Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Shark Tank India 5: Emotional Pitches and AI Tools
On the latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 5, two entrepreneurs presented their businesses to the sharks.
Akshay Mahendru, co-founder of Nootie, a pet care brand, had an emotional pitch.
He wanted Rs 1 crore for 1.2% of his company, valuing it at Rs 83.33 crore.
The judges thought his company was worth only Rs 25 crore and advised him to focus more on building his brand.
In the end, Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar invested Rs 1 crore for 4% of the company, plus 1% royalty.
Later, Ashish Kamathi, a recent graduate, showcased his AI optimization tool Vryse.
Vryse helps brands rank on different AI platforms and increase the visibility of their products online.
He presented his pitch to a panel of sharks, including Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh.
Akshay Mahendru, co-founder of Nootie, broke down during his pitch on Shark Tank India Season 5.
Nootie sought Rs 1 crore for 1.2% equity, valuing the company at Rs 83.33 crore.
Judges criticized Nootie for diversifying too early and not focusing on brand building.
Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar invested Rs 1 crore for 4% equity and 1% royalty, valuing the company at Rs 25 crore.
Ashish Kamathi presented his AI optimization tool Vryse, which helps brands increase visibility on AI platforms.
- Who
- Akshay Mahendru (Nootie), Ashish Kamathi (Vryse), Sharks (Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Kunal Bahl, Varun Alagh)
- What
- Emotional pitch and AI tool presentation on Shark Tank India Season 5
- When
- Latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 5
- Where
- Shark Tank India
- Why
- To secure investment for their respective businesses
- Brand 1
- Nootie
- Founder 1
- Akshay Mahendru
- Requested Investment 1
- Rs 1 crore
- Initial Valuation 1
- Rs 83.33 crore
- Final Valuation 1
- Rs 25 crore
- Investors 1
- Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar
- Equity Offered 1
- 4%
- Royalty 1
- 1%
- Brand 2
- Vryse
- Founder 2
- Ashish Kamathi
- Sharks Present
- Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Kunal Bahl, Varun Alagh, Anupam Mittal
Sources
Shark Tank India 5: ‘Mama’s boy’ entrepreneur breaks down after ‘brain fail’, Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar value brand at Rs 25 crore
Cannes winner pitches family mithai brand on Shark Tank India; gets no deal despite Anupam Mittal calling it a ‘goldmine’
Shark Tank India pitcher dropped IIM to build AI tool, it picks up Vineeta Singh’s brand but not Namita Thapar’s: ‘Main kahan hoo?’
Exclusive | Shark Tank India pitcher sold wife’s jewellery, took loan for kids’ brand; Aman Gupta told him to shut it down, he says he won’t
