Just wrapped up watching Shark Tank Bangladesh Episode 4, and boy, was it a wild ride! I missed it over the weekend and felt like a total FOMO victim until I caught up this morning. Here’s the scoop:
First up, we had Roboway strutting into the tank with a humanoid robot. Picture this: a bunch of university kids in Bangladesh, battling tech challenges and lack of support, built a robot! And it looked super cool too. This bad boy is designed to be a virtual assistant and could potentially revolutionize service sectors. It’s even got facial recognition! They asked the sharks for 25 lacs for an 8% stake in the company. Golam couldn’t resist and went up to the robot, which then hilariously spouted some random numbers (oops, glitch much?). But when asked about Bangladesh, the robot nailed it. Even gave Golam a handshake! Unfortunately, the sharks decided it was too early and bowed out, but they encouraged the team to come back next season with a fully functional robot. Classic Shark Tank Bangladesh moment!
Next, Parents Care strolled in, and get this—the founder brought his mom along. This guy’s been worrying about his elderly mom’s wellbeing, so he started a company that provides caregivers for the elderly. They’ve got a solid team of nannies and nurses and are three years into the game. They asked for 50 lacs for a 4% stake. Despite pulling in 17 lacs monthly, they only pocket 60 thousand taka, which got Sami grilling them hard. The founder explained how the business’s value would appreciate over time. Leon showed some interest but backed out. Eventually, Sami swooped in with an offer: 25 lacs for 4% equity, and another 25 lacs as a loan with terms set by Startup Bangladesh Limited. Sweet deal, right?
Then came Revival Bangladesh with its three founders and three craftsmen, showing off how they’re preserving Bangladeshi heritage through fashion. They asked for 25 lacs for a 1% stake. The business is still in the concept stage, and the production process isn’t quite there yet. The sharks were skeptical, grilling them on their business model and profitability. The founders focused more on ethical and sustainable brand creation, but they couldn’t convince the sharks. Golam showed a flicker of interest, but it faded. Leon hilariously asked, “Do you manufacture or sell cowboy hats?”—a classic Leon move. Ultimately, they left without a deal.
Finally, Palki Motors rolled in, brainchild of serial entrepreneur Mustafa, aiming to make electric cars affordable in Bangladesh. His pitch was spot on, highlighting the car’s build, cost-effectiveness, and his stellar team. The sharks were intrigued enough to take the car for a spin and loved it. Back in the tank, they dug into the details, discovering how much was built locally and the number of orders. They’re true pioneers in Bangladesh’s EV scene. Leon made an offer, but it didn’t land. Sami, always the deal-maker, offered a 10,000,000 BDT loan, disbursed in tranches for working capital, with terms set by Startup Bangladesh Limited. Mustafa couldn’t refuse.
And that’s a wrap for Shark Tank Bangladesh Episode 4! What an episode, packed with innovation, ambition, and a touch of comedy. Can’t wait for the next one!
