The show Shark Tank has become the buzz of the town in India. The business reality show has aided India's start-up revolution. The broadcast focused on the growing wave of entrepreneurship that is sweeping the country. The show, which has been produced in a number of locations throughout the world, has become a huge hit in India and has awakened the seed of entrepreneurship among Indians. Especially among women across the country. 'Shark Tank India' has become a show that women of all ages are watching, appreciating, and debating among themselves, much way ladies used to discuss saas-bahu serials and 'Bigg Boss' stories in their cat parties and friendly discussions.
'Shark Tank India' has undoubtedly fuelled a surge of female entrepreneurs in India. Women who had never previously expressed an interest in discussing business are now eager to participate and offer their perspectives on business topics during family gatherings or social meetings. The episode focused on the rising wave of entrepreneurship that can be seen across the country.
The inaugural season of 'Shark Tank India' has provided many aspiring entrepreneurs with the motivation they need to succeed or even consider entering the start-up industry. And all it took was one perfect pitch to beat the sharks.
Many women attended the event, even if it was only to accompany the males in charge of the business activities. In addition, numerous teams were founded by women, led by women, and managed to inspire other women to stop thinking of business as a man's domain.
At the end of Season 1 of the show, here's a look back at some of the women entrepreneurs who made an impression and proved that a woman can succeed in any field.
ADITI GUPTA, FOUNDER OF MENSTRUPEDIA
Menstruation has long been connected with impurity in India. Every year, over a billion girls get their periods, and many of them are not properly informed about them and are subjected to societal constraints such as using cloth instead of sanitary pads or being barred from attending places of worship. Aditi Gupta was imbued with a sense of guilt as a result of being on the receiving end of this period-related stigma as a child. Aditi Gupta and her husband Tuhin Paul abandoned their jobs to launch Menstrupedia comics, India's first comic book about periods, with the goal of changing people's perceptions about menstruation. The comic is a friendly guide developed to offer facts about menstruation in a way that is not only easy to grasp but also sensitive to the taboo nature of the issue, with engaging storylines and characters. The product, which is available in over 11000 schools across India, has had a significant impact by teaching and empowering many girls about their periods. Aditi wants to expand their business by launching an app in order to have a global effect on a topic that is deemed taboo. Such a wonderful concept enticed Shark Namita Thapar to spend 50 lakhs in exchange for a 20% stake!
AISHWARYA BISWAS, FOUNDER AND MD, AULI LIFESTYLE
Aishwarya Biswas' Ayurvedic skincare brand Auli, which she conceptualised and built, became fairly successful after appearing on Shark Tank India. The items are rich and organic, and they soothe and relax you. Auli, which sells a variety of organic and natural items, is ideal for both gifting and self-indulgence. The Kolkata-based entrepreneur dazzled shark Namita Thapar and received a Rs 75 lakh investment for a 15% stake. On the show, she stayed steadfast in her decision to go solo rather than team up with a co-founder.
ANANAYA AND ANUSHREE MALLOO, NUUTJOB CO-FOUNDERS
Ananya and Anushree Malloo, Nuutjob co-founders, impressed with their unique offering. Nuutjob is a brand of men's hygiene products founded by women. Their pitch was also fairly distinctive. They dressed themselves like males scratching their groynes and entered the sets as such. The co-founders are relatives who have had a significant impact on sharks. Their products are designed to assist guys in keeping their intimates clean and dry. The creams assist men maintain a decent pH balance down there by preventing chafing, preventing sweating irritation, preventing foul odour and itching, and preventing bad odour and itching. Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, and Aman Gupta invested Rs 25 lakh in the company in exchange for a 20% stake in the company.
CARRAGREEN FOUNDERS SURABHI AND CHETNA SHAH
Duo of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law Carragreen's founders, Surabhi Shah and Chetna Shah, from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, began their company with the goal of eliminating the usage of plastic cutlery in everyday life. Sharks Peyush Bansal and Anupam Mittal were impressed by the ecopreneurs and invested 50 lakhs for a 20% stake in the company. Carragreen's items are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Carragreen offers unique solutions that are a cost-effective alternative to disposable plastic.
