Shark Tank India 4: Gujarat Village’s Famous Cheese Brand Fails to Get a Deal, But Namita Thapar Steps In to Help
In the latest episode of Shark Tank India 4 (aired on February 25), a cheese brand from a small village in Gujarat—Panchal Dairy—impressed the Sharks with its unique story. Despite gaining global recognition, they couldn’t secure an investment deal.
A Cheese Brand with a Big Dream
Panchal Dairy is named after the Panchal Rabari community of Gujarat, known for rearing the native Panchali sheep. The company, founded by Arpan Kalotra and Bhimsingh Ghanghal, produces different types of cheese. Even though they come from a small village, their cheese has been showcased at the World Cheese Conclave in Norway and has even won recognition at the World Cheese Awards.
Dressed in traditional attire, the founders shared their journey—from humble beginnings to becoming a brand known for its quality and innovation. So far, they have sold 1,120 kg of cheese. They asked the Sharks for an investment of ₹20 lakh in exchange for 10% equity.
“We started in a small village, and today, we’re making our community proud. Our cheeses, like goat cheese and pecorino, are special and high-quality. We also create jobs for villagers, showing that even small businesses can make a big difference,” the founders shared.
Sharks Appreciate Their Hard Work but Decline the Deal
The Sharks were curious about how they learned to make different varieties of cheese. The founders revealed that they are connected to an NGO, and a woman from the NGO helped them develop their skills. However, she does not hold any equity in their company, which impressed Namita Thapar.
The entrepreneurs belong to a village with just 1,500 families. They started the business using their own money, with support from the village women’s community, who manage the finances. While the Sharks admired their efforts, they felt the business was still too small for an investment.
Namita Thapar Offers a Helping Hand
Even though Namita Thapar also decided not to invest, she made a generous offer.
“I will give you ₹2 lakh as a loan from my fund’s CSR for the next six months. If you earn ₹14-15 lakh within a year, I will invest in your business,” she said.
She also promised to mentor them through weekly Zoom calls, guiding them on marketing strategies and business growth. The founders gladly accepted her support, making it a special moment on Shark Tank India 4.
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