Green Entertainment has set a new benchmark with the launch of Shark Tank Pakistan, venturing into the realm of reality television. Known for pushing creative boundaries, the network is using this platform to fuel the entrepreneurial dreams of Pakistan’s aspiring innovators, providing them with a stage to pitch their visionary ideas and unique business models.
Episode 4 of Shark Tank Pakistan was a masterclass in game-changing ideas, with pitches so sharp they could cut through steel. Entrepreneurs came armed with well-prepared presentations, leaving the sharks both impressed and intrigued. From jaw-dropping innovations to impeccable teamwork, this episode was pure entrepreneurial magic.
Read on to catch all the buzzworthy moments from Shark Tank Pakistan Episode 4!
Pitch No. 1
The first pitch of Shark Tank Pakistan Episode 4 came from Rehan Arshad, Founder of Live Stock Market (LSM), and Muhammad Abdullah, Co-Founder. They introduced LSM, Pakistan’s first classified pets marketplace app that offers services like pet trading with payment guarantees, doorstep delivery, and a range of pet-related services on a single platform. Aiming to expand their innovative business both locally and internationally, the duo asked for PKR 3 crore in exchange for 20% equity. Rehan currently holds 90% equity in the business, while Abdullah owns 10%, with a personal investment of PKR 9 million and PKR 2 million, respectively. The startup employs five in-house workers and one rider per city, enabling nationwide coverage.
In business for 2.5 years, LSM has facilitated the delivery of 350 pets, primarily birds (80%) and cats and dogs (20%), without promotional efforts. Additionally, they have generated PKR 1 million in 2023 from selling pet accessories like cat food. Their gross margins range from 10% to 30% depending on the order. During their pitch, Rehan shared their detailed financial breakdown of the PKR 3 crore investment: PKR 8 million for tech development, PKR 10 million for upgrading delivery services, and PKR 12 million for expanding operations to Dubai and beyond. The sharks, intrigued by the concept, explored the app and appreciated the duo’s dedication to creating a streamlined platform for pet lovers.
Despite the well-prepared pitch and ambitious plans, the sharks hesitated to invest the requested PKR 3 crore. Concerns about scalability, revenue generation, and the substantial investment amount led all the sharks to step out of the deal. While the entrepreneurs left without a deal, they received valuable feedback and best wishes from the sharks, marking a learning milestone for LSM as they continue their journey to redefine the pet marketplace industry.
Pitch No. 2
Abdul Rasool, Founder & CEO, and Iqra Batool, Director of Agri Green Seeds Pvt Ltd, presented their groundbreaking agricultural startup on Shark Tank Pakistan. Hailing from Lasbela, Balochistan, their company provides hybrid, chemical-free, and organic vegetable seeds tailored for commercial and kitchen gardening. Agri Green Seeds aims to address Pakistan’s food crisis by improving seed quality and boosting crop production. With over three years of research, they identified that 80-85% of farmers struggle to find pure and high-production seeds. Their innovative heat-resistant seeds, designed to withstand Pakistan’s harsh climate, were launched in November 2023.
The company’s business model differentiates between commercial and kitchen gardening. For commercial use, they offer GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) seeds, usable for a single cycle. Meanwhile, kitchen gardening seeds are recyclable for three years, ensuring sustainability for consumers. With a current price of PKR 800 per packet and a profit margin of PKR 300 per unit, Agri Green Seeds sold 2,000 units within six months, generating PKR 1.5 million in revenue. Looking ahead, they aim to expand their market to Sindh and Punjab, with a 2025 revenue target of PKR 150–200 million annually after introducing their commercial products. Seeking PKR 5 million for 5% equity, they planned to allocate the investment for development (40%), logistics (30%), labor costs (20%), and marketing (10%).
Junaid Iqbal initially offered PKR 5 million for 20% equity, contingent on adding a commercial co-founder within two months. The other sharks soon joined forces to revise the offer to PKR 5 million for 25% equity. After negotiations, Abdul and Iqra countered with a split: 25% equity for the kitchen gardening segment and 8% equity for commercial gardening. The sharks accepted the counteroffer, sealing the deal and paving the way for Agri Green Seeds to revolutionize Pakistan’s agricultural sector while expanding its reach nationwide.
Pitch No. 3
Dr. Waseem Laghari, CEO and Founder, alongside Professor Imdad Laghari, Mentor of Agri Revolution Company, presented their innovative business model aimed at revolutionizing the dairy farming sector. Agri Revolution focuses on helping dairy farmers increase milk production, reduce operational costs, and minimize losses. Targeting Karachi’s market, they aim to serve 100,000 to 150,000 dairy animals. The company has already made a solid impact, working with seven commercial farms as clients. They asked for PKR 20 million in exchange for 10% equity to expand their operations and help more farmers across the region.
With an initial investment of PKR 2 million, Agri Revolution has already generated PKR 2 million in revenue. The company is jointly owned by four partners, with each holding 20% equity. They plan to use the requested PKR 20 million investment primarily for capital expenses (54%) and the remainder for operational needs. Their approach is focused on improving the efficiency of dairy farms through better technology and management practices, ultimately ensuring higher production and profitability for farmers.
