Snow Scholars offers affordable snow removal services by college students, providing homeowners with reliable, efficient solutions. Empowering students and making winter easier!
While attending the University of Wisconsin, Jake Piekarski and Philip Loveland were frustrated by the constant challenge of snow-covered driveways during winter storms. Realizing the widespread issue, they decided to create Snow Scholars. This snow removal service helps homeowners clear their driveways and provides college students with flexible and well-paying jobs.
Here’s a quick recap of Snow Scholars’ journey after appearing on Shark Tank:
Jake and Philip entered the Tank seeking $75,000 for 10% equity in their business. After a compelling pitch, they struck a deal with Mark Cuban, who offered $150,000 for 20% equity in exchange for his support.
| Shark | Offer |
| Mark Cuban | Agreed to $150,000 for 20% equity |
| Daymond John | Offered $75,000 for 20% equity |
| Kevin O’Leary | Offered $75,000 for 20% equity |
| Robert Herjavec | No offer |
| Lori Greiner | No offer |
Snow Scholars Update:
The company has expanded its services to include more than residential snow removal. It has also started offering its services to commercial clients and has paid over $100,000 in wages to college students working for it.
Key Takeaways:
- Snow Scholars is an innovative snow removal service founded by college students Jake Piekarski and Philip Loveland. It offers affordable solutions for homeowners.
- The company employs college students to clear snow, providing them with flexible, high-paying jobs during winter.
- Snow Scholars charges an average of $74.56 per snowfall, significantly less than competitors who charge up to $300 per job.
- After their pitch on Shark Tank, Snow Scholars secured $150,000 for 20% equity from Mark Cuban.
- Since then, the company has expanded to multiple campuses, served over 1,000 customers, and paid students more than $100,000 in wages.
- With a 73.3% profit margin, Snow Scholars continues growing rapidly. It offers whole-season and Vacation Plans for snow removal services.
Snow Scholars Networth in 2024
Snow Scholars could have a net worth of around $1.5 million to $2.5 million by 2024. This estimate is based on their revenue, customer base, profit margins, and expansion plans. However, without official financial disclosures, it remains a rough estimate.
Snow Scholars Networth in 2025
Snow Scholars could have an estimated net worth of $5 million to $7 million by 2025. This projection is based on their revenue growth, profitability, expansion plans, and Mark Cuban’s backing. However, these are estimates, and the actual valuation will depend on how successfully they execute their plans and continue to grow in the competitive snow removal market.
The Problem: A Winter Struggle for Homeowners
Winter storms are no joke—especially for homeowners in areas that experience frequent and heavy snowfall. From clearing driveways to salting walkways, the task of snow removal is not only exhausting but also dangerous. The costs of hiring professional snow removal services can be exorbitant, often ranging from $200 to $300 per session, depending on the area’s size and location. These services, while effective, are out of reach for many people who live in regions that get snow often and can’t afford to pay these steep fees every time a storm hits.
Snow Scholars was born out of this pain point. Jake and Philip, while attending the University of Wisconsin, realized that there was a gap in the snow removal market—especially one that could benefit from the untapped labour of college students, who often have flexible schedules and need extra income during the winter months.
The Snow Scholars Concept: Turning Snow Removal into a Student-Run Business
Jake and Philip’s idea for Snow Scholars was simple but revolutionary. They envisioned a snow removal service that employed college students to help homeowners clear snow from their properties at an affordable price. The service provided an easy solution for homeowners struggling with snow and created a flexible and well-paying job opportunity for students who might otherwise struggle to find work that accommodates their academic schedules.
In essence, Snow Scholars operates as a platform connecting homeowners with college students who want to make money during winter. The service is powered by intuitive, custom-built software that automatically assigns snow removal tasks to students based on real-time snowfall data and the student’s location. This efficient, data-driven system ensures that snow removal jobs are completed quickly and effectively without overburdening students or wasting time.
Shark Tank Snow Scholars Pitch
In Shark Tank Season 16, Jake and Philip entered the Tank with high hopes. They sought $75,000 for 10% equity in Snow Scholars, aiming to expand the business to more campuses and refine their technology.
Their pitch began by addressing homeowners’ common frustration when dealing with snow-covered driveways, sidewalks, and walkways. They also pointed out the untapped potential of student workers—looking for flexible, high-paying jobs—making their business model a win-win for both parties.
They presented the following details:
- Snow Scholars charges an average flat fee of $74.56 per snowfall, a significant reduction from the $300 average fee charged by competitors.
- They claimed a remarkable 73.3% net profit margin, with each snowfall job costing them approximately $19.87 and yielding a profit of $54.69 per service.
- With an impressive customer acquisition cost (CAC) of just $7.08, Snow Scholars proved their ability to generate substantial returns from each new client.
