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From “Shark Tank” to Fintech Innovator: The Journey of Dmitri Love and Bundil

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The world of startups is filled with highs and lows, and few stories encapsulate this rollercoaster better than that of Dmitri Love and his fintech venture, Bundil. Love’s appearance on Shark Tank in 2018 brought his innovative app into the spotlight, but the journey that followed was anything but straightforward. From a promising pitch to the eventual closure of Bundil, Love’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs of color in the competitive tech landscape. Here’s a deep dive into what happened to Bundil, why the Shark Tank deal fell through, and how Love is thriving today with his new venture, Peas Technology.


The Bundil Pitch on Shark Tank

On October 21, 2018, Dmitri Love stepped into the Shark Tank to pitch Bundil, a fintech app designed to help users invest their spare change into cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The concept was simple yet innovative: round up everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and automatically invest the difference into crypto. At the time of the pitch, Bundil was just two months old, with 360 subscribers and a customer acquisition cost of $2.70 per user.

Love’s pitch started nervously, but he quickly regained his composure and impressed the Sharks with his vision. However, not all of them were convinced. Lori Greiner expressed skepticism about cryptocurrency, while Mark Cuban cited a conflict of interest due to his investment in a similar app, ChangED. Daymond John felt the idea was too early-stage, and guest Shark Matt Higgins encouraged Love to consider Kevin O’Leary’s offer.

O’Leary, known as “Mr. Wonderful,” saw potential in Bundil and offered $100,000 for a 50% stake in the company. Despite the steep equity ask, Love accepted the deal on the show, hoping O’Leary’s expertise and resources would help Bundil grow.


Why the Shark Tank Deal Fell Through

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While the handshake deal on Shark Tank was a moment of triumph, it didn’t translate into a finalized agreement. Love later revealed on the Outside the Tank podcast that he ultimately turned down O’Leary’s offer. The primary reason? The terms were too restrictive.

Love explained that he asked O’Leary for two key commitments:

  1. Dilution Protection: If Bundil raised additional funding in the future, O’Leary would need to dilute his 50% stake.
  2. Additional Capital: O’Leary would provide more funding to ensure Bundil had a sufficient runway to grow.

When O’Leary couldn’t commit to these terms, Love decided to walk away. This outcome isn’t uncommon—Love noted that around 88% of Shark Tank deals fall apart during due diligence. Despite the failed deal, Love maintained a positive relationship with O’Leary’s team and continued to pursue his vision for Bundil.


Bundil’s Post-Shark Tank Journey

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After the show, Bundil continued to operate and even secured funding outside of Shark Tank. Love highlighted the company’s inclusion in the Capital Factory Accelerator, a prestigious program that mentors promising startups. In a 2019 interview, he expressed optimism about Bundil’s future, mentioning plans to add new features and secure additional funding.

However, Love also faced significant challenges. In a candid LinkedIn post, he shared his frustration with the fundraising process, particularly as a Black entrepreneur. He pointed out that competitors with less traction, weaker teams, and no revenue were raising millions, while Bundil struggled to secure similar support. “Or maybe, we are just Black-founded,” he wrote, highlighting the systemic barriers faced by entrepreneurs of color.

Despite these obstacles, Bundil persisted for several years before Love made the difficult decision to shut it down in early 2023. Reflecting on the closure, he admitted that he should have considered pivoting or exploring new directions sooner.


What’s Next for Dmitri Love?

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While Bundil may be gone, Dmitri Love’s entrepreneurial journey is far from over. In 2023, he launched a new fintech startup called Peas Technology, which aims to revolutionize how couples manage their finances. Peas allows users to split bills, save together, and manage their money using an AI-powered financial assistant—all without switching banks.

Love’s vision for Peas is rooted in solving real-world problems. As he explained in a LinkedIn post, the app is designed to make joint finances easier and more transparent, reducing the financial strain often associated with divorce or separation. Peas is currently in private beta, with a waitlist available for early adopters.

