What Happened to Classroom Jams after the Shark Tank Pitch?
What is Classroom Jams?
Classroom Jams was a record label and publishing company that attempted to introduce students to classic works of literature.
The objective of the firm is to change how students interact with classic works of literature, notably Shakespeare, while reading.
It provides a wide range of class sets in a number of areas, including history and science. This set includes thirty compact CDs as well as a teacher’s handbook.
What is the Inventor of classroom jams?
Marc Furigay established Classroom Jams. He taught English in a public high school for eight years.
Mr. Furigay was previously the Director of Education at Street-Level Youth Media. He has also served as an Instructional Coach at Kaplan K12.
Marc Furigay presently teaches English at Dyett High School for the Arts.
Mr. Furigay holds an M.A.T. in English from the University of Chicago as well as an M.A. in English from the University of Virginia.
He was disturbed by his students’ unusual lack of interest in literature, particularly Shakespeare’s great works.
He wished to develop an idea that would improve the participatory character of the lectures and give additional depth to the way students learned literature.
He composed songs inspired by Shakespeare’s works of art and copyrighted the resulting CD. He is a determined entrepreneur looking for like-minded partners to help him develop a viable record label and publishing company.
Prior to participating on Shark Tank, Mark had written a number of songs and intended to launch a publishing company as well as an educational record label.
However, because he had not yet implemented his business strategy, he had not yet earned any sales.
What Happened to Classroom Jams During the Shark Tank Pitch?
Furigay appeared on Shark Tank season 1 episode 2 looking for a $250,000 investment in exchange for a 10% stake in the company. This translates to a $2.5 million valuation.
He presents his company, which is both a music workshop and a publishing organization. Furigay was taken aback by a student’s request for “personalization.”
He wrote the song “Jubilee for Juliette” in response to the student’s request.
He sings the first stanza for the Sharks, who are astounded by his talent.
Furigay owns the rights to every track on the album. He’s offering a stake in the publishing company and the studio, but not ownership of the copyright, which enrages Kevin O’Leary, who calls Furigay a “nasty, disgusting man.”
Furigay’s whole album is available for purchase for $499 for schools. This collection includes the whole Shakespeare record, student materials, and a teacher’s manual.
In an unusual step, O’Leary asks Furigay to leave the room so the Sharks may consult.
He suggests that investors collaborate rather than compete when Furigay is out of earshot.
Mr. Wonderful clearly likes the product and sees potential in the business, but he is unwilling to relinquish Furigay entire control of the copyright to his songs — the firm’s actual worth.
O’Leary wants to provide Furigay the whole investment money in exchange for 100% of the publishing rights and a 5% royalty on the songs after the $250,000 is repaid.
Furigay want to keep his company rather than sell it to the Sharks. “Would you like to be affluent or not?” O’Leary is curious.
Daymond “Are you interested in becoming involved in day-to-day marketing and sales?” John is curious.
Furigay is enthralled by the prospect of running his own firm, which John rejects.
He wishes to keep some ownership in the company. The Sharks are adamant in their refusal to compromise.
He replies with a counter-offer. He wishes to remain involved with the company. Robert takes a risk by giving Furigay the whole investment for 100 percent of the company, with the option to acquire up to 49 percent of the company at any point, but no royalty option.
When Furigay continues to be hesitant, Herjavec offers the $250,000 in return for 51 percent ownership of the company, thus handing him control.
Furigay demands a summary of the 5 Shark transaction. O’Leary reiterates the details and mentions Herjavec’s opportunity to buy in.
Mark countered with an 8 percent royalty instead of the customary 5 percent, but the sharks rejected. Furigay agrees to the terms of the agreement.
What Happened to Classroom Jams Following the Shark Tank Pitch?
Despite an agreement with Houghton Mifflin, a big educational publisher, to test Furigay’s albums on a national scale, the company appears to have shut down.
Classroom Jams is only accessible online via Furigay’s personal LinkedIn page and a website with an inactive store.
There is no website or Facebook presence. Classroom Jams appears to have shut down, which is unfortunate for students who must study Shakespeare without music accompaniment.
Furigay went on to become the educational director of Street Level Adolescents Media, “a program for Chicago’s inner-city children that educates them about media and technology in order to build their self-esteem and critical thinking ability.” The year was 2011.
He began teaching English at Chicago’s Dyett High School for the Arts in 2016.
He relaunched his website and is now offering the Shakespeare Sessions CD for $9.99.
He also sells educational tools for Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and poetry.
After a year and a half of remote learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he plans to return to school in July 2021.
What is the Net Worth of Classroom Jams?
Furigay appeared on Shark Tank season 1 episode 2 looking for a $250,000 investment in exchange for a 10% stake in the company. This translates to a $2.5 million valuation.
He accepted a $250,000 offer from the five Sharks for 100% ownership of the company, resulting in a $250,000 valuation.
Who are the Competitors of Classroom Jams?
Classroom Jams does not have a competition.
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Classroom Jams FAQS
1. What is Classroom Jams?
Classroom Jams was a record label and publishing company that attempted to introduce students to classic works of literature.
2. What happened to Classroom Jams?
Classroom Jams is no longer active. There is no website or Facebook presence. Classroom Jams appears to have shut down
3. Who is Mark Furigay?
Marc Furigay established Classroom Jams. He taught English in a public high school for eight years.
Mr. Furigay was previously the Director of Education at Street-Level Youth Media. He has also served as an Instructional Coach at Kaplan K12.
Marc Furigay presently teaches English at Dyett High School for the Arts.
Mr. Furigay holds an M.A.T. in English from the University of Chicago as well as an M.A. in English from the University of Virginia.
4. When was Classroom Jams created?
Classroom Jams was founded in 2007.
5. Where was Classroom Jams based?
Classroom Jams is based in Chicago, Illinois.
6. When was Classroom Jams featured on Shark Tank?
Classroom Jams appeared on Shark Tank season 1 episode 2 on August 16th, 2009.
7. How much was Classroom Jams?
Whole album was available for purchase, which costs $499 for schools.
8. How can they contact Classroom Jams?
The original website is inaccessible. The contact information on the website is no longer valid.
9. How much was Marc Furigay seeking in the Shark Tank?
Mark Furigay was seeking $250,000 in exchange for 10% equity.
10. Did he get the deal from the Shark Tank?
He accepted an offer from the 5 Sharks of $250,000 for 100% of the business thus a valuation of $250,000.
