Sharkbanz

What Sharkbanz does

Sharkbanz, operated by Mano LLC and founded in 2014, designs and sells consumer shark and ray deterrent products based on patented permanent-magnet technology developed with marine biologists. The technology over-stimulates the electroreception of sharks and rays, producing avoidance behavior without requiring batteries or charging. The core product line consists of the Sharkbanz 2 wearable band ($138) intended for ankle or wrist use across ocean sports, the FCS x Sharkbanz POD ($120) co-developed with surf hardware brand FCS to integrate with surf leashes, and the Sharkbanz Fishing Zeppelin ($69.99) for bottom fishing, wade fishing, and spearfishing. Supporting accessories include a magnetically shielded storage case, replacement neoprene pouch, and the Drift Cap lifestyle hat. All products are sold under a one-time-purchase hardware model.

The company sells primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce on sharkbanz.com (with a regional sharkbanz.com.au storefront for Australia and New Zealand) and through Amazon marketplaces, with distribution into specialty surf, dive, and fishing retailers globally — including Bass Pro Shops in the US. The company ships to more than 30 countries and has equipped over 100,000 customers since launch, spanning ocean athletes, families, recreational and spear fishermen, and military and professional marine operators. Marketing emphasizes peer-reviewed research, independent government validation (notably DPIRD Western Australia in 2021), and professional athlete endorsements including surfer Bethany Hamilton.

Sharkbanz is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding or external investors in the source material, and operates with a headcount of 1-10 employees. The company maintains patent protection on its core magnetic deterrent method and has won multiple awards including ICAST 2021 Best of Category (Terminal Tackle) and Condé Nast Traveler recognition. Distribution and brand-building lean on a network of brand ambassadors and content partnerships rather than paid acquisition, consistent with a bootstrapped, niche-focused hardware brand.

Name

Sharkbanz

Legal name

Mano LLC

Website

https://sharkbanz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sharkbanz designs and sells patented magnetic shark deterrent wearables and fishing tackle for ocean athletes, families, fishermen, and military users. Founded in 2014, it sells DTC via sharkbanz.com and through global specialty retailers in 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shark Deterrent Products

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF) (CRAMAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fishing Electronics & Marine Tech Retail (Fishfinders, GPS, Sonar) (CRAMALAH), Marine Apparel & Footwear Retail (Wetsuits, Rash Guards, Deck Shoes) (CRAMAIAJ)

Keywords

• Shark deterrent technology
• Magnetic shark repellent
• Wearable shark deterrent
• Fishing tackle equipment
• Ocean sports safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Pleasant

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Wearable Deterrents: Sale of Sharkbanz 2 wearable shark deterrents ($138) and FCS x Sharkbanz POD surf-specific deterrents ($120). One-time purchase hardware model with no ongoing subscription costs.
2. Hardware Sales - Fishing Products: Sale of Sharkbanz Fishing Zeppelin shark deterrent tackle ($69.99) for bottom fishing, wade fishing, and spearfishing applications.
3. Accessories: Sale of replacement protective cases, neoprene pouches, and apparel (Drift Cap hat) as complementary accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sharkbanz designs, manufactures, and sells patented magnetic shark deterrent hardware that disrupts sharks' and rays' electroreception to cause avoidance behavior. The product line includes the Sharkbanz 2 wearable ankle/wrist band, the FCS x Sharkbanz POD surf-specific leash-attached deterrent, and the Sharkbanz Fishing Zeppelin fishing tackle — all powered by permanent magnet technology with no batteries or charging required.

Product overview

Sharkbanz is a consumer shark deterrent technology company founded in 2014, operating under parent company Mano LLC. The product portfolio centers on patented permanent magnetic shark deterrent technology developed with marine biologists, which disrupts sharks' and rays' electroreception causing avoidance behavior — with no batteries or charging required (always active). The core offering consists of three deterrent products: the Sharkbanz 2 wearable ankle/wrist band (flagship, with Signature Edition and Parks Project Edition variants), the FCS x Sharkbanz POD surf-specific leash-attached unit co-designed with FCS (Fin Control Systems), and the Sharkbanz Fishing Zeppelin — the world's first shark deterrent fishing tackle for protecting catch during bottom fishing, wade fishing, and spearfishing. Supporting accessories include a magnetically shielded protective storage case and a POD replacement neoprene pouch. A lifestyle apparel offering, the Drift Cap ocean sports hat, rounds out the portfolio. All products share the same underlying patented magnetic technology, are backed by over two decades of peer-reviewed research and independent government testing, and are sold primarily via direct-to-consumer e-commerce with select retail partners worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sharkbanz 2: Primary wearable shark deterrent ankle/wrist band — the core flagship product featuring patented magnetic technology in a silicone band with stainless steel buckle, warrantied for 3 years.
• FCS x Sharkbanz POD
• Sharkbanz Fishing Zeppelin
• Sharkbanz Hat - The Drift Cap

