Aman Gupta's Harsh Criticism of Cake Brand on Shark Tank India 5
In a dramatic turn of events on Shark Tank India Season 5, entrepreneur and investor Aman Gupta made headlines with his blunt criticism of a healthy cake brand after losing out on a potential investment deal. The episode featured founder Pranav Sharma pitching his brand Awsum, which specializes in packaged cakes made without maida, palm oil, or sugar, incorporating ingredients like brahmi, ginseng, and ashwagandha for immunity benefits.
The Pitch and Initial Reactions
Pranav Sharma entered the tank seeking Rs 1 crore for 1 percent equity, valuing his company at Rs 100 crores. He shared impressive business metrics, including revenue of Rs 8.5 crores in the current financial year and positive EBITDA. The brand, which produces 12,000 cakes daily, has raised Rs 1.6 crore in previous funding rounds.
However, Aman Gupta immediately expressed dissatisfaction with the product's packaging, calling it "awful" and suggesting it needed improvement. Despite this criticism, he acknowledged the product's solid potential and later joined negotiations with fellow shark Anupam Mittal, offering Rs 4 crores for 8 percent equity.
Deal Negotiations Turn Sour
The negotiation process became increasingly tense as multiple sharks made competing offers. Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal initially offered Rs 1 crore for 2.5 percent equity, while Anupam Mittal proposed Rs 2 crores for 5 percent. As discussions progressed, the founder attempted to maintain a valuation of at least Rs 75-80 crores.
Aman Gupta's approach became more confrontational during the negotiations. He questioned the founder's expertise and time management, suggesting he should have focused on branding videos rather than watching interviews. The situation escalated when Gupta referred to Namita Thapar as "dal badlu" (deal changer) as she and Ritesh Agarwal continued their pursuit of the investment opportunity.
The Final Decision and Aftermath
After extensive back-and-forth, Pranav Sharma ultimately chose to accept an offer from Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal. This decision prompted a visibly disappointed Aman Gupta to deliver his most scathing critique yet. He declared that the cake's aftertaste was "very bad" and labeled it as having a "bakwaas taste," using Hindi slang meaning worthless or nonsense.
This incident marks another controversial moment for Aman Gupta in Shark Tank India Season 5, where he has frequently engaged in arguments with fellow sharks and made critical comments toward entrepreneurs. The season has featured 43 pitches so far, with total investments committed reaching Rs 42.70 crores across 27 deals.
About Awsum and Its Founder
Awsum represents Pranav Sharma's second venture in the FMCG sector, following his previous company Paushtic which launched in 2016 but closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cake brand emerged from Sharma's observation of millennials and Gen Z embracing baking during lockdown periods.
The company distinguishes itself through its health-conscious approach, using jaggery and honey as sugar substitutes and incorporating real fruits into their products. Namita Thapar praised Sharma's "less-is-more" strategy, noting the brand's focused approach with just six product variants.
Shark Tank India Season 5 continues to air on Sony TV and SonyLiv every Monday through Friday at 10 PM, showcasing India's entrepreneurial spirit while occasionally revealing the competitive tensions among the show's investor panel.
