The latest episode of Shark Tank India 4 showcased a range of innovative pitches, with one standing out for addressing a significant issue: autism. Entrepreneurs Raksheet Jain and Divyansh Mangal, hailing from Jaipur, presented their brand, AIgnosis, an AI-driven platform designed to diagnose autism and assist with therapy. Their ask was Rs. 50 lakhs for 4% equity in their venture.
The sharks welcomed the duo with enthusiasm and complimented the creativity behind their brand’s name. Anupam raised an intriguing point, questioning whether society has stigmatised autism or if it is now seen as a “new superpower.” Raksheet responded confidently, explaining their mission to break the stigma surrounding autism. He emphasized how autistic children can excel in specific skills when guided correctly. The duo then shared examples of how undiagnosed autism can lead to challenges in a child’s development, but Anupam remained skeptical.
Varun Dua added his perspective, noting that he had observed both mild and severe forms of autism. He pointed out that mild cases could often be addressed with early intervention, but severe cases posed greater challenges. He observed, “But in severe, parents don’t accept that their child may have an issue and that keeps delaying the diagnosis. That leads to the child showcasing deep aggression, very awkward behaviour, and throwing things.” This makes treatment much harder over time.
The pitchers shared their journey, revealing that their understanding of autism began at Divyansh’s father’s childcare center. They showcased a demo video and detailed how their product operates. Their AI-based ecosystem simplifies the process of identifying autism and connects families to therapy solutions faster. The presentation led to a series of questions from Anupam and Aman about how this model could accelerate early intervention for autistic children.
When the pricing details were revealed, Varun expressed concerns that the business plan seemed to stray from the core problem. Peyush, meanwhile, questioned how they managed to convince doctors to agree to just Rs. 140 per patient. Despite the critique, the pitchers clarified their commitment to creating an affordable and accessible solution that could disrupt traditional methods.
Varun and Peyush suggested that the product’s simplicity could allow it to be developed at home. However, the pitchers explained their broader vision of building a brand that could create widespread impact. Aman encouraged them to consider leveraging their expertise in other areas and asked why they sought funding from Shark Tank. Raksheet stated that their goal was not just financial support but also to establish a strong network that could help them impact countless families in the next five years. He reiterated that their mission extended beyond profit, focusing on creating a meaningful difference.
Aman expressed admiration for their efforts, remarking that solving such issues at an early stage deserved recognition from the government. While Vineeta and Anupam chose not to invest, the remaining sharks engaged in serious discussions. Varun and Aman expressed interest in partnering with the duo. Peyush presented two offers: one matching their original ask and another offering Rs. 1.4 crore for 10% equity. After some deliberation, Aman proposed a final deal that brought all three sharks, Aman, Varun, and Peyush together. They collectively offered Rs. 1 crore for 8% equity, a deal the pitchers gladly accepted.
The episode concluded with the AIgnosis team securing funding and mentorship, marking a pivotal moment in their journey to transform how autism is diagnosed and treated in India. Their commitment to breaking barriers and improving lives left a lasting impression on both the sharks and the audience.