Shark Tank India 4: Anupam Mittal Questions Korean Food Trend – Will He Invest?
The latest episode of Shark Tank India 4 featured a food pitch that left the Sharks divided, especially Anupam Mittal. Entrepreneur Dhruv Kohli, founder of Boba Bhai, presented his bubble tea and Korean-style burgers, targeting Gen Z. While the Sharks loved the bubble tea, the burgers sparked a debate.
Boba Bhai’s Unique Pitch
Launched in October 2023, Boba Bhai has quickly gained popularity for its fusion of classic bubble tea flavors with an Indian twist. During his pitch, Dhruv asked for ₹50 lakh for 0.3% equity, valuing his company at ₹166 crore.
This valuation shocked Namita Thapar, who said,
“Main shock ho gayi aapka valuation dekh ke.”
Shark Kunal Bahl had already invested in the brand earlier, so he chose to sit out of the deal. Meanwhile, Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar questioned Dhruv about his numbers. But the real challenge was the food itself.
Sharks Loved the Bubble Tea, but Not the Burgers
The Sharks enjoyed the bubble tea flavors, but the Korean-style burgers didn’t impress everyone.
Anupam Mittal struggled with the spice, joking,
“If you want it so spicy, then keep biting on chilies.”
Aman defended the flavors, explaining that Korean food is naturally spicy, but he admitted the burgers weren’t anything special.
Is Korean Food a Trend or a Fad?
Food industry expert Viraj Bahl pointed out that spicy Korean noodles are becoming a huge hit in India, especially among Gen Z. However, Anupam wasn’t convinced.
He called Korean food a “fad”, but then added,
“My daughter loves this drink.”
A Sweet Twist Saves the Deal
To balance the spice, Dhruv introduced a new range of ice creams, which impressed the Sharks. This led to a negotiation on investment.
Namita and Viraj teamed up to offer ₹90 lakh for 1% equity and a 0.5% royalty until ₹45 lakh is recovered. Dhruv countered with ₹1.2 crore for 1% equity, but after some discussion, he accepted their original offer.
Final Verdict
After sealing the deal, Dhruv shared his excitement, saying,
“We’re not just a food brand; we’re a Gen Z-focused community.”
After Dhruv left, Kunal Bahl, who had stayed quiet during the pitch, praised him as a “hardworking and driven” entrepreneur.
With this exciting investment, Boba Bhai is all set to expand its presence in the Indian market. Stay tuned for more updates from Shark Tank India 4!
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