Shaadi.com founder and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal is known for his sharp insights and candid opinions. Recently, he opened up about what really happens behind the scenes of Shark Tank India and cleared up some of the most common misconceptions about how deals work on the show. Many viewers assume that when a shark hands over a cheque on television, the investment is instantly finalised. Here's what the truth is.
Anupam Mittal reacts to major myth about Shark Tank India show
Explaining the process, Anupam Mittal said that the deals shown on TV are only the beginning. He told Pinkvilla that, since each pitch lasts barely 15 minutes, there isn’t enough time to verify all the claims made by entrepreneurs. The real evaluation begins after the shoot, when a detailed background and financial check takes place.
He said that minor discrepancies in numbers, like 5-10% are acceptable, but if founders are caught lying outright, the deal is cancelled during this due diligence process. In short, what viewers see on screen is only a snapshot of a much longer investment journey.
Going forward, Anupam Mittal also compared the cheque given on the show to what investors in the real world call a term sheet. He explained that just like venture capital deals, the cheques handed over in Shark Tank India are non-binding. This means the sharks are not legally committed to invest until the due diligence phase is completed successfully.
Moreover, in a September report, ET investigated what really happens after the cameras stop rolling on Shark Tank India Season 4. The publication contacted 86 companies that received on-air investment commitments and managed to speak with 34 founders to track the real outcomes.
Out of these 34 startups, only 11 deals were successfully closed, 8 remained in progress, and 15 fell through — with many founders saying they were the ones who walked away.
The reasons vary. In several cases, existing investors disagreed with the deal terms finalised on the show — whether it was about royalty structures or lower-than-expected valuations. Some startups also faced legal or structural complications that made the deals difficult to execute.
Other founders cited delays in fund transfers, which often arrived too late to make a difference. For a few, stronger post-show business performance meant the original offer no longer made sense. And then comes the due diligence hurdle, a process so time-consuming that it has reportedly turned into a dealbreaker for some entrepreneurs.
About Anupam Mittal's work front
With over two decades of experience as a tech entrepreneur and investor, Anupam Mittal has built some of India’s most successful digital brands, including Shaadi.com, Makaan.com, and Mauj Mobile. As the Founder and CEO of People Group, Anupam has played a major role in shaping India’s tech and D2C ecosystem.
Anupam Mittal reacts to major myth about Shark Tank India show
Explaining the process, Anupam Mittal said that the deals shown on TV are only the beginning. He told Pinkvilla that, since each pitch lasts barely 15 minutes, there isn’t enough time to verify all the claims made by entrepreneurs. The real evaluation begins after the shoot, when a detailed background and financial check takes place.
He said that minor discrepancies in numbers, like 5-10% are acceptable, but if founders are caught lying outright, the deal is cancelled during this due diligence process. In short, what viewers see on screen is only a snapshot of a much longer investment journey.
Going forward, Anupam Mittal also compared the cheque given on the show to what investors in the real world call a term sheet. He explained that just like venture capital deals, the cheques handed over in Shark Tank India are non-binding. This means the sharks are not legally committed to invest until the due diligence phase is completed successfully.
Moreover, in a September report, ET investigated what really happens after the cameras stop rolling on Shark Tank India Season 4. The publication contacted 86 companies that received on-air investment commitments and managed to speak with 34 founders to track the real outcomes.
Out of these 34 startups, only 11 deals were successfully closed, 8 remained in progress, and 15 fell through — with many founders saying they were the ones who walked away.
The reasons vary. In several cases, existing investors disagreed with the deal terms finalised on the show — whether it was about royalty structures or lower-than-expected valuations. Some startups also faced legal or structural complications that made the deals difficult to execute.
Other founders cited delays in fund transfers, which often arrived too late to make a difference. For a few, stronger post-show business performance meant the original offer no longer made sense. And then comes the due diligence hurdle, a process so time-consuming that it has reportedly turned into a dealbreaker for some entrepreneurs.
About Anupam Mittal's work front
With over two decades of experience as a tech entrepreneur and investor, Anupam Mittal has built some of India’s most successful digital brands, including Shaadi.com, Makaan.com, and Mauj Mobile. As the Founder and CEO of People Group, Anupam has played a major role in shaping India’s tech and D2C ecosystem.
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