The latest season of Shark Tank India continues to deliver compelling moments. Episode seven featured a young entrepreneur who presented an AI tool that gave the sharks a surprising reality check about their own brands.
AI Tool Reveals Brand Visibility Gaps
Ashish Kamathi, a recent graduate, introduced his AI optimization platform called Vryse. He explained how his tool helps brands rank better on various AI platforms. This improves their online visibility and product discovery.
"Products are now discovered through AI," Ashish stated during his pitch. "If your products don't appear on these platforms, they simply won't sell. Vryse analyzes websites and products to provide specific suggestions for increasing AI visibility."
The Dramatic Demonstration
Ashish then conducted a live demonstration. He asked ChatGPT to recommend the best sleep gummies available in India. The AI's response showed "What's Up Sleep" - a product that shark Vineeta Singh had previously invested in.
Notably absent from the results was "Arth," the new sleep gummies from Namita Thapar's pharmaceutical company Emcure. Namita's reaction was immediate and emotional.
"Hello, main kahan hoon?" she exclaimed, translating to "Where am I?" Her disappointment was visible as she processed the AI's oversight of her product.
Educational Sacrifice for Entrepreneurship
Ashish revealed an interesting personal detail during his pitch. He had actually cleared the CAT examination and received an offer from IIM Indore. However, he made the bold decision to decline this prestigious opportunity.
"I gave the CAT exam primarily to remove myself from the college placement season," he explained. "After getting the IIM Indore offer, I chose to turn it down and continue building my business instead."
Sharks Recognize Market Potential
Vineeta Singh immediately recognized the significance of Ashish's product. "You've brought up something important," she noted. "Many brands worked hard on SEO, but that's becoming less effective. About 60% of searches now result in zero clicks because most discovery happens through AI."
She inquired about Ashish's journey into this market space. The young entrepreneur shared that he began exploring SEO in 2021 while still in college. He worked on his own website and completed several internships to build his skills.
The Investment Decision
After the presentation, sharks Kunal Bahl, Namita Thapar, and Varun Alagh decided not to invest. However, both Vineeta Singh and Anupam Mittal saw potential in Ashish's AI optimization tool.
Ashish had initially asked for Rs 40 lakh in exchange for 2% equity in his company. Both interested sharks countered with an offer of Rs 40 lakh for 10% equity instead.
Anupam Mittal made an additional promise to sweeten the deal. "Your first client after signing with me will be Shaadi.com," he declared. "Then ten more clients will follow automatically."
Ashish accepted the offer, securing Rs 40 lakh investment for 10% equity in Vryse. The sharks applauded his determination and the strategic path he chose for skill development before college graduation.
The episode highlighted how AI is changing product discovery and brand visibility. It also showcased the continuing evolution of entrepreneurship education in India, where practical experience sometimes outweighs traditional academic paths.
