Shark Tank India: Rejected Rs 10 Cr offer, aims for Rs 1,000 Cr empire. Pallavi’s eco-friendly plastic pitch sparks a bidding war

A young entrepreneur from Kolkata, Pallavi, turned the tables on the sharks in the latest episode of Shark Tank India. Walking into the tank seeking investment for her biodegradable plastics business, she left with a deal far beyond her original ask. The judges, known for grilling contestants, found themselves in an unexpected bidding war, each vying for a piece of her “earth-shattering” innovation.

Pallavi’s startup specializes in biodegradable plastics that are not only environmentally friendly but also significantly cheaper than existing alternatives. Her products have already gained traction, securing deals with major clients like Maruti Suzuki and Berger Paints. But what truly set her apart was the immense potential of her technology, which extends beyond plastics to paints and emulsions. Recognizing the scale of her vision, investor Anupam Mittal of Shaadi.com described it as a once-in-50-year breakthrough, comparing it to transformative inventions like the telegraph and computer chips.



The intensity in the tank escalated quickly as the sharks battled to strike a deal with her. Pallavi initially sought Rs 50 lakh for a 1.5% equity stake, valuing her company at Rs 30 crore. However, her pitch and unwavering confidence turned the negotiation in her favour. Anupam Mittal doubled her request on the spot, offering Rs 1 crore, while Chirag Nakrani of Rayzon Solar emphasized his manufacturing expertise and funding capabilities. Meanwhile, Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar were equally eager to invest, recognizing the enormous market opportunity.

Despite the heated discussions, Pallavi remained composed. When she revealed that she had already rejected a Rs 10 crore buyout offer for her patent, the sharks were further convinced of her ambition. She was not looking for a quick exit but rather envisioned scaling her company to a Rs 1,000 crore business. Aman immediately aligned with her vision and offered to invest at the valuation she proposed.

After Pallavi urged all four sharks to come together, she ended up sealing a four-shark deal worth Rs 2 crore for 10 % equity. Apart from Pallavi, there were a few other ecopreneurs as well who were collecting leftover cooking oil and converting it to bio-diesel or someone who was working on collecting waste papers from the organisation and making 100 % recycled stationery materials.