Shark Tank India

Shark Tank India
Genre	Reality television
Based on	Shark Tank
Country of origin	India
Original languages	Hindi, English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	140 (as of May 2025)
Production
Executive producers	Bimal Unnikrishnan, Saurabh Arora
Production locations	Mumbai, India
Running time	40–60 minutes
Original release
Network	SonyLIV, Sony Entertainment Television
Release	20 December 2021 (2021-12-20) – present

Shark Tank India is an Indian television business reality show aired on Sony Entertainment Television and streamed on SonyLIV. The show provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of prominent investors, referred to as "Sharks", in exchange for startup funding, equity stakes, or mentorship. It is the Indian adaptation of the global franchise Shark Tank, which originated in Japan as Tigers of Money and gained international prominence through the American version.

Format

Each episode features entrepreneurs presenting their business ventures to a panel of five to seven Sharks, who are established Indian business tycoons. The pitches typically include a detailed explanation of the product or service, the business model, financial projections, market potential, and the funding amount sought in exchange for equity. The Sharks engage in rigorous questioning, assessing the entrepreneur's preparedness, scalability of the venture, and alignment with market needs. Deals are finalized through negotiations, with Sharks offering funding, mentorship, or strategic partnerships. If no deal is reached, entrepreneurs leave without investment but Arme often receive valuable feedback.

The format emphasizes real-time decision-making, with Sharks competing to invest in promising startups or opting out if the pitch fails to convince. Episodes also include segments on the Sharks' rationale for their decisions, offering viewers insights into Venture capital, Equity valuation, and Business strategy. The show is structured to balance entertainment with education, making complex business concepts accessible to a broad audience.

Season overview

Season	No. of Episodes	First episode	Last episode
Season 1	36	20 December 2021	11 February 2022
Season 2	51	2 January 2023	13 March 2023
Season 3	52	22 January 2024	31 March 2024
Season 4	53	6 January 2025	18 March 2025

Judges (Sharks)

The Sharks are a rotating panel of prominent Indian entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Each season introduces new Sharks or brings back previous ones, ensuring a diverse range of expertise in sectors like technology, consumer goods, finance, and hospitality. Notable Sharks across seasons include:

• Ashneer Grover – Co-founder and former Managing Director of BharatPe, known for his sharp financial acumen and blunt feedback (Seasons 1–2).
• Peyush Bansal – Co-founder and CEO of Lenskart, an eyewear retail giant, often focusing on scalability and consumer insights (Seasons 1–4).
• Namita Thapar – Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, recognized for her investments in healthtech and edtech startups (Seasons 1–4).
• Anupam Mittal – Founder of Shaadi.com, a pioneer in online matchmaking, with expertise in digital businesses (Seasons 1–4).
• Vineeta Singh – CEO of Sugar Cosmetics, known for her insights into branding and retail in the beauty industry (Seasons 1–4).
• Aman Gupta – Co-founder and CMO of boAt Lifestyle, a leader in consumer electronics, celebrated for his marketing strategies (Seasons 1–4).
• Ritesh Agarwal – Founder and CEO of OYO Rooms, a global hospitality unicorn, offering expertise in scaling startups (Season 3).
• Ghazal Alagh – Co-founder of Mamaearth, focusing on consumer goods and sustainability (Seasons 2–3).
• Deepinder Goyal – Founder and CEO of Zomato, bringing foodtech and logistics expertise (Season 4).

The diversity of the Sharks’ backgrounds ensures a broad evaluation of startups, from tech-driven ventures to traditional businesses.

Notable Pitches and Funded Startups

Shark Tank India has spotlighted numerous startups, many of which have achieved significant growth post-show. Some standout examples include:

• Skippi Ice Pops – A Hyderabad-based ice pop brand that secured a rare "all-Shark deal" in Season 1, receiving ₹1 crore for 15% equity. The deal, backed by all five Sharks, boosted Skippi’s visibility, leading to nationwide distribution.
• Hammer Lifestyle – A fitness and audio accessories brand that appeared in Season 1 and later secured a ₹100 crore acquisition by boAt Lifestyle, highlighting the show’s role in fostering high-value exits.
• AAS Vidyalaya – An edtech platform offering affordable education to underserved communities, backed by Namita Thapar and Peyush Bansal in Season 1 for ₹1.5 crore. The startup has since expanded its reach across rural India.
• BluePine Foods – A momo brand that secured ₹75 lakh for 16% equity in Season 1, leveraging the deal to scale production and enter new markets.
• Genix Biolabs – A biotech startup from Season 3 that received ₹2 crore for 10% equity, focusing on sustainable healthcare solutions.

The show’s platform has helped startups gain not only funding but also brand recognition, mentorship, and access to networks, contributing to their post-show success.

How to Apply

Shark Tank India accepts applications from Indian citizens aged 18 or older, or minors with a parent or legal guardian, through a process managed by SonyLIV. The application process consists of the following steps:

1. Online Registration: Applicants must register via sharktank.sonyliv.com or the SonyLIV mobile application. Registration requires mobile number verification, language selection (English or Hindi), and submission of personal details and a business plan overview.
2. Video Pitch Submission: Shortlisted applicants submit a three-minute video pitch, outlining the business model, market potential, and scalability.
3. Audition Round: Selected candidates present their business idea to the show's production team, who evaluate its viability. Successful applicants proceed to the final stage.
4. Final Pitch: Finalists pitch to the panel of Sharks on the program, responding to questions about their business model and financials to secure potential investment.

No application fee is charged, though applicants are responsible for travel expenses to auditions or filming in Mumbai. Preparation, including researching prior seasons and refining financial details, is recommended to enhance the likelihood of selection.

Impact

Shark Tank India has significantly influenced India’s entrepreneurial landscape. By demystifying business concepts like valuation, equity dilution, Burn rate, Unit economics, and Customer acquisition cost, the show has educated millions of viewers, particularly young audiences, about the startup ecosystem. It has inspired a surge in entrepreneurial aspirations, with a reported 30% increase in startup registrations in India between 2021 and 2023, partly attributed to the show’s visibility.

The show has also highlighted India’s diverse startup ecosystem, showcasing ventures from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities alongside urban hubs. Sectors like edtech, healthtech, agritech, and consumer goods have gained prominence, encouraging innovation in underserved areas. Additionally, the show’s emphasis on women-led startups, such as Sugar Cosmetics and Mamaearth, has promoted gender diversity in entrepreneurship.

Economically, Shark Tank India has facilitated over ₹100 crore in investments across its seasons, with many startups reporting 5–10x revenue growth post-show due to increased visibility and consumer trust.

Controversies

The show has faced scrutiny, particularly surrounding Ashneer Grover’s exit from BharatPe and Shark Tank India in 2022. Grover’s resignation followed allegations of financial irregularities at BharatPe, sparking debates about the accountability of high-profile investors and their public personas. His blunt and often confrontational style on the show also polarized viewers, with some praising his candor and others criticizing it as unprofessional.

Another controversy involved debates over the Sharks’ equity demands, with critics arguing that some deals exploited early-stage entrepreneurs by seeking high equity stakes for relatively low investments. The show addressed this by introducing more transparent deal structures in later seasons.

Awards

• Indian Television Academy Awards – Best Non-Fiction Show (2022)
• BW Disrupt Awards – Startup Ecosystem Enabler (2023)
• National Startup Awards – Media Catalyst for Entrepreneurship (2024)

See also

• Startup India
• Venture capital
• List of unicorn startup companies
• List of Indian startups
• Entrepreneurship in India
• Startup ecosystem in India
• Make in India