August 8, Kathmandu. The Nepali version of the world famous television show ‘Shark Tank’ is going to be on Himalaya TV. Business reality show ‘Shark Tank Nepal’ was formally announced at a ceremony held at Everest Hotel on Monday.
Himalaya TV, which has acquired the production and broadcasting rights for Nepal, is going to broadcast the program within a few months. Five sharks (judges) of the first season were announced at the ceremony. Who will invest in the startups that come with proposals for investment and help them expand their business.
For the first season, Hemraj Dhakal, Co-Founder of IME Group, Cabinet Shrestha, Founder of Agni Group, Ritu Singh Vaidya, Director of Vaidya Organization, Anand Bagaria, Managing Director of Nimbus Group and Saurabh Jyoti, Director of Padmjyoti Group have been signed for SAARC (Judge). Two guest sharks are scheduled to be added later.
This show, which started as ‘Money Tigers’ on Japan’s Nippon TV in 2001, has now become the world’s biggest commercial reality TV show. The Nepal version of this show, which is being distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Television, is the 54th franchise.
On the occasion of the launch of Shark Tank Nepal, the executive head of Sony Television London and the members of the Indian ‘Shark Tank’ gave a video message of congratulations and best wishes to Himalaya TV.
At the ceremony, the executive director of Himalaya TV, Shyam Kandel, said that although there was an agreement with Sony three years ago, the show was delayed due to Covid and economic recession. He said that the show is coming with the message that the future of business is possible in Nepal, entrepreneurship can be developed and celebrated.
“Our sharks are ready to move together like other sharks in the world,” Kandel said.
Sonika Bhasin, South Asia Regional International Distribution Vice President of Sony Pictures TV, said that she is excited to bring this show to Nepal after its unprecedented success in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. “Shark Tank has empowered countless entrepreneurs and inspired millions through their stories of innovation and determination,” said Bhasin.
Saying that we are waiting for the opportunity to spread this tradition in Nepal and present Nepali innovation on the international stage, Bhasin said that she believes that it will further strengthen the Shark Tank of South Asia. ‘We are waiting for new enterprises to emerge from Nepal,’ she said.
Dhakal, one of the judges (Shark) said that the show will encourage the youth towards entrepreneurship. Cabinet Shrestha, founder of Agni Group, another of the sharks, said that this show is not just a business reality show, but it will take the business to new heights.
The show, which aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and investment, has also called for applications at the ceremony. Businessmen can apply to receive investment in exchange for a certain percentage of business shares or loans by presenting data related to their business.
Nepalese entrepreneurs who are running a business and are looking for investment for expansion can apply on Himalaya TV’s app and website. The application should be submitted by January 15th.
During the ceremony, the chairman of Himalaya TV Dharmaraj Bhusal and judges contracted as sharks answered questions from the participants. The show will be directed by Simos Sunuwar of ‘Himalaya Roadies’ fame. 100 entrepreneurs will pitch their business and entrepreneurship ideas in a total of 20 episodes with five entrepreneurs in one episode.
It is said that 35 to 40 million rupees will be raised for investment entrepreneurs through show judges. The shooting of the program, which is expected to be aired on Himalaya TV within the next three months, is scheduled to begin from February. The shooting of the program will be done at Everest Hotel in New Baneshwar.
Himalaya TV has been producing and broadcasting various international reality TV shows in Nepal. The Voice of Nepal, Voice Kids, Himalaya Roadies are being aired and another international fashion reality show Nepal Next Top Model is also being aired this year.
picture : Shankar Giri/Online news
