Popular entrepreneur Ashneer Grover rose to fame post his appearance on Shark Tank India 1 as one of the Sharks. The businessman known for his witty replies became an internet sensation and also collaborated with multiple social media influencers which further gained him popularity. One of his best known startup is BharatPe, however, there are other startups he funded, in which we shall look today.
Ashneer Grover’s Biography
Ashneer Grover is a famous businessman in India. He is known for being an investor on the TV show, Shark Tank India. He was born in Delhi, India.
He studied civil engineering at IIT Delhi and then did his MBA in Finance at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He started his career at Kotak Investment Banking and then worked at American Express and Grofers.
In 2018, he started a company called BharatPe with Shashvat Nakrani and Bhavik Koladiya. BharatPe is a popular platform in India for online money transactions. It is used by small shop owners across India.
Ashneer’s wife, Madhuri Grover, also works at BharatPe. She takes care of HR, finance, and other things in the company. They have two kids.
Ashneer had to leave his position as the managing director of BharatPe because of some controversies. But, his work in the fintech industry in India is still very important. His story is an inspiration for many people who want to start their own business.
List of Starups Funded by Ashneer Grover (season-1)
Ashneer Grover, who started BharatPe, was one of the investors on the TV show Shark Tank India. He put money into 21 start-ups in the first season of the show, totaling ₹5.383 crore. He invested in companies like BluePine Industries, Event Beep, Hair Originals, The Yarn Bazaar, Revamp Moto, Skippi Ice Pops, Nomad Foods, In A Can, and Tagz. Most of his investments were in companies that make food and drinks. People say that Grover’s way of investing is different and that he likes to make profits from habits.
BluePine Industries
BluePine Foods, a purveyor of frozen momos, successfully negotiated a deal on Shark Tank India. Initially, they proposed an investment of ₹50 lakhs in exchange for a 5% equity stake in their company. Following discussions, they managed to secure a more substantial investment of ₹75 lakhs, giving up a slightly larger equity stake of 16%. This investment came from Sharks Ashneer Grover, Vinita Singh, and Aman Gupta.
Booz scooters
Booz, South Asia’s first app-based electric scooter, was pitched by founder Rutvij Dasadia on Shark Tank India. He sought ₹40 Lakhs for 15% of the company. Sharks Vineeta Singh & Ashneer Grover invested the asked amount but for 50% of the company.
Raising Superstars
Raising Superstars, a child development app, secured a deal on Shark Tank India. Founders Raghav and Shraddha Himatsingka initially asked for ₹1 crore for 2% equity. Sharks Ashneer and Aman invested ₹1 crore for 4% equity, doubling the initial equity offer.
Beyond Snack
Beyond Snack, a Kerala-based startup producing healthy banana chips, secured an investment of ₹50 lakhs for 2.5% equity from Shark Tank India. The deal was made with Sharks Ashneer Grover and Aman Gupta. The company aims to make banana chips as popular as potato chips across India.
Motion Breeze
Motion Breeze, an innovative electric motorcycle startup from Vadodara, India, pitched on Shark Tank India. Founders Anantraj and Shivrajsinh Tomar initially asked for ₹30 lakhs for 3% equity. They secured a deal with Ashneer Grover, receiving ₹30 lakhs for 6% equity.
EventBeep
EventBeep, a student community app, pitched for ₹30 lakhs for 2% equity in Shark Tank India. The final deal was made at ₹30 lakhs for 3% equity with Sharks Ashneer, Aman, and Peyush.
The Yarn Bazaar
The Yarn Bazaar, a Mumbai-based B2B marketplace for the textile industry, initially asked for ₹50 lakhs for 2% equity on Shark Tank India. However, the final deal was closed at ₹1 crore for 10% equity with Sharks Anupam Mittal, Peyush Bansal, Ashneer Grover, and Aman Gupta.
Bamboo India
Bamboo India, co-founded by Ganesh Balakrishnan, pitched in Shark Tank India seeking ₹75 lakhs for 3% equity at a valuation of ₹25 Crores. The company’s products are made from sustainable materials like banana fiber, linen fiber, and bamboo. The final deal was made at ₹50 lakhs for 3.5% equity and ₹30 lakhs debt with Ashneer and Anupam.
