Eli Crane co-founded the company Bottle Breacher with his wife Jen in 2012, creating bottle openers from .50-caliber shells and emphasizing veteran employment; the business gained national attention after its appearance on "Shark Tank" in 2014, securing deals with Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary (Arizona Republic, Cronkite News, InMaricopa).
Crane prioritized manufacturing in the U.S. and hiring veterans, successfully growing Bottle Breacher into a multi-million dollar, veteran-owned brand that donated to over 100 non-profits (VeteranCrowd Network, SOAA, NRCC).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bottle Breacher lawfully obtained and had forgiven a nearly $70,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, but Crane later declined further government assistance as the business recovered and became debt free (Arizona Republic, DCCC Research Memo).
Crane sold Bottle Breacher in 2022 and has since emphasized how overcoming adversity and building the brand prepared him for leadership, stating he wants to bring his business and military experience to Congress (Washington Examiner, Geneastar, VeteranCrowd Network).
Potential vulnerabilities include Bottle Breacher's receipt of PPP funds during the pandemic, which may attract scrutiny, although the loan was legally obtained and fully forgiven (Arizona Republic, DCCC Research Memo).
2021: Eli Crane Served as SIG Sauer Representative and Voiced Support for Gun Rights In an interview with GunsAmerica, Eli Crane said, "Crane has been a representative for SIG Sauer for four years, and he encourages voters to follow him on social media to get a sense of his stance on gun rights." [Interview - Eli Crane with GunsAmerica, 11/2/21]
Eli Crane Owned Bottle Breacher LLC, A Business That Received PPP Loan In 2020 According to Arizona Republic, "Crane's company, Bottle Breachers, which sells bottle openers shaped like .50-caliber shells, lawfully took nearly $70,000 in a PPP loan, which was ultimately forgiven by the SBA." [Arizona Republic, 7/5/22]
Eli Crane Declared His Business Is Debt Free And Refused Additional PPP Loans After Reopening According to Arizona Republic, "In fact, Eli has subsequently refused PPP loans as his business was able to reopen and return to normal operations without the government's heavy handedness. Eli Crane's business is completely debt free." [Arizona Republic, 7/5/22]
Arizona Republic Identified Eli Crane As Former Navy SEAL And Businessman In 2022 According to Arizona Republic, "Former Navy Seal and businessman Eli Crane edged out state legislator Walt Blackman with assistance from Trump's endorsement." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 8/7/22]
Eli Crane Previously Served As A Navy SEAL According to Arizona Daily Sun, "He was a Navy Seal and is endorsed by former President Donald Trump." [Arizona Daily Sun, 10/1/22]
2022: Eli Crane Was A Businessman, Former Navy SEAL, And Political Newcomer According to Arizona Capitol Times, "Crane, a businessman, former Navy SEAL and political newcomer, stuck with America First policy and received an endorsement from Trump." [Arizona Capitol Times, 11/11/22]
2024: Eli Crane Was A Former Small-Business Owner, Navy SEAL, And Lived Outside His District According to Maricopa Monitor, "First-term incumbent Crane, 43, is from Tucson and lives in Oro Valley, outside the district. He is a former small-business owner who served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years and joined the SEAL team." [Maricopa Monitor (Arizona), 11/5/24]
2024: Eli Crane Served In The U.S. Navy For 13 Years, Including On A SEAL Team According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "He is a former small-business owner who served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years and was on a SEAL team." [Casa Grande Dispatch (Arizona), 11/7/24]
Casa Grande Dispatch Reported Crane Served As Navy SEAL For 13 Years According to Casa Grande Dispatch, 'He served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, where he joined the SEAL team, and operated a small business called Bottle Breacher until he sold it in 2022.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (Arizona), 11/12/24]
2022: Crane Described Experience As Navy SEAL And Small Business Owner According to Copper Courier, "Crane, a Trump-endorsed Republican who casts himself as a political outsider, says his experience as a small business owner and member of the military, including three years overseas as a Navy Seal, gives him the sensibilities required to protect small business and family values." [Copper Courier, 11/7/22]
2021: Eli Crane Highlighted Military and Entrepreneurial Background In an interview with GunsAmerica, Eli Crane said, "He joined the Navy after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and became a SEAL sniper on his second attempt through the grueling BUDS training. After finishing five wartime deployments, Crane returned to the U.S. and started Bottle Breacher, a military-themed gift company that prioritizes hiring veterans. [...] he's built his company into a multimillion-dollar enterprise." [Interview - Eli Crane with GunsAmerica, 11/2/21]
