The latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 5 delivered high drama, tough questions, and an unexpected turnaround as Aman Gupta decided to invest in a nasal strips brand after every other Shark chose to back out.
The episode opened with Pure Flow Tape, a breathing nasal strips brand pitched by founders Parikshit Batra, Jashanjot Singh Bindra, and Dev Sharma. The trio asked for ₹1 crore for 3.3% equity, valuing their startup at ₹30 crore. Their product is designed to improve airflow, ease breathing, and reduce everyday respiratory discomfort—especially for people living in polluted cities, those who work out intensely, or individuals facing sleep-related breathing issues.
The founders shared that the idea stemmed from personal experience, particularly Jashanjot’s struggle with mouth-breathing. During the pitch, Namita Thapar questioned whether he had been tested for sleep apnea, sparking a discussion on breathing disorders and product positioning.
However, the pitch took an unexpected turn when the founders revealed that their nasal strips are manufactured in China, they do not have an in-house R&D team, and most surprisingly they also operate another consumer brand called Get Snappy, an all-purpose, skin-safe body adhesive. The revelation left the Sharks visibly stunned, especially when the founders clarified they were pitching two brands under the same company, with a fourth co-founder, Harshita Joshi, waiting in the wings.
The second ask for Get Snappy was ₹60 lakh for 5% equity at a ₹12 crore valuation, but concerns quickly mounted. Namita was the first to opt out, citing lack of focus and weak repeat customer metrics. Kunal Bahl felt it was more of a product-selling business than a brand, while Mohit Jain dismissed it as a dropshipping play. Anupam Mittal advised the founders to focus on one brand instead of chasing multiple opportunities.
Just when it seemed the deal was dead, Aman Gupta offered a different perspective. Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey, he shared how he experimented with multiple ventures before one finally worked. He openly acknowledged starting with imports from China before eventually building manufacturing in India, emphasizing that starting matters more than being perfect. What concerned him, he said, was not the idea but the structure.
Encouraged, the founders returned with a counteroffer: ₹2 crore for 15% equity. After negotiation, Aman sealed the deal at ₹2 crore for 20% equity, valuing Pure Flow Tape at ₹10 crore a dramatic shift from the initial ask.
Speaking after the deal, the founders said Pure Flow was created with a simple mission: to help people breathe better, sleep deeper, recover faster, and perform stronger every day. What began with nasal strips and mouth tape is now evolving into a broader ecosystem of sleep and recovery solutions. They described their Shark Tank journey as intense and emotional, but ultimately reaffirming their belief in themselves and their brand.
In a season full of cautious Sharks and tough scrutiny, this deal stood out not just for the numbers, but for Aman Gupta’s faith in founders willing to learn, adapt, and build for the long term.
