Slick Barrier
Pesticide-free coating creating a physical barrier against pests.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | $500k Valuation: $3.3m | Angel | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Slick Barrier offers a patented, pesticide-free pest control system that creates a physical barrier to prevent crawling pests from entering buildings. The system involves applying a specialty clear coating to the exterior foundation, which dries into a hard, smooth, glass-like surface that pests like scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, and rodents cannot climb. This technology can be used as a standalone solution or to complement traditional pest control methods by keeping pests in areas treated with pesticides longer.
The company was founded in Gilbert, Arizona, by Aaron and Tony Gonzales, who were driven by personal and dangerous experiences with scorpion infestations in their own homes. Aaron, who had a background in telecommunication sales, and Tony, a former attorney, collaborated to find a non-chemical solution after their young sons were endangered by scorpion stings. They worked with a chemist to develop the proprietary formula. Starting as a service-based business in 2018 under the name 95 Applications, the company initially generated $180,000 in revenue in 2020. It has since evolved, rebranding from names like Scorpion Repel and Averzion to Slick Barrier, to better reflect its broad effectiveness against various pests.
Slick Barrier's business model includes direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales of DIY kits through its website and retailers like The Home Depot, a professional installation service, and a franchise model for entrepreneurs. The company gained significant exposure after appearing on Season 14 of 'Shark Tank,' where they secured an investment offer from Lori Greiner. While the deal with Greiner did not close, the appearance dramatically increased sales and brand visibility. The company's effectiveness has been validated by third-party testing from universities, including Texas A&M and New Mexico State University.
Keywords: pest control, physical pest barrier, pesticide-free, non-toxic pest solution, scorpion barrier, rodent repellent, home pest exclusion, DIY pest control, foundation coating, crawling insect barrier, Shark Tank, home protection, building materials, specialty chemicals, franchise, home improvement, sustainable pest management, integrated pest management, clear protective coating