Kanika Tekriwal’s story is simple, powerful and hard to ignore. Today, she is a judge on Shark Tank India Season 5 and the co-founder and CEO of JetSetGo. But her journey did not begin with applause. It began with doubt and a sharp taunt.
When Kanika told her family she wanted to become a pilot, the response was – “Tu driver banegi?” Coming from a traditional Marwari family, the answer was NO. Flying planes was not seen as a suitable dream. Yet, her love for aviation never faded. It only changed shape.
Instead of giving up, Kanika chose another path. She stayed close to the skies, just in a different way.
Shark Tank India Season 5 Judge Who Changed Her Fate
Kanika’s fascination with aircraft started early. She once shared that she was just four years old when she saw a helicopter land. That moment stayed with her. She wanted to sit in the cockpit one day. When that dream was denied, she looked for another way in.
Her idea was bold but simple. She decided to buy private jets and rent them out. At the age of 21, she turned this idea into a business. In 2014, she founded JetSetGo.
The early days were tough. The aviation industry was male-dominated. Kanika was young. She was a woman. And she was trying something new. She later admitted that many people did not take her seriously. When she visited airports to inspect aircraft, assumptions followed.
Kanika said, “People would ask me, ‘Ma’am, are you in the cabin crew?’ I loved the colour red. I often wore red and carried red bags.”
Raising money was another struggle, as many doors were shut. Only one person believed in her vision at that time. Today, she sees that rejection as a turning point.
Kanika revealed that she built JetSetGo without major funding. “Till date, I have invested only Rs 5,600, and we operate India’s largest fleet of private jets.” That small start eventually led to a net worth of Rs 420 crore.
From Rs 5,600 To Rs 420 Crore Net Worth
JetSetGo was launched in 2013 and has grown steadily since then. The company manages one of India’s largest private aviation fleets. It operates across major cities. Its headquarters is in Delhi, with bases in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
For Kanika, success is not a final stop, but a journey. She once spoke about the quiet pride she feels when she looks back. The Shark Tank India Season 5 judge said, “That satisfactory look when you wake up and look into the mirror thinking that I have done it.”
Kanika also believes responsibility keeps her grounded. “I have to keep up the faith of my team, investors and people, and give back to them and make them feel proud.” In her view, growth never ends. She feels “the goalpost can never be met” because it keeps moving.
Before starting JetSetGo, Kanika built strong experience. She worked as Director of Operations at Global Aviation Company from 2011 to 2013. She also served as Business Development Manager in India at Pacific Aerospace Resources and Technologies. Earlier, she held the role of Assistant Vice President at Indiabulls.
Her education reflects the same focus. She holds an MBA in Finance from Coventry University in England and a BA in Economics from Mumbai University. She also studied visual communication and design at BD Somani Institute of Art & Fashion Technology. Her schooling was completed at The Lawrence School, Lovedale and Daly College.
Meanwhile, Shark Tank India Season 5 will premiere on January 5, 2026. The show will air at 10 PM IST from Monday to Friday on Sony Entertainment Television. It will also stream on SonyLIV. This season has a large panel of 15 Sharks. It includes 9 returning judges (Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, Peyush Bansal, Vineeta Singh, Ritesh Agarwal, Amit Jain, Kunal Bahl, Viraj Bahl) and 6 new business leaders.
