The entrepreneurial spirit was on full display in the latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 5, where a confident 26-year-old from Kota not only captivated the 'sharks' with his pitch but also walked away with an investment four times larger than his initial ask. Yash Karla, the founder of the healthy oats brand GOAT Life, successfully secured a massive Rs 2 crore deal after a pitch that blended business acumen with playful banter.
The Pitch That Blended Flavour and Fun
Yash Karla began his presentation in a memorable and interactive way. He engaged the panel of investors—Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, Amit Jain, and Ritesh Agarwal—in a game of 'Never Have I Ever'. The twist? The judges had to take shots of his different GOAT Life oats flavours if they had ever done the action mentioned in his questions.
With queries like "Have you ever missed breakfast?" and "Did you ever grab a packet of chips and biscuits because you didn’t know what to eat?", all five sharks found themselves tasting each variant. This clever tactic allowed Yash to showcase his product range effectively. Anupam Mittal was particularly impressed with the mocha flavour, remarking, "This is solid."
From Kota to GOAT Life: The Entrepreneur's Journey
When questioned about his background, Yash shared his roots from Kota, Rajasthan, and his Punjabi family's dual obsession with food and weight loss. His personal fitness journey, which began in the 11th grade, saw him lose 20 kgs. He humorously quantified his dedication, stating he had consumed over 2,100 bowls of oatmeal and 10,000 eggs.
His entrepreneurial path started before GOAT Life with a venture called Wisegg, a drink with the nutrition of 10 eggs. However, challenges with achieving a natural shelf life led to its closure. He then launched GOAT Life with an initial capital of Rs 5 lakh, which included Rs 2 lakh in support from the Government of Rajasthan.
Yash positioned GOAT Life as a solution to India's nutrition gap, offering a convenient, protein-rich meal option for people skipping breakfast due to time or lack of healthy choices. He entered the Tank seeking Rs 36 lakh for a 1% equity stake, valuing his company at Rs 36 crore.
Sharks Dive Into the Details and Deals Flow
The sharks were keen to understand the business. Aman Gupta immediately praised the product's "very cool" packaging. Amit Jain inquired about the impressive claim of 20 grams of protein per serving. Yash explained the blend came from whey, oats, and skimmed milk powder, with whey constituting 50-60% of the content.
Anupam Mittal raised a concern about recent studies questioning the health benefits of oats. Yash confidently addressed this by discussing the Glycemic Index, explaining that combining oats with high fibre and protein prevents unhealthy spikes in blood sugar levels.
The young founder presented strong financials: revenues grew from Rs 11 lakh in FY 23-24 to Rs 25 lakh in FY 24-25, with a projection of Rs 5 crore for FY 25-26. He also revealed he had already secured Rs 2.7 crore in two prior funding rounds. Aman Gupta, impressed, noted, "You aren’t selling oats; you’re selling a lifestyle."
The investment offers began with Namita Thapar proposing Rs 36 lakh for 1.8% equity. This was quickly followed by multiple offers of Rs 1 crore for a 4% stake from the other sharks. After a period of negotiation, Yash Karla accepted a combined offer from Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal, who together invested Rs 2 crore for a total of 4% equity (2% each), giving him four times the capital he originally requested.
The episode highlighted not just a successful fundraise but also the evolving dynamics in the Tank, where a young entrepreneur's clarity, preparation, and engaging presentation can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
