The rivalry between food delivery giants Swiggy and Zomato has escalated to a new level, with the upcoming season of Shark Tank India becoming the latest battleground. Reports claim that Swiggy has agreed to sponsor the show’s fourth season, but with one condition — Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal cannot return as an investor.
Swiggy’s Sponsorship Clause for Shark Tank India
According to a report by Moneycontrol, Swiggy is close to sealing a sponsorship deal for the fourth season of Shark Tank India with a hefty investment between ₹40-60 crore. However, the deal reportedly includes a stipulation: Goyal, who was a shark on season 3, will not be allowed to participate as an investor. This condition highlights the fierce competition between Swiggy and Zomato, two major players in the food and grocery delivery market.
While both companies were on par initially, Zomato has widened the gap in recent years by taking a lead in the sector. Neither Swiggy nor Sony Television has commented on the specifics of the sponsorship agreement.
Goyal’s Response on Being Ousted
Deepinder Goyal addressed the situation during the ET Startup Awards, where he indirectly confirmed the reports of his exit from the show.
He shared, “The startup culture of India is too much about showmanship. I went there to set a different narrative, be real and change how people perceive. I felt a moral obligation to go there. I shot for one weekend and gave my perspective. I, unfortunately, can’t go back because Swiggy sponsored Shark Tank and kicked me out, at least that’s what I heard.”
About Shark Tank India Season 4
Shark Tank India is set to return with its fourth season, with filming beginning recently. Returning sharks include Anupam Mittal of People Group, Aman Gupta of boAt Lifestyle, Namita Thapar of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Peyush Bansal of Lenskart, and Ritesh Agarwal of OYO.
Deepinder Goyal debuted as a shark in season 3 and received positive feedback from viewers for his insightful discussions with founders. However, with the sponsorship by Swiggy, the show’s dynamics will see a shift in the upcoming season without Goyal’s presence.
