Who is Michael Bergida?
Michael Bergida is a Brooklyn-based consumer products entrepreneur and co-founder of Bumpeez, which makes remote-control bumper cars for young children. Before Bumpeez he built a track record selling on Amazon and eBay; he owns the pet accessories brand Ruff 'N Ruffus, which reportedly generated about $7 million in sales, and serves as president of Goldstar Innovations. He and co-founder Israel Schaya started Bumpeez after noticing that amusement parks offered few rides for small children below height limits, and designed a home bumper car that parents can steer by remote. The company had about $520,000 in sales after nine months when the founders pitched on Shark Tank in Season 16, asking for $100,000 for 10%.
Barbara Corcoran briefly pulled out when the founders tried to bring other sharks into the deal, then returned after they apologized. They accepted $100,000 for 15% plus a $5 royalty on the first 50,000 units from Corcoran and Robert Herjavec. Bumpeez has since added inflatable bumper cars and a dinosaur-themed ride-on, sells on Amazon and online, and was named a Toy Association Top 25 Toy for STEAM.
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