Entertainment, TV, Celebrity, Culture

Broccoli Wad Disappears After Shark Tank — What Happened, 2018 Update

by in Business Spotlight, Shark Tank | September 6, 2017

Broccoli Wad

The Broccoli Wad (when available on Amazon)

Johnny Gennaro is the Miami inventor behind The Broccoli Wad, a rubber band that was designed to hold cash. The name comes from the fact that the band looks just like the rubber band used to hold stalks of broccoli at the grocery story. In 2011, Gennaro and his business partner, actor Vincent Pastore (Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero of The Sopranos), pitched the business on Shark Tank. They agreed to a $50,000 investment from Barbara Corcoran in exchange for 40 percent equity. There was a contingency — Corcoran wanted to put Pastore’s face on the product and call it “Vinny’s Wad.”

[The Broccoli Wad Money Band on Amazon]

[Related: 27 Favorite ‘Shark Tank’ Products at Amazon — New List]

After Shark Tank, Vincent’s face was put on the product packaging but the name didn’t change. The photo above is when The Broccoli Wad was available on Amazon (it no longer is). A handful are being auctioned on eBay. After the Shark Tank episode aired, Gennaro went on to invent the iCurler, “an innovative electrical hair care appliance that utilizes patented infused air technology.” See video below. Pastore is currently filming the indie horror film “Clinton Road” in New Jersey with rapper/actor Ice-T. He also continues to perform stand-up comedy routines across the country (see below).