“Not paid anything to Shark Tank to be a shark… money alone doesn’t qualify you,” says Shaily Mehrotra on the Startup Pedia podcast

Speaking on the Startup Pedia podcast, Fixderma founder Shaily Mehrotra revealed that becoming a shark isn’t about paying your way in. She specifically stated that she did not pay to become a shark.

“I have not paid anything to Shark Tank to be a shark… money alone doesn’t qualify you.”

Instead, the show reached out to her and conducted a detailed evaluation over 4–5 months. The team examined:

• Her entrepreneurial journey

• How she built Fixderma

• Her credibility and thought process

• Social media presence and positioning

According to her, India has no shortage of wealthy business people, but the show seeks experience and perspective, not just capital.

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What Happens Behind the Scenes in the Tank

Contrary to popular assumptions, sharks don’t know the startups beforehand.

Shaily Mehrotra clarified to host and co-founder Jameel Akther:“We don’t even know who the companies are pitching. For us, it’s a surprise.”

Founders are seen only when the pitch begins. No prior discussions or backdoor entries. Each pitch runs about 25 minutes to 1 hour. Short breaks happen between pitches for a reset

The reactions viewers see are genuine first impressions.

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Do Sharks Invest Their Own Money?

Yes, completely. Shaily clarified on the podcast that the show does not fund deals.

She stated, “Whatever we invest there, that’s our money.”

Sharks independently decide whether or not to invest after hearing the pitch.

What a Brand Gains from Shark Tank India

Although the long-run effects on business will take time to evaluate, the short-term effect is evident: awareness across the country.

In the case of Fixderma, the largest short-term effect is that the brand has been recognized across India, which would have taken years of marketing efforts.

The platform, she suggested, serves as a powerful accelerator of trust and visibility for both founders and brands.

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