Shark Tank India comes to an end. How Much Do India’s Top Sharks Have Invested

What is Shark Tank? Who are Sharks? Here’s How Much India’s Top Sharks Have Invested So Far

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Starting a new business is exciting and quite a piece of work as well, especially when you are setting up a completely new thing and following your passion by being a small entrepreneur. A business not only needs hard work, talent, desire, and persistence but it also needs something that will help it keep going and that is an investment. Without it, a business cannot survive, in fact, for any kind of business, small or big getting someone who will invest in them is far from easy.

Imagine having a reality television show that helps budding entrepreneurs to showcase their business model in front of some of the most successful business people from around the country. Surprising as well as amazing isn’t it? Well, now this thing is a reality. In this world, where finding investors who are willing to provide funds for your dream is back-breaking, these types of shows exist and are making headlines.

We have an American reality television show called Shark Tank, that literally does the above job and the exciting news is we are getting our very own Indian version of that show. In this article, we will talk about Shark Tank India, Who are the sharks (Shark Tank Judges), and will it be a success like its American counterpart. So let’s dive in.

"It's not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for."

—Robert Kiyosaki

What is Shark Tank?

The Shark Tank America was first premiered on August 9, 2009, on ABC although; the history of the show goes much deeper than that. This show is actually an international franchise of Dragons’ Den, a show which was originated in Japan in 2001. The panel of investors, or the judges, is actually the Sharks, who after getting pitched by the contestants, decide whether to invest in their company or not.

In the show, the Shark helped the pitchers by consulting with them if there is any flaw in their products, services, or business model, once they heard the said entrepreneur.

If the investor is ready to invest in the business, they shake hands and seal the deal. Sometimes the entrepreneur gets rejected, when all the sharks refuse to invest after they are not convinced with their ideas.

The Shark Tank effect is so strong after appearing in the show, entrepreneurs' revenue increased 10 to 20 times.

In the American version of the show, notable entrepreneurs like Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, Kevin Harrington are present at the show as the sharks who invests in the businesses. Shark Tank is a multiple Emmy Award-winning show and is considered as World’s biggest and number 1 business reality show.

What is Shark Tank India?

The globally famous show is going to make its debut on Indian television. Just like its American counterpart, Shark Tank India will be a platform that will provide opportunities to the new entrepreneurs that will be able to entice the sharks with their ideas. The Sharks will invest in those businesses that they will find suitable. The Shark Tank India is produced by Studio NEXT and was telecasted on Sony Entertainment Television Channel.

In this Indian reality television show, budding entrepreneurs visit and present their business models. They will try to convince the judges (Sharks) with their plan of the business and gain investment from the panel of investors present there for their wholesome ideas.

Shark Tank India features a panel of seven big-name investors or ‘Sharks’ —each of whom has redefined the meaning of entrepreneurship and business in today’s India. Hosted by Rannvijay Singha, the show filtered out a massive 62,000 applicants, giving 198 businesses the chance to pitch their ideas to the Sharks, in hopes of securing funding that’ll help them realize their dreams. Like its American counterpart, much of the show’s appeal rides on the unique insights and personalities of the Sharks themselves.

Who are the Judges of Shark Tank India?

The famous sharks are some of the biggest names in the country. The judges of Shark Tank India are,

1. Aman Gupta

Co-founder and CMO of boAt

Total Amount Invested: Rs 7.25 crore in 25 deals

Net Worth: Rs 700 crore

With a plethora of shares across many exciting startups, this tech entrepreneur’s brand has been making audio and peripheral equipment since 2015, and has seen it become a massive success story. As the show’s most prolific investor, he’s always on the lookout for new ideas—taking risks on quirky and interesting startups that aim to break the mould.

2. Peyush Bansal

Co-founder and CEO of Lenskart

Total Amount Invested: Rs 5.34 crore in 21 deals

Net Worth: Rs 600 crore

One of India’s best and brightest entrepreneurs, 36-year-old Bansal’s ‘visionary’ startup is just the latest in a long series of career triumphs. Initially part of Microsoft, the ambitious engineer went on to create SearchMyCampus in 2007, following it up with multiple masterstrokes in the eyewear segment while simultaneously supporting innovative new startups.

3. Ashneer Grover

Co-Founder and Managing Director of BharatPe

Total Amount Invested: Rs 5.14 crore in 18 deals

Net Worth: Rs 700 crore

Grover’s tough persona has become one of the show’s major highlights, often playing ‘bad cop’ to the participating entrepreneurs. Another IIT grad Shark, the 40-year-old businessman has one of the show’s most impressive resumes, with key roles at Kotak Investment Banking, American Express and Grofers.

4. Anupam Mittal

Founder and CEO of Shaadi.com and People Group

Total Amount Invested: Rs 4.78 crore in 21 deals

Net Worth: Rs 185 crore

One of the show’s savviest investors and original Internet disruptors, Mittal’s story is quite fascinating. Going from a US-based software developer role to being India’s first matchmaking entrepreneur, he’s even produced films and become a major investor in successful companies such as Ola.

5. Namita Thapar

Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Total Amount Invested: Rs 4.68 crore in 16 deals

Net Worth: Rs 600 crore

With GSK, Guidant, and other massive MNCs in her portfolio, Namita Thapar has been amassing a wealth of finance and marketing expertise for over 20 years. As one of India’s most influential businesswomen, Thapar’s eye for talent and focus on women-centric startups has made her a fan favourite on the show.

6. Vineeta Singh

Co-Founder and CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics

Total Amount Invested: Rs 2.33 crore in nine deals

Net Worth: Rs 59 Crore

An IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad alum, Vineeta Singh made a powerful entrepreneurial statement right after graduating— by turning down a tempting Rs 1-crore placement in favour of launching her own business. Apart from launching the hugely successful SUGAR cosmetics in 2015, Singh co-founded FAB BAG in 2012, one of India’s largest and most-established beauty subscription companies.

7. Ghazal Alagh

Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Mamaearth

Total Amount Invested: Rs 0.4 crore in two deals

Net Worth: Rs 148 crore

At 33, Ghazal Alagh is the youngest Shark of all, boasting an impressive resume as one of the key minds behind Mamaearth and TheDermaCo. Her goal of creating safe, all-natural skincare products stemmed from her own experiences as a parent—leading her to massive success in the field since Mamaearth’s launch in 2016. She also received the coveted Super StartUps Asia Award in 2019.

Future of Shark Tank In India

With India being a hub for startups, it is definitely a good time for a show like Shark Tank to come to India and explore the mind of new entrepreneurs. With such big names from all kinds of industries being the sharks in the show, it would definitely be a good opportunity for all those people who want to try pitching the investors to invest in their business.

The content of the show will definitely decide its future, which for now seems quite bright.

When you start a business, find investors who are willing to invest in your business and will trust you and believe in you by providing funds to your business. Shows like Shark Tanks have done it in many countries and now they are bringing their concept to India. Shark Tank is a show that may provide some great opportunities to the new entrepreneurs and who knows this may lead to being the next big thing related to business in the country.

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