A 10-year-old entrepreneur's creation of a non-permanent LEGO adhesive has reached a leglue net worth of approximately $1.6 million by 2025. The story behind this innovative product and business success has captivated audiences since Tripp Phillips appeared on Shark Tank.
The company's original value stood at around $533,333 at the time Tripp asked for $80,000 to exchange for 15% equity. Le glue net worth has grown by a lot since then. This young inventor became one of America's youngest patent holders and turned his simple solution for securing LEGO structures into a successful business.
The company soared after striking a deal with Kevin O'Leary for $80,000 and a 20% share. Revenue exceeded $500,000 within a year after the episode aired. This piece traces Le-Glue's experience from its modest start to its current success. The company sells about 16,000 units monthly and projects $2 million in revenue by 2024.
The Story Behind Le-Glue
Le-Glue's story began in December 2014. A third-grade student at Westwood Elementary School, Tripp Phillips, received a class assignment that sparked his creativity. His teacher asked students to create an original invention that solved a real-life problem.
Tripp quickly spotted something that bothered him – his LEGO creations kept falling apart during play. He cleverly called these incidents "messy breakups". His father Lee Phillips worked as a lab scientist and became the perfect guide for this project. Lee gave his son simple advice: "find a problem, then a solution." Within 30 minutes, Tripp started his mission.
The father-son duo created a non-toxic, water-soluble adhesive specifically for building blocks. Their product has starch and latex components that dissolve in warm water and antimicrobial protection against germs. They added an unpleasant taste to keep kids from eating it – a smart safety feature for their child-focused product.
Judges at the International Torrance Creativity Awards loved their invention. Tripp won first place in the toys and games invention category. The young inventor secured both patent and trademark protection by 2015, at just 11 years old.
Their kitchen table served as the first production facility. Sales reached over 7,000 units by 2017. Drop tests from 24 inches showed Le-Glue's strength – regular builds broke apart while glued structures stayed intact.
Shark Tank Journey and Deal Details
Twelve-year-old Tripp Phillips walked onto the Shark Tank stage with his father Lee and sister Ally in October 2018. They asked for $80,000 in exchange for 15% of Le-Glue. Tripp showed how well his product worked by dropping two LEGO sets – the one with Le-Glue stayed in one piece while the other one broke apart.
The Sharks were really amazed by Tripp's pitch, particularly because he got a utility patent when he was just 10 years old. His business sense impressed everyone as he shared Le-Glue's strong sales numbers: $52,000 last year, $32,000 by May this year, and total sales of over $125,000. The product's numbers looked very promising with manufacturing costs of 43 cents and a retail price of $8.99.
The pitch attracted two solid offers from the Sharks. Kevin O'Leary wanted 25% equity for $80,000 plus a 50% royalty on licensing deals until he got his money back, then his share would drop to 20%. He added one fun condition – Tripp had to wear a black suit like Kevin during meetings. Daymond John kept it simple with his offer: $80,000 for 25% equity, no strings attached.
Tripp talked it over quickly with his dad and chose Kevin's deal. He believed Mr. Wonderful's connections in licensing would help them partner with big toy manufacturers.
Le-Glue Net Worth and Business Growth After Shark Tank
Le-Glue experienced a massive surge after its Shark Tank appearance. The company's website drew 20,000 visitors in just four minutes after the episode aired. By next morning, customers had placed 2,000 orders.
This spotlight helped Le-Glue reach new heights. Sales shot up to $500,000 within a year of the show. The company's growth continued steadily and revenue reached $1.2 million by 2022. Monthly sales now average 15,000 units. Le-Glue's current net worth stands at $1.6 million.
The company's success story becomes even more impressive with its 96% profit margin. Each unit costs less than $0.50 to produce and sells for $8.99. This pricing strategy helps Le-Glue earn about $1.55 million in yearly profits.
The company has now spread beyond the US market into the UK, South Africa, and China. Customer satisfaction remains high with a 3.9 rating from over 2,000 Amazon reviews.
Le-Glue wants to cross $2 million in sales by 2024's end while maintaining a 10% yearly growth rate. Tripp's ultimate vision includes partnering with LEGO.
Conclusion
Tripp Phillips turned a third-grade classroom assignment into a million-dollar enterprise. His story shows how new ideas meet great chances. Le-Glue has grown significantly from its humble kitchen-table beginnings. The company keeps growing fast with monthly sales of 16,000 units and an impressive 96% profit margin.
Kevin O'Leary's mutually beneficial alliance helped the company expand rapidly after Shark Tank. The show's airing transformed this family business overnight. The product now reaches the UK, South Africa, and China, which proves how much LEGO enthusiasts love this simple yet effective solution.
Le-Glue's sales will likely hit $2 million by late 2024 with a steady 10% annual growth rate. The business should stay profitable for years. The most impressive part of this story is how Tripp spotted a common problem affecting countless children worldwide. He created a practical solution before he even started middle school.
Many young entrepreneurs pitch on Shark Tank, but few match Le-Glue's lasting success. Tripp's product fills a real need, delivers outstanding profit margins, and showcases his natural business sense. These factors created the perfect recipe for growth. His ultimate goal to partner with LEGO could cement this young inventor's place in toy industry history.
This remarkable story proves great ideas can spark at any age. Next time your LEGO creation needs saving from a "messy breakup," you'll know what to grab – and the amazing story behind it.
FAQs
Q1. How successful was Le-Glue after appearing on Shark Tank?
Le-Glue experienced significant growth after Shark Tank, with sales topping $500,000 within one year of the show airing. The company now sells approximately 16,000 units per month and is projected to generate over $2 million in sales by the end of 2024.
Q2. Who is the founder of Le-Glue?
Le-Glue was founded by Tripp Phillips when he was just 10 years old. He came up with the idea for a non-permanent LEGO adhesive as part of a school project and developed it with help from his father, Lee Phillips.
Q3. What makes Le-Glue unique compared to other adhesives?
Le-Glue is a water-soluble adhesive specifically designed for building blocks like LEGO. It holds structures together 12 times stronger than the friction of the bricks alone, but can be easily dissolved with warm water, leaving no residue.
Q4. How has Le-Glue expanded since its initial launch?
Since its launch, Le-Glue has expanded beyond the US market, entering the UK, South Africa, and China. The company has also diversified its product offerings and improved its manufacturing process, increasing production from 30 units per hour to 500 units per hour.
Q5. What is the current estimated net worth of Le-Glue?
As of 2025, Le-Glue's net worth is estimated to be approximately $1.6 million. The company maintains an impressive 96% profit margin and continues to experience steady growth, with a consistent 10% annual growth rate.