In addition to Peas, Love has built a stable career in the fintech sector, working as a product advisor for companies like Seeds and Robin Healthcare. His experience with Bundil has clearly shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to solving meaningful problems.


Key Takeaways from Dmitri Love’s Story

  1. The Reality of Shark Tank Deals: Not all deals made on the show come to fruition. Entrepreneurs must carefully evaluate the terms and ensure they align with their long-term goals.
  2. Challenges for Entrepreneurs of Color: Love’s experience highlights the systemic barriers faced by Black founders in securing funding and support.
  3. The Importance of Pivoting: Recognizing when to pivot or explore new directions is crucial for startup survival.
  4. Resilience Pays Off: Despite setbacks, Love’s ability to adapt and innovate has kept him at the forefront of the fintech industry.

A Story of Resilience and Innovation

Dmitri Love’s journey from Shark Tank to Peas Technology is a testament to the resilience and creativity required to succeed in the startup world. While Bundil may not have achieved its full potential, Love’s ability to learn from the experience and pivot to a new venture demonstrates his determination and vision. As Peas Technology gains traction, it’s clear that Love’s story is far from over—and the fintech world is better for it.

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Apple TV+ has quietly pulled the upcoming French thriller The Hunt from its streaming release schedule amid allegations that the series bears a striking resemblance to Shoot, a 1974 novel by American author Douglas Fairbairn. The move, which was first reported by Apple Insider, has sparked an industrywide debate about originality and intellectual property rights in light of increased scrutiny on global streaming content.

The series was scheduled to launch on December 3, but eagle-eyed viewers observed last week that the title had vanished altogether from the upcoming releases list on Apple TV+. Production company Gaumont has now confirmed the delay in a statement to Variety:

“The broadcast of our series The Hunt has been temporarily postponed. We are currently conducting a thorough review to address any questions related to our production. We take intellectual property matters very seriously.”

Plot Parallels Raise Red Flags

The plagiarism concerns emerged after French media journalist Clément Garin openly stated that the plot of The Hunt has striking similarities with Fairbairn’s Shoot, itself adapted into a feature film in 1976.

In The Hunt, the story revolves around Franck — played by Benoît Magimel — and a close-knit group of friends who enjoy weekend hunting trips. Their routine outing turns sinister when they encounter another group of hunters who inexplicably open fire on them. After one of Franck’s friends is injured, the group retaliates, wounding an attacker. The men flee and decide to keep the incident secret. But as days pass, Franck becomes convinced that he and his friends are being stalked — hunted in return — by the rival group determined to exact revenge.

An official logline describes a tense psychological spiral in which Franck tries to resume normal life with his wife, Krystel (played by Audrey Laurent), only to feel increasingly surveilled and unsafe.

A Strikingly Similar Story in Shoot

Fairbairn’s Shoot follows a thoroughly similar trajectory of events. The protagonist of the novel, Rex, is introduced as a gruff, hyper-masculine hunter. While on a trip in Canada, Rex and his friends are attacked by fellow hunters. One friend fires back, killing one of the aggressors.

Rather than report the killings to the police, Rex assumes that neither would the opposing group report the lethal encounter. But paranoia takes hold as he’s convinced the surviving hunters will want revenge.

That uncanny overlap in plot structure – two groups of hunters, an exchange of gunfire, a death, and a lingering fear of revenge – fueled the accusations that ultimately prompted Apple TV+ to halt the release.

A History of Content Review at Apple TV+

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This is not the first time that Apple TV+ has delayed a series amidst concerns or external scrutiny. In September, it delayed The Savant, a thriller starring Jessica Chastain as an undercover investigator tracking online hate groups planning domestic terror attacks. There wasn’t any explanation by Apple over whether the issues were creative, legal, or production-related.

The streamer has made its name by carefully curating quality, highly-vetted content and often choosing delays over controversy. This latest pause would seem to indicate Apple is continuing that cautious approach.

