The highly anticipated fifth season of Shark Tank India premiered on 5 January 2026, introducing a formidable panel of 15 new judges ready to invest in the nation's brightest business ideas. This season boasts a diverse mix of tech entrepreneurs, fintech leaders, and consumer brand founders. Among them, Kanika Tekriwal, the founder and CEO of JetSetGo, captures attention with an extraordinary narrative of grit and innovation.
From a Dream of Flying to Founding JetSetGo
Kanika Tekriwal's entrepreneurial spirit took flight at the young age of 21 when she founded JetSetGo in 2014. Her ambition, however, was rooted in a childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Hailing from a Marwari family, she faced initial resistance. In an interview cited by The Indian Express, she recalled her parents' apprehensive reaction, "They thought, 'Driver banegi?' and it was a no."
Undeterred, she conceived a groundbreaking idea: an Uber-like service for the skies. Her model was straightforward—acquire private jets and rent them out. With sheer determination and a minimal initial investment, she launched JetSetGo, which has grown to become India's first aircraft leasing firm. In a revelation to The Times of India, Tekriwal stated, "Till date, I have invested only ₹5,600, and we operate India’s largest fleet of private jets."
A Battle Beyond Business: Overcoming Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Kanika Tekriwal's path was strewn with challenges far beyond the boardroom. At a crucial juncture, she was diagnosed with stage-2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. This diagnosis forced an abrupt halt to her plans, transforming her entrepreneurial dream into a fight for survival.
Through rigorous treatment and immense personal will, she emerged victorious, her resilience only strengthened by the ordeal. This battle equipped her with a unique perspective on overcoming adversity, a quality she now brings to the Shark Tank panel.
Building an Aviation Empire in a Male-Dominated Industry
Establishing a foothold in the male-dominated aviation sector was a formidable task. Tekriwal reflected on her early days, noting her "lethal combination" of being a young woman in an industry unfamiliar with her disruptive model. She faced skepticism while seeking investments, often confronting rooms full of doubtful investors.
Perseverance paid off. In 2014, she co-founded JetSetGo with Sudheer Perla. Today, the company has evolved far beyond a simple charter service. According to its website, JetSetGo now manages aircraft, guides ownership, offers exclusive memberships, and is actively "preparing for the next era of aviation with electric and vertical take-off aircraft."
Her success is quantified in the Hurun India Rich List 2022, which pegged Kanika Tekriwal's net worth at ₹420 crore, recognizing her as the youngest self-made woman entrepreneur that year. As she takes her seat among the sharks, she represents a powerful symbol of what Indian entrepreneurship can achieve against all odds.
