Define Bottle brought a refreshing twist to the Tank during Shark Tank Season 5, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of a remarkably young innovator.
Carter Kostler and Define Bottle Net Worth
At its peak, Define Bottle generated around $2 million in sales, with Carter Kostler securing retail partnerships with major stores like Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods. However, after accounting for production costs, marketing, and operational expenses, the actual profits were significantly lower. As of 2025, Carter Kostler’s estimated net worth is between $300,000 and $500,000, derived from his early entrepreneurial success, personal savings, and current career as a U.S. Marine Corps reservist. Although he moved away from active business after closing Define Bottle in 2016, his story continues to inspire young entrepreneurs worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Young Entrepreneur: Carter Kostler pitched Define Bottle on Shark Tank at just 15 years old, seeking $100,000 for 20% equity.
- No Deal Secured: Despite positive feedback, Carter left without a deal due to concerns about competition and risk.
- Massive Growth: Post-show, Define Bottle achieved $2 million in sales, landing major retail deals with Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
- Celebrity Support: Country music star Carrie Underwood helped boost the brand’s visibility and credibility.
- Beyond Business: Carter later closed Define Bottle in 2016 to pursue a career in the U.S. Marine Corps.
- Current Status (2025): Carter continues to serve as a reservist, with an estimated net worth between $300,000 and $500,000.
- Inspiration: Carter’s journey highlights the power of perseverance, resilience, and evolving dreams beyond initial ventures.
Where Is Carter Kostler Now? (2025 Update)
After closing Define Bottle and dedicating himself to the U.S. Marine Corps, Carter Kostler has continued to embody the spirit of leadership and resilience.
As of 2025, Carter remains active as a reservist and is also pursuing business and leadership development, applying the lessons he learned as a young entrepreneur to new ventures and service roles.
Although Define Bottle is no longer in production, Carter’s entrepreneurial story continues to inspire others. He occasionally shares insights on youth entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the importance of perseverance in interviews and at business seminars.
While no longer in the consumer product space, Carter has hinted in past conversations that he may eventually return to the world of business innovation — armed with even greater life experience and discipline.
Quick Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Define Bottle |
| Founder | Carter Kostler |
| Industry | Health & Wellness, Beverage Accessories |
| Product | Fruit-Infusing Water Bottle |
| Investment Ask | $100,000 for 20% Equity |
| Valuation | $500,000 |
| Outcome | Left Shark Tank without a deal |
| Post-Show Success | $2 Million in Sales; Partnerships with Major Retailers |
What is Define Bottle?
At just 15 years old, Carter Kostler pitched the Define Bottle — a unique, two-chambered, fruit-infusing water bottle — in the Young Entrepreneurs Special of Shark Tank (Season 5, Episode 16). Designed to make hydration healthier and more appealing, the Define Bottle naturally flavors drinking water by infusing it with fresh fruits through a built-in filtration system.
Carter’s mission was simple but ambitious:
“Get an entire generation of children off soda, one school district at a time.“
Inspired to promote better drinking habits among youth, Carter turned his idea into a prototype within just six months.
Define Bottle’s Shark Tank Pitch
Entering the Tank with passion and poise, Carter asked the Sharks for $100,000 in exchange for 20% equity, valuing his company at $500,000. At the time, Define Bottle had generated $65,000 in sales over four months, with distribution through Whole Foods, David’s Teas, and online sales.
- Retail Price: $30
- Cost of Production: Initially $10, with a potential drop to $5 through a Chinese manufacturer
- Website Traffic: 2,000 daily hits, with a 0.5% conversion rate
Despite strong initial traction, Carter faced tough scrutiny from the Sharks:
- Lori Greiner felt the market was saturated and the price point was too high — Out.
- Barbara Corcoran worried about the $300,000 already spent on development — Out.
- Kevin O’Leary cited heavy competition and refused to invest — Out.
- Robert Herjavec offered $100,000 for 40% equity due to high risk, but Carter countered with 30%. No agreement was reached.
- Mark Cuban declined, citing concern over Carter’s family having leveraged their mortgage to support the venture — Out.
Ultimately, Define Bottle left without securing a deal.
Define Bottle Post-Shark Tank: A True Success Story
While the rejection initially stung, Carter didn’t let the setback defeat him. He doubled down on marketing efforts, leading Define Bottle to explode to $2 million in sales within a short span.
Major milestones post-Shark Tank:
- Secured distribution deals with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target.
- Collaboration opportunities, including interest from Carrie Underwood, helped boost brand visibility.
- Named a Youth Ambassador for The Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
- Featured in major media outlets like Forbes Magazine and Entrepreneur’s Top 100 Brilliant Companies.
In May 2015, Carter returned to TV on Beyond the Tank Episode 1, where he proudly showcased Define Bottle’s growth journey, proving that sometimes “no deal” can lead to bigger victories.
What Happened to Define Bottle?
In 2016, Carter made the decision to close Define Bottle to pursue a new chapter in his life: joining the United States Marine Corps. As of February 2023, Carter continues to serve proudly as a reservist with the Amphibious Assault Vehicle Fleet.
Although Define Bottle ultimately shuttered, its legacy lives on as a powerful example of youthful entrepreneurship, resilience, and the value of perseverance.
Lessons from Define Bottle’s Journey
- Rejection isn’t the end: Carter’s success after Shark Tank shows that one “no” doesn’t define your future.
- Persistence pays off: Strategic marketing and leveraging celebrity influence helped elevate the brand beyond initial struggles.
- Evolving dreams: Sometimes, pivoting away from business to follow a new passion is the real American Dream.
Conclusion
Define Bottle remains a celebrated Shark Tank story — not because of a deal, but because of Carter’s extraordinary drive to turn rejection into remarkable success.
Today, his journey inspires young entrepreneurs everywhere to dream big, act boldly, and stay resilient — with or without a Shark by their side.
