‘Shark Tank India’ S5 is set to welcome a new face on its judging panel with the addition of Pratham Mittal, Founder of Tetr College of Business and Masters’ Union. Mittal brings with him extensive experience in building and nurturing student-led entrepreneurship, adding a fresh perspective to one of India’s most influential platforms for early-stage founders.

The show continues to serve as a launchpad for entrepreneurs across the country, offering visibility, mentorship from seasoned investors, and access to critical resources to scale their ideas.

According to a report by The Financial Express, Mittal’s entry into the ‘Shark Tank India‘ ecosystem reflects the growing prominence of campus-born ventures and the increasing role of educational institutions in shaping India’s startup pipeline. Over the past few years, he has played a key role in strengthening the student entrepreneurship ecosystem through Masters’ Union, where entrepreneurship is positioned as a core pillar rather than a peripheral activity.

At Masters’ Union, more than 35 students launched startups in the past year alone. These ventures were supported by the Masters’ Union Investment Fund, which provided INR 1.36 crore in grants. Collectively, student-led startups generated INR 4.32 crore in projected annualised recurring revenue and benefited from over 4,500 hours of personalised mentorship. Several of these startups have also advanced to later stages of ‘Shark Tank India’, including finalist pitches, highlighting the increasing seriousness and scale of student-driven businesses.

This founder-first philosophy has also been extended globally through Tetr College of Business, a four-year undergraduate programme where venture creation is embedded into the academic curriculum. Students are required to build and scale companies across seven countries as part of their degree, gaining hands-on exposure to multiple markets. Tetr currently hosts over 200 students from more than 50 countries and follows a highly selective admissions process with a 2.6 percent acceptance rate. Recently, the institution raised $18 million from education-focused investors Owl Ventures and Bertelsmann India Investments.

Across both Masters’ Union and Tetr College, the emphasis remains on moving beyond ideation to execution in real markets. With access to early-stage capital, institutional backing, and continuous mentorship, students are encouraged to test ideas, generate revenue, and scale ventures while still in college. This approach signals a broader shift towards entrepreneurship being viewed as a credible and viable early career pathway.

Commenting on his association with the show, Pratham Mittal said that Shark Tank India has emerged as one of the most impactful platforms for entrepreneurship in the country. He added that the show gives early-stage founders a unique opportunity to present their ideas, receive guidance, and access resources that can help transform concepts into scalable businesses, and expressed his enthusiasm to engage with students and young founders who are building with intent and ambition.