Season 2 of Shark Tank India kickstarted on Monday. Our favourite sharks Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh are back to hear pitches and invest in upcoming brands and startups. But the first episode of Shark Tank India has garnered the attention of internet users and it’s not for the right reasons. The sharks heard pitches from 3 businesses in this first episode, 2 of which got investment from them but one pitch was rejected and it’s that very rejection that seems to have pissed off the netizens.
It’s the age of new ideas and enterprises! Witness for yourself the power of Indian entrepreneurship!
Watch #SharkTankIndia season 2 streaming now on Sony LIV and Sony Entertainment Television. pic.twitter.com/DvQFKMBnVT
— Shark Tank India (@sharktankindia) January 2, 2023
In episode 1 of Shark Tank India season 2, Anupam Mittal, Peyusha Bansal, Vineeta Singh, Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta heard pitched from a flower business called Hoovu, a tea business called Dorje Tea and a makeup business called Recode. While the first 2 got investments from the sharks, Recode was rejected because of Vineeta Singh who also owns a makeup brand. In the episode, Vineeta rejected the pitch stating that she herself is in the makeup business and won’t partner with them. In spite of being impressed by their business model and marketing strategy, the other sharks too refused to invest in the makeup brand except for Peyush Bansal since the brand is in the same business as Vineeta.
Ghar baithe ban jao the ultimate #HomeShark. Play Along tonight with the episode only on SonyLIV.#SharkTankIndia season 2 starts tonight at 10 pm, on Sony LIV and Sony Entertainment Television. pic.twitter.com/sbciTAuRVu
— Shark Tank India (@sharktankindia) January 2, 2023
Also Read: ‘Hautesteppers 3.0’ Ep 10: Ghazal Alagh Spills The Tea About The Sharks In ‘Shark Tank India’
During their pitch, the founders of Recode Studios told the founder of SUGAR Cosmetics that her brand follows them on Instagram which left her surprised. But this rejection also left netizens surprised and pissed off. Taking to Twitter, internet users called out the Shark Tank India judges for rejecting Recode because it’s from the same industry as one of their fellow judges. Several users also slammed the sharks and said that all the other startups who work in the same industry as the judges should not bother pitching their brands on the show because they won’t be able to raise funds because the sharks won’t let them.
Yesterday RECODE definitely deserved a good investment in Shark Tank India. Its marketing strategy was bang on. Nobody could ever think the way they did. The sharks didn't invest because it could be a competition to SUGAR Cosmetics in the future.
Next level insecurity 😂@SonyTV
— Samay Ashar (@samayashar10) January 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/iamraichandan/status/1609983185328431105?s=20&t=q9Lf5AJ0qPb3evtNQpggvQ
Shark Tank India
Watched the pitch for RECODE brand .. #sharks people have respect for you for what you guys have done .. but what I have seen today the way #sugarcosmetics friendship club worked it doesn’t gives a thumps up to the concept of raising funds.
— Abhishek bhatt (@Abhishekbhatt11) January 2, 2023
Guys is this shark tank or is it monopoly tank?!! No one with right mind would say we do not invest in competition of our friends
It's a cruel joke on the founders on Recode..
— SUDEEP K S (@kssudeep) January 3, 2023
Shark tank S2 episode 1 Recode pitch- well not investing in their friend's to be rival company was absolutely unethical for the shark and the reason was absolutely rubbish. Not denying the facts that their packaging was poor and their hasty decision making skills in their firm.
— DUKHDAS (@AmishaAshokDas) January 3, 2023
In first episode of shark tank S2, some sharks refused brand Recode in order to safeguard their relation with their friends. This denial was unfair unless it is not due to a flaw in their business model, vision
Missed @Ashneer_Grover @SonyLIV #SharkTankIndiaS2 #Entrepreneur— Namrata Shubham Mittal (@ShubhamNamrata) January 3, 2023
#RecodeStudios On #SharkTank deserved better.
Not investing in friends companies and blocking Categories on Shark Tank Stage was so sad to see.#SharkTankIndiaS2 #Recode— Sunil Saha (@sunil_saha) January 3, 2023
#SharkTankIndia Episode 1
3 out of 5 Sharks didn’t invest on Recode JUST because it was a competing brand of SUGAR. I find this so lame, childish and unprofessional. Investing or not must be a financial decision – more so when you’re at Shark Tank.
— Chandan Chowdhary (@Chandan87274970) January 3, 2023
Also Read: ‘Shark Tank India’ Judges Namita Thapar, Ghazal Alagh Make The List Of Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen 2022
Well, this may seem a little extreme but netizens are angry and rightly so. It’s a little excessive to not invest in a business just because it’s in the same industry as that of your colleague or friend. I mean, the show is supposed to be about investing in the right business, isn’t it?