Destin Bell is the founder of Card.io, an Austin-based social game where users compete for turf in their city by walking, running, or biking. The app has individual and group subscription tiers that remove ads and offer social media-type functions for members, as per CNBC Make It.
Born with a passion for fitness and technology, Bell launched his app in 2022 to essentially add some fun and community to fitness routines.
His journey towards creating the app started while he was working in tech and finance. His love for running inspired him to merge his career with his passion, leading to the launch of the Card.io app following hours of research and development.
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Bell was recently on Shark Tank to ask the show’s investors for funding. Speaking about his journey during his pitch, Bell said when he got the idea for his app, he was broke, and to get his idea running, he took his idea to game developer Niantic, which created Pokémon Go and sponsors a Black Developers Initiative that supports Black game developers financially.
According to him, Niantic initially rejected the idea, but he was persistent, and it paid off. He recalled emailing the company’s CEO once per week for three months—eventually securing $150,000 in startup funds.
“That’s brilliant, and I hate you, because now everybody out there is going to send us 600 emails a week,” investor judge Mark Cuban told Bell in response, according to CNBC Make It.
With more than 22,000 users across seven countries, Card.io brought in $4,000 in revenue before Bell appeared on the show. He asked the show’s investors for $150,000 to spend on product and user growth, and to create an Android version of the app, in exchange for a 5% equity stake in his company.
Lori Greiner and Cuban pulled out, saying they can’t help the business grow, while Kevin O’Leary said he doesn’t have enough data to justify the investment.
Daymond John and minority owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons Rashaun Williams teamed up to offer Bell $150,000 in exchange for 15% of his company. Bell initially rejected the offer, but upon consultation with his mother, he agreed to it.
