Dave Yonce: The Oklahoma Serial Entrepreneur Behind IcyBreeze and Shark Tank
Most people know Dave Yonce from a single memorable moment: pitching his portable air conditioner and cooler hybrid, IcyBreeze, to the Sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank. But behind that single television appearance is a serial entrepreneur with a decades-long career of building, funding, and sometimes selling businesses. From taking a software company public to developing real estate and inventing products that solve real-world problems, Yonce has been quietly building a diverse business empire from his base in Oklahoma. This is the story of the inventor who turned a sweltering camping trip into a multi-million-dollar business.
Quick Facts
Early Life
Dave Yonce was born around 1975. He is a graduate of Bixby High School in Oklahoma. Details about his early life and education are not widely available in public sources.
Career
The Serial Entrepreneur
Yonce describes himself as a “serial entrepreneur” who loves “the pursuit of the next exciting project.” His career has been remarkably diverse, spanning software, real estate, product invention, and entertainment.
His entrepreneurial journey includes:
- IPOing a software company, taking a technology firm public
- Developing real estate
- Inventing products that solve real-world problems
IcyBreeze: The Portable Cooler That Became a Shark Tank Hit
Yonce’s most famous invention was born out of frustration. During a camping trip with his son, an uncomfortable heatwave cut their trip short. Yonce joked that he wished they could crawl into their beverage cooler to stay cool. That joke became the inspiration for IcyBreeze, a portable air conditioner and cooler built into one.
Yonce founded IcyBreeze in 2013 in Bixby, Oklahoma. He personally invested over $5 million of his own money into the company.
In January 2016, Yonce appeared on Shark Tank Season 7, Episode 15, alongside his co-founders Jason Shackleford and Andrew Jenkins. They pitched their portable cooler-air conditioner hybrid to the Sharks. While the episode’s outcome and any deals made are not detailed in available sources, the appearance provided massive exposure for the product.
IcyBreeze was later acquired by Solo Brands. While the acquisition price was not publicly disclosed, it represented a successful exit for Yonce and his co-founders.
GoBoat: Another Invention
Yonce also invented the GoBoat, a personal, portable watercraft. The inspiration came in the summer of 2008 when he flew over Oklahoma and wanted to get on the water more often. He launched a Kickstarter campaign for the GoBoat in 2018.
American-Made Inventors
Yonce’s passion for helping other inventors led to his own television show. He starred in American Made Inventors, a reality series where he invited blue-collar innovators with great product ideas to work with him on his 190-acre ranch in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The show aired in 2017.
Major Achievements
- Founder of IcyBreeze: Invented and brought to market a successful portable air conditioner and cooler
- Shark Tank appearance: Pitched IcyBreeze on Season 7 of the hit ABC show
- Successful exit: IcyBreeze was acquired by Solo Brands
- GoBoat inventor: Created a personal, portable watercraft and launched a Kickstarter campaign
- Television host: Starred in American Made Inventors on Discovery
- Serial entrepreneur: Built and sold multiple businesses across software, real estate, and product development
Business Ventures
Yonce’s business ventures are diverse and reflect his identity as a serial entrepreneur.
IcyBreeze: His most successful venture, a portable air conditioner and cooler. He invested over $5 million of his own money and later sold the company to Solo Brands.
GoBoat: A personal, portable watercraft that he invented and launched via Kickstarter.
American Made Inventors: A television show where Yonce helped other inventors develop their products on his Oklahoma ranch.
Software and Real Estate: Yonce has also taken a software company public and developed real estate.
Public Image
Dave Yonce is known as a hands-on, blue-collar entrepreneur who isn’t afraid to invest his own money into his ideas. He is described as a “self-professed ‘serial entrepreneur.'” His appearance on Shark Tank brought him national recognition, and his television show American Made Inventors further cemented his reputation as a mentor to other inventors.
Personal Life
Yonce resides in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He is married to Misty Yonce. The couple are philanthropists who have made contributions to the Tulsa Zoo. He also has a son who inspired the IcyBreeze invention during a camping trip.
Net Worth (Estimated)
Publicly available estimates of Dave Yonce’s net worth vary significantly.
- Cine Net Worth (2026): Estimates his net worth at $25 million.
- Cine Net Worth (2026): Later in the same article, it estimates $50 million.
- Other sources: Some sources have conflated Yonce with other individuals named David Yonce who have co-founded companies like SolarWinds, leading to estimates as high as $338 million.
It is important to note the confusion surrounding his net worth. The $338 million figure appears to belong to a different David Yonce who co-founded SolarWinds, the IT management software company. The $25 million to $50 million estimates are more likely to be associated with Dave Yonce, the Oklahoma entrepreneur behind IcyBreeze and Shark Tank.
His wealth has been accumulated through:
- IcyBreeze: His investment of over $5 million and the eventual sale to Solo Brands
- Software company IPO: Taking a software company public
- Real estate development
- Other ventures: Including GoBoat, American Made Inventors, and other business interests
Editor’s Note: Net worth figures are estimates compiled from publicly available sources and may vary depending on methodology. Late Magazine does not have access to private financial records and does not present these figures as confirmed or audited.
Interesting Facts
- Camping inspiration: The IcyBreeze was inspired by a sweltering camping trip with his son
- **$5 million bet:** Yonce personally invested over $5 million of his own money into IcyBreeze
- TV host: Starred in his own reality show, American Made Inventors
- Serial entrepreneur: Has taken a software company public, developed real estate, and invented multiple products
- Philanthropist: Has made contributions to the Tulsa Zoo
- Oklahoma roots: A graduate of Bixby High School and resident of Broken Arrow
Legacy
Dave Yonce’s legacy is that of a true American entrepreneur. He represents the spirit of innovation and risk-taking that defines the best of American business. From a frustrating camping trip came a successful product that was pitched on national television and eventually sold to a major company. He has used his success to help other inventors achieve their dreams through his television show and his work on his Oklahoma ranch. He is a reminder that great ideas can come from anywhere and that persistence and investment can turn a simple concept into a thriving business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dave Yonce?
Dave Yonce is an American serial entrepreneur and inventor from Oklahoma. He is best known for founding IcyBreeze, a portable air conditioner and cooler, and for appearing on Season 7 of Shark Tank.
What is Dave Yonce’s net worth?
Publicly available estimates vary. Some sources estimate his net worth at $25 million to $50 million, though these figures are not confirmed.
What is IcyBreeze?
IcyBreeze is a portable air conditioner and cooler built into one device. It was invented by Dave Yonce and appeared on Shark Tank in 2016.
Did Dave Yonce get a deal on Shark Tank?
Dave Yonce appeared on Shark Tank Season 7, Episode 15, pitching IcyBreeze with his co-founders. The outcome of the pitch is not detailed in available sources.
What other businesses has Dave Yonce started?
Yonce has also invented the GoBoat, a personal portable watercraft, and has taken a software company public, developed real estate, and hosted the television show American Made Inventors.
Where is Dave Yonce from?
He is from Oklahoma and currently resides in Broken Arrow.
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