Emotional Pitch on Shark Tank India Highlights Stray Dog Care
Shark Tank India's latest episode featured a heartfelt moment that left everyone emotional. Akshay Mahendru, a pitcher from the pet care brand Nootie, nearly broke down in tears during his presentation. The sharks questioned him intensely about his business numbers, pushing him to his limits.
Supreme Court's Stray Dog Stance Called 'Harsh'
Namita Thapar started the conversation by asking about the Supreme Court's recent position on stray dogs in Delhi. Akshay responded quickly, calling the court's decision harsh. He explained that he prefers to call them community dogs instead of strays. These animals belong to the neighborhoods where they live.
He then showed a special biscuit pack his company sells on Swiggy Instamart. Each pack costs just ten rupees. The biscuits are specifically designed for feeding community dogs. Namita immediately praised this thoughtful action. She appreciated the care behind this initiative.
Akshay admitted that this project does not generate much profit. Their primary goal is to provide quality food for community dogs. They want these animals to eat decent meals despite their circumstances.
Business Background and Product Demonstration
The pitcher shared details about his company's operations. Nootie operates alongside eight physical stores across Delhi. These stores existed before the brand launched. They sell various pet care products from multiple companies.
Now, Nootie products are available through their website, their stores, and all major quick commerce platforms. During the pitch, one team member even ate part of a dog biscuit. This dramatic move demonstrated that the biscuits use human-grade materials.
Overwhelming Grill Session Leads to Tears
Varun Alagh and other sharks continued to press the entrepreneurs about their business model. The pitchers confessed they are not strong marketers or brand builders. They also revealed they do not manufacture their own goods. Instead, they focus on offering low prices as their key advantage.
The sharks expressed concern about their product diversification. Apart from pet food, Nootie sells other pet care items. Akshay explained he wants to create a house of brands. However, he admitted that quick commerce platforms influenced some product decisions.
Varun criticized this approach, emphasizing the need for clear focus to build a strong brand. Despite having solid sales figures, Akshay struggled to explain his numbers clearly. The pressure became too much for him.
"I am a little overwhelmed. Sorry. I am sorry I am not able to tell you my numbers," he said emotionally. Anupam Mittal recognized his struggle, calling it a brain fail. Varun offered comforting words, telling him not to worry.
Deal Finalized After Emotional Confession
After returning to the tank, Akshay explained why he became so emotional. This platform meant everything to him. He described himself as a mama's boy. Anupam responded warmly, saying everyone in India is a mama's boy.
Vineeta Singh, Varun Alagh, and Kunal Bahl eventually opted out of the deal. Anupam and Namita made separate offers. They finally agreed on a joint investment of one crore rupees. In exchange, they received four percent equity in the company.
The deal includes one percent royalty until the investors recover their initial investment. This agreement values Nootie at twenty-five crore rupees. The emotional journey ended with a successful partnership.
