In a move set to energize India's startup landscape, Pratham Mittal, the visionary behind Masters’ Union and the global Tetr College of Business, has officially joined the judging panel of Shark Tank India Season 5. This addition marks a significant shift for the hit television show, placing a powerful spotlight on the potential of young, student-led ventures.
A New Shark for the Next Generation
Mittal's entry into the Shark Tank is not just a new face on the panel; it represents a strategic emphasis on early-stage and first-time entrepreneurs. Known for his groundbreaking work in building alternative business education models, Mittal brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by founders who are just starting out. Shark Tank India has cemented itself as one of the country's most influential platforms for entrepreneurs, offering a rare chance to secure funding and mentorship from top investors. With Mittal on board, the show is poised to become an even more critical launchpad for India's youngest business minds.
Building an Ecosystem from the Campus Up
Pratham Mittal's expertise is rooted in his hands-on experience nurturing entrepreneurship at the student level. Through Masters’ Union, he has been instrumental in shaping India's campus startup culture. At this institution, launching a venture is a core part of the experience, with over 35 students starting their own companies in just the past year.
The results speak for themselves. Startups supported by the Masters’ Union Investment Fund have received grants worth ₹1.36 crore and have generated a projected annual recurring revenue of ₹4.32 crore. These young founders have also benefited from more than 4,500 hours of personalized guidance. This robust support system has proven effective, with several student-led startups from Masters’ Union advancing to the finalist rounds on previous seasons of Shark Tank India.
Taking the Model Global with Tetr College
Mittal's founder-first philosophy has now gone international through the Tetr College of Business. This unique four-year undergraduate program requires students to build a real venture as an academic core. Students at Tetr are actively scaling businesses across seven different countries, gaining invaluable, hands-on exposure to global markets while earning their degree.
The college boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of just 2.6%. Its student body of over 200 individuals hails from more than 50 countries. Tetr's global ambitions recently received a major boost with $18 million in funding from prominent investors Owl Ventures and Bertelsmann India Investments.
From Classroom Theory to Market Reality
The common thread across both Masters’ Union and Tetr is a relentless focus on execution. Students are pushed to move beyond mere ideas to creating revenue-generating, scalable businesses. By providing integrated access to mentorship, institutional backing, and early-stage capital, these programs allow founders to test and grow their ventures while still in college. This reflects a broader, transformative shift where entrepreneurship is becoming a viable and respected early-career path in India.
Commenting on his new role, Pratham Mittal highlighted the show's impact. "Shark Tank has emerged as one of the most influential platforms for entrepreneurship in India, giving early-stage founders the opportunity to showcase their ideas, gain mentorship, and access resources that can help turn concepts into scalable businesses," he said. He expressed particular enthusiasm for engaging with young founders who are "starting early and building with purpose."
With his background deeply embedded in educating and empowering the next wave of entrepreneurs, Mittal's presence on Shark Tank India Season 5 is expected to strongly resonate with a generation eager to build India's economic future.
Pratham Mittal completed his schooling at The Doon School before studying International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has also been associated with the University of Pennsylvania.
