Pratham Mittal, the founder of Masters' Union and Tetr College of Business, is set to make his television debut as a new 'shark' in the highly anticipated fifth season of Shark Tank India. He will specifically feature in the season's Campus Special episodes, bringing his expertise and a distinctively supportive perspective to the panel, with a clear mission to back student-led ventures.
A Softer Approach in a 'Ruthless' Environment
In a recent conversation, Mittal did not hold back his views on the typical nature of reality television. He described it as inherently 'very ruthless' and expressed his desire to inject more empathy into the format. His philosophy is rooted in nurturing young talent rather than harsh criticism.
'You can't be overtly critical of someone so young,' Mittal stated. 'Even if they make mistakes, they need to be told it's okay instead of putting them down. I feel that reality TV is very ruthless. We need to bring more heart into it, and I hope I can be that positive voice.'
He further elaborated that the current narrative around entrepreneurship often leans towards being overly critical, which makes him uncomfortable. His goal is to shift this towards constructive feedback, especially for those who have taken the brave leap to start something new.
Building Camaraderie with Fellow Sharks
Transitioning to a television role was made smoother thanks to existing friendships within the Shark Tank ecosystem. Mittal revealed that Aman Gupta is a close friend and neighbour, who helped him feel at ease during filming. He also shares a connection with Peyush Bansal, who has visited Masters' Union, and has been in touch with Ritesh Agarwal in the past.
'Maybe because they're all from Delhi, like I am, it helped us get along well,' he mused, adding that the entire experience has been positive. He also highlighted the element of surprise for the sharks themselves, noting that the businesses they see each day are as unexpected for them as for the audience.
Aligning TV Role with Educational Vision
Mittal's decision to join the show is deeply intertwined with his work in education. He observes that Gen Z and Gen Alpha view traditional corporate ladder climbing as a risk, with jobs becoming less secure. This mindset is what his institutions, Masters' Union and Tetr, are built to address.
'To keep up with that, Masters' Union and Tetr are based more on building businesses than mugging curriculum. It's like if an incubator and a college had a baby,' he explained. One of his key motivations for appearing on Shark Tank India is to amplify this very philosophy and reach a wider audience of aspiring young founders.
The entrepreneur describes himself as a 'very soft person' who finds it difficult to say anything hurtful. 'I think I'll be fine…I might be boring, but that's a separate issue,' he joked about his upcoming screen presence.
Shark Tank India Season 5 is scheduled to premiere on January 5, 2026. The show will air on Sony TV and will be available for streaming on Sony LIV. The new season promises a mix of familiar faces and fresh additions like Mittal, focusing particularly on the vibrant pipeline of student entrepreneurship in the country.
