**Shark Tank India Returns with New Judges and Inspiring Stories**
Shark Tank India, a prominent platform for budding entrepreneurs in the country, kicked off its new season on January 5, featuring five new judges on its panel. Among them is Mohit Yadav, co-founder of Minimalist, who revealed that he had to mortgage his home to secure funding for his skincare brand, which was acquired by Hindustan Unilever last year.
Yadav shared his entrepreneurial journey on the show, recounting the challenges he faced in securing initial funding for his first venture, a children’s apparel line. He and his brother, Rahul Yadav, had to mortgage their house to raise a ₹1 crore loan for Minimalist. “Years ago, I started a seed grant that focused on kids’ apparel. It was my first venture in 2010-2011. We had also borrowed money from our families. When we launched Minimalist, we had to mortgage our house to raise ₹1 crore. I knew that if this didn’t succeed, my family might not have a home,” he stated.
Reflecting on his experiences, Yadav emphasized the importance of accepting failure. He noted that many entrepreneurs tie their identities to their brand’s success, but he learned that public perception does not define one’s worth. “After years, I realized that whether you close a venture or start something new, it doesn’t matter if people think you are a failure. The best decision I made was to accept that the previous venture wasn’t working, move on, and build another brand. I wouldn’t be here if I were still in apparel,” he explained.
In January 2025, Hindustan Unilever announced its acquisition of a 90.5% stake in Minimalist, valued at ₹2,955 crore, with the deal receiving approval from the Competition Commission of India in March.
This season of Shark Tank India not only features Yadav but also includes familiar faces such as Aman Gupta (boAt), Anupam Mittal (Shaadi.com), and Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals), alongside new judges like Hardik Kothiya (Rayzon Solar) and Kanika Tekriwal (JetSetGo Aviation).
As Shark Tank India continues to inspire and support entrepreneurs, it remains a vital platform for innovation and growth in the Indian startup ecosystem.
**FAQ**
**What is Shark Tank India?**
Shark Tank India is a reality television series that provides a platform for entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors, known as “sharks,” who can invest in their ventures.
