The latest episode of Shark Tank India's fifth season delivered a mix of laughter and serious business scrutiny as Delhi-based entrepreneurs pitched their unique men's innerwear brand, Panteazy. The panel, featuring sharks Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Mohit Yadav, and Kunal Bahl, was immediately amused by the concept being presented as a male version of lingerie.
The Pitch That Sparked Laughter and a Threat
Founders Vikash Dahiya and Praveen Mishra entered the tank seeking Rs 50 lakh in exchange for a 5 percent equity stake, placing a Rs 10 crore valuation on their fledgling business. Their presentation began with the tagline 'Andar ki baat hogi sundar,' which prompted chuckles from the investors.
The situation turned particularly humorous when shark Mohit Yadav asked the pitchers if they would consider Anupam Mittal as their brand ambassador. The founders enthusiastically agreed, calling Mittal "quirky and stylish" and claiming he would suit the role perfectly. A laughing Anupam Mittal retorted with the now-viral quip, "Phenk ke marunga" (I'll throw this at you). The founders quickly expanded their offer, suggesting any shark could be an ambassador since everyone wears underwear.
Sharks Question the Brand's Foundation
The entrepreneurs explained that Panteazy was born from a 2021 conversation among friends wondering why there was no lingerie equivalent for men. They commenced operations in December 2022, selling a range of products from everyday underwear (Rs 399-799) to specialized items like jock straps and thongs, with bodysuits priced around Rs 2,000. Their average order value was reported as Rs 725.
However, the sharks soon moved past the initial humor to dissect the business. Aman Gupta immediately critiqued the brand name 'Panteazy,' suggesting it sounded too similar to 'fantasy.' The founders defended their choice, respectfully countering that a name itself holds little weight, citing Aman's own brand, boAt, which has no direct link to audio equipment. They argued that strong branding allows for category expansion, using the hypothetical example of boAt selling mobile phones.
The Final Verdict: All Sharks Out
Despite the spirited defense, the business metrics failed to impress. The founders revealed that 80% of their customers are men and 20% are women, but the overall sales figures were deemed unremarkable. The pitchers also outlined significant logistical challenges they had faced.
One by one, the sharks opted out. Anupam Mittal was the first to exit, stating he couldn't see the product achieving massive scale and noted a lack of a clear plan. Mohit Yadav felt he couldn't add sufficient value. Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta also declined to invest.
Kunal Bahl pondered whether Panteazy could become the next Jockey or evolve into a sexual wellness brand, but ultimately, he too could not convince himself to make an offer. The episode concluded with the entrepreneurs leaving the tank without an investment, but not before creating a memorable moment with Anupam Mittal's playful threat that captured the audience's attention.
