The Bold Rejection: How Coffee Meets Bagel's $30M Refusal Sparked Success
The Unforgettable Pitch at Shark Tank
Dawoon Kang and her sisters, Arum and Soo, entered the intimidating environment of Shark Tank with a vision that was to challenge not just the sharks, but the nature of online dating itself. Coffee Meets Bagel, their brainchild, was presented as the antithesis of conventional dating apps — a respite from creepy strangers and endless swiping, as Dawoon confidently declared, “Single women are tired of signing up for dating websites only to get hit on by creepy strangers bombarding them with disgusting messages.” According to the Soap Central, the app aimed to create genuine connections by linking users through mutual friends.
The Historic Offer and Unwavering Confidence
When Mark Cuban, intrigued yet skeptical, made an astonishing offer of \(30 million to own Coffee Meets Bagel outright, a deal unparalleled in the history of Shark Tank, the room fell silent. Yet, without a moment’s hesitation, the sisters rejected the proposal, a moment that left both the Sharks and viewers in audible disbelief. Robert Herjavec’s exclamation, "He offered you \)30 million, and you didn’t even flinch!” captured the shock and awe of that decision.
The Aftermath and Public Perception
Post-show, the sisters faced polarized reactions. Social media was ablaze with viewers branding them as “gold-diggers” and “greedy.” Arum Kang later reflected, pondering whether gender impacted public perception, saying, “Would we have been called those names if we were not women?” This rejection, far from a setback, became a defining moment for the company.
Soaring Beyond Expectations
Fast forward to 2019, Coffee Meets Bagel had raised an impressive $7.8 million in funding and continued to expand its user base, twice over. They leaned even harder into their brand as the “anti-Tinder,” offering a sanctuary for those seeking serious relationships over fleeting flirtations. Their system, matching users through mutual friends and a limited communication window, emphasized quality over quantity, reportedly leading to 500 new couples each week by 2020.
Reflecting on a Brave Decision
Years after turning down the monumental offer, Dawoon Kang stood with quiet conviction, “At the end of the day, we knew we made the right decision.” The company’s bold rejection on national television manifested not just resilience, but genuine belief in their vision. Their Wall of Fame is a testament to the countless real connections they’ve fostered.
Coffee Meets Bagel stands tall not just for what it represents in the dating world but as a beacon of entrepreneurial perseverance and determination.
Watch Shark Tank on ABC every Friday at 8 PM ET. Streaming available on Hulu.