Ashutosh Kumar’s return to Shark Tank India marked a significant moment as he became the first entrepreneur to pitch twice with different brands. In his initial appearance, although he did not secure a deal, the encouragement from the Sharks made a lasting impression and set the stage for his comeback. This time, his motivations were more personal, as he sought the Sharks’ wisdom to further his new venture, Offmint, rather than pursuing financial backing.
During his pitch, Ashutosh explained that his primary intent was to gain guidance—a token of respect he referred to as Guru Dakshina—and to build Offmint in tribute to his late father. His emotional narrative deepened when he recounted the poignant coincidence of losing his father on the day he appeared in Season 2, a moment he described as his breaking point that compelled him to shoulder his family's responsibilities.
Amid his personal grief, Ashutosh found vital support from both his family and an unexpected investor from London, Rani Ahluwalia, a devoted fan of the show. Rani contributed Rs 5 crore and became a co-founder of Offmint, bolstering the company’s foundational support. Returning with a unique proposal, Ashutosh requested a nominal Rs 10 in exchange for the Sharks’ expertise, which led to a multi-Shark deal after thorough discussions on his brand’s unique selling proposition and sales performance.
The session concluded with the Sharks offering Rs 10 lakh for 4% equity, with all five Sharks coming on board to back his vision. Offmint, which emphasizes eco-conscious practices by embedding seeds in its complimentary pens, now continues to evolve as a sustainable fast-fashion brand guided by the collective expertise of its new mentors.