shark Tank.
If you don’t have much time, here’s a quick summary of what happened to Hiccup after its Shark Tank pitch.
Kristina Smithe pitched her reusable silicone cup business on Shark Tank Season 16, asking for $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity. However, after presenting her idea, she could not secure any offers from the sharks.
Since then, Hiccup has had notable success, preventing over 700,400 cups from ending up in landfills or recycling centers. The company has expanded to several states and now supplies reusable silicone cups at major events, including the St. Pete Run Fest and the Publix Half Marathon.
Shark Tank Outcome
| Shark | Offer |
| Robert Herjavec | No offer |
| Kevin O’Leary | No offer |
| Mark Cuban | No offer |
| Daniel Lubetzky | No offer |
| Lori Greiner | No offer |
Key Takeaways
- Hiccup is an innovative solution for reducing waste at marathons. It provides reusable silicone cups instead of disposable paper or plastic cups.
- The company successfully keeps cups out of landfills and recycling centers, saving over 700,400 cups.
- Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, Kristina Smithe has expanded Hiccup’s services to multiple states and formed partnerships with major events like the St. Pete Run Fest and Publix Half Marathon.
- Hiccup has developed a patent-pending dishwasher that cleans 1,500 cups per cycle using only 30 gallons of water, enhancing its sustainability efforts.
- The company has become a key player in the movement for zero-waste races, showcasing its potential to revolutionize the running industry with eco-friendly practices.
Hiccup Networth in 2024
As of 2024, Hiccup, the reusable cup service for marathons, has grown significantly since its appearance on Shark Tank. While the exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, the company has successfully expanded its services to multiple states and has prevented over 700,400 cups from ending up in landfills. Additionally, with partnerships at significant events like the St. Pete Run Fest and Publix Half Marathon, the company is likely valued at several million dollars. The development of their patent-pending dishwasher and increasing demand for sustainable solutions at significant events further support a positive financial outlook.
Hiccup Networth in 2025
As of 2025, Hiccup’s exact net worth is not publicly available, but the company has shown significant growth and success since its appearance on Shark Tank. With over 700,400 cups kept out of landfills, expanded services across multiple states, and partnerships with substantial marathons like the St. Pete Run Fest and Publix Half Marathon, Hiccup has carved out a strong position in the sustainable race solutions market. The development of their patent-pending dishwasher for cleaning reusable cups and increased demand for eco-friendly alternatives further indicate a promising future. Based on these factors, Hiccup’s estimated value will likely be in the multi-million dollar range as it continues to grow and expand its services.
The Concept Behind Hiccup
The inspiration for Hiccup came from Kristina’s frustration with the immense waste generated by traditional marathons. Every year, significant marathons like the Boston Marathon or Chicago Marathon could use up to 2 million single-use cups during the event. Often made from paper or plastic, these cups contribute significantly to landfills and waste management challenges. While the solution might seem simple on the surface — use fewer cups — the real challenge lies in ensuring that participants are hydrated while minimizing waste.
Hiccup solves this problem by providing reusable silicone cups at race hydration stations. Rather than handing out single-use cups, the company offers participants durable silicone cups that can be returned after the race. These cups are then collected, cleaned, and prepared for future events. This system reduces waste while maintaining the convenience and functionality that runners need during races.
How the Hiccup System Works:
- Distribution: Before the event, Hiccup delivers silicone cups to race organizers. These cups are typically small, lightweight, and easy to use during the race.
- Hydration Stations: Runners use the reusable cups at hydration stations during the race to drink water or sports drinks.
- Collection: After the race, Hiccup collects used cups from designated collection points. This reduces littering and streamlines post-race cleanup.
- Cleaning and Reuse: The collected cups are cleaned using Hiccup’s patent-pending dishwasher, ensuring they are hygienic and ready for the next race.
This process helps race organizers reduce the amount of trash generated, eliminate the need for single-use cups, and contribute to a cleaner, greener event. Reusable silicone cups are durable, washable, and environmentally friendly, making them the perfect alternative to single-use plastic cups.
Shark Tank Hiccup Pitch
Kristina’s pitch on Shark Tank was clear, passionate, and problem-driven. She entered the tank asking for $200,000 for 10% equity in her company, Hiccup. The core of her pitch was focused on the environmental issue that marathons and running events face: the staggering amount of waste generated by single-use cups.
