Sony TV’s Shark Tank India is India’s first business reality show

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India today is about ideas, risk, enterprise and entrepreneurship. Start-ups and a culture of creating business enterprise haves taken deep roots in our society. And  acknowledging this societal change, Sony Entertainment Television has launched Shark Tank India to provide an opportunity, a platform to aspiring entrepreneurs with interesting business ideas, business prototypes or active businesses to have their ‘pitches’ evaluated by business experts a.k.a. the ‘Sharks’ and seek investments.

Produced by Studio Next (known for shows like KBC and Scam 1992), this revolutionary and a first-for-India show has upGrad as the ‘Presenting Sponsor’ and Flipkart as the ‘Co-Powered-by’ sponsor. The show airs daily on weekdays.

Shark Tank India will not only help mentor participants (or the ‘pitchers’) but will also give a first-hand experience to the masses by demystifying various nuances of business and the potential that it holds. Geared up to invest in these potential businesses and nurture the country’s business aspirants from all walks of life are the ‘Sharks’ who are successful entrepreneurs themselves.

The talented sharks of the very first edition of Shark Tank India are Ashneer Grover (founder and managing director of BharatPe), Vineeta Singh (CEO and co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics), Peyush Bansal (founder and CEO of Lenskart), Namita Thapar (executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals), Anupam Mittal (founder and CEO of Shaadi.com – People Group), Ghazal Alagh (co-founder and Chief Mama of Mamaearth) and Aman Gupta (co-founder and chief marketing officer at boAt).

While the ‘Sharks’ play a key role in developing India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, host Rannvijay Singha acts as a guide for the pitchers on the show and for the audience alike.

The entry into the tank is an ultimate test of perseverance. The selected applicants or the ‘Pitchers’ will find themselves face-to-face with the ‘Sharks’ or the investors who will understand, assess and make an offer based on the applicant’s final ‘pitch’. The ‘Sharks’ have no idea whatsoever on the ‘pitches’ beforehand. If the ‘pitchers’ manage to impress the ‘Sharks’ they stand a chance to get an offer/ investment from the ‘Sharks’ right there – Jiska Idea Hoga Best, Usmain Karenge Sharks Invest (The ‘Sharks’ will invest in the best idea)!

Sony Pictures Networks India has acquired the rights for the Indian adaptation of the globally-successful business-reality format Shark Tank. The format has reinvigorated businesses in over 40 countries since its first launch in 2001. With over 180 seasons; and winning over 30 awards globally, Shark Tank is the world’s No. 1 Business Reality show.

Since its first launch in 2001, as Tigers of Money in Japan created by Nippon TV, the format was later adapted as Dragon’s Den in 2005 in the UK and the show premiered in the US as Shark Tank in the year 2009. The format is distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Television.

Ashish Golwalkar, Head, Content – Sony Entertainment Television and Digital Business, says, “We’re excited to bring to India, the critically acclaimed business reality show that has helped create several multi-million-dollar companies across geographies over the years. This revolutionary show that celebrates entrepreneurship perfectly aligns with the current sentiments across the country and we feel that there couldn’t have been a better time to launch this show.”

Indranil Chakraborty, Head – Studio Next, adds, “At Studio Next, it’s our endeavor to present to our viewers ‘entertainment with a purpose. In line with this thought, we are excited to bring this unique viewing experience to the audience, not only educating them but entertaining them at the same time. Giving a boost to India’s budding start-up ecosystem, the show puts the spotlight on Naye Bharat Ki Badalti Tasveer (The changing image of a New India) by giving an opportunity to the budding business aspirants of our country to chase their great Indian dream and pitch their innovative ideas in front of the ‘Sharks’.

“Through these pitches the viewers will get to witness what actually goes behind those closed doors where the big business deals take place; this certainly makes for an interesting watch. Through this show we want to celebrate the undying spirit of the Indian entrepreneurs from all walks of life and share their inspiring stories. The kind of products and businesses that have been pitched are outstanding and we hope to fuel entrepreneurship and creativity further through this show.”