Funky Pet owners Karl Darmanin and Abigail Attard confirmed with Lovin Malta that they are seeking alternate funding to make their Shark Tank vision a reality. 

Andrew Borg Carbott, who appeared alongside Darmanin and Attard on Shark Tank Malta, is no longer involved in their venture.

“Despite the exciting promise of €80,000 from investors Mark Weingard and Christabelle Camilleri to expand our beloved doggy daycare into an indoor dog park, we regret to inform everyone that the money never materialised,” they said.

“Our pitch for Funky Pet, which offers boarding, grooming, and training services for dogs, was well-received on the show. We detailed our ambitious plans to create an indoor dog park and expand our services, hoping to meet the growing demand as people returned to work post-pandemic.”

“The investors were enthusiastic and agreed to the deal, offering €80,000 for 25% of our business. However, despite the public commitment made on the show, we have yet to receive the promised funds. This has been a significant setback for our plans to enhance our facilities and services for our furry clients and their owners.”

“We want to thank our supporters for their continued loyalty and patience. We are committed to providing the best care for your pets and will continue to seek alternative funding to make our vision a reality.”

Contacted by Lovin Malta, a spokesperson for Shark Tank Malta said the show serves as a platform for entrepreneurs to connect with investors and aims to facilitate partnerships, but that they maintain neutrality in negotiations.

“Regarding Mr. Darmanin’s case, we can’t verify his claims without investigation. However, it’s concerning that the investment didn’t proceed due to operational and ethical issues, particularly those affecting animal welfare,” they said.

“This underscores the importance of ethical standards in business success. Shark Tank Malta continues to promote entrepreneurship and investment in Malta.”

Funky Pet said that they are open to a thorough investigation but would appreciate a clear and definitive update on the situation, which they warned has hindered their ability to pursue other investment avenues.

“As entrepreneurs, transparency and clear communication are paramount to us. We would appreciate a thorough investigation into the issues mentioned, as well as a formal explanation of why a decision was not communicated to us promptly after our appearance on the show,” they said.

“Furthermore, we request a public statement clarifying our current status to avoid any misconceptions that could impact our reputation and ability to secure future partnerships. This would help us move forward with transparency and integrity, which are core values we uphold in our business endeavours.”