Where Is Coco Taps From Shark Tank Today?
Coconut water has a lot going for it. It's even more hydrating than water, but that doesn't mean it's a perfect product. It can be difficult to store leftover coconut drinks — and that's exactly why "Coco Vinny" originally detested coconut water. All the bottles and cans he tried tasted terrible to him, unlike the fresh coconut he loved. The thing is, though, it's not easy to crack open fresh coconuts daily. So, he created the reusable CocoTaps Tool Kit — which keeps the coconut fresh even after it's been opened — as well as a CocoTaps coconut water drink to go along with it.
Vinny sang and ukulele'd his way into "Shark Tank" on Season 9, Episode 12, offering the judges 10% equity of his company in exchange for a $150,000 investment. "Nervous doesn't begin to describe it," he later reflected to Heavy about the process. "There's no words to explain the amount of energy and anxiety and pure tension."
Unfortunately, he was right to be nervous. The Sharks enjoyed the product but didn't share his vision for a coconutty empire. In their minds, the market was too niche and Coco Vinny was dreaming too big, planning to eventually open Coco Taps Shacks (physical foodservice establishments). All of the Sharks bowed out. "After that, I cried," Coco Vinny later informed KTNV Las Vegas. Still, as he claimed, "every setback is a setup for a comeback."
Coco Taps doubled down on its eco-friendliness
A love for coconuts is at the heart of what Coco Taps does, but there's one other key factor in the brand's identity: sustainability. The CocoTaps Tool Kit saves coconuts so they can be enjoyed more than once, and the product itself isn't disposable. Even the coconut water has a relatively small carbon footprint, as it doesn't come in wasteful cartons. So, Coco Taps' focus on sustainability in the years following its "Shark Tank" appearance makes sense.
Nearly a year after Coco Vinny's "Shark Tank" episode premiered, Coco Taps became the first venture in Las Vegas to get a zero-waste certification in 2018. By that time, the startup was not only distributing to local resorts but also to convenience stores and restaurants. That same year, it was announced that Coco Taps had implemented an upcycling rewards program, encouraging customers to return their used containers by giving them credit for each turned-in vessel.
The following year, the enterprise revealed it had partnered with another entity, Beyond Green, to produce biodegradable, ocean-safe taps made of corn. This paved the way for Coco Taps to get on cruise ships by year's end.
Coco Taps kept itself fresh
Coco Taps is green in more ways than one, as its continued success suggests it's flush with cash. As of 2023, the venture offers branded coconuts and home delivery of its classic products through its website. These items are still American-made, and they're available for both wholesale and distribution to beach clubs and juice bars. Folks can also find these wares for sale on Amazon. Plus, in April of 2023, the venture is launching Coco Love Water, a gluten-free, organic, and vegan coconut drink.
Coco Taps' Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts are all still active. And one post promises that Coco Taps is "planting for the future generations and beyond," showing a video of fresh-planted coconut trees.
Coconut water can last for weeks with Coco Taps, but Coco Taps itself has lasted for several years. It truly was an untapped market — perhaps the Sharks were coco-nuts to reject this green opportunity.