Shark Tank India Season 4 New Judges: Profile, Investment Style and Their Companies

Shark Tank India has brought a new wave of enthusiasm for entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts in India. It has completely changed the way entrepreneurship is perceived in the country. 

With three successful seasons behind, Shark Tank India has inspired many young minds, women and even students to become entrepreneurs. It has also connected many innovative startups with some of India’s most influential investors, also known as Sharks. 

This year, Shark Tank India Season 4 is raising the stakes with two exciting new judges joining the panel: Kunal Bahl and Viraj Bahl. These two names bring fresh perspectives and unique expertise to the table, promising an even more exciting season ahead.

Who are The New Judges in Shark Tank India Season 4?

Kunal Bahl and Viraj Bahl join the panel in season 4, each bringing their extensive experience and industry insights. While Kunal Bahl is a household name in the Indian ecommerce ecosystem, Viraj Bahl brings a disruptive force with his expertise in the food and beverage (FMCG) industry. 

Let’s dive into their educational backgrounds, investment philosophies, and what makes them an exciting addition to the show.

Who is Kunal Bahl, the New Shark in Shark Tank India Season 4?

About Kunal Bahl

Kunal Bahl is the co-founder of Titan Capital, a promoter at Unicommerce, and co-founder of Acevector, which holds Unicommerce and Snapdeal, one of India’s pioneering e-commerce marketplaces and enablement platforms. 

His entrepreneurial journey began after he completed his engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a business degree from The Wharton School and an executive marketing program at Kellogg School of Management.

Kunal started Snapdeal with his friend and classmate, Rohit Bansal (co-founder at Snapdeal) after facing 2 failed entrepreneurial attempts. Their journey with Snapdeal began in 2010, evolving from a daily deals platform to a full-fledged marketplace. Snapdeal’s transformation was inspired by global e-commerce trends and a sharp focus on addressing India’s unique consumer needs.

1. As a founding partner of Titan Capital, Bahl has invested in over 250 startups, including Ola Cabs, Urban Company, Razorpay, Mamaearth, and Ofbusiness. His ventures span consumer tech, fintech, SaaS, health tech, and logistics, making him a veteran in identifying scalable, tech-driven opportunities.

Under Acevector, Unicommerce has grown to become one of the largest e-commerce enablement solutions to be publicly listed, boasting one of the most subscribed IPOs of 2024. With the recent acquisition of Shipway, a shipping aggregator, under Unicommerce, it aims to become a one-stop enablement solution for all D2C and e-commerce brands, simplifying logistics, returns, inventory and warehouse management all under one umbrella.

Investment Style

Kunal is known for his pragmatic approach to investments. He focuses on businesses with scalable models, strong founder commitment, and the potential to solve real-world problems. 

His portfolio reflects his tech-first mindset, including startups in e-commerce, fintech, and logistics. Entrepreneurs seeking mentorship in scaling operations and leveraging technology will find a supportive ally in him. His experience in scaling Snapdeal during India’s e-commerce boom gives him an insider’s edge when evaluating tech-driven startups.

In a recent interview with Your Story, The new season 4 Shark discussed his investment strategy. His criteria for startup evaluation revolve around:

• Great Founding Teams: Prioritizing entrepreneurs and founding teams with proven track records in various fields.
• Small TAM (Total Addressable Market): Investing in niche markets with potential for scalability.
• Strong Unit Economics: Ensuring businesses have proportionate unit economics from the start. According to the new Shark Tank India judge, if the unit economics aren’t properly established in the early stages, it becomes challenging to rectify them later without fundamentally altering the business.

Additionally, Kunal is passionate about activating domestic capital and invests primarily in sectors he understands deeply, focusing on tech-enabled businesses in areas such as marketplaces, logistics, SaaS, fintech, and new-age consumer brands.

Who Is Viraj Bahl, the New Shark in Shark Tank India Season 4?

About Viraj Bahl

Viraj Bahl is the visionary founder of Veeba Foods, a brand renowned for its high-quality condiments and sauces. His journey began with a mission to revolutionize India’s food industry, challenging traditional norms and creating innovative, consumer-centric products.

Viraj’s foray into the food industry officially began in 2002, but his passion was ignited much earlier during visits to his father’s factory and their Fun Foods stall at Aahar Delhi. He initially joined and helped grow his family food business, which was later acquired by the German brand Dr. Oetkars, a move that went against his wishes.

In 2013, driven by his vision and determination, Viraj founded Veeba Foods. His journey was not without its challenges. After facing losses in the restaurant industry, he made the bold decision to sell his family house to fund Veeba.

Under Viraj’s leadership, Veeba Foods has flourished into a trusted name in both the retail and HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) sectors, earning a reputation for quality and innovation.

Investment Style 

Viraj’s investment philosophy centers around product-driven, food-tech and consumer tech companies with a strong brand identity. new judge on Shark Tank India season 4 is passionate about businesses that prioritize quality and innovation. 

Based on this recent investments, the new judge’s investment style emphasizes:

• Product-Driven Companies: Focusing on quality and innovation.
• Strong Brand Identity: Supporting businesses that resonate with consumers.

Entrepreneurs aiming to disrupt traditional industries or enhance consumer experiences will find an ideal mentor in Viraj Bahl. 

What Do Viewers Think About the New Judges in Shark Tank India Season 4?

In a recent social media post, The new Shark Tank India Season 4 host Ashish Solanki shared his admiration for Kunal Bahl, stating, “Kunal Bahl brings a unique mix of wisdom, innovation, and sharp business acumen to the tank. It’s been an absolute privilege to witness his interactions with entrepreneurs and his passion for nurturing new ideas. Truly inspiring!”

Ashish added, “He took his time, but he evolved as a Shark. He brings an aura of confidence that states he knows what he is doing, and the whole crew is in awe of him.”

Promos for Season 4 have sparked comparisons between Kunal Bahl and Ashneer Grover, with viewers noting similarities in their speaking styles and confidence. Some even drew parallels in their dressing sense, fueling the buzz around the new season.

Impact of New Judges on Investments

The inclusion of Kunal Bahl and Viraj Bahl diversifies the Shark Tank India judge panel. Kunal’s expertise in technology and startups complements Viraj’s focus on FMCG and consumer brands, ensuring a balanced evaluation of businesses across sectors. Their guidance will empower entrepreneurs to refine their pitches and strategies, unlocking opportunities for exponential growth.

The new judges’ addition also signals a shift in the show’s focus toward untapped industries and innovative solutions, creating an even more competitive environment for participants in Shark Tank India.

Wrapping Up

Season 4 of Shark Tank India is shaping up to be a learning experience for ecommerce and consumer brands. With Kunal Bahl’s tech-driven insights and Viraj Bahl’s consumer-focused strategies, aspiring entrepreneurs have a chance to gain invaluable mentorship and funding from two of India’s brightest minds. 

The synergy between the Sharks promises exciting pitches, transformative deals, and inspiring stories. Whether you’re observing the pitches of Shark Tank India brands or looking to learn more about the Shark Tank India judges, this season offers something for everyone. 

Stay tuned for the drama, innovation, and impactful investments that Shark Tank India Season 4 has in store!

About Shipway:

Shipway is a trusted and reliable shipping aggregator, trusted by top D2C and eCommerce brands from Shark Tank India. With affordable, customer-focused solutions, Shipway automates your forward and reverse shipping processes, helping you reduce logistics costs by 10% or more. Our suite of products includes – Courier Aggregation, Shipping Intelligence, Unified NDR Management Solution, RTO Reduction Suite, Returns & Exchange Automation, Branded Tracking and more

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