Despite the business’s promising concept and clear potential, the sharks expressed hesitation when it came to investing PKR 20 million. Their concerns about the scalability of the business and the financials led them to step out, one by one. Consequently, no deal was made in this pitch, but the founders received valuable feedback as they continue to refine their business model and expand their impact in Pakistan’s dairy farming industry.
Pitch No. 4
Bilal and Sufyan, the co-founders of Turkish Mud Coffee, introduced their thriving coffee business, built on the rich traditions of Turkish-style brewing. The business already operates three outlets in Karachi, located at CSD, Port Grand, and Bahadurabad, generating an impressive revenue of PKR 36 million in 2024, up from PKR 20 million in 2023. Each outlet contributes approximately PKR 1 million in monthly sales. With a gross profit margin of 35%, the business demonstrates strong potential for growth. The duo approached the sharks seeking PKR 3.5 crore in exchange for 17% equity, aiming to expand their operations to six new outlets across Karachi and beyond.
The founders outlined a detailed breakdown of their funding requirements: PKR 4–5 million to open each branch and PKR 5 million for operational purposes. Their expansion plan targets prominent malls in Karachi, including Dolmen Mall, LuckyOne Mall, and Ocean Mall, with the sixth outlet planned for nearby Hyderabad or Bahria Town. With a 50-50 equity split, Bilal oversees marketing and finance while Sufyan manages production and human resources. Their systematic approach to business operations and transparent financials highlight their readiness to scale the brand further.
While most sharks stepped out of the deal citing concerns, Usman Bashir stepped forward with a compelling offer of PKR 5.5 crore for 20% equity, along with 100% royalty for 1.5 years. Bilal and Sufyan countered with a demand for PKR 6 crore for 20% equity. After further negotiation, Usman finalized the deal at PKR 6 cror for 20% equity and 90% royalty of net profit for 1.5 year. This strategic partnership marks a new chapter for Turkish Mud Coffee, setting them on a path to expand their unique coffee experience across Pakistan.
Pitch No. 5
Mudassir Aslam, the founder of ReLife, and Mubashir Aslam, its social media manager, presented a thought-provoking pitch to the sharks. They highlighted the alarming reality that approximately 8 million trees are cut down yearly to produce 251 million wooden pencils. Recognizing the environmental hazards of deforestation, the duo introduced their eco-friendly innovation: pencils made entirely from paper waste, particularly old newspapers. Their unique, sustainable approach currently operates without machinery, relying on manual efforts to create these eco-conscious products. They sought an investment of PKR 1.5 crore in exchange for 10% equity, aiming to scale production with the help of advanced machinery.
The founders explained that acquiring five machines, costing around PKR 3 million, would make production more efficient and faster, enabling them to meet growing demand. To date, they have invested PKR 400,000 in the business, with the equity split being 75% for Mudassir, 20% for the team, and 5% for Mubashir. By turning paper waste into pencils, ReLife not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates a value-added product, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in modern business practices.
While the sharks appreciated the founders’ passion and environmental mission, they expressed reservations about the scalability and commercial viability of the business at its current stage. One by one, the sharks stepped out of the deal, wishing the team success in their noble pursuit. Despite not securing an investment, Relife showcased an innovative solution to deforestation, proving that small, eco-friendly initiatives can have a significant impact.
About Sharks AKA The Investors
- Rabeel Warraich, a former Morgan Stanley analyst, founded Sarmayacar, Pakistan’s leading venture capital firm, and has invested in notable startups like Abhi, Bykea, and SimPaisa; he holds degrees from Oxford and MIT, and teaches Venture Capital & Finance at IBA in Karachi.
- Aleena Nadeem, an accomplished MIT graduate, began her career at McKinsey and Goldman Sachs before transitioning to Ventura Capital and playing a crucial role in exiting investments in Lyft; now as CEO of EduFi, she drives innovation in educational technology, leveraging her extensive experience in finance and global fintech.
- Junaid Iqbal, CEO of Salt Ventures, is a key investor in the MENAP region with a strong background in financial journalism and notable contributions to Careem’s expansion and Careem Pay development.
- Karim Teli, a distinguished 30-year-old entrepreneur and speaker, is the Managing Director of IGLOO, founder of World Radio FM Network, CEO of Big Shot Technologies & Teli Technologies, and Director of Orient Textile Mills, with degrees from Greenwich University and Boston University, and over 50 ventures to his name.
- Faisal Aftab, a distinguished Pakistani American entrepreneur, has significantly impacted Pakistan’s tech industry as the co-founder and Managing Partner of Zayn VC, with notable roles at Lakson Capital Venture, Oxon Partners LLC, Cloudstream Media, National Financial Media, MTV, and Deloitte, leading investments in startups like Haball and NayaPay.
- Romanna Dada is a distinguished entrepreneur and UK-trained barrister, featured multiple times by Forbes, with a career spanning investment banking at Morgan Stanley, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, QIB (UK), and Qatar Venture Capital. She transitioned to the fashion industry, founding the largest modest fashion marketplace, successfully exited in 2018. Currently, she leads a new entity within the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund, focusing on innovative ventures and strategic investments.
- Usman Bashir, CEO of Brake Time and Breaktime Corner Market (BTCM) LLC, is a visionary leader with over 15 years of experience, managing over 300 U.S. retail outlets, including gas stations, fast food chains, and vape shops, while also investing in hotels like Marriott, the electric vehicle industry, and retail food and beverage franchises.
