Shivangi Sinha
Yard games have always been a source of simple fun as they bring people together through friendly competition and shared time outdoors. They are easy to learn, encourage social interaction, and turn any gathering into a memorable experience. Inventing new yard games, however, is often half the challenge and half the excitement. Many have tried to create something both original and engaging, though it is not easy. In episode 11 of season 17 of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank,’ BocceRoll pitched their idea and presented an impressive concept that aimed to put a fresh twist on classic outdoor games.
BocceRoll: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
The founding team behind BocceRoll brings together experience in engineering fundamentals, business management, and industrial design. Claude Drehfal has a background in engineering education. He studied Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and later completed an engineering internship at Trek Bicycle Corporation. Ben Fisher comes from a business and operations background. In October 2025, he became Business Manager at Neighborhood Family Clinics, Inc., a full-time role based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He has prior experience working as a Manufacturing Engineer for firms like Strongwell. He joined Trek Bicycle in 2006 and rose through the ranks.
Nikki Hageman brings over a decade of experience in industrial design and product development. She earned a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Wisconsin–Stout between 2009 and 2014 and completed a January intersession study abroad program in Art History and Photography at Lorenzo de’ Medici in 2014. Nikki began her career in packaging and graphics design, later joining Trek Bicycle, where she worked across multiple design-focused roles. From 2014 onward, she held positions including Packaging and Graphics Designer and later Industrial Design Manager for Road products. Between 2018 and 2022, she worked at BCycle as an Industrial Designer and Senior Product Designer, leading end-to-end product design before returning to Trek in 2022.
The co-founders crossed paths through Wisconsin’s product development and design community as each had professional ties to Trek Bicycle. They collaborated for Make48, a televised competition that challenges teams to invent, prototype, and pitch a new product within 48 hours. Working under intense time constraints, the trio combined their skills into a single concept and the first version of BocceRoll was born. During the Madison competition, their yard game idea earned first place. That success prompted them to continue development beyond the show, which led to the formal founding of the company, intellectual property protection, and a public launch through Kickstarter.
In BocceRoll, players roll balls down a ramp toward scoring targets and a pallina. Turns alternate as players aim to score points by landing balls in marked targets or positioning them closer to the pallina than their opponent. The first player or team to reach 21 points wins. The game can be played between 2-4 players, or even an individual player. It checks the boxes of being simple, fun, and easy to carry and that is what has marked its success.
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BocceRoll: Where Are They Now?
BocceRoll raised more than $155,000 through its Kickstarter campaign, making it the most funded business on the platform. That was only the beginning of the success they would achieve. Following their appearance on the episode, interest in the brand increased significantly, which has been driving higher traffic and sustained demand well beyond the initial crowdfunding phase. That momentum translated into strong commercial performance, with the company meeting its goal of selling 5,000 units in 2024. Currently, BocceRoll is available for purchase directly through the brand’s official website, as it allows the company to maintain a direct relationship with its customers.
At the same time, the team has expressed plans to broaden its footprint by expanding into retail, aiming to make the game more accessible to a wider audience through physical stores. The core BocceRoll yard game is priced at $149, making it a premium yet accessible outdoor game. In addition to the main set, customers can purchase optional accessories separately. These include a sling bag priced at $19.99, designed to make transporting the game easier, as well as a Travel Ball Set priced at $39.99. They also have a hat for $29, a T-shirt for $22, a tote bag for $24, and a hoodie for $60. Beyond gameplay accessories, BocceRoll has also introduced branded merchandise such as T-shirts, caps, and hoodies, further extending the brand and offering fans additional ways to engage with and support the company.
