Airth, a groundbreaking innovation, entered the stage of Shark Tank India Season 4 with a vision to revolutionize the way people breathe. Created by Ravi Kaushik, an Aerosol Engineering expert from IIT Bombay, and Abhimanyu Kumar, inspired by his mother’s struggle with asthma, the device transforms regular air conditioners into air purifiers. In a country grappling with severe air pollution, Airth offers a promising solution to improve public health.
Ravi and Abhimanyu presented their product with confidence, explaining its potential to positively impact lives by addressing a critical need for cleaner air. Their journey began with a shared mission: to make breathing safe and easy for everyone. The product’s innovative design and affordability impressed the Sharks and sparked nationwide conversations about its potential to combat pollution.
Seeking an investment of ₹60 lakhs for 1% equity, the founders expressed their determination to bring Airth into every Indian household. During the product demo, Vineeta Singh showed great enthusiasm for its effectiveness. Anupam Mittal, while analyzing the business’s financials, saw its potential and proposed a counteroffer of ₹1 crore for 5% equity, requesting a larger stake in the company. When Anupam inquired if they feel the need of a co-founder, Ravi responded positively, hinting at the possibility of having a co-founder on board.
Vineeta Singh and Aman Gupta stepped in with matching offers of ₹60 lakhs for 2% equity each, expressing confidence in the product’s potential. On the other hand, Peyush Bansal and Varun Dua opted out. While they appreciated the founders’ sincerity, they had reservations about the product’s long-term viability. Varun praised their honesty, acknowledging their passion and dedication.
The founders then proposed a counteroffer, ₹96 lakhs for 3% equity with all three interested Sharks involved. Anupam declined the offer and revised his proposal, saying, “If you need money, I am ready to give ₹2 crore but at 5% equity.” Meanwhile, Aman and Vineeta jointly offered ₹96 lakhs for 4% equity. As negotiations intensified, Aman raised his offer to ₹1 crore for 3.7% equity, displaying his commitment to the deal. However, tensions grew as Aman expressed frustration over minor equity differences, declaring, “I can’t fight for 0.5%, or else I’m out.”
The founders ultimately decided to partner with Aman Gupta and Vineeta Singh, who shared a unified vision for Airth. Their collaborative investment marked a turning point for the brand.
Reflecting on their journey, Ravi Kaushik described the experience as transformative. He emphasized the importance of clean air, calling it a fundamental right. They emphasised, “It reinforced our commitment to developing innovative solutions that empower individuals to breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives, especially in polluted environments.” He acknowledged the exposure and insights gained from the Sharks as invaluable in driving their vision forward.
Airth’s appearance on Shark Tank India not only garnered attention but also highlighted the pressing issue of air quality. With this milestone, the founders are set to advance their mission of empowering individuals to breathe cleaner air and lead healthier lives, even in the most polluted environments.