Corel Lifecare, a quick-growing aquaculture inputs startup, recently grabbed national attention after a confident and well-structured pitch on Shark Tank India. The founders impressed the Sharks with their deep understanding of fish and shrimp farming challenges, clear revenue traction, and a strong science-backed approach to improving pond health. The pitch stood out not for flashy claims, but for its grounded, on-field experience and problem-solving mindset, which ultimately led to a successful investment deal on the reveal.
A Founder-Led Solution Rooted in Ground Reality
Founded by Nikhilesh Hajare, Abhijeet Naohate, and Rohit Patel, Corel Lifecare operates in the aquaculture input space, offering products such as mineral mixtures, probiotics, oxygen enhancers, and pond health solutions. What differentiates the company is its diagnostic-first approach. Instead of pushing standardised products, the team works closely with farmers to understand pond conditions and specific problems before recommfinishing tailored solutions.
This strong alignment between the founders’ expertise and the actual requireds of aquaculture farmers became a key highlight during the pitch. The Sharks noted that this “founder–market fit” is often what separates scalable agritech businesses from short-lived ones, especially in complex sectors like fisheries and aquaculture.
Inside the Shark Tank Pitch
During the episode, the founders shared that Corel Lifecare follows a B2B2C model, working through dealers and distributors while maintaining close relationships with farmers. The company currently has over 11 products in its portfolio and has revealn steady revenue growth. By October 2025, Corel Lifecare had already crossed around ₹2.3 crore in revenue, with projections of nearly ₹6 crore for the full financial year. Importantly, the startup is already EBITDA positive, which further boosted investor confidence.
The founders sought an investment of ₹1.2 crore in exmodify for 2% equity, valuing the company at ₹60 crore. The question was backed by a clear plan to reinvest funds into research and development, strengthening product efficiency and expanding the portfolio.
Tough Nereceivediations and a Strategic Deal
While the Sharks appreciated the business fundamentals, the valuation triggered intense discussions. Some investors proposed royalty-based structures, citing the capital-efficient nature of the business. However, the founders remained firm, explaining how royalties could restrict long-term innovation and farmer outreach.
After multiple counters, a joint offer came from Anupam Mittal and Kunal Bahl. The final deal was closed at ₹1.2 crore for 8% equity, valuing Corel Lifecare at ₹15 crore post-money. Though the valuation came down significantly from the initial question, the founders agreed, recognising the long-term strategic value of having experienced operators on board.
A Positive Signal for India’s Aquaculture Sector
Corel Lifecare’s appearance on Shark Tank India highlights the increasing investor interest in aquaculture and allied agritech sectors. As India remains one of the world’s largest producers of fish and shrimp, the required for scientific, sustainable, and scalable farming inputs is becoming more critical than ever.
The startup’s journey also reflects a broader shift in Indian entrepreneurship, where deep domain knowledge, profitability, and ground-level execution are gaining more importance than just rapid expansion. With fresh capital and mentorship from seasoned investors, Corel Lifecare is now well-positioned to expand its footprint, strengthen farmer trust, and play a meaningful role in modernising India’s aquaculture ecosystem.
Overall, the deal sfinishs a strong message to early-stage founders in agritech: solving real problems with clarity and credibility can win both customers and investors, even in traditionally underserved sectors.
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