Dyumna Madan Shark Tank India Journey: A Bold Voice for Young Entrepreneurs

In a season filled with ambition, innovation, and fresh ideas, one pitch stood out — that of 19-year-old Dyumna Madan and her co-founder Shivom Sood on Shark Tank India. Their venture, Project Clay, caught the attention of viewers and investors alike for its refreshing mission and clarity of thought.

Dyumna Madan Shark Tank India debut turned into a shining example of how Gen Z entrepreneurs are breaking barriers in the startup ecosystem, even earning an investment from Namita Thapar.

What is Project Clay?

Project Clay is a peer-to-peer mentorship platform designed to bridge the gap between students and university-level mentors. The idea is simple yet powerful: connect students with experienced university mentors using an “elder sibling” approach to help them navigate academics and career decisions. Co-founded by Dyumna Madan, Project Clay already boasts 300+ vetted mentors from over 10 countries and has seen 65% growth in just five months.

When they entered the Shark Tank India platform, the young duo pitched for ₹15 lakh in exchange for 10% equity, valuing their company at ₹1.5 crore.

Surreal Yet Grounded: The Shark Tank Experience

Describing her time on the show, Dyumna Madan Shark Tank India journey was nothing short of surreal. 

“We’ve been building this for four years, and for the first 3.5 years, we saw little traction. It was tough, not knowing if it would ever become a business. But we believed in our mission,” she said.

From submitting the application with little hope to standing in front of India’s most prominent investors, Dyumna’s story is a testament to the spirit of persistence. Her candid reflections showed a mix of youthful optimism and mature entrepreneurial wisdom.

The Sharks Were Honest, Not Patronizing

A key takeaway for Dyumna Madan Shark Tank India experience was how respectfully the Sharks treated her and her co-founder, despite their age. 

“We really appreciated that they didn’t treat us like kids. They gave us genuine, constructive criticism, which we value deeply,” she said.

In a startup world often dominated by seasoned entrepreneurs, it was refreshing to see young founders being treated as equals. The Sharks were curious, engaged, and eager to see how such a young team had already built something impactful.

Peyush’s B2B Advice and Namita’s Unique Perspective

While Namita Thapar sealed the deal, it was Peyush Bansal’s strategic suggestion that stood out for Dyumna. He advised them to consider building partnerships with schools instead of only focusing on the D2C model. Acting on this, Project Clay is now exploring B2B opportunities with schools to widen its reach.

What made Namita’s investment even more special was her personal connection to the problem. As a parent whose child recently went through similar academic challenges, she could relate both emotionally and strategically.

“Namita understands both the parent’s concerns and the business opportunity. She told us where our obvious pitfalls were and how to avoid them. She could help us cut down our learning curve from four years to just one,” Dyumna Madan Shark Tank India journey gets yet another boost with this kind of mentorship.

From Uncertainty to Strategy: What’s Next for Project Clay?

Following the show, the due diligence process is underway, and Dyumna confirms that Namita’s team remains in regular contact. With plans to scale, partner with institutions, and strengthen their mentor base, Project Clay is evolving into a serious ed-tech player.

With the visibility from Shark Tank India, the startup now enjoys renewed trust from users and investors alike. Most importantly, Dyumna Madan Shark Tank India appearance has positioned her as a voice for youth in Indian entrepreneurship.

A Role Model for Gen Z Founders

The journey of Dyumna Madan Shark Tank India is far more than just a television pitch — it is a reflection of changing times. Young founders are no longer waiting to graduate before starting their ventures. They are building, pitching, and scaling — and they’re being taken seriously.

From being unsure about whether “anything would happen” to landing a deal and national recognition, Dyumna’s rise is inspirational. If anything, it proves that belief in your vision — even when things seem uncertain — can lead to the most unexpected wins.