The Vadodara-based startup Planyt, which has developed an innovative plant growth  device utilizing fogponics technology, recently faced a challenging moment on Shark  Tank India Season 5, failing to secure investment after raising serious concerns from all  five Sharks. 

Founded in 2021 by Shubham Upadhyay, Planyt showcased a plant growth system  inspired by NASA research, which has been further refined by the startup’s dedicated  team. Upadhyay sought an investment of Rs 1.05 crore in exchange for 6.5% equity,  valuing the company at Rs 16.15 crore. He pitched his product as a potential solution to  combat hunger, enabling households to grow plants efficiently through his patented  fogponics technology. 

The Pitch and Concerns Raised 

During his pitch, Upadhyay shared that the company had been operational for four  years but had yet to generate revenue, having sold only 80 to 100 units at discounted  prices. The system requires continuous electricity to function, and the startup had  previously received Rs 10 lakh in government funding, which Upadhyay had described  as “heavily funded.” 

The Sharks quickly raised concerns about the feasibility of the product’s mission,  especially considering the high ownership cost. A household would need to invest  around Rs 7.5 lakh to install the system, leading Anupam Mittal to question the 

disconnect between the product’s pricing and its intended purpose. He described the  offering as “shaukeen” and “Ameeron k chochle,” suggesting that it appeared more  suited for affluent hobbyists rather than addressing hunger issues. 

Aman Gupta shared similar sentiments, labelling the idea as “delulu” and pointing out  the challenges in making the technology accessible to everyday consumers. Namita  Thapar, Amit Jain, and Ritesh Agarwal also voiced their doubts, stressing that the  product’s utility, cost structure, and current market traction did not align with its  ambitious goals. 

Exit Without a Deal 

In the end, Planyt left the Tank without securing any investment, as all five Sharks opted  not to fund the startup. The panel advised Upadhyay to rethink the business model,  pricing strategy, and whether there was a genuine demand for such a product at its current cost. They suggested he either reassess the need and purpose of the venture or  consider pausing the current approach altogether. 

Founder’s Reflection 

After the episode, Upadhyay acknowledged that some of the personal comments made  by the Sharks were hurtful, but he viewed the experience as a valuable learning  opportunity. He highlighted that the feedback from the panel provided him with  essential insights into aligning product pricing with market expectations and validating  demand before pursuing investment. 

The Planyt episode underscores the challenges that early-stage hardware startups in  India face, particularly those attempting to introduce high-cost, tech-intensive  solutions to widespread problems. While the ambition to innovate and tackle societal  issues is admirable, it is vital to align technology, pricing, and scalability to attract  investors and create a lasting impact. 

Ultimately, the Shark Tank experience served as a wake-up call, offering both guidance  and an important lesson on bridging the gap between vision and execution within the  startup ecosystem.