Shark Tank India has announced the addition of three new judges for its fifth season—Varun Alagh, Mohit Yadav, and Kanika Tekriwal.
The new judges will join returning Sharks Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Kunal Bahl, and Peyush Bansal.
Varun Alagh, co-founder and CEO of Honasa Consumer, the parent company of brands such as Mamaearth, The Derma Co., Aqualogica, and Ayuga, joins the show bringing experience in building and scaling consumer brands in India. Commenting on his inclusion, Alagh said he is keen to support founders working on category-led businesses and contribute to the country’s growing startup ecosystem.
Mohit Yadav, co-founder of skincare brand Minimalist, also joins the judging panel. Yadav is known for building a science-backed consumer brand and brings insights into product-led growth and execution-focused scaling.
Kanika Tekriwal, founder and CEO of aviation startup JetSetGo, will also appear as a Shark this season. Her inclusion adds representation from the aviation and mobility space, with experience in operating and scaling capital-intensive businesses.
Shark Tank India Season 5 is expected to premiere in early January 2026. Registrations for the season have now closed.
Longevity-focused healthtech startup GABIT has acquired Swedish clean nutrition brand Näck for an undisclosed amount, marking its entry into the supplements and nutrition segment.
Through the acquisition, GABIT will integrate Näck’s supplement portfolio into its existing health platform, allowing users to track how supplement intake impacts outcomes such as sleep, recovery, and metabolic health.
The company said the move strengthens its focus on measurable, data-led preventive healthcare beyond tracking and diagnostics.
Founded in 2022 by Gaurav Gupta and Arpana Shahi, GABIT operates a full-stack health platform spanning fitness, sleep, stress, and nutrition. Its titanium smart ring tracks continuous health metrics, while the software layer converts this data into personalised recommendations. The platform also integrates blood tests, smart scales, and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data, enabling users to track over 150 health markers in one place.
Näck, founded in Sweden, develops clean, science-backed supplements formulated in line with recommended dietary allowances. Its products are tested against banned substances and are designed for both athletes and everyday users.
Following the acquisition, Näck’s supplements will be embedded into GABIT’s ecosystem, enabling users to identify nutritional gaps through diagnostics, consume targeted supplements, and monitor outcomes through ongoing health data.
Bengaluru-based electric motorcycle maker Oben Electric has raised ₹85 crore in a pre-Series B funding round backed by Indian-American family offices.
The investors include Raj K Soin, Musa Dakri, and Ramesh Bhutada, along with participation from existing backers.
The fresh capital will be deployed to scale its distribution network, boost brand visibility, and support new product development and launches. With this round, Oben Electric’s total funding stands at ₹285 crore.
Earlier in 2025, the company raised ₹100 crore through its Series A and extended Series A rounds.
Oben Electric, founded in 2020 by Madhumita Agrawal, Sagar Thakkar, and Dinkar Agrawal, follows a vertically integrated model, focusing on in-house R&D to develop electric motorcycles and essential components like batteries, motors, vehicle control units, and fast chargers.
The company operates a 3.5-acre integrated manufacturing facility in Bengaluru and currently has over 85 showrooms across 70+ cities in 18+ states. In 2025, it also expanded sales through digital platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart to widen customer reach.
Oben Electric reported 10X revenue growth over the past 12 months and is targeting ₹100 crore in revenue in FY26, with COGS break-even by March 2026 and EBITDA break-even by 2027. It plans to scale to 150 showrooms by March 2026 and 500 outlets over the next two years.
Earlier this year, the startup launched the Rorr EZ Sigma, a city-focused electric motorcycle featuring reverse mode, improved ergonomics, and a connected colour TFT display, which has seen strong customer response.
Packaged food startup Alimento Agro Foods Pvt Ltd has raised Rs 52 crore (about $5.8 million) in a Series A funding round led by IvyCap Ventures.
The company owns instant food brands MOM Meal of the Moment and Gimi Gimi.
The fresh capital will be used to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen pan-India distribution, and support new product development across both brands, as the company looks to scale its presence in the convenience food segment.
Founded in 2015 by Prateek Bhagchandka and Mugdha Bhagchandka, Alimento operates across ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook meals, snacks, and Korean-style noodles. MOM Meal of the Moment targets urban consumers seeking quick meal solutions, while Gimi Gimi focuses on Korean-inspired noodles for Indian tastes, tapping into growing demand for global flavours.
The founders said the funding comes at a stage when both brands are seeing steady demand, with the next phase focused on operational scale-up and wider retail reach. Manufacturing expansion and deeper distribution are expected to remain key priorities.
