Anupam Mittal stands as one of India’s most influential entrepreneurs — a visionary who pioneered digital matchmaking, transformed India’s tech ecosystem, and became the face of entrepreneurship through Shark Tank India. His journey from modest beginnings to building one of India’s most recognizable tech empires — People Group, the parent company behind Shaadi.com, Mauj Mobile, and Makaan.com — is truly remarkable.

Early Life and Education

Anupam Mittal was born on December 23, 1971, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a Marwari business family that valued hard work, business acumen, and education. His father, Gopal Krishna Mittal, was a traditional businessman whose influence helped shape Anupam’s entrepreneurial mindset. After completing his schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School and Jai Hind College, he pursued his MBA in Operations and Strategic Management from Boston University in Massachusetts.

During his time in the United States, Anupam was deeply influenced by the Silicon Valley tech boom. He worked briefly at MicroStrategy, a U.S.-based business intelligence firm, where he got firsthand exposure to the fast-paced world of startups. However, the dot-com crash in the early 2000s was a major turning point, teaching him the value of resilience and long-term innovation.

The Birth of Shaadi.com

In 1997, soon after returning to India, Anupam Mittal launched Shaadi.com, originally named Sagaai.com. His goal was simple but revolutionary — to digitize the traditional Indian matchmaking system. The concept was met initially with skepticism, as internet access was limited and Indian families resisted technology’s role in matrimony. However, Anupam’s persistence and insight into India’s cultural fabric paid off. Over the years, Shaadi.com became a global matchmaking leader, bridging millions of relationships worldwide.

By 2005, Shaadi.com had exploded in popularity, especially among non-resident Indians (NRIs). The company pioneered trust-based digital matchmaking when dating apps were still far from mainstream, capturing a massive market before competitors emerged.

Expansion Through People Group

Riding on Shaadi.com’s tremendous success, Anupam founded People Group, which soon diversified into other ventures like Mauj Mobile (a mobile content platform) and Makaan.com, an online real estate marketplace. Under his vision, these ventures became some of India’s earliest and most impactful digital platforms, blending innovation with purpose.

Anupam’s entrepreneurial philosophy revolved around creating businesses that leverage technology to solve real social challenges — connecting people, empowering middle-class consumers, and digitizing traditional industries.

Shark Tank India and India’s Startup Revolution

Anupam Mittal’s influence surged further when he became one of the original judges — or “Sharks” — on Shark Tank India. As a seasoned investor with a portfolio of over 250 startups, including names like Ola Cabs, Rebel Foods, and Cafe Zoe, he brought authenticity, mentorship, and a relatable face to India’s startup reality-TV revolution.

In interviews, Anupam explained that Shark Tank India isn’t just about investing — it’s about empowering the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs. He sees the show as a way to “capture and educate” audiences through real business stories of grit and creativity.

His calm but insightful persona, combined with experience-driven feedback, made him one of the most respected and admired Sharks on the panel.

Investments and Business Achievements

Beyond his original ventures, Anupam has emerged as one of India’s most prolific angel investors. As of 2025:

• He has invested in over 250 startups across India and abroad.
• His personal net worth stands at around ₹1,850 crore (approximately $220 million).
• His Shark Tank India investments have seen exponential growth — with startups like Homestrap scaling from ₹50 lakh per month in revenue to ₹60 crore annually and Sharma Ji Ka Atta jumping from ₹60,000 monthly sales to ₹10 crore yearly.

Despite financial setbacks and criticism, Mittal’s disciplined investing approach, deep understanding of business models, and empathy toward founders have made him a symbol of sustainable entrepreneurship.

Personal Life and Interests

Anupam Mittal married Aanchal Kumar, a model and actor, in a destination wedding in Jaipur in 2013. The couple has a daughter, Alyssa Mittal. Outside his business life, Anupam has a keen interest in writing, technology, travel, and meditation. He has also produced and acted in films such as Flavors (2003) and 99 (2009) before retiring from entertainment to focus entirely on entrepreneurship.

Anupam often speaks about embracing failures and staying adaptable as the key traits behind his success. His mantra for aspiring entrepreneurs is to “start early, sell fast, and never stop learning” — a reflection of his 2025 statement on building startup momentum.

Legacy and Inspiration

Today, Anupam Mittal is celebrated as the OG Shark of India — a tech pioneer who shattered societal perceptions about online matchmaking, empowered countless startups, and helped elevate India to the global entrepreneurial stage. His trajectory from facing dot-com failures to becoming one of the country’s top investors embodies resilience, foresight, and unwavering confidence.

His story continues to inspire millions to believe that the right mix of vision, risk-taking, and perseverance can turn ideas into empires.

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Anupam Mittal’s journey teaches one vital truth — success is not about avoiding failures but learning faster than others. His story is not just an entrepreneurial saga, but a masterclass in passion, patience, and purposeful innovation.