Shark Tank India Season 5 is set to return with one of its most diverse and experienced judging panels to date, reflecting the growing maturity of India’s startup ecosystem. The new season brings together founders and business leaders from consumer brands, technology, healthcare, aviation, and manufacturing, offering entrepreneurs access to capital backed by real operating experience.
Over the years, Shark Tank India has evolved beyond a television format into a serious startup platform. Season 5 continues this trajectory, with judges known not just for their wealth, but for building scalable, profitable businesses in highly competitive markets.
At the forefront of the panel is Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt. Gupta helped build boAt into one of India’s largest lifestyle electronics brands by combining aggressive pricing with sharp brand marketing. His expertise lies in mass-market consumer products, distribution, and brand-led growth.
Namita Thapar, Executive Director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals, represents the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector. With experience operating in highly regulated global markets, Thapar brings a strong focus on governance, compliance, and sustainable scaling, particularly valuable for health-tech and deep-science startups.
Consumer tech and omnichannel retail find representation in Peyush Bansal, founder and CEO of Lenskart. Bansal has built one of India’s most successful online-to-offline retail models, blending technology, supply chain efficiency, and physical stores. His insights often center on execution, customer experience, and long-term unit economics.
Beauty and personal care entrepreneurship is led by Vineeta Singh, CEO and co-founder of SUGAR Cosmetics. Singh scaled the brand by focusing on product-market fit for Indian consumers and a strong direct-to-consumer strategy. Her presence continues to inspire founders building lifestyle and women-focused brands.
Digital platforms and early internet businesses are represented by Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com. As one of India’s earliest internet entrepreneurs, Mittal brings decades of experience in building durable digital businesses. On the panel, he is known for evaluating long-term relevance and founder vision.
E-commerce and marketplace experience comes from Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal. Having navigated intense competition in Indian e-commerce, Bahl offers practical insights on scale, pricing, and survival in crowded markets.
Automotive technology and digital marketplaces are represented by Amit Jain, CEO and co-founder of CarDekho. Jain has scaled a tech-driven auto platform into a multi-vertical business, making him a key judge for platform-based and consumer internet startups.
Hospitality and asset-light expansion expertise comes from Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO of OYO. Known for building one of India’s most globally visible startups, Agarwal brings experience in rapid scaling, operations, and restructuring businesses for profitability.
The panel is further strengthened by founders from fast-moving consumer goods and niche sectors. Viraj Bahl, founder of Veeba, adds depth in packaged foods and distribution-led businesses, while Mohit Yadav, co-founder of Minimalist, represents science-backed skincare and modern D2C branding. Shaily Mehrotra, founder of Fixderma, brings expertise in dermatology-driven consumer healthcare, and Kanika Tekriwal, founder of JetSetGo, offers a rare perspective from the private aviation and capital-intensive services space.
Together, the Season 5 judges reflect a clear shift in the show’s focus. The emphasis is no longer just on bold ideas, but on founders who understand margins, scalability, and execution. With this panel, Shark Tank India Season 5 is positioned to deliver tougher conversations, smarter deals, and a more realistic picture of what it takes to build sustainable businesses in India today.
