The entrepreneurial landscape of India is set for another electrifying season as 'Shark Tank India Season 5' prepares for its grand premiere on January 5, 2026. The iconic show returns to empower a new generation of dreamers, featuring a formidable mix of veteran investors and dynamic new entrants. Aspiring founders, having cleared a rigorous selection process, will pitch their ideas to this panel, hoping to secure life-changing deals and mentorship from those who have built empires from the ground up.
Meet The Season 5 Sharks: Titans of Industry
This season's tank is filled with some of the most influential and wealthiest minds in Indian business. Their collective experience spans consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, eyewear, cosmetics, hospitality, and deep-tech, offering a wide spectrum of expertise for pitchers.
Aman Gupta, the charismatic co-founder of boAt, revolutionized the audio accessories market by making stylish headphones affordable. With a net worth estimated at Rs 720 crore, he seeks founders who share his passion for brand building and connecting with the youth.
Namita Thapar, the Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, brings sharp business acumen from the healthcare sector. Known for her candid feedback, her net worth is around Rs 600 crore. She actively champions causes related to women's health and education.
Visionary Peyush Bansal, founder of Lenskart, transformed eyewear into a fashion statement using technology. After leaving Microsoft, he built a company now valued highly, with his personal net worth near Rs 600 crore. He is drawn to purpose-driven entrepreneurs solving real-world problems.
From Resilience to Billion-Dollar Valuations
The panel also features stories of incredible grit and scale. Vineeta Singh of Sugar Cosmetics, with a net worth of Rs 300 crore, rejected a corporate job to create makeup for Indian skin tones. Her journey is a testament to resilience, a quality she looks for in founders.
Internet pioneer Anupam Mittal of Shaadi.com, a shark since season one, has a net worth of about Rs 185 crore. Known as the "thinking shark," he probes for sustainable business models and scalability.
The tank hosts its richest shark, Ritesh Agarwal of OYO Rooms, whose net worth is a staggering Rs 16,000 crore. As the youngest billionaire on the panel, he inspires founders to think globally. Close behind is Amit Jain of CarDekho, with a net worth of roughly Rs 2,900 crore, who offers pragmatic advice on finance and operations.
New Perspectives & Niche Expertise
Season 5 welcomes back and introduces sharks with specialized knowledge. Kunal Bahl of Snapdeal and Titan Capital (net worth ~Rs 900 crore) values adaptability in fast-changing markets.
Viraj Bahl, founder of Veeba sauces, survived a failed restaurant business to build a brand worth a Rs 200 crore net worth. He offers crucial insights into manufacturing and distribution.
The skincare revolution is represented by Mohit Yadav, co-founder of Minimalist, which was acquired by Hindustan Unilever. While his net worth is undisclosed, his focus on science-backed products speaks volumes.
Shaily Mehrotra, the bootstrapping CEO of Fixderma (company valued at ~Rs 187 crore), bridges dermatology and beauty. Green energy is championed by Hardik Kothiya of Rayzon Solar, a young billionaire with a Rs 3,970 crore net worth focused on sustainable manufacturing.
Completing the panel is the fearless Kanika Tekriwal of JetSetGo, the "Uber of the skies." A cancer survivor who disrupted aviation, her net worth is approximately Rs 420 crore. She backs founders determined to break barriers in traditional industries.
With such a diverse and accomplished panel, Shark Tank India Season 5 promises high-stakes negotiations, invaluable lessons, and potentially groundbreaking deals. The stage is set for India's next wave of entrepreneurial success stories to be discovered and funded.
