After initial responses, successful pithers move into the boardroom — a place where desire meets diligence. Here, they dive into financials, valuation, and stakes. One particularly dramatic moment came when a founder revealed they had just ₹ 16 lakh in revenue, yet asked for ₹ 5 crore valuation.
Judge Darpan Sanghvi reacted bluntly:
“Give us a moment to digest this. Your company’s revenue was Rs 16 lakh last year, and you are asking for a Rs 5 crore valuation?”
Dhruv Sharma, another investor, added with equal candor:
“Gaurav, we need numbers, not an explanation.”
The tension in the room reveals the true stakes: beyond the glamour of Bollywood names, investors demand rigor, metrics, and a clear path to scale. Founders who falter face tough criticism — those who hold their ground risk share dilution, and must justify every rupee.