Shark Tank India returns on January 5 with a sharper focus on business fundamentals and founder intent, promising deeper scrutiny and more thoughtful investments as the show adapts to a maturing startup ecosystem. Season 5 will spotlight more detailed evaluations of unit economics, execution capability and long-term resilience.
A more nuanced investor on the Tank
Ritesh Agarwal, CEO of OYO and Founder‑CEO of Prism, returns to the panel for a third consecutive season. Agarwal says his approach to investing has evolved: he now digs deeper into business models and unit economics, and places greater weight on founder intent and resourcefulness.
Speaking about patterns he has learned to recognise, Agarwal highlighted that entrepreneurs who demonstrate sustained hunger, resilience and adaptability tend to outperform over time. This season, he told reporters, he will prioritise those long‑run traits over snap judgements based on early traction alone.
From Odisha to one of India’s largest hospitality brands
Agarwal’s personal story continues to resonate with early‑stage founders. A native of Odisha with a passion for travel, he began his entrepreneurial journey as a teenager. His first meaningful success came in 2013 with a single low‑occupancy hotel in Gurgaon; by improving occupancy, he created a repeatable operating model that became the basis for OYO’s rapid expansion.
Over the years OYO grew into a platform serving thousands of hotels and homes across India and abroad. Agarwal credits persistence, operational focus and the willingness to learn from setbacks for the company’s growth.
The fundraising condition that changed everything
In a revealing anecdote about his earliest fundraising at 17, Agarwal said investors asked to meet his parents and insisted he not attend college. Their argument was pragmatic: they feared formal education might distract him from building the company and harm their investment.
The request — unconventional but earnest — convinced Agarwal’s parents to support his entrepreneurial path. Agarwal has described the episode as a turning point that accelerated his full‑time commitment to building the business.
Family values and the weight of responsibility
Despite pressure from investors, Agarwal says his father emphasised humility and values above all. He recalls his father warning investors that success should not change his son, an admonition that Agarwal says became a personal pledge to stay grounded.
A balanced view on education
Although often cited as an example of a founder who forewent college, Agarwal has consistently presented a measured stance on education. He acknowledges the importance of formal learning but argues universities are only one path among many to acquire skills.
Agarwal has suggested that education can come from structured programmes, hands‑on experience, mentorship and observing entrepreneurial practice — including from platforms such as Shark Tank India.
What to expect from Season 5
Season 5 of Shark Tank India aims to move beyond surface‑level pitches by emphasising due diligence, founder intent and sustainable unit economics. The show will air Monday to Friday at 8 pm on Sony TV and SonyLIV.
With investors like Ritesh Agarwal bringing operational experience and a refined investment lens, this edition is positioned to offer more grounded, practical feedback to India’s entrepreneurs and startup audience.
