Meet Srikanth Bolla, Shark Tank India's New Judge Who is Visually Impaired

Srikanth Bolla, the founder and chairman of Bollant Industries, has joined the panel of judges on Shark Tank India. He shared the news on his social media with pictures from the show, saying, "To survive a pool of sharks, you need to become one yourself."

One of the photos featured Srikanth with Jeet Adani, the son of business tycoon Gautam Adani. Jeet is involved in managing various businesses under the Adani Group, including airports, petrochemicals, and defense sectors.

In his Instagram post, Srikanth talked about entrepreneurship in India, saying, “Entrepreneurship in India has grown because of Shark Tank. The people on the show are ready to solve old and new problems in creative ways.” He encouraged others by adding, “Don't just think about your idea; act on it, or someone else will!" He thanked Shark Tank India, saying, “This is just the beginning!"

Srikanth also shared how he got the chance to be a judge on the show. He said, "Being on the set made me realize that dreams are for doers, not just thinkers. It was inspiring to meet these entrepreneurs and hear their ideas.”

Who is Srikanth Bolla?

Srikanth Bolla is a well-known businessman and humanitarian. He is the CEO, co-founder, and chairman of Bollant Industries, a company that makes eco-friendly packaging products. Despite being born visually impaired, he has built a successful career and is recognized for his achievements.

Srikanth grew up in Seetharamapuram, a village in Andhra Pradesh, where his parents worked as farmers. They struggled financially, and Srikanth faced many challenges because there were few resources for disabled students. Despite this, he scored 98% in his high school exams. He fought for his right to education, going to court when schools and coaching centers refused to admit him. After a long legal battle, he was accepted into college.

He applied to top universities abroad and was accepted into MIT’s Sloan School of Management, where he made history as the first visually impaired student to join. While at MIT, he also worked on creating a digital learning space for students with disabilities.

Beyond academics, Srikanth is also an athlete, competing in blind cricket, international chess, baseball, and swimming.

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Srikanth’s Business Venture

Srikanth co-founded Bollant Industries in 2012 with Ravi Mantha. The company creates eco-friendly products, such as packaging made from recycled materials and products made from leaves. It also employs people with disabilities, helping them find jobs.

Bollant has received investment from business leader Ratan Tata. The company’s focus on sustainability and its support for people with disabilities has made a positive impact.

Srikanth’s inspiring life was turned into a movie called Srikanth, where actor Rajkummar Rao played his role.

Srikanth's journey from overcoming challenges to becoming a successful entrepreneur is an inspiration to many.