Eli Crane And His Wife Founded Bottle Breacher, Hiring Veterans According to InMaricopa, "Crane and his wife Jen started Bottle Breacher, a company featured on television's 'Shark Tank,' where they landed a deal with Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary. Bottle Breacher employs and gives back to veterans nationwide." [InMaricopa, 10/14/22]
Eli Crane Co-Founded Bottle Breacher According to Common Ground Scorecard, "His career experience includes co-founding and co-owning Bottle Breacher." [Common Ground Scorecard, 9/26/22]
Eli Crane Was A Former Navy SEAL And Entrepreneur As Of 2022 According to KJZZ, "He...is a former Navy SEAL. He started a business that manufactured bottle openers from bullet casings and made an appearance on Shark Tank." [KJZZ, 9/30/22]
Arizona Republic Reported Eli Crane Founded Bottle Breacher Business After Navy Service According to Arizona Republic, "After his service in the Navy, he and his wife launched a business called Bottle Breacher, which they later sold, that appeared on the television competition show 'Shark Tank.'" [Arizona Republic, 10/4/23]
Eli Crane Claimed Experience Overcoming Adversity And Building A Brand By 2023 According to Washington Examiner, 'We started a multimillion-dollar brand, out of a car garage with a Dremel tool, some spray paint, and a computer. People want folks going into office that can get things done, overcome the odds, and do more with less, and we've proven that we can do that.' [Washington Examiner, 2/7/23]
2023: Eli Crane Was Described As A Former Navy SEAL And Small Business Owner According to Pulitzer Center, "It's a sentiment shared by Crane, a former Navy Seal and small business owner." [Pulitzer Center, 3/15/23]
2013: Eli Crane Co-Founded Bottle Breacher According to Geneastar, "After leaving the military, Crane co-founded Bottle Breacher, a company that manufactures bottle openers made of .50 caliber cartridge casings." [Geneastar, 1/1/23]
Arizona Mirror Reported Crane Served 13 Years In Navy As SEAL Before Congress According to Arizona Mirror, "He served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, where he joined the SEAL team, and operated a small business called Bottle Breacher until he sold it in 2022." [Arizona Mirror, 11/9/24]
2025: SOAA Noted Eli Crane Founded Bottle Breacher And Supported Veterans According to SOAA, "Upon returning to civilian life, Eli and his wife Jen started a successful company, Bottle Breacher, featured on Shark Tank that made its products in the USA and employed and gave back to veterans nationwide." [SOAA, 1/1/25]
2012: Elijah Crane And Jen Crane Founded Bottle Breacher According to Arizona Daily Star, "Crane and his wife, Jen, started the company in 2012, via an Etsy shop." [Arizona Daily Star, 11/7/14]
Eli Crane Founded Bottle Breacher In 2012, Employing Military Members To Make Bottle Openers According to Arizona Republic, "Crane, the founder and owner of the now Tucson-based company, enlists current and former members of the military to hand-make bottle openers, among other things, out of recycled 50 caliber bullets. [...] He started the business out of his San Diego garage in 2012." [Arizona Republic, 7/5/22]
Eli Crane Co-Founded And Sold Bottle Breacher Business With His Wife According to Arizona Republic, "He and his wife have two daughters and live near Tucson. They launched a business called Bottle Breacher, which they later sold." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 4/19/23]
Eli Crane Founded Bottle Breacher And Appeared On Shark Tank According to VeteranCrowd, "It all started when he decided to make a bottle opener out of a 50-caliber shell. [...] Eli and his wife pitched to Shark Tank and continue to grow, now a multi-million dollar company." [VeteranCrowd Network, 9/7/21]
Eli Crane Gained Attention For 2014 "Shark Tank" Appearance With Veteran-Focused Business According to Arizona Republic, "He gained a measure of attention for a 2014 appearance on TV's 'Shark Tank' in which his Bottle Breacher business caught the attention of entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary with its .50-caliber-shaped bottle openers. The company remains in business and places an emphasis on employing and aiding veterans." [Arizona Republic, 7/20/21]
2022: Eli Crane Owned And Sold Bottle Breacher, Appeared On "Shark Tank" In 2014 According to Cronkite News, "Crane is a political newcomer who was a contestant on ABC's 'Shark Tank'... Crane and his wife, Jen, appeared in an episode that aired Nov. 7, 2014. They sought $150,000 for 10% equity in their company Bottle Breacher, which makes bottle openers in the shape of ammunition. The couple started the company in 2012 in San Diego... They sold the company in 2022." [Cronkite News, 10/14/22]
Eli Crane And His Wife Founded Bottle Breacher And Hired Veterans According to Green Beret PAC, "Now Eli and his wife Jen own a small business in Tucson. Together they started Bottle Breacher, a successful company featured on Shark Tank that employs and gives back to veterans nationwide." [Green Beret PAC, 5/31/22]
