Offline by Happy Hour Tests Their Luck on Shark Tank India Season 5 Episode 25

The best forum for India’s most promising businesses looking for capital and strategic direction is still Shark Tank India. Offline by Happy Hour, a social connection-first business that is revolutionizing how young Indians interact in real life, made one of the most compelling pitches in Season 5, Episode 25.

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Happy Hour’s Offline aims to reintroduce individuals to the real world at a time where screen-first interactions and constant swiping are the norm. The firm, which was founded on the notion that genuine connections occur in person, organizes social events such as mixers, dinners, and get-togethers where strangers may meet in a genuine way without the pressure or shallowness of conventional dating applications.

Offline encourages human encounters centered upon meaningful discussion, shared meals, and safe, controlled locations rather than a digital platform full of profiles and algorithms. The combination of social experience design and genuine human interaction has resonated, especially with professionals, urban youth, and anyone fed up with “swipe culture.”

Official Website – Offline by Happy Hour

There is a significant problem with digital fatigue, particularly among Gen-Z and millennials. According to studies, a large number of young people yearn for real connections but consider internet possibilities to be shallow. Offline by Happy Hour takes advantage of this change in culture by providing experiences like:

• Curated dinners with strangers tailored for shared conversation
• Themed mixers and social events built around common interests
• Safe, inclusive environments where conversation flows naturally without pressure

This startup fosters real human engagement in ways that digital apps can’t match in a world where loneliness and isolation are on the rise, even among generations that are socially connected.

Aastha Sethi and Tanay Baweja, two businesswomen who are enthusiastic about changing how people meet, engage, and form genuine relationships outside of screens, established Offline by Happy Hour.

Their shared vision is straightforward yet effective: consumers want to meet real people, not just profiles. In contrast to the frequently uncomfortable or transactional feel of many social/dating applications, the team has concentrated on creating experiences that are dynamic, comfortable, and socially real.

Dinner with Singles Event:

Attendees – 10-12

Equal Gender Ratios

2 hours

Gross Merchandise Value:

FY 23-24 – Rs 25 Lakhs

EBITDA – 9%

FY 24-25 – Rs 51 Lakhs

EBITDA – 2.3%

FY 26-26 Projected – Rs 65-70 Lakhs

There was a mixture of skepticism and curiosity among the Sharks when Offline by Happy Hour entered the Shark Tank. The founders had to present their value to investors in a way that would appeal to them both emotionally and financially because they were positioned as a social meet-up and curated real-world experience platform rather than a traditional product or pure tech firm.

In a world where digital apps rule, Offline by Happy Hour was positioned as a human connection business that organizes carefully planned social gatherings, mixers, and dinners to promote meaningful, offline engagement. The founders placed an emphasis on real-life experiences and moderated social settings where visitors interact in person, in contrast to dating apps that rely on algorithms and swiping.

Business Model Explained

Offline by Happy Hour founders laid out their business model clearly:

How they make money

• Ticket revenues from curated events (the primary income source).
• Tiered pricing for premium experiences (e.g., themed dinners, exclusive mixers).
• Corporate partnerships for team-building events.
• Potential future subscription memberships for repeat attendees.

Why it’s scalable

• Events can be replicated city-by-city.
• Partnerships with venues and brands can defray cost and widen reach.
• Data on attendee preferences can inform themed and targeted future events.

Their emphasis was on repeat experiences and community loyalty rather than one-time sales — positioning Offline as a lifestyle brand, not just an events company.

The Ask

Investment Ask: ₹50 Lakhs

Equity Offered: 5% Equity

Valuation: ₹10 Crores

Shark Questions

Shark Shaily Mehrotra doubted the dating apps ecosystem and raised concerns over security in large events, so she backed out.

Shark Aman Gupta also didn’t offer anything pointing out the behavioural issues in Men in such type of events.

Shark Anupam Mittal talked about the network effect and doubted the scaling of the company, thus opted out.

And just like that every Shark showed their disinterest in investing in Offline by Happy Hour. Therefore, the brand could not secure any deal at Shark Tank India

On Shark Tank India Season 5, Episode 25, Offline by Happy Hour failed to land an investment contract, but the pitch was successful in drawing attention to a growing cultural need: genuine, offline human connection in a world weary of technology. The Sharks expressed worries about scalability, repeatability, and long-term unit economics, but they also recognized the concept’s importance.

The brand’s greatest chance for the future is to improve its business KPIs, especially city-level scalability, per-event profitability, and repeat attendance rates. Growing through corporate alliances, membership-based pricing, and targeted venue agreements could help control operating expenses and generate steady revenue streams. Even without a Shark Tank agreement, Offline by Happy Hour is well-positioned to develop into a sustainable lifestyle and community-driven brand thanks to the show’s increased attention and the obvious desire for carefully chosen real-world events.