Shark Tank India has returned for its fourth season, streaming now on Sony Liv since January 6. This time, viewers will see a new judge, Viraj Bahl, who is the founder and managing director of Veeba Foods.
He’s teaming up with Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Peyush Bansal. With his food game and entrepreneurial mojo, Viraj is ready to bring a fresh, funny twist to mentoring new business ideas!
From Setbacks to Success on Shark Tank India
Viraj Bahl’s journey wasn’t easy. Coming from a family in the food business, he spent many hours in his father’s factory and at the Fun Foods stall in Aahar, Delhi. Though he loved the family business, his father, Rajiv Bahl, encouraged him to first ensure he could support the family financially.
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So, Viraj chose to study marine engineering, graduated from Singapore Polytechnic, and worked in the merchant navy, earning a solid monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh by 2002. Once he demonstrated his financial stability, Viraj returned to Fun Foods in 2002 and played a big role in expanding the brand.
However, in 2008, his father decided to sell Fun Foods to Dr. Oetker from Germany for Rs 110 crore—a move that didn’t sit well with Viraj. This moment marked a significant shift for him, inspiring him to embark on his own path.
Veeba Foods is a New Beginning for the Entrepreneur
After the sale of Fun Foods, Viraj tried his hand in the restaurant world with ‘Pocket Full’ in 2009, but it faced financial difficulties, leading to the closure of all six locations by 2013. This setback was tough, but Viraj didn’t lose hope.
With his wife’s support, he sold their home to finance his next project, which resulted in the founding of Veeba Foods in 2013 in Neemrana, Rajasthan. The company quickly gained attention for its creative sauces and made a name in the Indian food scene.
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Veeba Foods is now one of the top brands, expected to hit Rs 1,000 crore in 2023–24. Thanks to Viraj Bahl’s determination and vision, the company’s success is no surprise. His story will definitely pump up aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a little advice and funding—and maybe a few laughs along the way!