Thus far, neither Apple nor Gaumont has issued further information about the investigation or whether The Hunt will be put back onto the release schedule. Neither company responded to a request for comment.

The entertainment industry has continued to grapple with intellectual property challenges, especially as international productions reach a global audience on wider levels thanks to streaming platforms. Cases like The Hunt highlight the delicate balance between creative inspiration and possible infringement-and the growing pressure on studios to ensure their stories don’t cross legal or ethical lines. The Hunt has remained off Apple’s platform pending review and its future remains uncertain.

Nintendo is officially moving into a new era. In its just-posted financial results briefing, the gaming giant confirmed that it’s shifting its main development efforts to the Nintendo Switch 2, a decisive move away from the original 2017 Switch that rebooted the company’s fortunes.

“Going forward, we will shift our primary development focus to Nintendo Switch 2 and expand our business around this new platform,” Nintendo said during its briefing.

The announcement effectively signals that the Nintendo Switch’s eight-year reign is beginning to wind down, even if the company isn’t ready to retire the console completely just yet.

Switch Still in Stores, But Support Will Gradually Fade

Nintendo pointed out that it would also continue to sell the original Switch hardware for the foreseeable future, adjusting its production and marketing strategy “in line with consumer demand and business conditions.” But the writing is on the wall: as developers shift their focus, new releases for the older system will inevitably slow.

The company sought to reassure fans that various major titles were still planned for the Switch, with launches from October onwards: these may include final first-party releases or updates to existing franchises aimed at keeping the system’s large player base engaged as the next generation gains momentum.

Sell Switch 2 Off to a Strong Start

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Off to an amazing start despite still having a few months into its lifecycle, the Nintendo Switch 2 has already sold over 10.36 million units worldwide since its launch back in June, according to data from Nintendo.

Notably, 84 percent of buyers were existing Switch owners — a clear sign that the new console is attracting loyal fans upgrading to the next generation rather than drawing in entirely new users. While that number still represents a fraction of the original Switch’s staggering 154 million lifetime sales, the company says it’s observing a “uniform migration” toward the newer platform.

This is in line with what has been happening in all major console transitions: early adoption is driven by the existing user base before the wider audience starts buying.

The Legacy of the Nintendo Switch

When the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017, it marked a revolutionary hybrid console that combined handheld portability with the more traditional style of home gaming. It quickly became one of Nintendo’s most successful systems to date, revitalizing the company from underperforming sales of the Wii U and an era-defining lineup of games that included The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

The versatility and affordability of the system helped it capture an immense audience worldwide, crossing over 154 million units in lifetime sales, making it the third-best-selling console in history after the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS.

What’s Next for the Switch 2

While Nintendo has not talked about all the technical details of Switch 2, reports and leaks indicate that it has a more powerful chipset, faster loading times, and increased graphical capabilities-all of which would draw Nintendo closer to the level of visual fidelity shown in their competitors, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

This generational shift is pivotal for Nintendo-a balance between paying homage to a record-breaking legacy and forging ahead with innovation. While the company has managed transitions quite well in the past, with the original Switch still performing well in markets such as Japan and Europe, Nintendo faces the challenge of gradually sunsetting one of its most beloved consoles without alienating its vast player community. The message, as the Switch 2 gains even more momentum, is clear: the future of Nintendo is already here — and it’s building on the base of one of the most successful consoles ever made.

There are also rumors that the backward compatibility will be improved, allowing existing Switch owners to carry forward their digital libraries. With a larger OLED display combined with an enhanced Joy-Con design, the new console seems set to deliver performance and comfort upgrades in equal measure.

Analysts anticipate the Switch 2 will be the leader of the 2025 gaming cycle, especially with expected first-party games such as Metroid Prime 4, The Legend of Zelda sequel projects, and maybe new Mario entries already in development for the console.

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