The pitch
What walked into the Den
Cory Brightwall of Beaumont, Alberta founded Caribou, a maker of butcher-block countertops, kitchen islands and hardwood slabs, and pitched in season 14, episode 2.
His number was $350,000 for 15 percent, putting the business at about $2.33 million.
After the show
What happened next
The money was there, but not at his price. Brightwall countered at 20 percent, the offer would go no lower than 25, and he walked rather than take it.
The company is doing well. As of July 2026 it was selling countertops, islands and slabs online, and listing showrooms across western and central Canada plus several US states.
Our read
The Hub verdict
At $350,000 for 15 percent, the implied $2.33 million valuation reads like a real woodworking operation with inventory and showrooms behind it, which the current footprint bears out.
The money was there and Cory Brightwall turned it down. The offer opened at $350,000 for 30 percent and softened to 25, he countered at 20, and when the equity would not move any further he walked rather than sell a quarter of the business. That is a founder who knew what his order book was worth.
He was right to hold. Caribou sells countertops, islands and slabs online today and lists showrooms across western and central Canada and into several US states, a physical footprint that is a great deal harder to build than a working checkout.
