Shark Tank India 4: Ritesh Agarwal Offers Grant Instead of Deal; Aman Gupta Gives a Reality Check
In a recent episode of Shark Tank India Season 4, Ayush Chauhan, the young founder of Dacby Technologies, pitched his startup to the Sharks. He was seeking ₹75 lakhs for 2.2% equity, valuing his company at ₹34.09 crore. While the Sharks shared their feedback, the moment that stood out was Ritesh Agarwal’s unexpected gesture.
Ayush opened up about his financial struggles, revealing that he had only ₹4,000-₹5,000 in his account and relied on pocket money from his parents. This moved the Sharks, especially Namita Thapar, who pointed out, “He reminds me of you, Ritesh.”
Ritesh Agarwal, founder of OYO, connected deeply with Ayush’s story. Sharing his own experiences of struggling in the early days, Ritesh said, “Like Namita said, you do remind me of myself. I had no place to stay.” He called Ayush a fighter and praised his resilience.
While Ritesh didn’t invest in Ayush’s business, he made an unusual offer—a personal grant of ₹10 lakhs. He explained, “In our family office, we have a fellowship where we offer grants with no equity. Use this ₹10 lakhs to improve your life, not your business. I know you’ll do better in the future.”
The other Sharks applauded Ayush’s spirit and determination, but Aman Gupta gave a harsh critique. “You are not a good entrepreneur. You are very raw and not cut out for business,” Aman said, pointing out mistakes like leaving IIT, convincing friends to quit their jobs, and borrowing money from family.
Despite not getting a deal, Ayush walked away with valuable advice, mentorship, and Ritesh’s generous grant—a moment that highlighted both the challenges and the hope in a young entrepreneur’s journey.
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