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Trunkster’s zipperless smart-luggage business is reported to be out of business. Founders Jesse Potash and Gaston Blanchet accepted a contingent on-air offer from Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, but a recap says the deal never closed. Later reporting describes unfulfilled crowdfunding orders and unanswered customer inquiries; the available sources do not establish an exact shutdown date or verified count of affected customers.
What Trunkster sold
Trunkster’s central idea was a suitcase that opened with a roll-top or sliding-door mechanism instead of a conventional zipper. The historical product recap described carry-on and checked-bag sizes, brushed aluminum and polycarbonate construction, a removable battery with USB charging, a digital scale, GPS, and a TSA-approved combination lock. These are features reported for the original product, not evidence that it remains available today. Shark Tank Blog’s Trunkster recap listed historical retail prices of $495 for the carry-on and $535 for the checked bag; it also discussed a separate $395 figure in the founders’ cost-and-sales conversation.
What happened during the Shark Tank pitch?
Trunkster appeared in Season 7, Episode 10, which Shark Tank Companies lists as airing December 4, 2015. Potash and Blanchet asked for $1.4 million in exchange for 5% equity. A recap says Cuban and Greiner accepted an on-air offer for $1.4 million for 5% each, subject to conditions that included a 24-month repayment provision: if the money was not repaid, their equity would double, along with a per-unit royalty.
The offer was contingent, not a completed investment. The recap says the deal did not close after filming. So while Trunkster received an on-air agreement, the available account does not support saying that Cuban and Greiner ultimately invested in the company.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Why did Trunkster disappear?
Post-show coverage describes serious fulfillment and customer-service problems. Shark Tank Blog reported that many crowdfunding orders were not fulfilled, that some delivered units drew quality complaints, and that customers’ attempts to contact the company went unanswered. It also reported that the website went dark and social accounts were deleted. The recap said refunds had not been reported as of 2021 and that, as of August 2023, nothing had changed.
Those customer-impact details come from secondary reporting; the sources reviewed do not provide a primary company statement or independently verified customer totals. Shark Tank Companies currently categorizes Trunkster as out of business. Dealroom also describes it as defunct, though its narrative is AI-generated and is only secondary corroboration. None of these sources establishes the precise date the business stopped operating.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Can you still buy Trunkster luggage?
The company-update directory says Trunkster has no current website and no Amazon listing. That means the original luggage is not shown as available through those channels; it does not rule out occasional secondhand listings elsewhere. Do not assume a resale item is new, supported, or covered by a warranty.
If you are shopping for luggage with integrated travel features, current smart carry-ons are alternatives—not Trunkster products, and not necessarily compatible with Trunkster’s design. Check current product pages for dimensions, weight, battery-removal rules, charging features, warranty, and price before buying. Airline battery policies can also affect whether a bag’s battery must be removed for travel.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What is known about the founders after the show?
Shark Tank Blog reported that Gaston Blanchet later worked at Storypod and Jesse Potash at Bungalow. The reviewed sources do not verify either founder’s current role, so those reported post-show positions should not be treated as current employment information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
