Purdue student-inventor nabs VC on TV show

  • Comments
  • Print
Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
This audio file is brought to you by
0:00
0:00
Loading audio file, please wait.
  • 0.25
  • 0.50
  • 0.75
  • 1.00
  • 1.25
  • 1.50
  • 1.75
  • 2.00

A Purdue University student who invented a soy-based modeling dough walked away with a $300,000 investment after appearing
Tuesday on the ABC show “Shark Tank.”

Sawyer Sparks, a Purdue senior and Bloomfield native, created
Soy-Yer Dough, a wheat-free modeling dough, as an alternative to Play-Doh. He was inspired by one of his favorite professors
and her daughter, who both suffer from a wheat allergy.

Appearing on the television show, Sparks convinced two
self-made millionaires to invest in his patented product. The $300,000 commitment from the two investors represents a 51-percent
stake in his company.

Soy-Yer Dough already is available to consumers. Many schools use it, and it also is available
for organizations to use for fund raising.

Sparks said he has been in talks with the maker of Play-Doh about purchasing
his product. 
 

Please enable JavaScript to view this content.

Story Continues Below

Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. Please note our comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated.

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In