IIT-educated entrepreneur who appeared on Shark Tank India asked to pay ₹1 lakh bribe for factory license

“Shark Tank India Entrepreneur Highlights Corruption in Factory Licensing Process”

An IIT-Delhi graduate and entrepreneur who previously struck a ₹1 crore deal on Shark Tank India with his innovative home gym startup, Aroleap, has exposed the hurdles of securing a factory license without paying bribes. Aman Rai, the face behind Aroleap, took to social media to unveil the grim reality of bureaucratic inefficiency in India’s manufacturing sector.

Key Features of the Story:

1. Shark Tank Success
   • Aman Rai secured a ₹1 crore investment on Shark Tank India for his home gym startup, Aroleap, garnering praise for his innovative vision.
2. Corruption in Licensing Process
   • While setting up a manufacturing unit, Rai was asked to pay ₹70,000 in “out-of-pocket” expenses through a vendor, a term often used as a euphemism for bribes.
   • Choosing to bypass the middleman, Rai applied directly but was shocked when officials demanded ₹1 lakh to process the license.
3. Criticism of Bureaucratic Red Tape
   • Rai openly criticized the system, questioning the government’s claims of “Ease of Doing Business.”
   • On X (formerly Twitter), he described his ordeal as the “Dark Side of Make in India,” shedding light on the corruption hindering entrepreneurship in the country.
4. Impact on Entrepreneurs
   • The incident highlights the challenges startups and entrepreneurs face, discouraging new ventures and contradicting the government’s push for local manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.