Shark Tank India 4: Aman Gupta calls out kids’ wear brand founders for misleading unit economics; Says, “your brand is a hit or miss”

The latest episode of Shark Tank India 4 witnessed four dynamic businesses pitching their ventures to the sharks, each hoping to secure a life-changing investment. Among them was a kids’ wear brand founded by Niti, Pratik, and Shaunak, who aimed to revolutionize the children’s fashion industry. They emphasized the lack of trendy and high-quality clothing options for kids and positioned their brand as a solution to this gap.
As they presented their business model, the founders confidently discussed their unit economics, claiming to have a positive EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). This initially impressed the panel, including Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Aman Gupta. Seeking an investment of ₹75 lakh for 1% equity, the entrepreneurs appeared well-prepared and optimistic about their brand’s future.
However, as the discussion progressed, Aman Gupta scrutinized their financials and uncovered discrepancies in their claims. He pointed out that while they had projected profitability, the company had only managed to break even in the previous financial year and was not actually EBITDA positive. Feeling misled by their presentation, Aman expressed his disappointment, stating that the founders were not transparent about their numbers. He ultimately decided to step away from the deal, bluntly telling them that their brand was a “hit or miss.”
Despite Aman’s exit, the pitch continued with other sharks showing interest. Ritesh Agarwal and Vineeta Singh stepped forward with a counteroffer of ₹75 lakh for 1.5% equity, along with a 0.5% royalty until the investment was recovered. Meanwhile, Namita Thapar also presented a competing offer, proposing ₹75 lakh for 1% equity with a similar 0.5% royalty condition.
The founders carefully evaluated both offers, weighing their options before ultimately choosing to accept Vineeta and Ritesh’s deal. Their investment will now help the company expand its operations, enhance its product line, and establish a stronger presence in the highly competitive kids’ fashion market.
With another intense negotiation on Shark Tank India 4, the episode highlighted the importance of transparency in business pitches and the sharks’ keen ability to spot inconsistencies. As the season progresses, audiences can expect even more high-stakes deals, gripping discussions, and game-changing investments.