by Episode 9 of Shark Tank India Season 5 featured three interesting pitches — one from a Meta Fashion brand, another from a Spiritual Wearables brand, and a third from a Barefoot shoes brand. Aired on January 15, 2026, this episode was broadcast on the SET TV channel and simultaneously streamed on the SonyLIV app across India.
Some of India’s most respected business minds — Vineeta Singh, Namita Thapar, Varun Alagh, Kunal Bahl, and Viraj Bahl — were on the Sharks’ panel for this episode. They were seen asking tough questions, negotiating smartly, and trying to strike the best possible deals.
Panel of Sharks for Episode 9
- Kunal Bahl – Co-founder, Titan Capital & Snapdeal
- Namita Thapar – Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals
- Vineeta Singh – Co-founder & CEO, Sugar Cosmetics
- Varun Alagh – Co-founder, Honasa Consumer Pvt. Ltd.
- Viraj Bahl – Founder & Managing Director, VRB Consumer
Pitch 1: VKYD
- Brand Type: Meta Fashion Brand
- Founders: Arjun Goel and Sanjay Goel
- Ask: ₹1 crore for 10% equity
Arjun, along with his father Sanjay, pitched their Meta Fashion brand VKYD, which specializes in creating clothing inspired by digital avatars in games like Roblox. They described their concept as “Phygital.” The duo shared that they have achieved sales worth ₹2 crore so far.
Viraj Bahl mentioned that his kids play Roblox a lot and have spent nearly ₹1 lakh on Robux. Sanjay revealed that Walmart is one of their customers. The Sharks were impressed to learn that Arjun is just 18 years old and found the father-son duo inspiring.
The company, started in August 2022, earns revenue from both digital and physical (“phygital”) sales. Arjun explained that Roblox takes a 70% commission on digital item sales and around 9% on phygital sales. He also demonstrated how players can buy both digital and physical clothing on Roblox.
Offers made by Sharks:
- No offer was made, and no deal was closed.
Pitch 2: Japam
- Brand Type: Spiritual Wearables
- Founder: Ritoban Chakrabarti
- Ask: ₹1.5 crore for 1% equity
Ritoban pitched his brand Japam, which makes lab-certified, high-quality spiritual wearables, including Rudraksha items, crystal bracelets, and fusion bands for men featuring gemstones like pyrite and amethyst. Founded in 2022, Japam recorded a projected net revenue of ₹60 crore for 2025, which impressed the Sharks.
Ritoban showcased his products — including Rudraksha, energy stones, and spiritual jewelry — and explained how all items are lab-tested for authenticity. He also showed the Sharks his brand’s Instagram profile and provided detailed sales numbers.
Offers made by Sharks:
- Varun Alagh and Namita Thapar (joint offer): ₹1.5 crore for 1% equity + 1% royalty till the investment is recouped.
Final Deal:
Varun Alagh and Namita Thapar – ₹1.5 crore for 1% equity + 1% royalty till the investment is recouped (2-shark deal).
Pitch 3: Zen Barefoot
- Brand Type: Barefoot Shoe Company
- Founder: Sahib Aggarwal
- Ask: ₹1 crore for 5% equity
Sahib, a founder from Delhi, pitched Zen Barefoot, which he claimed to be India’s first barefoot shoe brand featuring a flexible design that helps utilize the full potential of the feet. His father, Sanjeev Aggarwal, joined him in the pitch. Despite being fully involved in the business, Sanjeev holds no equity in the company. Sahib is a graduate of BITS Pilani.
He explained that constantly wearing cushioned shoes can harm foot health and that barefoot shoes promote natural movement. While Vineeta found the design unattractive and suggested redesigning the product, Sahib explained that the current design reflects customer demand. Varun Alagh found the shoes comfortable, and Sahib shared that gym-goers are their target audience. The MRP of the shoes is ₹6,000, while they retail for around ₹4,799 on their website.
Offers made by Sharks:
- No offer was made, and no deal was closed.
Episode Summary: Ritoban Chakrabarti, the founder of Japam, was the only entrepreneur who successfully secured a deal in Episode 9 of Shark Tank India Season 5. The other two brands, VKYD and Zen Barefoot, did not receive any offers from the Sharks.
Next Episode Precap: In Episode 10 of Shark Tank India Season 5, viewers will see pitches from a luxury clothing brand, a protein bar brand, and an e-mobility platform. It will be interesting to see which of these entrepreneurs manage to impress the Sharks and secure a deal.
Keep checking this website for more updates on Shark Tank India Season 5. For any queries related to Episode 9, please leave a comment below.
