Shark Tank India: What is it? Who are the Judges? (2024)

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 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 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 the sharks (Shark Tank Judges) are, and whether it will 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

Listen to our host, Harini Rao, talking about Shark Tank India to one of its biggest fans in our podcast, Startup Tea.

What is Shark Tank?
About Shark Tank India
Who are the Judges of Shark Tank India?
How to Register for Shark Tank India?
Has Shark Tank India Been Successful?
Shows Like Shark Tank in India

What is Shark Tank?

The Shark Tank America 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 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 of their ideas.

The Shark Tank effect is so strong that 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, and Kevin Harrington are present at the show as the sharks who invest in the businesses. Shark Tank is a multiple Emmy Award-winning show and is considered the World’s biggest and number 1 business reality show.

About Shark Tank India

The globally famous show is going to make its debut on Indian television. Just like its American counterpart, Shark Tank India is a platform that provides opportunities to new entrepreneurs who 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 will be telecasted on Sony Entertainment Television Channel.

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

After its successful run of two seasons, Shark Tank India has grown bigger and better for its third year. The show has now increased the number of sharks, each with their own expertise in different fields, from pharmaceuticals to hospitality. This will help entrepreneurs secure bigger investments from the sharks and attract them to invest in their businesses.

Who are the Judges of Shark Tank India?

The famous sharks that will be here are some of the biggest names in the country. The judges of the current season of Shark Tank India are,

Vineeta Singh

Vineeta Singh is the Co-Founder and CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics. Vineeta Singh completed her electrical engineering degree from IIT Madras and later on went on to pursue her business studies at IIM Ahmedabad. She co-founded Sugar Cosmetics in 2015 with Kaushik Mukherjee.

Peeyush Bansal

Peyush Bansal is the CEO and Founder of Lenskart. He did his undergraduate studies at McGill University and his post-graduate studies at the Indian IIM Bangalore. He founded Lenskart in 2010 with the help of Amit Chaudhary and Sumeet Kapahi.

Namita Thapar

Namita Thapar is the executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. She is a chartered accountant from ICAI and earned an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. With years of experience in the healthcare industry and a sharp mind, she is an invaluable asset to any startup seeking her guidance and investment.

Anupam Mittal

Anupam Mittal is a Co-Founder and CEO of Shaadi.com - People Group. He has done his MBA in Operations and Strategic Management from Boston College in the USA. He founded Shaadi.com in 1997. Mittal's investing experience in over 250 startups has given him a sharp eye for spotting potential. He uses his entrepreneurial knowledge and financial resources to back promising ventures.

Aman Gupta

Aman Gupta is the Co-founder of boAt Lifestyle. He did his MBA from Kellogg School of Management. Aman Gupta founded BoAt in 2011 with Sameer Mehta. Before co-founding Boat, he was the director of sales at Harman International. He is a popular investor on Shark Tank and is known for backing startups with disruptive ideas and driven founders. His quick wit and infectious energy make him a fan favourite.

Amit Jain

Amit Jain, an IIT Delhi graduate, is currently serving as one of the judges on Shark Tank India. He is also the CEO and co-founder of CarDekho Group, a leading auto-tech company in India that has expanded to Southeast Asia and acquired companies like Gaadi and ZigWheels under his leadership. Jain's business acumen and investing experience make him a valuable asset to the show, providing invaluable insights as a Shark.

Ritesh Agarwal

Ritesh Agarwal, the young entrepreneur who is one of the newest judges on Shark Tank India, did not attend an Ivy League university. He dropped out of college at the age of 17 and went on to establish OYO Rooms, a hospitality giant, gradually and using digital technology. Today, as a self-made billionaire and CEO, he brings his expertise in hospitality and his drive to the judging table, eager to support India's next generation of innovative entrepreneurs.

Ronnie Srewvala

Ronnie Screwvala, a well-known media and entertainment entrepreneur, has recently joined the panel of judges on Shark Tank India Season 3. He has a bachelor's degree from Sydenham College, Mumbai, and co-founded UpGrad and Unilazer Ventures. Previously, he was the founder and CEO of UTV Group. With his extensive experience in the industry, Screwvala offers a unique perspective to entrepreneurs seeking investment in Shark Tank India.

Deepinder Goyal

Deepinder Goyal, the founder and CEO of Zomato, is one of the new additions to the panel of judges on Shark Tank India. He graduated from IIT Delhi and previously worked at Bain & Company. Goyal has successfully expanded Zomato's operations to 24 countries and is known for his expertise in building and scaling startups. As a judge on Shark Tank India, he provides valuable advice to entrepreneurs based on his experience. Goyal invests in startups that utilize technology to disrupt traditional industries.

Azhar Iqubal

Azhar Iqubal, the Founder & CEO of India's highest-rated news app 'Inshorts', is a new judge on Shark Tank India Season 3. He dropped out of IIT and is known for his expertise in building and scaling technology startups. Iqubal offers insightful advice to budding entrepreneurs on the show.