- Their business experienced rapid growth, with revenue jumping from $18,000 to $116,800 between 2022 and 2024 and their customer base growing from just 34 customers to 353 within one year.
The duo hoped to use the investment to improve their software, refine their operations, and scale to new campuses across North America.
The Sharks Respond: Mark Cuban’s Bold Offer
The Sharks were impressed by the simplicity of the business model and the venture’s profitability. Here’s how each Shark reacted:
- Kevin O’Leary: Kevin appreciated the hustle and potential of the company. He offered $75,000 for 20% equity in exchange for his expertise and support.
- Daymond John: Daymond, who recalled doing something similar as a kid, matched Kevin’s offer, offering the same $75,000 for 20% equity.
- Mark Cuban: In an unexpected twist, Mark Cuban offered $150,000 for 20% equity, seeing the vast growth potential in expanding Snow Scholars to more campuses across the U.S. and Canada. Jake and Philip immediately accepted the offer, sealing the deal with Cuban.
While Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec passed on the deal—Lori feeling that her help wouldn’t be needed and Robert worried about the unpredictability of snowfall—Mark Cuban’s decision to invest in Snow Scholars provided them with the funds they needed to expand the business rapidly.
Post-Shark Tank: Growth and Expansion
After securing the deal with Mark Cuban, Snow Scholars expanded remarkably. By providing affordable snow removal services, they have made life easier for homeowners while giving college students a reliable source of income during the winter months.
Expansion Beyond Residential Snow Removal
While the company initially focused on residential properties, Snow Scholars has since expanded to offer services to commercial clients. This move has allowed them to tap into a new market segment, increasing their revenue potential and making snow removal services accessible to businesses that must keep their premises safe during winter storms.
Introducing New Service Plans
In response to customer demand, Snow Scholars launched two new service plans:
- The Whole Season Plan: Covers snow removal for the entire season, making it a convenient option for customers who prefer the peace of mind that comes with having all their snow removal needs taken care of.
- The Vacation Plan: Designed for homeowners who are away during the winter months, this plan ensures that their properties are cleared of snow while they are gone without them having to worry about arranging for someone to shovel.
Student Empowerment and Job Creation
A core mission of Snow Scholars is empowering students by providing them with high-paying, flexible jobs. Since its inception, Snow Scholars has paid college students over $100,000 in wages. On average, students earn $185 daily, with hourly wages set at $25 per hour—one of the highest-paying campus jobs available.
The company uses various methods to recruit students, including campus job boards, flyers, and social media marketing campaigns. Snow Scholars has built a dedicated and reliable workforce motivated to help homeowners in need by targeting college students looking for part-time work.
Expanding to New Campuses
Since the deal with Mark Cuban, Snow Scholars has successfully expanded from its original locations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. It is now eyeing expansion into four additional campuses in the coming year, with plans to eventually operate in over 140 campuses across the U.S. and Canada.
This ambitious plan will enable Snow Scholars to reach even more customers and further solidify their position as homeowners’ and businesses’ go-to snow removal service.
Financial Performance: A Promising Future
From their initial success in 2022, Snow Scholars has seen tremendous growth. In the first season, they generated $18,000 in revenue and $13,000 in profit. In the second season (2023-2024), revenue jumped to $116,800 with a profit of $85,500. Their customer base grew significantly—from just 34 customers in the first season to 353 customers in the second season, with plans to reach 700 customers shortly.
The company’s ability to scale rapidly without incurring excessive overhead costs speaks to the efficiency of its model. By leveraging students for snow removal services, Snow Scholars has built a sustainable business that is both highly profitable and capable of expanding across multiple regions.
The Future of Snow Scholars
Snow Scholars is poised for even more success as the winter months approach. With Mark Cuban’s backing, the company is equipped to refine its software further, expand its team of college students, and scale its operations to meet the growing demand for affordable, reliable snow removal services.
Snow Scholars has created a business that benefits both homeowners and students by focusing on providing quality service at competitive prices. As they expand into new markets and improve their service offerings, the company will undoubtedly play a significant role in reshaping the snow removal industry.
Conclusion
Snow Scholars represents a new wave of innovative, student-led businesses that solve real-world problems. By recognizing homeowners’ frustrations during the winter and the potential of college students’ availability, Jake Piekarski and Philip Loveland have created a practical and profitable service. With continued backing from Mark Cuban, the company’s future looks incredibly bright, and we can expect to see Snow Scholars grow into a national success story.
Their journey proves that with the right mix of innovation, perseverance, and the willingness to seize opportunities, any problem—no matter how cold—can be turned into a rewarding business venture. Stay tuned for more updates as Snow Scholars continues to snowball its way to success.
For the latest updates from Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 7, explore the links below:
Before you go, make sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 16 products.
