The fourth season of Shark Tank India has been a stage for many compelling pitches, but it hasn’t been without its share of letdowns. Recently, Zubair and Yameen, two determined entrepreneurs from Kashmir, presented their sustainable e-bike business, Curve Electric, to the panel of sharks: Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, Aman Gupta, Peyush Bansal, and newcomer Kunal Bahl. Their pitch stood out for its ambition, but it didn’t secure the investment they hoped for. They contributed in cancelling 145 metric ton carbon emission in just 1.5 years.
The duo sought ₹50 lakh for a 5% equity stake in their company. They shared their journey of operating in Kashmir and their plans to expand to alpine destinations like Shimla and Mussoorie. The entrepreneurs also envisioned bringing their e-bikes to college campuses nationwide, targeting over 1,400 institutions. Highlighting their user-friendly approach, they proudly stated that their bikes required no app downloads or upfront security payments. Peyush commended their ability to address potential onboarding challenges for customers, praising their innovative mindset.
Aman, however, raised a valid concern about theft or misuse of the bikes, given the lack of upfront payments. Yameen confidently responded that in their two years of operation, there had been no cases of theft or damage. He attributed this to the trust they placed in their customers, emphasizing the honesty they had encountered. This revelation surprised the sharks, showcasing the founders’ belief in their model.
Despite their enthusiasm and determination, the sharks identified significant obstacles. Vineeta pointed out the challenges of dealing with government bodies, noting that such dependencies could make or break their business. She explained that expansion would hinge not just on ambition but also on gaining local support. Yameen acknowledged this reality but reassured the panel that they had faced no losses and had already secured funding in an earlier round, valuing their company at ₹8.5 crore.
Even with their passion and early success, the sharks couldn’t see a scalable path forward. Aman expressed doubts about the current market size, while Kunal predicted that scaling to new cities would only intensify challenges. Each shark ultimately decided not to invest, citing concerns about the business model’s limitations.
Before they exited, Peyush offered words of encouragement. Comparing Yameen to his younger self, he said he saw a reflection of his own journey in the entrepreneurs. He remarked, “You’re stating everything I would’ve said ten years ago. I haven’t seen such a deep customer-focused passion on Shark Tank in four years.”
Though they left without a deal, Zubair and Yameen walked away with valuable insights and words of encouragement. Their unwavering belief in their vision and their ability to tackle obstacles resonated with the sharks, even if the investment wasn’t secured.