A father-daughter duo stepped onto the Shark Tank India stage, ready to pitch their brand, Tintbox. Their company, specializing in ‘lifestyle kitchenware,’ aimed to blend functionality with style. To make their case, they compared their products to the popular Stanley Cup, emphasizing how customers buy it not just for its use but also for its aesthetic appeal. Tintbox offers glassware and pitchers with an outer silicone sleeve, designed to protect against heat and prevent breakage. However, not all the sharks were convinced that this was a problem needing a solution.
The entrepreneurs sought an investment of Rs 70 lakh for a 5% equity stake, revealing that they had been generating Rs 2 crore in revenue annually for the last three years. This number raised concerns among the investors, who questioned why the business had not grown beyond this point. Anupam Mittal admired the dedication of the founders but believed their product lacked market demand. He also criticized their branding and packaging, stating, “The packaging and position are very poor.” He pointed out that while early-stage businesses might struggle with these aspects, it was surprising that these issues persisted given that Tintbox had been around since 2017. “You’re forgiven if your business is a couple of years old, but not if you’ve been doing this since 2017,” he remarked.
Kunal Bahl echoed Anupam’s concerns, feeling that the brand needed stronger marketing. However, he acknowledged the company’s profitability and noted that it was still an achievement to have built a stable business. “It’s a big deal,” he said, but ultimately declined to invest, believing the company was still in its early stages.
Vineeta Singh highlighted how the kitchenware and glassware industries were thriving without extensive marketing. She pointed out that several brands had managed to scale rapidly, while Tintbox remained stagnant. “People are easily doing Rs 10 crore in revenue, there is no reason why you’re stuck at Rs 2 crore. Maybe there isn’t a product-market-fit,” she stated before deciding to step away from the deal.
Peyush Bansal and Aman Gupta also opted out, agreeing that the business needed fresh leadership to steer it in the right direction. Peyush suggested that bringing in a co-founder with expertise in these areas could help the brand overcome its challenges.
The pitch ended without a deal, leaving the daughter visibly disappointed. After the session, she expressed her frustration, dismissing the feedback about packaging as insignificant. “Talking about the packaging is choti choti baatein,” she stated, adding that the quality of their products spoke for itself. She emphasized that their brand had already gained recognition, with celebrities among their customers. “Our products speak for themselves, celebrities use them, we’ve built a successful business,” she said, confident that Tintbox would continue to thrive despite missing out on an investment.