Headquartered in Kota, Rajasthan, Alimento Agro Foods reported operating revenue of around Rs 36.6 crore in FY24 and aims to build a portfolio of mass-market convenience food brands that can compete with both established FMCG players and emerging consumer startups.
CuePilot AI, a startup operating in the early childhood education space, has secured $1.8 million in pre-seed funding.
The round was led by Unilazer Ventures, an investment firm backed by Ronnie Screwvala.
The company plans to use the capital to strengthen its voice and AI technology stack, build product integrations for new geographies, and expand go-to-market efforts across India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and later the US.
Founded in 2024 by Ankur Agarwa, Manav Kedia, and Adithya Narayanan, former CEO of Riverside Learning Center, CuePilot AI was built to address operational inefficiencies in preschools and daycare centres that limit teachers’ time in classrooms.
The platform offers a voice-first, AI-native management system where teachers record short voice updates that are converted into structured academic records, operational data, and parent communication.
CuePilot functions as a full-stack solution covering academics, attendance, health logs, billing, admissions, and parent engagement.
The company currently works with over 130 schools across India and Southeast Asia and aims to reach 1,000 schools globally over the next 12–18 months, with the US identified as a key growth market due to higher revenue potential per school.
Virohan, a healthcare skilling-focused edtech startup, has raised ₹65 crore (around $7.5 million) in fresh capital as part of its ongoing Series B round.
The funding was led by Mynavi Corporation, with continued participation from Blume Ventures, Bharat Inclusive Technologies Seed Fund, and Rebright Partners.
The fresh capital will be used to drive the company’s path to profitability through product innovation, operational efficiencies, and strategic hiring.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Gurugram, Virohan was co-founded by Kunaal Dudeja, Nalin Saluja, and Archit Ramesh Jayaswal.
The startup partners with universities including UPES, BBD University, CMR University, Assam Don Bosco University, and G.H. Raisoni University to offer undergraduate programs in allied healthcare, nursing, and healthcare management.
Virohan also works with healthcare employers such as Lenskart, Medanta, Healthians, and Dr. Lal PathLabs to support student placements. The company claims to have partnered with over 20 higher education institutions, trained more than 13,000 students, and worked with 2,000+ healthcare employers.
With this round, Virohan has raised over $25 million in total funding. In FY24, the company reported operating revenue of Rs 21 crore, up from Rs 10.65 crore in FY23, while losses widened to Rs 22 crore.
Gurugram-based edtech startup Uolo has raised $7 million (approximately ₹63 crore) in a funding round led by Australian VC firm Five Sigma, with participation from existing investors Blume Ventures, Morphosis, and Alicorn.
The company will use the capital to expand its partner school network and strengthen its generative AI capabilities.
It will also enhance its learning and school management platforms, with a focus on building AI-driven learning companions aligned with classroom instruction.
Uolo’s journey began in 2013 as a school communication platform founded by Pallav Pandey, Ankur Pandey, and Badrish Agarwal. In 2020, the business was acquired by Uolo Edtech, following which Pallav Pandey took on the role of co-founder and CEO and repositioned the company around a school-integrated learning model.
In its current form, Uolo partners with private K–12 schools to provide textbooks in subjects such as English, mathematics, computer science, and general knowledge, along with a home-practice app for students. The startup operates on a B2B2C model, offering a free school ERP platform while monetising through paid learning programs for students.
Uolo claims to work with more than 2,500 schools across India and has over 1.1 million paying students.
Prior to this round, the company raised USD 22.5 million in a Series A round led by Winter Capital in 2022, following a seed round in November 2020. Overall, Uolo has raised over USD 41 million to date.
Early-stage fund WTFund has unveiled eight startups as part of its C1/25 cohort, marking its third startup cohort announced this year. The selected startups span sectors including AI, health tech, security, electronics manufacturing, and biomedical innovation, with a focus on applied innovation led by young founders.
Alongside the cohort announcement, WTFund also introduced its first WTFund Bootcamp, a structured program aimed at supporting founders through direct mentorship, industry insights, and access to investors and subject-matter experts. The bootcamp is designed to help startups refine business models, improve execution, and prepare for long-term growth.
The C1/25 cohort includes Aeyi, antimattr, Astraeus Innovus, Placestation, O3 Security, Turocrates.ai, BloomRehab, and Prava. According to WTFund, the startups were selected from a competitive pool of applicants and reflect the fund’s continued emphasis on founders under the age of 25 building solutions to real-world problems.
The startups work across varied problem statements. Aeyi is building an AI-based visual perception system that converts standard CCTV setups into intelligent monitoring tools capable of detecting emergencies such as falls, fires, and violence. Antimattr is developing an audio wearable with a modular camera that enables hands-free ambient computing using continuous voice and vision inputs.
