IIT-IIM alum who refused Shark Tank funding offer on how life changed a year after he went viral
IIT-IIM alum Ganesh Balakrishnan opens up about his life after Shark Tank season 2 and what he is currently working on.
Ganesh Balakrishnan, an entrepreneur who appeared on Shark Tank season 2, recently returned to the show's set to shoot for its "Beyond the Tank" segment. Following this, he took to X to share his reaction to meeting the sharks and how his life changed after he refused a funding offer on the show a year ago.

“It was bittersweet, recalling the show last year and the emotions on display, and what has happened since the episode aired. What my family went through during the tough times, how we kept it together, waiting for a better day. How the day came, and we scrambled to fulfil the flood of orders. How Flatheads found a new life and a new home within the Styched Collective. How I took a break, introspecting, wiping the slate clean, and thinking about the future afresh,” Balakrishnan wrote.
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He talked about his new entrepreneurial journey with Aurm in the following lines. He shared that in this new project, he is working with “lifelong friends” and “enjoying the ride” to create something that will be loved and cherished by the customers. He also added a quote by Anupam Mittal and wrote, “As Anupam quipped - Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur!”
He wrapped up his post with a picture whose alt text reads, “Ganesh Balakrishnan, co-founder of Aurm and Flatheads, meeting the sharks of Shark Tank India”. Judges Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, and Vineeta Singh are seen in the photo with Balakrishnan.
Take a look at the entire post here:
The post was shared a few hours ago. Since then, it has accumulated over 65,000 views. The tweet has further collected more than 300 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share.
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What did X users say about Ganesh Balakrishnan’s post?
“All the very best, Ganesh!” wrote an X user.
“I have almost watched your pitch more than 100 times. Every time, it gives me hope and a new level of energy,” added another.
“The best pitch I have ever seen on Shark Tank,” expressed a third.
Ganesh Balakrishnan in Shark Tank season 2:
Balakrishnan sought funding for Flatheads - a casual sneakers brand. During his pitch, he shared about his difficulties and broke down. While Anupam Mittal offered him a job on the spot, Peyush Bansal and Vineeta Singh made a combined offer of ₹75 lakh in return for a 33.3 per cent stake in his company. He turned down the offer, but his story resonated with the sharks, who eventually praised him.
What are your thoughts on this post shared by Ganesh Balakrishnan on X?
ABOUT THE AUTHORTrisha SenguptaTrisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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