RIYA KHATTAR'S HEART UP MY SLEEVES
Heart Up My Sleeves, by Delhi-based Riya Khatta, was another Shark Tank India pitch that wowed the judges. Due to the product's simplicity and resourcefulness, Sharks Anupam Mittal and Vineeta Singh invested Rs 25 lakh for a 30% stake. The brand was created in the midst of the epidemic while cleaning the closet, and it is a modern concept appropriate for transforming India. Riya Khattar came across a solution to the most prevalent dilemma that every female faces: having a lot of clothes but nothing appropriate to wear. Detachable sleeves from Heart Up My Sleeves are a fast remedy for any drab outfit. Influencers and celebrities such as Neha Kakkar, Hansika Motwani, and Komal Pandey have all given the brand positive feedback in a short amount of time.
QUIRKY NAARI BY MALVICA SAXENA
With her whimsical invention, Malvica Saxena, the founder of Quirky Naari, won hearts and secured Rs 35 lakh in finance for 15% ownership from Anupam Mittal and Vineeta Singh. Her company began with hand-painted shoes in 2018, and it now offers a wide spectrum of footwear, from bridal sneakers to customizable hand-painted jackets.
BLUE PINE FOODS BY ADITI MADAN WITH NAVEEN PANWAR AND ROHAN SINGH
Blue Pine Foods was developed by Aditi Madan with the objective of introducing people to authentic Himalayan cuisine. The former 'Master Chef' contestant won a funding of Rs. 75 lakh on 'Shark Tank India.' Her friends and peers refer to her as 'Momo Mami.'
KAVACH BY ANOUSHKA JOLLY
Anoushka Jolly's memories of a fellow student being humiliated at a school function five years ago are carved firmly in her mind. However, for this 13-year-old, the experience served as a catalyst for launching a social movement to combat bullying and give a forum for students and parents to anonymously report incidents.
With the cooperation of educational institutions, social organisations, and professionals, the 'Anti Bullying Squad (ABS)' has positively touched over 2,000 students from over 100 schools and universities, according to Jolly, who founded the internet platform three years ago.
The Class 8 student has also created a smartphone application called 'Kavach,' which allows students and parents to anonymously report bullying situations, allowing schools and counsellors to intervene and take action.
"I realised how common the problem is and saw many other children of my age being victims of bullying and losing confidence," said Jolly, whose social initiative not only made her the youngest contestant to pitch her entrepreneurial idea on TV reality show Shark Tank India, but also resulted in a funding offer of Rs. 50 lakh.
While all of the Sharks were impressed by their ideas, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Ghazal Alagh led the charge in applauding their fellow women entrepreneurs.
On the episode 'Shark Tank India,' Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceutical, an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company situated in Pune, Maharashtra, is an investor. Namita, a 44-year-old Indian businesswoman, has joined Emcure as CFO. She worked for Guidant Corporation in the United States before joining Emcure. She is also the owner of Incredible Ventures Ltd., which she founded. She serves on the Fuqua School of Business India's regional advisory board, is a trustee on the TiE Mumbai Board of Trustees, and is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization.
Vineeta Singh, the Founder and CEO of Sugar Cosmetic, was born in Delhi, India. Kaushik Mukherjee is her husband's name, and she has two children, Vikrant and Kaushik. Vineeta joined the Fab Bag team as a co-founder in 2012. Running, cycling, and swimming are some of her favourite pastimes.
Ghazal Alagh is the founder of MamaEarth, a beauty business, and is a well-known Indian entrepreneur. Ghazal is the mother of Agastya Alagh, who she shares with her husband Varun Alagh. Ghazal Alagh, the youngest of all sharks, is reported to be worth Rs 148 crore.
