Kiran Shah, the entrepreneur behind the ice cream brand Go Zero, recently grabbed attention after hitting a remarkable milestone. His company recorded Rs 5 crore in sales in January, a month typically considered off-season for ice creams. Shark Tank India judge and Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ executive director, Namita Thapar, was highly impressed by this achievement. Even though she wasn’t part of the pitch when Kiran appeared on the show, she acknowledged his brand’s potential and predicted that Go Zero would achieve an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of Rs 100 crore this year.
Namita was so impressed that she personally reached out to Kiran for a meeting. She shared a picture of him on social media and highlighted his company’s success. She pointed out that selling ice cream worth Rs 5 crore in January was a significant feat. She also mentioned that Go Zero offers ice creams with no sugar, fewer calories, and delicious flavors. She remarked that she wasn’t there when Kiran pitched his idea on the show, but she had been a big fan of both him and Go Zero. She said she keeps Go Zero ice creams as a daily staple in her freezer.
Wanting to explore a possible business deal, Namita involved Arjun Vaidya, a well-known investor. She spoke highly of Kiran’s expertise in his field, calling him driven, intelligent, and warm. She appreciated his visit to Pune to meet her and expressed gratitude for the ice creams he brought. Nostalgically, she shared that raspberry and mango duets were her absolute favorites, reminding her of childhood memories.
During his Shark Tank India Season 4 pitch, Kiran declared his goal of making Go Zero the country’s largest ice cream company. Anupam Mittal found him to be a perfect match for his business and called him a “founder-market fit.” Kiran came in with a bold valuation of Rs 100 crore, seeking Rs 1 crore in exchange for a 1 percent stake in his company. His pitch attracted interest from multiple sharks, including Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, and Aman Gupta.
Initially, Aman Gupta proposed Rs 1 crore for a 2 percent stake. However, Kiran, staying firm on his valuation, skillfully negotiated the deal. He countered with an offer of 1.5 percent equity for the same amount. Aman accepted, sealing the deal. Kiran’s ability to confidently navigate negotiations and secure favorable terms highlighted his sharp business acumen.
With a sales of 5 cr in Jan (the off season for ice cream), this fabulous shark tank founder is on track to do an ARR of 100cr. Ice cream with zero sugar, half the calories & abs delicious flavours ! I wasn’t there the day he pitched, but I have been a big fan of Kiran Shah & Go… pic.twitter.com/lFNtVTOSvO
— Namita (@namitathapar) February 22, 2025With Go Zero’s continued success, Namita Thapar’s recognition, and the backing of Aman Gupta, Kiran Shah is well on his way to achieving his ambitious vision. The ice cream industry in India is seeing a shift, and Go Zero is emerging as a strong contender in the market.