The latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 4 featured Speed Kitchen, a Delhi-based commercial shared kitchen platform founded by childhood friends Paurav Rastogi and Shamin Kapoor.
The startup captivated the sharks by pitching its vision to revolutionize the food business with an innovative approach to cloud kitchens, ultimately securing a significant deal.
The Pitch
Paurav and Shamin sought ₹2 crore in exchange for 3% equity, valuing their company at ₹66 crore. The sharks—Aman Gupta, Ritesh Agarwal, Vineeta Singh, Azhar Iqubal, and Kunal Bahl—were impressed by the duo’s business acumen and operational expertise.
Paurav, who previously worked at Ritesh Agarwal’s OYO, shared how his experience at the company exposed him to the challenges of traditional restaurant setups, such as securing prime locations and managing complex lease agreements. These insights inspired him to co-found Speed Kitchen with Shamin, offering fully equipped, ready-to-use commercial kitchen spaces for food entrepreneurs.
Vineeta Singh asked Paurav if he had worked with Ritesh at OYO, to which he nodded. This caught the sharks’ attention, and they playfully teased Paurav about how his behavior changed around Ritesh. Aman joked, “Kuch toh gadbad hai, Daya,” noticing that Paurav seemed more nervous when talking to Ritesh. Paurav explained, “I’ve seen him up close—his different moods and tempers—but there’s nothing wrong.” Vineeta laughed and joked that she couldn’t imagine Ritesh ever having anger issues.
The sharks praised the duo’s operational expertise and profitability. Kunal Bahl remarked, “Normally, founders opt for businesses that are sexy, like creating an app. This is not a sexy business, and that’s why you’re profitable.”
When asked why he hadn’t approached Ritesh directly for funding, Paurav explained that they had lost touch after he left OYO and that Ritesh must have been busy.
The Deal
After an engaging pitch, Ritesh Agarwal and Azhar Iqubal offered ₹2 crore for 10% equity, while Kunal Bahl proposed ₹3 crore for the same stake. The entrepreneurs countered with a final offer of ₹2 crore for 6% equity, which was accepted by Ritesh, Azhar, and Kunal, making all three investors in the company.
Ritesh expressed his pride in seeing Paurav on the show, stating, “I can’t tell you how happy I am seeing you here. There can’t be a better ambassador for OYO than you.”
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About Speed Kitchen
Launched in March 2021, Speed Kitchen operates in 4 cities across India and manages over 130 kitchens, serving more than 50 brands.
Their clientele includes notable names like Haldiram’s, Chaayos, and Daryaganj, establishing the platform as a reliable and innovative player in the cloud kitchen industry.
The platform uses a flexible revenue-sharing model, helping brands avoid the high costs and logistical struggles of setting up traditional restaurants. Their services include providing licenses, infrastructure, and operational support, making it easier for food businesses to launch and scale.
Paurav, the CEO, holds a 70% stake in the company, while Shamin, who manages revenue, owns 13%. Another 13% is shared among other investors, and 4.2% is allocated for ESOPs.
