Shark Tank India S5: A Round-up of Week 4 Key Highlights You Can't Miss!

Shark Tank India Season 5 continues to evolve into a serious reflection of the country’s startup landscape rather than just a televised pitch arena. Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Peyush Bansal, Ritesh Agarwal, Kunal Bahl, Viraj Bahl, and Amit Jain, alongside new faces including Varun Alagh, Mohit Yadav, Kanika Tekriwal, Shaily Mehrotra, and Hardik Kothiya, with Pratham Mittal joining for campus episodes, bringing diverse expertise in consumer goods, tech, skincare, aviation, and energy.

This week’s episode demonstrated how varied Indian entrepreneurship has become—ranging from consumer fintech and food brands to children’s intellectual property, agri-tech, robotics, and indigenous defence technology. What united these otherwise different businesses was a common challenge: translating vision into scalable, defensible execution.

1. Awusum

Awusum entered the Tank as a consumer-focused brand aiming to build a scalable and recognisable presence in its category. The founders highlighted market demand, product positioning, and growth potential during their pitch. After discussions on valuation and scalability, Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal jointly invested ₹1 crore for a 1.33% equity stake, signalling confidence in the brand’s long-term prospects.

2. Phitku

Phitku positioned itself as a personal care brand offering natural deodorant solutions, focusing on simplicity, effectiveness, and chemical-free alternatives. The founders presented strong sales traction and a clear understanding of their customer base. Impressed by the brand’s growth and differentiation, Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal invested Rs. 1.8 crore for a 1% stake.

3. 9DXR Labs

9DXR Labs pitched a technology-driven solution aimed at addressing specific industry challenges. While the Sharks acknowledged the innovation behind the idea, concerns around scalability, clarity of execution, or readiness for investment resulted in no deal. Despite this, the appearance provided valuable exposure and expert feedback.

4. PureFlow Tape & GetSnappy

PureFlow Tape showcased nasal strips designed to improve airflow and breathing comfort, while GetSnappy introduced a functional body-adhesive product aimed at solving everyday wardrobe issues. Although other Sharks were cautious, Aman Gupta resonated with the practicality and consumer relevance of the products and invested Rs. 2 crore for a 20% stake.

5. Kesari Awayddings

Kesari Awayddings presented a culturally rooted food and event-focused brand with expansion ambitions. Aman Gupta offered a structured deal combining equity and debt, investing Rs. 1 crore for 10% equity, along with Rs. 1 crore as debt at 10% interest. The hybrid structure allowed the brand to raise growth capital while maintaining financial discipline.

6. Antinorm

Antinorm pitched itself as a premium consumer brand built around a strong identity and niche positioning. The founders emphasised quality, branding, and long-term market opportunity. Anupam Mittal invested Rs. 1.03 crore for a 1% stake, backing the brand’s ambition to scale within a competitive segment.

7. Sepoy & Co.

Sepoy & Co. entered the Tank with a premium positioning and a focus on brand-led growth. While the concept and presentation were noted, the Sharks decided not to proceed with an investment. The founders, however, benefited from feedback on differentiation and market strategy.

8. UrbanWipe

UrbanWipe pitched its range of home and surface-cleaning products designed to be effective yet easy to use. The founders shared strong customer traction and repeat usage insights. Impressed by the product-market fit and growth potential, Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal jointly invested Rs. 2 crore for 10% equity.

9. Bonkers Corner

Bonkers Corner pitched itself as a homegrown streetwear brand with a strong Gen Z and millennial following. The founders highlighted brand recall, online traction, and their ability to tap into pop culture–driven fashion trends. Namita Thapar backed the brand with a Rs. 1.5 crore investment for a 0.5% stake, reflecting confidence in its premium positioning and long-term scalability within India’s growing D2C fashion space.

10. Bubble Me

Bubble Me entered the Tank with a consumer-focused product offering aimed at everyday use. While the Sharks engaged with the concept and product intent, concerns around differentiation, scalability, or long-term defensibility prevented a deal from materialising. Despite this, the pitch helped the brand gain national visibility and feedback to refine its business strategy.

11. Outlive

Outlive presented itself as a health and wellness brand built around improving long-term lifestyle outcomes. The founders spoke about product formulation, consumer needs, and the growing wellness market. However, the Sharks raised questions around market positioning, competitive intensity, and customer acquisition, leading to no investment on the show.

12. MetaDrive

MetaDrive pitched a technology-led solution addressing digital or operational challenges within its target segment. While the innovation and technical thinking were acknowledged, the Sharks were cautious about adoption timelines, revenue clarity, and scale readiness. The brand exited without a deal but gained credibility and exposure through the platform.

13. Sparsh Brush

Sparsh Brush showcased a socially impactful business model focused on accessibility and inclusive solutions. The Sharks appreciated the intent and relevance of the product while structuring a deal that balanced equity with revenue-linked returns. Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar jointly invested Rs. 20 lakh for 1% equity, along with a 2% royalty until Rs. 1 crore is recovered, aligning growth with financial prudence.

14. Shesha Ayurveda

Shesha Ayurveda presented a traditional Ayurvedic brand with a focus on authentic formulations and long-standing practices. The founders highlighted product efficacy, customer trust, and expansion plans. Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta offered a structured deal of Rs. 2 crore for 8% equity, along with a 1% royalty until the investment is recovered, signalling confidence in the brand’s fundamentals while ensuring disciplined returns.