Anupam Mittal’s Dream Deal after Rejections: NearBook on Shark Tank India

The cost of books, especially academic ones, can be overwhelming. Many students struggle to afford them, while others have old books gathering dust. NearBook, founded by 20-year-old Sanjay Modi, is tackling this issue by connecting buyers and sellers of second-hand books through a simple, commission-free platform.

• Direct connections between buyers and sellers—no middlemen inflating prices.
• Option to donate or rent books, making learning accessible to more people.
• A growing user base—with over 6 lakh app downloads and 40,000 sellers using the platform.

Sanjay’s vision is to build the largest second-hand book network in India, ensuring that knowledge isn’t lost due to affordability issues.

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Sanjay’s entrepreneurial mindset developed at an early age, but a specific moment in a bookstore led to NearBook’s creation.

One day, Sanjay went to buy a book for his sister. The price was ₹1,600, far beyond what he could afford. He left empty-handed. That moment made him question why second-hand books weren’t easily available at fair prices.

His research revealed two major problems:

1. Availability was limited: many books were hard to find in second-hand markets.
2. Prices were inflated: shopkeepers took commissions, making even used books costly.

Seeing an opportunity, Sanjay decided to create a digital marketplace where students and readers could exchange books directly.

Sanjay’s entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t welcomed at home. His father had struggled in business, facing fraud in Mumbai. Because of this, he wanted Sanjay to take a stable job instead of running a startup.

But Sanjay was determined. He told his father:
“Give me six months. If I don’t make this business work, I’ll do as you say.”

• Found a developer on LinkedIn to create the website.
• Invested ₹6 lakh from personal savings and loans.
• Handles server costs himself to keep operations running.

Sanjay was still in his third year of BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) while running the business. His dream? Succeed where his father couldn’t. “Whatever my father couldn’t do, I will do.”

Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms, NearBook doesn’t charge a commission. Instead, it works as a classifieds-style marketplace:

1. Sellers list their secondhand books for free.
2. Buyers connect with sellers through the platform.
3. Transactions happen directly, ensuring lower costs.

Since NearBook is currently pre-revenue, Sanjay plans to introduce advertising as a revenue source.

• 80% of the books listed are academic, making it a prime platform for education-related advertisers.
• With 6 lakh+ downloads, there is potential to monetize through targeted promotions.

But the sharks weren’t convinced this model could generate sustainable income.

Sanjay entered Shark Tank India seeking ₹40 lakh for 20% equity, valuing his business at ₹2 crore.

The sharks appreciated his passion but had serious concerns:

1. Pre-revenue businesses are risky: Without proven earnings, investors hesitate.
2. Scalability issues: The model relied on user activity without a direct monetization strategy.
3. Competitive market: Platforms like OLX and other classifieds posed challenges.

One by one, the sharks opted out, encouraging him to keep going but refusing to invest.

Sanjay was about to leave the set when shark Anupam Mittal stopped him.

Shark Anupam Mittal saw something of himself in Sanjay. “I never had a mentor. It took me years to understand business. Mai apne aap se khush nhi hunga agar apko mauka na doon.”

With that, he did something unexpected—he offered Sanjay the exact deal he came for, ₹40 lakh for 20% equity.

This moment became one of the most inspiring pitches in Shark Tank India history, proving that sometimes, a strong entrepreneurial spirit is worth betting on.

While other sharks backed out, shark Anupam saw potential beyond revenue numbers.

1. A Founder with True Grit: Sanjay’s determination reminded Anupam of his own early struggles.
2. A Market with Untapped Potential: If monetized correctly, second-hand books could become a huge industry.
3. A Business Rooted in Real Need: Sanjay built NearBook to solve a problem he personally faced.

For shark Anupam, mentorship mattered just as much as the investment.

For entrepreneurs looking to pitch on Shark Tank India, Sanjay’s experience offers valuable takeaways:

1. Passion Can Win Over Investors: Even without revenue, a strong founder can secure funding.
2. Mentorship Matters More Than Money: The right investor can help build a long-term business strategy.

NearBook started as one student’s solution to an expensive problem. Now, with an investment from Anupam Mittal, it has the potential to become India’s go-to platform for second-hand books.

Sanjay’s Shark Tank India experience proves that sometimes, belief in a founder is more valuable than current revenue. With the right moves, NearBook could reshape how India buys and sells used books—one connection at a time.