Stephen Longo, a certified nutrition coach, competitive beach volleyball player, and lifelong athlete from West Orange, New Jersey, founded Orka Bar in June 2023 in Asbury Park. The first protein ice cream bar made from egg whites delivering 15 grams of protein per bar in four indulgent flavours, Orka Bar appeared on Shark Tank US Season 17 Episode 4 in October 2025, saw a spike in orders within 48 hours of airing, and secured a $100,000 deal from Lori Greiner for 25% equity.
Personal Adversity, an Unhealthy Relationship With Food, and a Mission Born on the Court
Stephen Longo is a certified nutrition coach, competitive beach volleyball player, and lifelong athlete from West Orange, New Jersey. Orka Bar was born from personal adversity and a mission to help others live better through food. After struggling with an unhealthy relationship with eating, Longo realised that what holds people back from better nutrition is the trade-off between taste and health—the belief that food that is good for you cannot also be genuinely enjoyable.
As a nutrition coach, he spent years experimenting with snack alternatives that were both nutritious and genuinely enjoyable for his clients. He wanted a product with high protein content, convenient enough for busy days, satisfying enough for post-workout recovery, and indulgent enough to feel like a reward rather than a compromise.
He worked in strategy roles at Wellware and Throughline Inc. while developing his ideas. In June 2023, those years of experimentation finally crystallised into Orka Bar, launched in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He left his consulting roles entirely in March 2025 to focus full-time on the brand.
The name Orka is the Icelandic word for energy. The orca whale—a majestic symbol of strength, longevity, and guidance recognised by indigenous peoples worldwide as the guardian of the ocean—inspired both the brand identity and its visual language, differentiating Orka immediately from the clinical, supplement-shelf aesthetic of most protein products.
Egg Whites, Dark Chocolate, and a Product That Belongs in Two Categories at Once
The boldest product decision Stephen made was to use egg whites as the primary protein foundation rather than whey protein concentrate, the default choice for most competitors in the protein bar market.
Egg whites are a nutritional powerhouse and an excellent source of high-quality protein with all essential amino acids, making them ideal for muscle repair and growth. They also create a naturally creamy texture that standard protein blends cannot replicate, enabling Orka Bar to achieve the taste and mouthfeel of premium ice cream rather than a dense, chalky protein product.
| Product Attribute | Metric / Specification |
| Protein Content | 15g per bar |
| Caloric Value | 230–270 calories (80g bar) |
| Sugar / Sweetener | 5g–8.5g (Stevia, Erythritol & Chicory Root Blend) |
| Dietary Profile | Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Low in Lactose |
| Coating | Premium Dark Chocolate Shell |
| Flavours | Cookies and Cream, Raspberry, Vanilla Bean, Mint |
The distribution strategy was equally sharp. Stephen built the brand first through 50-plus gyms and health stores across New Jersey and New York, including House of Nutrition and Retro Fitness, placing Orka Bar exactly where his target consumer already shopped and trained. Retail accounted for 70% of sales, with 30% generated through direct-to-consumer online channels.
Every Shark Agreed It Tasted Great, Lori Greiner Said Yes, and Orders Flooded In
Orka Bar appeared on Shark Tank US Season 17 Episode 4, which aired in October 2025. Stephen Longo entered the tank seeking $100,000 for 15% equity, valuing the company at approximately $667,000.
At the time of the pitch, Orka Bar had generated $30,000 to $35,000 in revenue with projections reaching $80,000 to $100,000 by year-end. Wholesale pricing stood at $10 for a box of four bars against a production cost of $5, with retail pricing ranging from $13.99 to $18.99 per box.
Kendra Scott asked if the bars were dairy-free; Stephen confirmed they were low in lactose and noted that the flavour profile pleasantly surprised her. Daymond John called Orka Bar the best product he had tasted in the protein snack category, validating its quality even as he declined to invest citing the competitive nature of the market. All five Sharks unanimously agreed the product was genuinely exceptional in flavour.
Alexis Ohanian raised scepticism around direct-to-consumer frozen dessert logistics, while Kevin O'Leary highlighted frozen supply chain complexities. However, Lori Greiner saw the opportunity clearly. She initially offered $100,000 for 33.3% equity. After negotiations, the final deal closed at $100,000 for 25% equity, providing Orka Bar with both strategic capital and retail expertise.
Within 48 hours of the episode airing, orders flooded in. Stephen took to Instagram stories to personally assure every customer that their orders would be fulfilled. Post-Shark Tank, Orka Bar expanded to nationwide shipping and launched an ambassador program to build a dedicated health and fitness community.
Scale and Real-World Impact
Company: Orka Bar (Trusave / Orka Energy)
Founder: Stephen Longo (Certified Nutrition Coach)
Headquarters: Asbury Park, New Jersey
Launch Date: June 2023
Product Form: Frozen Egg-White & Whey Protein Ice Cream Bar wrapped in Dark Chocolate
Core Specs: 15g Protein | 230–270 Calories | Gluten-Free | Low Lactose
Retail Footprint: 50+ regional retail partners, health stores, and nationwide direct-to-consumer shipping
Investor Deal: Lori Greiner ($100,000 for 25% equity)
Market Outlook: Active and operating continuously, targeting a share of the global protein bar market projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2029.
The Most Powerful Food Products End the Trade-Off the Consumer Has Always Been Forced to Make
The sharpest lesson from Orka Bar's journey is this: the most disruptive food products are the ones that eliminate the compromise that the entire market had accepted as inevitable.
Every protein bar maker accepted that texture, taste, and indulgence would be sacrificed for nutrition. Every ice cream brand accepted that indulgence would come at the cost of health. Stephen Longo refused both premises. He asked a different question entirely: what if the product was genuinely both?
That one question, answered with egg whites, dark chocolate, and an Icelandic word for energy, produced a brand that every Shark unanimously agreed tasted exceptional, that Daymond John called the best protein snack he had ever tasted, and that Lori Greiner chose to back with her own capital.
"Orka Bar is committed to making functional health convenient, enjoyable, and empowering."
A volleyball court. A coaching career. A personal struggle with food. A flood of orders within 48 hours of national television. And a frozen bar that finally ended the trade-off between ice cream and protein.
The coolest, creamiest burst of energy. One bite at a time.
Sources: Shark Tank (ABC / Season 17, Episode 4), Mashed, ROI-NJ Business News & Media, Orka Bar Official Brand & Product Specifications, Trend Hunter - Multi-Protein Innovation Report
