Pratham Mittal, the founder of Masters' Union and Tetr College of Business, is joining Shark Tank India Season 5 with a vision to inject more heart into the reality TV show. Known for his focus on student entrepreneurship, Mittal aims to bring a fresh perspective to the panel.
In a recent interview, Mittal reflected on the realities of the show, acknowledging that "reality TV is ruthless". He recognizes that real-world startup investments differ significantly from the compressed timelines and evaluations presented on television. "Shark Tank, of course, isn't how real investments actually happen. Anyone who has built or funded companies knows that. But it is a powerful public classroom," Mittal stated.
Mittal's background is rooted in building India's student entrepreneurship ecosystem. At Masters' Union, entrepreneurship is a core pillar, with over 35 student-led startups launched in the past year. These ventures have received ₹1.36 crore in grants via the Masters' Union Investment Fund, generating ₹4.32 crore in projected annualised recurring revenue, and benefiting from over 4,500 hours of personalized mentorship. He has extended this "founder-first" approach globally through Tetr College of Business, a four-year undergraduate program where building a venture is a core academic requirement.
Mittal's appointment underscores Shark Tank India's focus on early-stage, founder-led businesses and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. Season 5 will introduce a "Campus Special" edition, highlighting young founders and college startups. Mittal expressed excitement about engaging with students and young founders who are "starting early, building with purpose, and shaping the next generation of innovators".
Prior to his work in education, Mittal co-founded the SaaS company Outgrow and has invested in several consumer tech and startup ventures. He completed his schooling at The Doon School and studied International Relations and Affairs at the London School of Economics and Political Science and has also been associated with the University of Pennsylvania.
Mittal joins Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Kunal Bahl, Mohit Yadav, Varun Alagh, and Kanika Tekriwal as judges on Shark Tank India. He aims to bring realism, context, and long-term thinking to conversations around entrepreneurship and funding on the show. “Shark Tank has emerged as one of the most influential platforms for entrepreneurship in India, giving early-stage founders the opportunity to showcase their ideas, gain mentorship, and access resources that can help turn concepts into scalable businesses,” Mittal said.