BloomRehab
It is focused on robotic rehabilitation systems for patients recovering from central nervous system injuries, offering automated therapy for arms, legs, and gait. O3 Security provides a software supply chain security platform that scans source code and dependencies, generates SBOMs, and flags vulnerabilities.
Astraeus
It Innovus is working on a non-invasive saliva-based test for early oral cancer detection, delivering results in under five minutes without specialised equipment. Placestation is building compact PCB assembly machines that allow hardware teams to assemble circuit boards within hours.
Prava
It is developing a payment orchestration layer for AI-driven shopping applications, enabling faster checkouts without reliance on a single payment service provider and including built-in fraud prevention. Turocrates is creating an AI-enabled pathology platform that digitises slides using low-cost microscope attachments and compression technology for real-time analysis.
Antimattr
It is developing an audio wearable paired with a modular camera to enable hands-free ambient computing. The device uses continuous voice and vision inputs to automate everyday tasks, allowing users to interact with technology without screens.
Placestation
It is building compact PCB assembly machines that automate electronic component placement. The system enables hardware teams to assemble circuit boards within hours, reducing dependence on large-scale manufacturing facilities.
Turocrates.ai
It is creating an AI-enabled pathology platform that digitizes microscope slides using low-cost attachments and compression technology. The platform enables real-time intelligent analysis and aims to improve diagnostic accessibility and efficiency.
O3 Security
It offers a software supply chain security platform that scans source code, dependencies, and third-party integrations. The platform generates software bills of materials (SBOMs) and automated vulnerability reports to help organizations detect and block security threats.
WTFund also announced that Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner at Accel India, has joined the fund as a Strategic Advisor.
Backed by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, WTFund provides non-dilutive grants and mentorship to entrepreneurs in India aged 25 and under, with a focus on supporting early-stage innovation.
Managed office space provider iSprout has secured ₹60 crore in debt funding from Tata Capital.
The funds will be used to expand its presence in key business hubs, strengthen enterprise-grade infrastructure, and scale its managed office portfolio across India.
The company will also invest in technology upgrades, workspace customization, and end-to-end facility management services to meet rising demand from enterprises and Global Capability Centers (GCCs).
Founded in 2017 by Sundari Patibandla and Sreenivas Tirdhala, iSprout provides managed office solutions for large enterprises, GCCs, and startups. The company focuses on enabling businesses to scale quickly without managing day-to-day operational complexities.
iSprout operates across 9 Indian cities with 25 centres, managing a 2.5 million sq. ft. portfolio including developments, and has achieved 10x growth over the past five years driven by demand for flexible, enterprise-ready workspaces.
Commenting on the funding, Sundari Patibandla, Co-founder and CEO of iSprout, said, “This investment allows us to deepen our presence in high-growth business hubs and strengthen our managed office offerings. With strong occupancy levels and a healthy pipeline, we are focused on building long-term value while progressing toward our future IPO plans.”
Sreenivas Tirdhala, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, added, “Enterprises and GCCs are looking for flexible, high-performance work environments. This funding supports our goal of delivering tech-enabled offices that can scale with both speed and consistency.”
Toffee Coffee Roasters, a coffee brand, has secured ₹5 crore in a pre-Series A round led by IPV, with additional backing from 66 bridge partners, Abhijit Vemuganti, and Invesst.
Previously featured on Shark Tank India, the startup also includes Ritesh Agarwal among its investors.
The funding will fuel operational expansion, upgrades at its 10,000 sq ft roasting facility, enhancements in packaging, and the rollout of new coffee offerings as the brand continues broadening its product lineup.
Founded in 2019 by Rishabh Nigam and Nandini Shrivastava, the company began as a specialty café in Mumbai before shifting during the 2020 lockdown to a direct-to-consumer model. It now operates out of Mumbai and Bengaluru, serving more than 2 lakh customers through online channels, marketplaces, and quick-commerce platforms.
The brand focuses on sourcing beans from estates across India and global coffee regions, delivering freshly roasted coffee, instant coffee, cold brews, filter coffee, and brewing accessories. Its popular products include Mysore Nuggets, Holiday Blend, and its Brazil specialty instant coffee.
Toffee Coffee Roasters currently produces over 5 tonnes of coffee each month, with monthly consumption crossing 40,000 units equivalent to 3-4 lakh cups brewed at home.
It plans to scale production to 50 tonnes per month, which it estimates could support ₹8-10 crore in annualized revenue and serve 8–10 lakh customers.
Its product lineup spans single-origin coffees, instant coffee variants, cold brews, filter coffee, and brewing accessories, available across major e-commerce channels and its own platform.
