Shark Tank India 4: Kunal Bahl recalls struggles of building his first business; says, “Sometimes you put your blood and sweat into something and it doesn’t work”

The latest episode of Shark Tank India 4 featured an innovative pitch by Chhail Khalsa, the founder of Anuvad, a company pioneering e-textiles—a futuristic technology that integrates electronics within fabric. She introduced her venture with confidence, stating that her business aims to humanize technology by making smart textiles accessible for everyday use. She sought an investment of ₹50 lakhs for 5% equity, emphasizing her long-term vision and the potential scalability of her product.
During Chhail’s pitch, Kunal Bahl took a moment to reflect on his own journey as an entrepreneur. He acknowledged the challenges of launching a new business and the harsh reality that not every great idea finds success. He shared, “Sometimes you put your blood and sweat into something, and it doesn’t work.” His words resonated with the room, as every entrepreneur knows the pain of investing time, energy, and resources into an idea that may not take off as expected.
Kunal’s candid admission came as Chhail passionately defended her vision, explaining that she was not just selling a product but creating an entirely new category in the textile industry. She believed that e-textiles could revolutionize fashion, healthcare, and wearable technology by making clothing more interactive and functional.
The sharks, including Anupam Mittal, Ritesh Agarwal, Namita Thapar, and Vineeta Singh, were intrigued by the concept but raised concerns about its practicality, scalability, and commercial viability. Namita Thapar questioned the company’s revenue model, bluntly stating, “Show me the money.” She wanted to see real sales figures and customer demand before considering an investment. Vineeta Singh was skeptical about the market size, saying, “You’ve embedded wires into textiles, but unless it serves a unique purpose, it might just be a novelty or a gimmick.”She added that while the idea might appeal to kids or niche consumers, she wasn’t convinced that it could replace traditional textiles or become a mainstream trend.
Chhail, however, remained firm in her belief that her innovation had long-term potential. She emphasized that while category creation takes time, the impact of smart textiles could be revolutionary in multiple industries.
Despite appreciating the futuristic nature of Anuvad’s innovation, the sharks debated whether the market was ready for such a concept. Kunal Bahl’s words added another layer of reality—sometimes, no matter how promising an idea seems, it takes time, perseverance, and the right strategy to make it successful. As the pitch progressed, it remained unclear whether Anuvad would secure an investment or if Chhail would need to rework her business model to align with investor