Zoa Engineering

Eric Button and Robert Button, twin brothers from Vancouver, BC, pitched Zoa Engineering, asking for $250,000 for 10% of their company. Their flagship product, the PL1, is a portable electric rope tow that weighs about 10.5 pounds and helps backcountry skiers and snowboarders ascend hills without a chairlift. The kit sells for $2,100 Canadian, and the company has sold about 250 units worldwide since a 2022 Kickstarter campaign that raised $200,000, followed by $150,000 in sales the first year after delivery. The company has lost about $300,000 since inception, including a $150,000 loss last year and a $20,000 loss this season, and is not currently profitable.

Drew Scott went out saying he could not add value in the space. Manjit Minhas went out citing an unclear growth strategy and an unrealistic valuation. Wes Hall went out over concerns about continued cash burn without a narrower focus. Michele Romanow offered $250,000 for 33% of the company, citing her ski industry experience and retail relationships, and Brian Scudamore joined her offer, bringing it down to $250,000 for 20%, which Eric Button and Robert Button accepted.

Zoa Engineering is still operating and sells through its website.