The ongoing fifth season of Shark Tank India continues to be a massive hit, blending business education with pure entertainment. The latest episode, however, delivered a particularly jaw-dropping moment when an entrepreneur from Vadodara made a staggering claim about his product's origins, leaving the panel of investors both shocked and skeptical.
The Bold Pitch and the NASA Claim
Entrepreneur Shubham Upadhyay entered the tank to pitch for his brand, Planyt, which offers a specialized plant-growth device. From the outset, he made a powerful statement that immediately caught the attention of sharks Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, Amit Jain, and Ritesh Agarwal. He asserted that the technology behind his product was "developed by NASA."
Shubham laid out his investment ask, seeking Rs. 1.05 crore in exchange for 6.5% equity in his company. This valuation placed his business at a substantial Rs. 16.15 crore. He further revealed that his company has been operational since 2021.
Sharks Grill the Entrepreneur
The sharks did not take the NASA claim lightly and began a thorough interrogation. They pressed Shubham on the veracity of his statement, asking pointedly if he was telling the truth. In his defense, Shubham clarified that while NASA developed the core technology, his team had "kind of perfected it." He also added that his venture was heavily funded by the government, another claim that raised eyebrows.
The scrutiny intensified when the cost implications for consumers were discussed. Shubham disclosed that a family of five would need to spend at least Rs. 7.5 lakh on his Planyt products. The sharks expressed clear shock at this high price point, questioning the market viability and scalability of such an expensive solution for the average Indian household.
The Final Verdict and Anupam's Sharp Rebuke
The combination of unverified claims, a high valuation, and an expensive product proved to be a deal-breaker. None of the sharks were convinced enough to make an offer. Shubham Upadhyay left the tank without securing any investment.
A defining moment of the episode came from shark Anupam Mittal. Visibly frustrated by the entrepreneur's assertions, Mittal snapped with a pointed question in Hindi, "Tujhe sharam nahi aayi?" (Didn't you feel any shame?). This reaction underscored the sharks' disappointment with what they perceived as inflated and potentially misleading claims.
The episode served as a critical lesson for viewers and aspiring entrepreneurs about the importance of transparency, credible validation, and realistic business fundamentals when seeking high-stakes investment.
