Shark Tank Nepal Premiere: Everything You Need to Know

The Shark Tank Nepal premiere aired on July 2 on Himalaya TV HD, marking the start of something new for Nepali television. If you’ve been even remotely tuned in to what’s happening in the startup scene or just curious about local businesses, you saw this coming. And now, it’s here.

Episodes air on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 PM. So, twice a week, viewers get to witness entrepreneurs scattered all over Nepal pitching their ideas to five investors, the sharks, who are ready to invest their own money.

Who Are the Sharks?

There are five sharks on the panel, each from a different background:

• Hem Raj Dhakal: Co-founder of IME Group, known for remittance, tourism, and banking.
• Cabinet Shrestha: MD of Agni Group, big in automobiles and one of the early voices in Nepal’s EV movement.
• Saurabh Jyoti: Part of Jyoti Group, with experience in trading, manufacturing, and finance.
• Ritu Singh Vaidya: Heads VOITH Group and UTS (Toyota Nepal) and often talks about the importance of women in leadership.
• Anand Bagaria: MD of Nimbus Group, focused on agribusiness and food production.

They bring a mix of calm analysis, strong opinions, and sometimes unexpected generosity. You’ll see them pass on “great ideas” and invest in pitches that seem risky at first.

What Makes the Nepali Version Different?

The Shark Tank Nepal premiere made one thing clear: this isn’t just a copy-paste of the international version. Most of the pitches are in Nepali. That alone changes how everything feels more grounded and more direct.

The businesses themselves aren’t always polished. Some are still figuring things out. And that’s okay. It feels real. Some founders talk about starting with just a few thousand rupees. Some haven’t even broken even yet. But they’re still here, asking for a chance.

There is a bit of hesitation, not just on the part of the entrepreneurs but also from the sharks. Sometimes, the numbers are not there; sometimes, the idea is excellent, but the plan is not. A few sharks ask tough questions. At other times, they stay quiet, basically allowing the entrepreneurs to talk themselves out of a deal.

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First Episode Recap

One of the most talked-about pitches from the Shark Tank Nepal premiere was an eco-friendly packaging startup. The founder was nervous. Paused mid-pitch. Collected themselves. Then, slowly, built up enough confidence to win over a couple of sharks. They walked out with an offer.

Another founder had a smoother delivery but didn’t get a deal. The sharks liked the energy but couldn’t look beyond the financials. That is part of what makes the show interesting: not everyone wins, as it must be.

Why It Matters

The Shark Tank Nepal premiere is a significant step towards the development of Nepali television. For the first time, Nepali entrepreneurs and people from diverse backgrounds are showcasing their ideas on national television. The fact that this can happen is a win for everyone. Unlike what people usually think, business is not necessarily for those who have money or portfolios. It’s for anyone with an idea or the courage to give it a try.

The show also provides a rare glimpse into the investment process, where one can observe how investors think, the questions they ask, and what makes a business attractive in their eyes. Hence, it is sometimes not about big profits but rather clarity, passion, and potential.

For young people, this show is inspiring. This shows that you don’t have to leave the country to dream big. Opportunities are here, too. Moreover, when you watch someone like you pitch a business and walk out with an investment, that changes the way we view what is possible.

The first episode didn’t try to be perfect. It felt real. Some ideas were raw, but the energy was strong. If the show keeps highlighting this kind of ambition and honesty, it could help build a stronger startup culture in Nepal. And that’s something worth supporting.

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