Joe Croft of San Clemente, California is the entrepreneur behind Gunnar Optiks, a line of eyeglasses designed to eliminate computer eyestrain and block harmful rays. Gunnar Optiks uses a polycarbonate lens. The amber lens filters out blue light and adds contrast to the screen which relaxes the eye. The Gunnar lens also features an anti-reflective coating on the front and back of the lens to reduce glare. Croft is pitching his eyewear business on Shark Tank on February 11. He’s seeking an investment of $750,000 in exchange for 5 percent equity. That’s a $15 million valuation.
During his pitch, Croft makes a lot of claims including “Gunnar’s patented technology is the only proven solution for relief” from computer eyestrain and they can “prevent dry eyes, reduce muscular eye fatigue,” among other things. But most importantly, says Croft, Gunnar Optiks has been “scientifically proven to reduce that harmful blue light emitted by computer screens by 65 percent.” The Sharks — particularly Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner — are sticklers for evidence of scientific claims. While plenty of data is available on the Gunnar Optiks website about the effects of computer eyestrain, there is mention of just one Gunnar study. “During an independent study conducted at three eye care professional locations, over 150 patients were interviewed before and after using Gunnar Technology Eyewear throughout a multi-week test involving intense computer use.” Will that be enough to satisfy the Sharks? New episodes of Shark Tank air Sundays at 10pm on ABC.
Love Shark Tank? Watch Rubik’s Cube pitch the Sharks in 1974:
