Shark Tank India 4: Anupam Mittal harshly critiques founders of Delhi-based startup Trajectory; says 'tum kavi ho ya businessman'

Shark Tank India 4

The latest episode of Shark Tank India 4 featured Delhi-based startup Trajectory, a company in the ergonomic comfort products industry.

Founded by former product developers Raghav Mahajan and Himanshu Verma, the company initially started with a single sleeping bag and has since expanded its product line. Seeking an investment of Rs 1 crore for a 2% equity stake, the founders presented their pitch, hoping to impress the Sharks.

As soon as Raghav and Himanshu completed their pitch, Shark Anupam Mittal questioned their presence on the show, expressing doubts about the uniqueness of their product.

He pointed out that similar products were widely available across airports and online platforms. His blunt reaction set the tone for a tough grilling session.

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"Ye kya leke aagaye ho? Itni commodities cheez hai har airport par, online, sab jagah milti hai. One is cheaper than the other. Toh iski dukaan kyu lagayi hai aapne?" he remarked, questioning their differentiation.

Despite this, Raghav attempted to defend their brand, stating that Trajectory is present in over 10 airports across India and also manufactures for other brands. He tried to use Red Bull as an analogy to explain their business model, but the Sharks remained unconvinced. Anupam dismissed his explanation as baseless.

The Sharks then inquired about the founders’ backgrounds. However, as Raghav began narrating their journey, Anupam Mittal interrupted him, urging him to get to the point. Namita Thapar asked about their unique value proposition, but Raghav’s attempts at humor failed to impress. The Sharks also felt he was dodging critical questions. Anupam, visibly frustrated, said, "Baatein mat ghumao yaar, sidhe directly jawab do."

During the discussion, Ritesh Agarwal noticed similarities between Trajectory’s logo and Tesla’s, raising concerns about branding. Meanwhile, Aman Gupta was the first to back out, stating that their product lacked distinct branding and was just another commodity. When Raghav continued adding philosophical perspectives to the conversation, Aman sarcastically suggested he should write books instead. Anupam, equally frustrated, said, "Arre bhai tum kavi ho ya businessman? Chhod do yaar ye sab baatein."

Namita also expressed irritation, accusing Raghav of not answering questions directly. She pointed out, "Hum A poochte hain toh aap B bolte ho, B poochte hain toh aap C bolte ho. Toh confidence nahi aata investors ko." Eventually, both Anupam and Namita backed out.

Despite the setbacks, the founders managed to impress the Sharks with their financials. Ritesh Agarwal offered feedback and made an offer. Meanwhile, Peyush Bansal also presented a deal but with one condition—Himanshu needed to control Raghav’s energy and stubbornness. He proposed Rs 1 crore for 5% equity, plus 2% royalty until the investment was recouped.

After intense negotiations, Trajectory finally secured a deal with Ritesh Agarwal—Rs 50 lakh for 3% equity and Rs 50 lakh in debt at 8% interest.

Expressing their excitement, Raghav and Himanshu shared, “We're thrilled to have partnered with Ritesh Agarwal. His deep understanding of our business will help us scale and make our comfort products more accessible across India.”

Despite a challenging pitch and tough criticism, Trajectory walked away with a strategic partnership, proving that perseverance and strong financials can still win over investors.