'Fundamentally wrong': Indian sharks mock Shark Tank Pakistan
With Shark Tank Pakistan continuing to make waves and bringing the country’s startup revolution to the global stage, two of the judges from Shark Tank India have shared how they feel about the hit show’s Pakistan edition.
Shark Tank, the American franchise of the British TV series Dragons’ Den, shows entrepreneurs making business presentations to a panel of five venture capitalists called “sharks”, who then decide whether to invest in their companies or not. The show reached new highs after the release of its Indian franchise in 2021, which was followed by the first season of Shark Tank Pakistan that premiered earlier this year.
As some of the deals from Shark Tank Pakistan, including the biggest investment in the history of the show around the globe, make headlines, two investors from Shark Tank India have expressed their opinions on the same.
Appearing on influencer Sharan Hegde’s podcast, Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal and BoAt co-founder Aman Gupta highlighted key differences between both Shark Tank franchises, mocking some bits from the Pakistani version and explaining how it was “fundamentally wrong”.
“Someone invested some 300 crores at the show. This is not possible,” Aman said, adding that he hadn’t been following it but did see some interesting clips going viral.
Mittal burst out laughing when he heard the question. “What's going on there?” he asked as the two highlighted the PKR 300 crores demand as an example of the show’s absurdity.
Both sharks were referring to a viral clip where an elderly contestant on Shark Tank Pakistan asked for a PKR 300 crores investment in exchange for 3% equity. The request had shocked the judges, especially when the contestant had called the amount “peanuts” for them.
Anupam said he found some of the clips hilarious because they showed a lack of understanding and how some of the things were “fundamentally and technically wrong”.
Expressing hope that the show would improve in the years to come, the Shaadi.com founder said region’s economic growth and Pakistan’s progress was important for India too. “If Pakistan doesn't grow economically, it will create problems that we [India] will have to face. It will slow us down,” he said.
Anupam also expressed hope that shows like Shark Tank Pakistan would inspire economic growth and productivity in the country. “It's in everyone's best interest for Shark Tank Pakistan to motivate people and guide them in the right direction,” he added.