Our work / GoNutz
Shark Tank deal — Cuban & John
Revolutionizing Shaving with a Waterproof Electric Razor
- Product Conceptualization
- Ergonomic Design
- Engineering for Sensitive Skin
- Waterproof Functionality
- Rechargeable Battery System
- Self-Cleaning Technology
- Prototype Development
- Patent Assistance
Written by Konstantin Dolgan, Ph.D., NPDP
Founder & CEO, Product Development Engineer
Updated August 30, 2026
Project at a glance
- Client
- GoNutz — Landon McKinnis, founder
- Category
- Personal grooming / consumer electronics
- Starting point
- Founder concept, no CAD and no prototype
- What we delivered
- Concept design, ergonomic and mechanical engineering, waterproof sealing, battery and dock electronics, prototypes, patent support, manufacturing handoff
- Key constraints
- IPX-rated waterproofing, foil blade safety on sensitive skin, 2.5+ hours of runtime, self-cleaning dock
- Outcome
- Patented, in production and retailing nationally after a Shark Tank deal
As seen on Shark Tank
Mark Cuban and Daymond John tested GoNutz on national television
Founder Landon McKinnis pitched the GoNutz waterproof body groomer on Shark Tank season 16, episode 17 — asking $100,000 for 15%. Both sharks ran the groomer on camera, then went in together for $120,000 at 30% — more money than the founder came in for.
The unit they held was the product LA NPDT engineered: the ergonomic dome housing, the internal foil blade stack sized for sensitive skin, the waterproof seal set and the self-cleaning dock — all developed here from the founder's original idea and carried through to a patented, manufacturable design.
- Aired April 18, 2025 on ABC
- S16 E17Aired April 18, 2025 on ABC
- Deal with Mark Cuban & Daymond John
- $120K / 30%Deal with Mark Cuban & Daymond John
- Pitched at 15% — the sharks went bigger
- $100K askPitched at 15% — the sharks went bigger
The client
The challenge
Our solution
Innovative features and sustainable design
From concept to market
The result
Services provided
- 01
Product Conceptualization
Initial development of the GoNutz idea, focusing on creating a waterproof electric razor suitable for sensitive skin. - 02
Ergonomic Design
Crafting a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing design, ensuring easy handling and effective shaving for various body areas. - 03
Engineering for Sensitive Skin
Specializing in the development of a foil blade system to offer a close, no-risk shave, particularly for users with sensitive skin. - 04
Waterproof Functionality
Implementing design features to ensure the shaver is completely waterproof, enhancing its usability in wet conditions like showers. - 05
Rechargeable Battery System
Developing a long-lasting, rechargeable battery system to ensure prolonged and consistent performance. - 06
Self-Cleaning Technology
Engineering a self-charging and self-cleaning storage dock, adding to the convenience and hygiene of the shaving experience. - 07
Prototype Development
Creating both a proof-of-concept and a functional prototype, demonstrating the shaver’s effectiveness and readiness for manufacturing. - 08
Patent Assistance
Supporting the process of obtaining a utility patent for the unique design and features of GoNutz.
Customer testimonial
Customer testimonial
“Thank you for your help along the way.”
In the press
GoNutz on D-Talks
GoNutz on Shark Tank
Capabilities used on this project
Rapid prototyping services
3D printing, CNC machining, urethane casting and functional prototype builds with published materials, tolerances and lead times.
Questions about this project
Straight answers from the engineers who ran the build. Have a different question? Ask us directly.
Talk to an engineerDoes LA NPDT sell the GoNutz groomer?
No. GoNutz belongs to our client. LA NPDT is the product development team that designed, engineered and prototyped it. Buy the groomer from the GoNutz brand; come to us if you want a device of your own developed.
What did LA NPDT actually do on this project?
Everything between the founder's idea and a manufacturable product: concept development, industrial design, ergonomic studies, mechanical and electronic engineering, waterproof sealing, the foil blade head, the rechargeable battery and self-cleaning dock, functional prototypes, patent drawings and support, and the design-for-manufacturing package handed to the factory.
How do you make a wet-shave device waterproof?
Waterproofing is a design decision, not a coating added at the end. We separate the wet zone from the electronics, use compression gaskets and ultrasonic or welded joints instead of open seams, move charging to contactless dock pins, and validate the assembly with submersion and spray testing on prototypes before tooling is cut.
How long does a project like GoNutz take?
A consumer electro-mechanical device of this complexity typically runs 6 to 12 months from concept to production-ready files, depending on how many prototype rounds the mechanism and the seal set need. We phase the work so you approve the design before engineering spend, and prototypes before tooling spend.
Can you help protect the design like you did here?
Yes. We supported the GoNutz utility patent with engineering drawings and technical descriptions and we do the same for other clients, working alongside your patent attorney. We do not provide legal advice; we supply the technical record the filing is built on.
Industries this project belongs to
See how we approach development in each of these categories, and the other products we have taken from sketch to production there.
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