Eli Crane Co-Founded Bottle Breacher And Appeared On Shark Tank In 2014 According to Washington Examiner, 'In 2014, they appeared on the TV show Shark Tank and won the backing of Cuban and Kevin O'Leary for their firm Bottle Breacher. Overnight, they went from six to 35 employees and war veterans, and the business has since grown.' [Washington Examiner, 2/7/23]
2014: Elijah Crane Led Bottle Breacher To 'Shark Tank' Appearance According to Arizona Daily Star, "Elijah Crane will pitch to a panel of five potential investors, also known as 'sharks,' on the business and its prospects for growth." [Arizona Daily Star, 11/7/14]
2014: Eli Crane Appeared On Shark Tank For His Bottle Breacher Business According to Arizona Republic, "He gained a measure of attention for a 2014 appearance on TV's 'Shark Tank' in which his Bottle Breacher business caught the attention of entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary with its .50-caliber-shaped bottle openers." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 7/22/21]
Eli Crane Founded Bottle Breacher And Appeared On Shark Tank According to Arizona Daily Sun, "He appeared on Shark Tank, launching his company, Bottle Breacher, which makes grenades and bullets into bottle openers." [Arizona Daily Sun, 10/1/22]
Bottle Breacher Was A Veteran-Owned, Made-In-America Company According to VeteranCrowd, "Bottle Breacher is veteran owned and operated. [...] Being a 'Made in America' brand is important to Bottle Breacher. It creates local jobs and gives back to the community. Due to their success they donate to over 100 non-profits." [VeteranCrowd Network, 9/7/21]
2020: Eli Crane's Company Took $69K PPP Loan During COVID-19 Pandemic According to a press release from the DCCC Research Department, "4/30/20: Crane's company, Bottle Breacher LLC, took a PPP loan of $69,296.75 during the COVID-19 pandemic." [Press Release - DCCC Research Memo, 9/8/22]
Eli Crane Claimed Business Supported Veterans in Arizona According to a press release from the NRCC, "Together they started Bottle Breacher, a successful company featured on Shark Tank, where they landed a deal with Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary. Bottle Breacher makes 100% of their products in the USA, while employing and giving back to veterans nationwide." [Press Release - NRCC, 1/20/23]
2022: Eli Crane Maintained U.S. Manufacturing and Employed Veterans Despite Outsourcing Pressures According to an opinion piece by Eli Crane in Washington Times, "Although Shark Tank cut ties with our company following my endorsement of Mr. Trump, I withstood external pressure to move our manufacturing and jobs overseas and instead chose to employ Arizona veterans and remain a Made in the USA company." [Eli Crane - Washington Times, 7/24/22]
Eli Crane Sold Bottle Breacher In 2022 According to Geneastar, "Crane sold Bottle Breacher in 2022." [Geneastar, 1/1/23]
2022: Eli Crane Was A Business Owner And Former Navy SEAL According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), "Career: Business owner and former Navy SEAL [...] Crane and his wife, Jen, appeared in an episode that aired Nov. 7, 2014. They sought $150,000 for 10% equity in their company Bottle Breacher, which makes bottle openers in the shape of ammunition. The couple started the company in 2012 in San Diego, according to a blog post on the company website. They sold the company in 2022." [Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), 10/14/22]
2023: Eli Crane Sold Small Business Bottle Breacher According to Florence Reminder and Blade-Tribune, "He served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, where he joined the SEAL team, and operated a small business called Bottle Breacher until he sold it in 2022." [Florence Reminder and Blade-Tribune, 11/1/24]
2022: Eli Crane Ran For U.S. Congress As A Navy Veteran According to a blog post by Allison Schneider on VeteranCrowd Network, "Eli has five war time deployments, three of them to the Middle East with SEAL Team 3 and served our country for 13 years. Many of the lessons he learned in the service set him up for success in the entrepreneurial world and now for his journey running as a congressional candidate." [Blog Post - Allison Schneider on VeteranCrowd Network, 11/7/22]
2022: Eli Crane Stated Intent To Bring Veteran And Entrepreneurial Experience To Congress According to a blog post by Allison Schneider on VeteranCrowd Network, "Eli wants to take his veteran and entrepreneurial experience to capitol hill. He's frustrated with the direction of this country and lack of leadership. He wants his kids to grow up with the same freedom and prosperity that he did." [Blog Post - Allison Schneider on VeteranCrowd Network, 11/7/22]
2022: Eli Crane Expressed Motivation For Congressional Campaign According to a blog post by Allison Schneider on VeteranCrowd Network, "'I'm hoping that stepping up, stepping out and being willing to lead, encourages and gives others courage to go do the same thing.'" [Blog Post - Allison Schneider on VeteranCrowd Network, 11/7/22]