Radhika Gupta

Radhika Gupta is the Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund. Under her leadership, Edelweiss MF has become one of India's leading mutual fund houses with Assets Under Management (AUM) of over ₹1 lakh crore. As an investment expert, Gupta assesses startups on Shark Tank India, evaluating their business models, scalability, and valuation. She invests in startups that have the potential for high growth and returns.

Varun Dua

Varun Dua is a judge on Shark Tank India. He completed his Master's degree from MICA University. Dua is the Founder and CEO of Acko, an Indian insurtech startup. Under his leadership, Acko has emerged as one of the fastest-growing insurance companies in India. With his experience in building a successful startup, Dua provides valuable feedback to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Ashneer Grover and Ghazal Alagh

Ashneer Grover was the Managing Director and Co-founder of BharatPe. He co-founded Bharatpe with Shashvat Nakrani in 2018 and announced his resignation on February 28, 2022. He has co-founded Third Unicorn, a venture for capital-efficient, lean, tech-driven Indian startups. Grover departed from Shark Tank after season one due to his blunt attitude and worsening relationship with BharatPe.

Ghazal Alagh is the Co-Founder and Chief Mama of Mamaearth. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and has completed Intensive Courses in Modern Art, Design, and Applied Arts from the New York Academy of Arts. Ghazal, along with Varun Alagh, co-founded Mamaearth in 2016. She appeared in a few episodes of season one before discontinuing due to pregnancy and launching Mamaearth's IPO.

How to Register for Shark Tank India?

To participate in the show, one has to register. Below are some of the steps one needs to follow during the registration:

• First and foremost, one must download the SonyLiv app or Log on to www.sonyliv.com.
• Then, you can find the registered banner of Shark Tank; click on that.
• You have to enter your mobile number to get your OTP verified.
• You have to fill out all the information in the form regarding your participation in the show.
• You have to enter all the information about your business.
• The mandatory fields need to be filled out properly with relevant information.
• Submit your registration form.

Current Scenario for Registration of Shark Tank India

The registration for the third season of Shark Tank India commenced on June 3, 2023, and lasted until the end of the month. Participation in the show is free, but applicants must be physically and mentally fit. Proxy entries are not allowed. The third season began streaming on January 22, 2024, at 10 PM.

Has Shark Tank India Been Successful?

Since its premiere in December 2021, Shark Tank India has proven to be a major hit. As the Indian adaptation of the popular American business reality show, it has broken viewership records for the Sony Entertainment Television channel. The premiere episode alone drew over 6 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched episodes in the channel's history. By the end of the first week, the show's viewership had surpassed 40 million views.

The show's success can also be seen in its impact on the businesses featured. In the first season alone, over 200 business pitched their ideas to the sharks. The startups and businesses saw a massive surge in demand and sales after appearing on the show. For example, after their pitch, Pandora Labs saw a growth of 500% in sales of their biodegradable sanitary pads. The tremendous reach of the show has allowed many small businesses in India to scale up their operations rapidly.

The television show 'Shark Tank India' has established its brand value over the years. With each passing season, the show is getting bigger and better. The show's third season has 12 renowned sharks who have massive portfolios. The show's commendable longevity is admirable and has a positive impact on India's startup culture, thus helping the country become a global leader.

Shows Like Shark Tank in India

• Shark Tank India is not going to be the first business reality show in the country. Prior to this, the country had MTV Dropout. It was aired in 2017, and the concept was almost the same as that of the Shark Tank. This show featured some dropouts who had to participate in many challenges that tested their physical and mental strength. This shows the judges if it is good to invest in their business or not. The show was not renewed after its first season.
• "The Vault" was a 2016 Indian business reality TV show. Entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to a panel of investors known as "Vault Keepers". They evaluated the plans and decided whether to invest in the ventures. Funded entrepreneurs received mentorship and resources to build their startups.

Conclusion

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

FAQS

Is there Shark Tank in India?

Sony Entertainment Television started airing the new business reality show Shark Tank India on December 20, 2021.

What is Shark Tank India?

Shark Tank India is an Indian business reality television series based on the popular global format Shark Tank. It has budding entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to a panel of potential investors called 'Sharks' to secure investment deals.

What is shark tank all about?

Shark Tank is a reality show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of successful investors ("sharks") in hopes of securing funding and mentorship.

Who will be the sharks in Shark Tank India?

Vineeta Singh, Peeyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, Amit Jain and Aman Gupta are the sharks in Shark Tank India. Season three of the show will feature six new sharks.

When will Shark Tank premiere in India?

Shark Tank Season Three premiered on Sony Entertainment Television on January 22, 2024.

Is the Shark Tank India registration still open?

No, the registrations for the show were open from June 3, 2023, to July 3, 2023.