Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Aman Gupta and Ritesh Agarwal clash on Shark Tank India
Two brothers, Neel and Rishi, who run a special cafe in Mumbai, went on Shark Tank India to ask for money to grow their business.
Their cafe, called Early Morning Cartel, serves food chosen by the chef, and they want to make it bigger.
They asked for Rs 2 crores in exchange for a small part of their company.
The Sharks, who are like business experts, had different opinions.
Some thought it was hard to make the cafe bigger because of problems like finding places to set up more cafes and hiring good chefs.
Aman Gupta and Ritesh Agarwal, two of the Sharks, made a deal together to give the brothers the money they needed.
Aman also made a joke about Ritesh's budget hotel business, saying they weren't selling cheap rooms.
Ritesh joked back.
In the end, the brothers got the money and two mentors to help them grow their business.
Neel and Rishiraj Kanwarjani pitched their premium dining cafe, Early Morning Cartel (EMC), on Shark Tank India 5.
They requested Rs 2 crores for 5% equity, valuing their company at Rs 40 crores.
EMC operates on the Japanese Omakase concept, where the chef decides the menu, and has a Google rating of 4.7.
Aman Gupta and Ritesh Agarwal initially clashed but ultimately joined forces to offer Rs 2 crores for 14% equity.
The deal was finalized with Aman and Ritesh offering Rs 2 crores for 12% equity after negotiations.
- Who
- Neel and Rishiraj Kanwarjani, founders of Early Morning Cartel (EMC)
- What
- A pitch on Shark Tank India 5 for investment in their premium dining cafe
- When
- During the latest episode of Shark Tank India 5
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- To expand their cafe business and secure funding for growth
- Founders
- Neel and Rishiraj Kanwarjani
- Company
- Early Morning Cartel (EMC)
- Requested Investment
- Rs 2 crores
- Equity Offered
- 5%
- Company Valuation
- Rs 40 crores
- Revenue (2025-26)
- Rs 1.14 crore in seven months
- EBITDA
- 32.2% (projected to rise to 39.9%)
- Google Rating
- 4.7