Shark Tank India 5 Sees Dating App Pitch Spark Safety Debate and Shaadi.com Jab
In a dramatic episode of Shark Tank India 5, the founders of a dating app called Offline faced intense scrutiny from the Sharks, ultimately walking away without an investment. The pitch, which sought Rs 50 lakh for 5% equity, devolved into a heated discussion about security risks in the dating industry, with founder Tanay Baweja controversially questioning whether even Anupam Mittal's Shaadi.com could guarantee user safety.
Offline App Founders Defend Their Model Amid Security Concerns
Founded by Tanay Baweja and Aastha Sethi, Offline is a social networking platform for singles that organizes mixers, fests, and dinners across 15 cities, having hosted over 300 events. The founders argued that their app addresses burnout from online dating by facilitating group interactions in reputed venues, explicitly prohibiting one-on-one dates to enhance safety.
However, Sharks immediately raised red flags. Aman Gupta pointedly asked, "Agar isme kuch kaand ho jaaye, woh ho sakta hai kahi bhi... (What if something untoward happens? It is possible...)" He later emphasized, "You are just one kaand away from this getting disrupted," highlighting the fragility of their business model in a sensitive market.
Anupam Mittal and Other Sharks Critique Scalability and Safety
Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, challenged the fundamental premise of Offline, stating that dating apps were created to efficiently connect people, whereas reverting to offline methods is inefficient. He remarked, "The real problem is not meeting offline; it is making men more desirable in India," questioning why good men are a scarce commodity.
Other Sharks echoed these concerns. Namita Thapar cited scalability issues, noting India's many options for singles to meet. Kunal Bahl deemed the business too early-stage, while Shaily Mehrotra expressed security worries, citing a lack of maturity and sincerity among Indian youth on dating platforms.
Founders' Retort and Post-Pitch Comments
After their rejection, Tanay Baweja defended Offline in a video, stating, "Dating apps don't assure safety, even Shaadi.com doesn't guarantee that." He argued that not all boys are bad and emphasized the growing interest in offline dating, vowing to build a community despite the setback.
The founders revealed they married just a month and a half before appearing on the show, having met on a solo trip. They reported revenues of Rs 51 lakhs in 2024-25, with an EBITDA of 2-3%, but this failed to sway the Sharks.
Broader Context of Shark Tank India 5 Investments
This episode adds to the season's tally, where Sharks have committed over Rs 60 crores across 69 pitches, with 27 founders failing to secure funding. The debate underscores the high stakes and sharp scrutiny applied to startups, particularly in sectors like dating where safety and scalability are paramount.
Shark Tank India 5 continues to stream on SonyLiv and Sony TV, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of India's entrepreneurial landscape.
