Shark Tank India is back with its fifth season, and fans are excited to see new entrepreneurs pitch their ideas. This year, Mohit Yadav, co-founder of the popular skincare brand Minimalist, joins the panel of judges alongside the returning Sharks. But who exactly is Mohit Yadav, and how did he make his mark in the business world?
Who Is Mohit Yadav?
Mohit Yadav is an Indian entrepreneur and a chartered accountant. He started his career in finance after earning a gold medal as a CA. He worked as an auditor at Deloitte and later in investment banking with Credit Suisse. Despite promising international opportunities in Hong Kong and London, Mohit chose to stay in India to work with his younger brother, Rahul, showing his dedication to family and shared entrepreneurial goals.
Before Minimalist, the Yadav brothers tried a few ventures, including a kids’ fashion brand, Mango Street, and a custom haircare company, Freewill. These early experiences taught them important lessons about running a business. In 2020, they launched Minimalist through a simple Instagram post. The brand focused on skincare with transparent, ingredient-first formulations. Even with no celebrity endorsements and a small initial following, the first batch of 1,000 bottles sold out in just two days.
Minimalist’s approach is science over marketing. The brand shares full ingredient lists and educates customers about the benefits of each product. Inspired by the US brand “The Ordinary,” the Yadavs believed Indian consumers were ready for a data-driven, science-focused approach to skincare at an affordable price. The strategy worked. Minimalist was profitable from its very first month and reached Rs 100 crore in revenue within just eight months.
The brand’s success caught the attention of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), which acquired a majority stake in Minimalist for around Rs 3,000 crore. The deal gives Minimalist access to HUL’s huge distribution network while helping HUL grow its digital-first beauty business. Mohit has also ensured that Minimalist remains based in Jaipur, staying connected to his roots.
Who Is Returning To Shark Tank India 5
Alongside Mohit Yadav, the show will feature returning investors like Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Aman Gupta, Vineeta Singh, and Peyush Bansal. Since the show began, Shark Tank India has hosted over 741 pitches, delivered 351 deals and committed more than Rs 293 crore in funding.
The exact premiere date of Shark Tank India 5 has not been announced yet.
