The Koerner Office: 10 Wild Business Pitches, AI Apps, and Real Startup Bets

Chris Koerner (0:01)

So I just watched this incredible episode of The Koerner Office, and wow—the range of pitches was something else. You had everything from massage therapy for veterans to AI apps for forgetful husbands. I heard about that one! Let's start with the veteran massage business. That seems like it had real traction, right? Absolutely. Ammon Harden built Utah Veterans Massage after burning out in construction. He found this brilliant niche serving veterans who get twelve free sessions covered by the VA.

In just 18 months, he went from one rented room to seven locations. Those are impressive numbers. What kind of revenue are we talking? About 750 sessions monthly, pulling in $68,000 in revenue and $20,000 profit. He wanted $100,000 for 5 percent equity to hire an operations manager and expand across state lines. And the panel passed? They liked the VA-backed stability but worried about licensing complexity and credentialing requirements for multistate expansion. They said it could be more valuable once those operational pieces are in place. Makes sense. What about Go Seeds? That one actually won the audience vote, didn't it? It did! Cam Finley created this dual-chamber container for eating sunflower seeds—keeps the fresh seeds separated from the shells. Simple but clever. And it works for pistachios too, right? I can see that going viral on social media.

Exactly what the panel thought. They were really excited about the strategic potential there. Then there was Next to Kent, which was more emotional.

Tom Hamilton created a wearable NFC tag after briefly losing his son at a public event. How does it work? A stranger taps the tag with their phone and can instantly contact the parents.

Tom extended the concept to dementia care, noting that 60 percent of dementia patients wander. He said, This project only works if people know how to use it. That's the challenge, isn't it? Normalizing help without making it feel like surveillance. Speaking of solving real problems, what about that incontinence product? The Secure Pocket containment brief—designed to address issues the founders say the industry has ignored. The panel appreciated the relief it could provide, but pushed them toward licensing rather than manufacturing themselves. And Pick a Path Letters? That concept caught my attention. Beautiful idea. They send children a chapter of a story by mail twice a month, with each letter ending in a choice that shapes the next installment. Still small, but the panel called snail mail a growing category and suggested partnerships and paid advertising.

What about the Doghouse app for husbands?

Jake Nelson's AI relationship assistant. The panel loved the concept but told him to get off the web beta, lower the price, and prove App Store demand first. Chris said, Men have an intention gap. And Goodly Growth sparked that wild moment at the end, right?

Yes! Chris challenged them hard on valuation and why they even needed outside money, then jokingly offered, I would like to purchase you right now for $10 million.

What a night.