India’s favourite business reality show, Shark Tank India has revolutionised not just Indian television, but also how India views entrepreneurship now. Currently in its fourth season, Shark Tank India welcomes a new judge as a part of its prestigious panel – Srikanth Bolla. As he joined the sharks, let us find out all about the newest shark on the panel.
Srikanth Bolla is newest judge on Shark Tank India
In a recent Instagram post, the entrepreneur posted a picture where he is posing with all the sharks. In his post, he wrote, “To survive a pool of sharks, you need to become one yourself.”
Further explaining how the opportunity worked out for him, he added, “So yes, I got an opportunity to become a shark on Shark Tank India. Being on the set made me realize that dreams aren’t just for thinkers— they’re for the doers! It was a blast meeting all these accomplished entrepreneurs in the panel and the pitches made were very inspiring — smelled innovation in the air!”
“To be honest, entrepreneurship in India has taken a very heartwarming boost because of Shark Tank India. People at the show seemed poised to solve some age-old problems and some modern issues in the society while being visionary,” he added.
Check out the post here:
In his post he also thanked the fellow judges for their support and encouragement. He wrote, “It was a great time learning from @chiragnakrani.official @anupammittal.me @namitathapar @jeet_adani1 @boatxaman Your love, encouragement and appreciation have kindled my fire even more.”
Finishing off his post, he thanked the show and posted advice for his fellow citizens. “Witnessing some great pitches, I’ll just say one thing to all my fellow citizens, don’t just think about your idea, act on it, or someone else will! Thank you for having me, Shark Tank India—this is just the beginning!” he signed off.
Know all about Srikanth Bolla
Srikanth Bolla is an Indian industrialist, the CEO, Co-founder and Chairman of Bollant Industries Private Limited. A visually impaired entrepreneur and philanthropist, Bolla was the first ever visually impaired student to study Management Science at the Sloan School of Management of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to his website.
With an annual turnover of over 150 million USD, his company, Bollant, currently has over 500 employees.
Early life
Born on July 7, 1991 in Seetharamapuram, Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Bolla comes from a Telugu family with parents who received no formal education and were farmers by profession. As a visually impaired child, he too struggled to receive education due to the lack of proper infrastructure. Even after securing 98% on his XII board exams, there was no scope of further studies for him.
But he was not one to give up. He filed a court case, which took him six months to win. He went to college and wanted to pursue engineering, but was denied admission to coaching institutes to get into IIT.
His achievements
A youth leader since 2005, Srikanth Bolla became a member of Lead India 2020: The Second National Youth Movement, a movement started by former President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
In 2011, he also co-founded Samanvai Center for Children with Multiple Disabilities, where he started a Braille printing press, to provide various services to students with multiple disabilities.
In April 2017, Bolla was one of the three Indians to become 30 under 30 across all of Asia named by Forbes magazine.
Srikanth Bolla’s career
Bolla started Bollant Industries with co-founder Ravi Mantha in 2012.
The company, funded by Ratan Tata, manufactures areca-based products, while providing employment to several people with disabilities. The company uses municipal waste or soiled paper to manufacture eco-friendly recycled Kraft paper. It also makes packaging products from recycled paper, disposable products from natural leaf and recycled paper and turns plastic waste into usable products.
An inspiration for many, Srikanth Bolla’s life story also inspired the Bollywood movie Srikanth, starring Rajkummar Rao.
