Aman Gupta’s investment in ice pops brand Skippi resulted in a phenomenal 2,900% return within two short years. During the first season of Shark Tank India, Gupta joined forces with fellow investors to acquire a 15% stake in the startup for a collective investment of Rs 1 crore ($125k USD). Since then, Skippi has experienced explosive growth, with sales skyrocketing by over 100 times, and the company anticipates reaching Rs 100 crore ($12.5 million USD) in annual revenue during fiscal year 2025.At the recent ET Now Global Business Summit 2024, Gupta shared insights into his approach to investing in startups, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and embracing the potential rewards.
His success with Skippi demonstrates the value of backing promising ventures and leveraging the exposure provided by Shark Tank.Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Gupta revealed that just two years prior, he lacked funds to invest and relied solely on his wife’s income. However, following his first successful exit in 2021, Gupta has since become a prominent figure in the Indian startup ecosystem, learning the ropes alongside esteemed colleagues such as Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal.As founder of D2C audio and wearables brand Boat, Gupta boasts impressive figures, having achieved sales of Rs 4,000 crore ($500 million USD) in fiscal year 2023. Despite these achievements, Gupta maintains a cautious stance towards future expansion plans, indicating a preference for the FY25-FY26 time frame for an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
This compelling narrative underscores the immense opportunities available through strategic investments and the transformational role played by platforms like Shark Tank. By sharing his personal experiences and lessons learned, Aman Gupta inspires readers to embrace boldness, resilience, and innovation—qualities essential for thriving in today’s fast-paced global economy.
