It is officially “Shark” season again, and while fans are used to seeing familiar faces like Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar, Season 5 of Shark Tank India has introduced some serious heavy hitters to the panel. Among the most buzzed-about new judges is Hardik Kothiya. If you haven’t heard his name in the D2C or tech start-up circles, that’s because he operates in a completely different league: heavy-duty manufacturing and renewable energy.
According to reports from Business Today and NDTV Profit, Kothiya is part of a new lineup for the 2026 season that emphasizes industrial growth. At 31 years old, he is one of the youngest billionaires to join the show. His background in solar energy and industrial infrastructure brings a different perspective to the Tank. He focuses on practical areas like supply chain efficiency, factory operations, and the future of India’s power grid. He was the youngest entrepreneur on the Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U35 List 2025.
Who is Hardik Kothiya?
Hardik Kothiya is the co-founder and Managing Director of Rayzon Solar. He started this company in 2017 in Surat, Gujarat, alongside his business partner Chirag Nakrani. While many entrepreneurs of his generation focused on e-commerce or software, Kothiya chose the solar industry. This decision came at a time when green energy was beginning to expand rapidly due to new government policies.
Data from the Hurun India U35 List 2025 and The Economic Times estimates Kothiya’s personal net worth at nearly Rs 3,970 crore, providing him with significant financial capacity as an investor. His company manufactures solar modules on a massive scale for residential, commercial, and utility projects. Having earned a BE in Civil Engineering from Gujarat University, as noted by The Times of India, he understands the specifics of production lines and scaling a physical product.
The Shark’s perspective: Why he’s a game-changer for the show
Kothiya’s role on the panel introduces a different dynamic compared to previous seasons. While the show often features snacks or fashion brands, Kothiya represents the manufacturing sector. He knows the difficulties of building a factory from scratch – handling international logistics and managing a large workforce. This makes him a valuable mentor for founders who are trying to build physical products or deep-tech innovations.
He also understands how to use branding to support a large-scale business. Reports from ANI confirm that Rayzon Solar has partnered with major IPL teams like the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans to build visibility.
His presence gives viewers a look into industrial success stories. He represents a group of entrepreneurs who are building the physical infrastructure of the country. For any founder focusing on clean technology or manufacturing, Kothiya is a key person to watch this season.
