Anjani Books Pitch on Shark Tank India Season 5 Episode 29 — A Deep Dive Into the Potential, and Financials

Season 5 of Shark Tank India continues with strong proposals that showcase common issues and creative fixes. Anjani Books, an online bookstore that wants to revolutionize how Indian consumers obtain new and secondhand books, is one such pitch that attracted attention in Episode 29.

The startup story, the Sharks’ reactions, the pitch on the show, and—most importantly—the company’s financial status at the time of its presentation are all covered in this article.

Related: Eight Times Eight on Shark Tank India Season 5 Episode 28: A Strategic Chess Move in EdTech

Anjani Books is an online bookstore that sells both new and old books. It was founded in Lucknow, India, by Kaushik Gupta. The platform prioritizes accessibility and affordability, particularly for students and voracious readers who frequently face barriers due to exorbitant costs or restricted availability of hard copies.

Anjani Books capitalizes on the value of used books by extending the lifecycle of second-hand copies and passing savings on to customers, a strategy that appeals to budget-conscious consumers and the sustainability movement in retail. Many book platforms only concentrate on new publications.

Official Website – Anjani Books

At its core, Anjani Books operates as a bookshop on the internet, providing a wide selection of both new and used books across multiple genres and subjects — such as:

• School textbooks (CBSE, ICSE, and state boards)
• College and professional course books (B.Com, Engineering, Medical etc.)
• Competitive exam preparation books
• Novels and general reading material
• Notebooks, stationery, and study aids

This diversity allows Anjani Books to serve students across age groups, from school kids to college graduates preparing for competitive exams.

According to its LinkedIn profile and company details:

• With a tiny core staff, Anjani Books mostly functions as an independent e-commerce business.
• With its main office in Lucknow, it provides services to clients all over India, including logistics via delivery partners.
• Additionally, the company offers a seller ecosystem in which independent bookshops and retailers can sell their stock on the Anjani Books platform and get paid every week.

Retail partners can list books, take care of packing, or delegate delivery to Anjani Books. Payments are handled on a regular basis, demonstrating that the company is not only selling its own inventory but also making it possible for others to sell online.

This hybrid approach broadens the pool of possible customers and increases product diversity by fusing direct sales with a vendor component akin to a marketplace.

The founder’s vision — shared on the company’s About Us page — goes beyond selling books. It emphasizes:

• “Education should not be a luxury” — their core mission that drives pricing and service decisions.
• A long-term goal to evolve into a one-stop online book destination for readers across India.
• Future plans to implement quick delivery models (in hours rather than days), which can differentiate the platform in a space dominated by traditional online bookstores.

This customer-first vision is central to the brand narrative that Anjani Books pitched on Shark Tank India.

Books Listed – 3500

Monthly Orders – 120-140 Orders

Books Sold – ~200

Return to Origin Ratio – 10 %

Unit Economics:

Cost Price – Rs 200

Shipping – Rs 100

Platform Fees – Rs 10

Contribution Margin – Rs 249

Kaushik started off by giving a brief overview of himself, his past, and his relationship to books and Anjani Books, which he claims is more than simply a company but a company dedicated to lowering the cost and increasing the accessibility of books.

According to him, the idea for the startup came from his experience and desire to accomplish something worthwhile, which was motivated by his family’s expectations that he leave a lasting impression and create something important outside of a typical career.

According to the description, Anjani Books is an online book seller that offers both new and used books.

Kaushik highlighted that a lot of consumers, particularly students and readers on a tight budget, search for secondhand or cheap books, establishing his business as a value-oriented substitute for massive markets.

The Ask

“We are seeking ₹10 lakh in exchange for 10 % equity”, implying a ₹1 crore valuation for Anjani Books.

Sharks’ Questions & Feedback

The topic of whether a tiny platform could effectively compete was raised by one Shark, who noted that the online bookstore sector already has significant competitors like Amazon and other marketplaces, where numerous vendors have greater inventories, vast shipping capabilities, and strong customer trust.

When the Sharks pushed for clarification on value differentiation, they questioned whether the model actually differed from other possibilities or if it was just a smaller-scale replication of other options.

Several Sharks voiced doubts about the company’s growth potential and revenue model, which are crucial factors in determining investment selections on the show, due to the pitch’s weak order figures and scant income information.

Shark Varun Alagh pointed out that competing with giants like Amazon seems not possible at the moment, he backed out.

Shark Anupam Mittal called the founder a bit stubborn while disregarding realities, thus, he backed out.

Shark Vineeta Singh showed concern about the hunger of the founder to grow this business, she opted out as well.

Shark Kunal Bahl also advised the founder to move on a right track, he didn’t make any offer.

Shark Namita Thapar was also concerned about the founders close mindedness and difficulty in maintaining relations with investors, she backed out too.

And this way, Anjani Books did not get any deal with any Shark, exited Shark Tank India without any offer.

Even while Anjani Books did not receive funding from Shark Tank India, the startup did leave with something as valuable: national recognition and frank criticism from seasoned business executives.

The main issues raised by the Sharks were financial transparency, competitive distinctiveness, and scalability—all of which give the founder a realistic path map rather than a setback. Just the show’s visibility can promote organic growth prospects, consumer trust, and brand recognition.