Products and services

• Sharkbanz 2 Wearable Shark Deterrent The flagship wearable shark deterrent band using patented permanent magnetic technology to create an active deterrent field that disrupts shark and ray electroreception, causing avoidance behavior. Worn on ankle or wrist; no batteries or charging required; always active in water. Priced at $138 with a 3-year warranty.
• FCS x Sharkbanz POD Surf Shark Deterrent

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 people equipped with Sharkbanz products since 2014
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• FCS (Future Clarity System)coreTechnology or IntegrationCo-development partnership with FCS (Future Clarity System), a leading surfboard fin company. FCS collaborated with Sharkbanz to create the FCS x Sharkbanz POD, a surf-specific shark deterrent that integrates with surf leashes. The POD uses Sharkbanz's patented magnetic technology in a surf-optimized form factor with FCS branding and neoprene pouch attachment system.
• Bethany HamiltonflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton serves as brand ambassador with a signature edition Sharkbanz 2 product line. Bethany's personal shark encounter story and status as a role model in the surfing community provides credibility and reach for Sharkbanz products among ocean sports enthusiasts.
• Adin MasencampcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional surfer from Cape Town, South Africa - Sharkbanz's first brand ambassador from South Africa. Adin promotes Sharkbanz products in shark-prone surfing locations and creates content highlighting product usage at dangerous surf spots like Caves and Kogel Bay.
• Jacob WilcoxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFCS Team Rider from Margaret River, Australia. Jacob Wilcox represents Sharkbanz in professional surfing competitions and promotes products through his surfing content, emphasizing peace of mind when surfing remote locations.
• GovXcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovX partnership enables exclusive discounts for military personnel, first responders (fire, law enforcement, EMS), and teachers through verified GovX ID. Sharkbanz is proud to supply patented shark deterrent products to active military personnel around the world.
• Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSharkbanz x Parks Project collaboration supports Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF), whose science and community-oriented work restores coral reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands and beyond. A portion of Parks Project edition Sharkbanz purchases directly funds coral reef restoration efforts.
• Forrest GalanteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWildlife biologist and television personality Forrest Galante collaborated with Sharkbanz on a science video explaining how the magnetic technology works to deter sharks. The video represents Sharkbanz's commitment to science-based product education and verification.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Rapala: Rapala is a major fishing lure and tackle brand distributed globally. While not a shark deterrent maker, Rapala shares Sharkbanz's ICAST trade show presence and tackleshop distribution channels, making it a relevant adjacent brand in the recreational fishing ecosystem.
• ACR Electronics: ACR Electronics is a leading manufacturer of marine safety electronics including EPIRBs, PLBs, and survival equipment. They occupy the broader category of marine safety electronics where Sharkbanz also operates, providing ecosystem context for the marine safety device category.
• FCS (Fin Control Systems): FCS is Sharkbanz's co-development partner for the FCS x Sharkbanz POD surf-specific product. While not a direct competitor, FCS represents the strategic surf-brand distribution partner pattern Sharkbanz could replicate with other equipment makers (e.g., wetsuit, leash, board brands).
• Rip Curl: Rip Curl is a major global surf brand offering wetsuits, boardshorts, and surfing accessories. While not a direct shark deterrent competitor, Rip Curl represents the type of broad ocean-sports brand Sharkbanz could partner with for embedded safety features or distribution into the core surfing consumer base.
• Costa Del Mar: Costa Del Mar is a leading polarized sunglass and apparel brand for ocean sports enthusiasts (fishing, surfing, boating). They share Sharkbanz's core ocean-lifestyle consumer base and serve as a model for monetizing the saltwater sports consumer through premium branded gear.
• Bass Pro Shops: Bass Pro Shops is a major North American outdoor retailer that already carries the Sharkbanz Fishing Zeppelin in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama locations. They represent a key existing retail distribution partner and a model for the type of big-box outdoor retailer Sharkbanz could expand into.

Direct peers

• Rpela: Rpela is an Australian company selling electromagnetic shark deterrent bands primarily to surfers in shark-populated waters. It uses a comparable wearable deterrent concept and competes directly with Sharkbanz in the Australian and international surf market.
• Shark Shield: Shark Shield is the most direct competitor to Sharkbanz, offering electric (rather than magnetic) shark deterrent products including wearable and FREEDOM7 models marketed to surfers, divers, and ocean professionals. They compete for the same customer base with a different technological approach.

Broad incumbents

• Garmin Marine: Garmin's marine division produces GPS chartplotters, fishfinders, and navigation electronics for boaters and fishermen. While Garmin does not make shark deterrents, its marine electronics portfolio represents the broader consumer marine electronics category where Sharkbanz competes for shelf space and consumer safety dollars.
• Shimano Fishing: Shimano is the global leader in fishing tackle and reels, including terminal tackle categories where the Sharkbanz Zeppelin won ICAST 2021 Best of Category. Shimano represents the incumbent fishing brand ecosystem that Sharkbanz competes against for ICAST awards and tackle shop shelf placement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sharkbanz
• Instagraminstagram.com/sharkbanz
• Pinterestpinterest.com/sharkbanz
• Xx.com/sharkbanz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sharkbanz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sharkbanz