Kristina explained that she had already tested her service at high-profile marathons like the Chicago Marathon, where she used her inventory of silicone cups to provide a more sustainable solution. The business model involved renting out reusable cups to race organizers, which offered a significant cost-saving compared to purchasing disposable cups in bulk. Kristina shared that each cup rental costs around 15 cents per cup, which could decrease to 10 cents for larger orders, such as 10,000 cups.
However, the traditional paper cups cost only 7 cents each, a point that some sharks were sceptical about. Despite this, Kristina emphasized that her product’s environmental benefits and long-term sustainability far outweighed the initial cost difference.
Her most significant single event, renting out 50,000 cups, brought in $6,500 in revenue. Kristina hoped to use the investment to scale the business and establish partnerships with significant marathons and other large-scale events.
Despite the strength of her pitch, the sharks weren’t convinced. Here’s a breakdown of their responses:
- Robert Herjavec admired Kristina’s mission but felt that the business wasn’t scalable enough for a significant return on investment. He opted out.
- Lori Greiner praised Kristina’s determination but didn’t think the business was the right fit for her. She, too, declined to invest.
- Daniel Lubetzky, though inspired by Kristina’s entrepreneurial journey, believed the business lacked scalability and exited the deal.
- Kevin O’Leary didn’t believe the business model was sustainable and didn’t see the value in pursuing it further, so he passed on the investment.
- Mark Cuban agreed that the idea was good but didn’t believe there was enough market demand to justify the investment. He dropped out.
Despite the lack of offers, Kristina remained determined and left the tank without a deal. However, this setback didn’t stop her from pushing forward with her vision.
Hiccup’s Sustainability Impact: A Game Changer for the Running Industry
Since its debut on Shark Tank, Hiccup has gained recognition for its sustainability efforts and innovative business model. The company has successfully kept more than 700,400 cups out of landfills and recycling centers, making a tangible environmental impact. As more races and events prioritize sustainability, Hiccup plays a crucial role in the shift toward zero-waste races.
Kristina’s company doesn’t stop at reusable cups—Hiccup is also developing a patent-pending dishwasher that cleans up to 1,500 cups per cycle using only 30 gallons of water. This innovation helps the company streamline its operations and further reduces its environmental footprint by conserving water and energy.
The company has expanded its reach to several states and now provides reusable cups for events nationwide. Hiccup has partnered with large-scale events such as the St. Pete Run Fest, Publix Half Marathon, and Croom Zoom 75K. These collaborations have allowed Hiccup to continue its mission of reducing waste at marathons, ultra-marathons, and other running events.
Hiccup also participated in Florida’s first zero-waste race, using reusable cups to minimize environmental impact. The success of this event demonstrated the viability of Hiccup’s model and highlighted the company’s potential to change how races handle waste management.
Why Hiccup’s Future is Bright
Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, Kristina Smithe’s commitment to Hiccup’s vision has propelled the company forward. The growing demand for sustainable practices in the events industry and consumers’ environmental consciousness position Hiccup for future success. As more organizations, including marathons and significant races, prioritize sustainability, Hiccup stands at the forefront of this transformation.
One key reason Hiccup has a promising future is its ability to solve a real problem in the events industry. Waste management is a huge challenge at large-scale events, and Hiccup’s solution helps reduce the burden on race organizers and local communities. The company’s scalable model allows it to expand into new markets and cater to more races, which bodes well for its growth.
Moreover, as people become more aware of the environmental impact of single-use plastics and paper products, the demand for sustainable alternatives is expected to rise. Hiccup’s reusable silicone cups are the perfect solution to this growing demand, making the company a leader in eco-friendly race solutions.
Conclusion
Kristina Smithe’s journey with Hiccup is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. Despite facing rejection on Shark Tank, she has continued to drive her company forward, making significant strides in reducing waste at marathons and other running events. With over 700,400 cups kept out of landfills, innovative cleaning solutions, and expanding partnerships, Hiccup is poised for long-term success.
Hiccup offers a sustainable alternative to disposable cups and represents a broader movement toward more eco-conscious events. As the company grows and expands, it will undoubtedly inspire other industries to adopt more sustainable practices. Kristina’s unwavering determination and commitment to a greener future will likely lead Hiccup to even greater success in the future.
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