It’s show time for Shark Tank Pakistan. Shark Tank, the globally renowned business reality show, is set to launch in Pakistan, offering a new platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to secure investments and showcase innovative ideas.
The show, which has inspired versions in various countries, aims to stimulate Pakistan’s economy and provide opportunities for young, skilled individuals.
The show’s format has been devised to highlight innovation, business acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit, offering participants the unique opportunity to secure substantial
investments and mentorship from the country’s top business minds.
The team behind bringing this business reality show to Pakistan is Green Entertainment, which is playing a crucial role in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO of Green Entertainment Fasir Ur Rehman said: “As Green Entertainment continues to grow, our focus remains on bringing content that
resonates with our audience’s aspirations. Shark Tank motivates people to start their own
businesses and bring their ideas to life. It also educates about business fundamentals and I
hope success stories from this show will inspire a wave of new startups.”
He added that “Beyond Shark Tank, we have several exciting projects in the pipeline that will further our mission to inspire and elevate the voices of Pakistan’s talented creators and entrepreneurs.”
Executive Director Green Entertainment Tehreem Chaudhry said: “We are committed to creating content that not only entertains but also empowers our viewers. Our goal is to lead a cultural and economic shift in Pakistan, and Shark Tank is a perfect example of how we aim to do that by providing a platform that nurtures innovation and supports the next generation of business leaders.”
Industry Support
The spectacular launch event, held recently in Karachi, marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s television history. The event attracted notable figures from Pakistan’s business and entertainment sectors, including Zahid Ahmed, Sanam Saeed, Mohib Mirza, Faisal Kapadia, Ali Rehman, Feroze Khan, and Aijaz Aslam.
Actress Sanam Saeed expressed optimism about the show’s potential to benefit the economy and provide valuable opportunities for skilled individuals with unique ideas. “I hope the businesspersons on the show will give new people a chance,” Sanam said.
Actor Mohib Mirza echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the show’s ability to bring forward talented individuals with the “ability to dream” and innovate.
Platform for Innovation
At the launch event in Karachi last week, entrepreneur Aleena Nadeem highlighted the significance of “Shark Tank Pakistan,” calling it a “big opportunity” for local entrepreneurs to secure funding and bring their business ideas to life. The show will allow participants to present their products and ideas to potential investors, with the goal of turning them into successful ventures.
“Shark Tank Pakistan is an internationally acclaimed show. This is a big opportunity for our country and all those entrepreneurs so that they can get funding for their business ideas through our platform,” entrepreneur Aleena Nadeem told reporters.
Encouraging Entrepreneurship
“Shark Tank Pakistan” will follow a similar structure to its international counterparts, with entrepreneurs presenting their business plans, seeking investment, and negotiating equity deals with the sharks.
In “Shark Tank Pakistan,” the “sharks” are renowned and successful businessmen or investors interested in funding innovative projects. The show features negotiations between entrepreneurs and the sharks, during which the sharks pose various questions to assess the viability of the proposed ventures.
If the sharks find a project compelling, they make investment offers to the entrepreneurs, who then decide whether to accept. At times, the sharks may propose alternative terms during negotiations.
Shark Tank Pakistan judges
The distinguished panel of experts of Shark Tank Pakistan include:
Rabeel Warraich
Rabeel Warraich, an MIT Economics graduate and former Morgan Stanley investment banker, is the founder of Sarmayacar, Pakistan’s leading venture capital firm. He has invested in prominent Pakistani startups like Abhi and Bykea, demonstrating his dedication to nurturing local entrepreneurship.
Aleena Nadeem
Aleena Nadeem, also an MIT graduate with a background in Goldman Sachs’ credit division, has made notable contributions to global fintech deals through Ventura Capital, investing in companies like Paytm, and exiting investments in Lyft. She is also the CEO of EduFi.
Junaid Iqbal
Junaid Iqbal, CEO of Salt Ventures, a MENAP-focused venture firm, has a diverse portfolio and is a renowned investor. He played a key role in Careem’s expansion in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Careem Pay, with a strong background in financial journalism.
Karim Teli
Karim Teli, an entrepreneur and speaker with degrees from Greenwich and Boston University, has made a global impact in business management and IT. Leading ventures like Dip Shop and IGLOO in Karachi, he has revolutionized the ice cream industry and driven over 50 successful businesses.
Faisal Aftab
Faisal Aftab, a prominent Pakistani-American, has contributed significantly to Pakistan’s tech industry over his 23-year career as an executive, entrepreneur, and venture investor. As the force behind Zayn VC, he has made notable investments in companies like Haball and NayaPay.
Romanna Dada
Romanna Dada, a UK-trained barrister and Forbes-featured entrepreneur, built the largest modest fashion marketplace, which was eventually sold to the Malaysian royal family and Indonesian platform Hijup in 2018. She now leads a Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund entity focused on building and scaling new ventures.
Usman Bashir
Usman Bashir, with over 15 years of experience in the retail and gas station industry, is associated with Breaktime Corner Market (BTCM) LLC in Houston, TX. BTCM operates gas stations, convenience stores, travel plazas, and other retail businesses, showcasing Usman’s extensive leadership in the sector.