Shark Tank Success Stories

Shark Tank India has become a big hit on Indian TV, and it's changing how people think about investing. Usually, if you ask a middle-class family in India where they like to invest their money, they'd talk about fixed deposits or mutual funds. But now, thanks to one TV show, things have taken a turn.

Indians, who usually enjoy family dramas, have warmly embraced this investment show. In just two seasons, more than 200,000 startups applied, and over 320 pitched their ideas on the show. It's not just about business; there's a bit of drama, and it's become a talking point in Indian households. People are now using terms like CAC, GMV, and gross margins in everyday conversations.

Shark Tank India is not just entertaining; it's like a school for new business owners. For investors on the show, it's a chance for both them and the startups to grow together. Even if not every entrepreneur gets a deal, many still have a shot at great opportunities outside the show.

Let's dig into the numbers from the first two seasons of Shark Tank India and see how startups and investors did during and after the show. But before that let’s learn some interesting facts about the first season.

1. Cream of the Crop from Top Colleges

More than half of the entrepreneurs on Shark Tank India are from top-tier colleges. This might be a bit biased, but it shows a diverse pool of applicants. Most of these businesses are in big cities. Surprisingly, over 80% of them have been running for over 2 years, and almost half for more than 5 years.

2. Ideas Mostly for Consumers

About 90% of the businesses pitched on the show are direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, mainly in fashion and food & beverage (F&B). The rest are business-to-business (B2B), with 10 brands in healthcare and manufacturing. The evaluation is tougher for B2B deals, with a 60% success rate. Namita and Peyush, with expertise in healthcare and manufacturing, mostly seal the B2B deals.

3. Sharks Negotiate for Better Deals

The sharks on the show are tough negotiators. They manage to get at least 2 times more equity at around half the valuation. The average deal size is about Rs 60 lakhs. Aman Gupta is the most active shark, followed by Peyush Bansal and Namita Thapar.

4. Success on Shark Tank Leads to Success Outside

After the first season, 27 startups secured funding from external investors. 16 of them had deals on Shark Tank, showing the show's significant impact. These external deals usually happen within 1.5 years and are often worth more than six times the original Shark Tank deal. The companies are now valued around 2.5 times more than their initial Shark Tank valuation.

Success Stories After Shark Tank India:

The Saas Bar: Sudsy Success on Shark Tank India

Imagine bathing with soaps shaped like muffins and ice cream – sounds dreamy, right? Well, that's exactly what The Sass Bar brings to your shower time. These handmade, aesthetically pleasing soaps have taken a sudsy leap into success, thanks to their stint on Shark Tank India.

Since inking a deal worth Rs 50 lakh and 35% ownership on the show, The Sass Bar's monthly sales have skyrocketed from Rs 6 lakh to a cool Rs 10-20 lakh. Founded by Rishika Nayak, the brand has not only elevated your shower experience with unique shapes, sizes, and fragrances but has also introduced new SKUs post their Shark Tank appearance, further raising the bar for bath and body goods.

Hammer Lifestyle: Making Noise in the Gadget World

Hammer Lifestyle, a smart speaker and gadget company, found itself in a symphony of success after securing a deal on Shark Tank India. Imagine doubling your crew and enhancing technology, all thanks to a deal signed at the exhibition! 

This athleisure electronics wearable brand, offering everything from grooming accessories to headphones, witnessed a remarkable jump from a monthly revenue of Rs 70 lakh pre-Shark Tank to a harmonious Rs 2 crore post-show. Not just that, their website traffic also surged by 5x, creating a melodious tune of success.

Get A Whey: Scooping Success with Healthy Treats

For the mother-son duo behind Get A Whey, the journey from the Shark Tank stage to success has been nothing short of delightful. After securing Rs 1 crore from the Sharks, the company attracted the attention of Sky Gate Hospitality, parent company of Biryani by Kilo, which acquired a majority stake in a deal worth $2 million.

Get-A-Whey specializes in making ice cream protein-rich, low in calories, and sugar-free, offering guilt-free indulgence. The Sharks, including Vineeta Singh, Aman Gupta, and Ashneer Grover, saw the potential and invested ₹1 crore for a 15% equity stake. Started by Jimmy and Jash Shah, this mother-and-son team has seen their sales rise from ₹80 lakh to ₹1 crore.

Skippi Ice Pops: A Cool Success Story on a Stick

Skippi Ice Pops, the first brand of ice pops in India, made a splash on Shark Tank India by securing investment from all five sharks. With a deal of Rs 1.2 crore for a 15% stake, the company claimed monthly sales of ₹2 crore and processed over 20,000 online orders post the show.

Reviving a childhood snack in liquid form, Skippi offers ice pops made with RO water and natural flavors. Customers freeze them at home, creating a delightful and nostalgic experience. The company's sales soared from Rs 5 lakh to over Rs 70 lakh, marking a sweet success story post their Shark Tank appearance.

TagZ Food: Snacking without the Guilt

TagZ Foods brought guilt-free snacking to the limelight after appearing on Shark Tank India. Securing a deal worth Rs 70 lakh for 2.75% equity, this popped chips brand witnessed a 3X rise in success, adding six new manufacturing units to meet the demand.
This health-conscious snacks start-up not only won over customers domestically but also overseas. The company aims for an annual recurring revenue of Rs 1,000 crore and plans to expand its presence in over 2,000 stores. Their previous sales figures saw an impressive 8X increase, making TagZ Foods a standout success story.

Namhya Foods: A Heartfelt Culmination of Success

Founded by Ridhima Arora during her father's battle with liver cirrhosis, Namhya Foods found inspiration in the Buddhist chant “nam myoho renge kyo.” After securing a deal for ₹50 lakh with 10% equity on Shark Tank India, the brand set a monthly sales record of ₹40 lakh.

Taking a compassionate journey, Namhya Foods plans to open distribution centers in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. This heartfelt success story is not just about business but about turning personal challenges into triumphs.

Shark Tank India isn't just a show about money; it's a place where guidance from top entrepreneurs meets financial support, creating a space for success. While it keeps us entertained, it also shows us the incredible journeys of entrepreneurs turning their dreams into reality.