Find Your Kicks India
Find Your Kicks India, a reseller aggregator platform for sneakers, made an impressive pitch on Shark Tank India. The young founders, Simardeep Singh, Harshdeep Singh, and Danish Chawla, secured an “All Shark Deal”. They initially asked for ₹50 lakh for 10% equity, but after negotiations, they agreed to ₹50 lakh for 25% equity.
AAS Vidyalaya
AAS Vidyalaya, an edtech startup founded by Vikas Kakwani and Leena Kakwani, pitched their vision of making education accessible to all, on Shark Tank India. They initially asked for ₹1.5 crores for 3% equity. However, they secured a joint investment of ₹1.5 crores from Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, and Ashneer Grover for a 15% stake.
Otua
Otua, a commercial logistic electrical vehicle manufactured by Dendera Technologies Pvt Ltd, pitched their vision on Shark Tank India. The founders, Kanav Manchanda and Khitij Bajaj, initially asked for INR 1 crore for 1% equity. However, they secured an investment of ₹1 lakh for 1% equity and ₹99 lakhs as debt at 12% interest for five years from Shark Ashneer Grover.
WeSTOCK
WeSTOCK, a health monitoring AI by Brainwired, pitched their product on Shark Tank India. The founders initially asked for ₹50 lakhs for 5% equity. However, they secured an investment of ₹60 lakhs for 10% equity from Sharks Ashneer, Namita, Aman, and Peyush.
IN A CAN
IN A CAN, a unique venture offering ready-to-drink cocktails in a can, made a successful pitch on Shark Tank India. Captivating the Sharks with their innovative idea, they secured an investment of ₹1 crore in exchange for a 10% equity stake, original ask was ₹50 lakhs 2% equity.
Get a Whey
Get a Whey, a health-conscious ice cream brand, secured a deal on Shark Tank India. The founders pitched their protein-rich, low-fat ice cream and won an investment of ₹1 crore for a 15% equity stake from Sharks Aman Gupta, Ashneer Grover, and Vineeta Singh. The original ask for Get a Whey was ₹1 Crore for 8% equity.
Hair Originals
Hair Originals, a hair extension and wigs platform, raised ₹60 lakhs for 4% equity on Shark Tank India from 3 Sharks – Ashneer Grover, Anupam Mittal, and Peyush Bansal. The original ask was ₹60 lakhs for 2% equity. The company deals in ethically acquired, real human hair extensions and wigs. The funding will be used for AI integration and D2C expansion.
Tweek Labs
Tweek Labs is a motion capture sensors startup that was featured on Shark Tank India. The founders, Anant Sharma and Shwetank, originally asked for ₹40 Lakhs in exchange for 2% equity, valuing the company at ₹20 Crore. However, they ended up raising ₹60 Lakhs for 10% equity from investors Ashneer, Anupam and Peyush.
Proxgy
Proxgy, a startup that creates innovative products like smart safety helmets, was featured on Shark Tank India. Founders Pulkit Ahuja and Inder Singh initially asked for ₹35 Lakhs for 1% equity, valuing the company at ₹35 Crores. They secured an investment of ₹1 Crore for 10% equity from Ashneer and Peyush.
Nomad Food Project
Nomad Food Project, a startup that creates unique bacon thechas and relishes, was featured on Shark Tank India. Founders Aditya Rai and Advaith Inamke initially asked for ₹40 Lakhs for 10% equity, valuing the company at ₹4 Crores. They secured an investment of ₹40 Lakhs for 20% equity from Ashneer, Vineeta, Namita and Ghazal.
Jain Shikanji
Jain Shikanji, a popular North Indian brand known for its lemonade, pitched on Shark Tank India. Founder Anubhav Jain initially asked for ₹40 Lakhs for 8% equity, valuing the company at ₹5 Crores. However, he secured an investment of ₹40 Lakhs for 30% equity from investors Aman, Vineeta, Ashneer and Anupam.