Here's why India and its entrepreneurs need a desi version of 'Shark Tank'

India is home to over a billion people, and naturally a billion ideas- some good, some extraordinary. Many of these ideas have even transformed themselves into business propositions, with entrepreneurs making money off it. But, unfortunately there also exists numerous ideas that do not see the light of the day, simply because no one has taken the responsibility of fine-tuning it or because the idea has gotten lost amid numerous others.

But, that has hardly stopped the residents of the country’s largest democracy from dreaming. While the country witnesses the rise and fall of startups, there is nothing that could stop the aspiring entrepreneurs to give it a shot and seek their seed.

Naturally, they could do with a little guidance- just like the contestants in the American reality show Shark Tank. In the show, aspiring entrepreneur-contests make business presentations to a panel of ‘shark’ investors, who then choose whether or not to invest. It’s a win-win, really!

Not only do aspiring entrepreneurs know if their idea is worth it or not, but they also get the opportunity to be heard- that too by eminent investors.

So, the question really is- Does India and its entrepreneurs need a version of Shark Tank? We certainly think so.

Here’s why:



1) India’s got talent: No one doubts the fact that India can truly surpass the innovation happening at the Silicon Valley. But what is really stopping us from getting there? We can’t say that a show like Shark Tank will wave a magic wand and India will rise… but we have to start somewhere and a platform like this will truly give that perfect start. We’ve got ideas, passion, vision which we really want to take it to the next level and being heard by eminent investors will certainly help in that regard.

2) A platform for household and rural ventures: Major innovation is happening in households & rural areas. It is time we give them a platform where dreams of people who would otherwise never think of something big can get a chance which would change their lives. Numeroud good ideas get lost because most of the entrepreneurs hailing from the rural areas have no direct access to investors. Shark Tank would definitely change that narrative.

3) Ideas need wings: Ideas make it large when there are funds to test them in real life. In order to give inspiring ideas their wings, a platform like Shark Tank, modified for the Indian tastes would be ideal.

4) Investors/ Incubators, co-working platforms and big ideas all under one roof: What more could an aspiring entrepreneur want if not having all the factors to materialise their startup dream are available under one roof? Desi Shark Tank is something which could make this happen.

5) Reality check is important: While we leave behind Silicon Valley and emerge as the hub of innovative, creative startups, some ideas would be worth giving a reality check so that we don’t witness the fall of the startup ecosystem. Feedback is necessary and there’s no better way for getting that if not by Shark Tank.