Shaadi.com CEO Anupam Mittal confesses discouraging new startup

In a recent post, the co-founder of a Shark Tank India Funded Molecular Skincare Brand thanked Shaadi.com CEO, Anupam Mittal for his support and guidance. Surprisingly, Mittal revealed he had doubts about this startup and even discouraged the cofounders of the skincare brand from launching the business.

About brand CosIQ

The startup company is India’s first skincare brand to perform independent clinical trials and develop products based on it. Aimed at creating safe and intelligent skincare, CosIQ offers a variety of professional-grade skincare products formulated with high-quality ingredients to address all prevalent skin concerns.

Anupam Mittal’s confession

In a LinkedIn post, the country’s popular entrepreneur and angel investor admitted his mistake of not recognizing the potential of a new startup, CosIQ.

When Angad Talwar and Kanika Talwar had just started their company CosIQ they presented their business idea in Shark Tank India hoping to receive funding and some marketing for their startup.

What they did not expect was the gift of mentorship from a business veteran of the likes of Anupam Mittal. 

Angad Talwar shared an appreciation post on LinkedIn to express his gratitude for Mittal.

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Talwar’s appreciation post

Talwar wrote on LinkedIn: “In hindsight, we value this mentorship more than anything else and consider CosIQ to be really lucky to have him on board. This journey would have been less exciting and definitely a lot slower without him. He has helped us across the board - scolded us, questioned our decisions, solved big problems with small changes, and celebrated our successes more than us!”

He further added: “Now, when brands say, "We have a team, we have money, we have a celebrity, what do you have" we simply say, "We have Anupam Mittal."”

Mittal’s honest response

However, the Shark Tank judge responded to Talwar’s post by confessing his initial hesitation on the project so much that he had “disappointed” the two co-founders.

Admitting his mistake and congratulating the Talwars, Mittal wrote on LinkedIn: “ I learnt once again never to underestimate the power of a hungry founder’s grit and determination. You are absolutely killing it and more power to you and Kanika Talwar 💪🏼”

LinkedIn praises Mittal

To this post, LinkedIn users have openly lauded Mittal for his honesty and humility.

One user wrote: “This is pure inspiration Anupam Mittal! Your honesty and recognition of their grit speak volumes. Sometimes, it’s that relentless hunger that drives success beyond what anyone can predict.

It’s always humbling to witness such determination in action. Keep cheering them on!”

Another remarked: “I follow Anupam Mittal to keep learning. And every time I think I have learned enough, he surprises me. In the era of inflated egos, here is a post accepting not only his fallacy but expressing mirth on being proven wrong. Our old ones were right- Vidya Dadai Vinyam: Wisdom begets humility”