Mumbai, January 23, 2026
11-Year-Old Entrepreneur Pitches NFC Networking to ‘Bharat Ke Super Founders’
Table of Contents
An 11-year-old founder captivated investors on the entrepreneur-reality show, “Bharat Ke Super Founders,” with a pitch for a modern take on business cards.
- The show, hosted by Suniel Shetty, aims to invest Rs 100 crore in Indian startups.
- Athvik Amith Kumar, 11, presented Zozo Connect, a digital networking platform.
- While a traditional equity deal wasn’t reached, Kumar secured a Rs 11 lakh grant and mentorship.
- The investor panel, known as the Tycoons, includes leaders from Thyrocare, Nazara Technologies, and LetsVenture.
Forget the stack of paper cards collecting dust in your wallet. An 11-year-old entrepreneur recently stepped into the arena of “Bharat Ke Super Founders” and proposed a solution to the age-old networking problem: Zozo Connect, a smart, NFC-based digital networking platform. The young founder, Athvik Amith Kumar, impressed the panel with his composure and clear vision for a future where a simple tap replaces the traditional business card.
A “Chhota Packet, Bada Dhamaka”
Suniel Shetty, the host of the show, perfectly summed up the room’s reaction, calling Athvik a “chhota packet, bada dhamaka” – a small package, big explosion. Athvik confidently articulated the details of his product, its potential for user adoption, and its scalability, surprising the investment panel with his level of understanding. He requested Rs 2 crore for 8% equity in his company.
Grant and Mentorship for a Young Visionary
The Tycoons rigorously questioned Athvik on his margins, the underlying technology, and the sustainability of his business model. He responded with precision and remained remarkably calm under pressure. Ultimately, the panel decided against a traditional equity deal at this stage, but recognised the importance of supporting potential. Nitish Mittersain, Founder and CEO of Nazara Technologies, extended a Rs 11 lakh grant to support Athvik’s journey, while the remaining Tycoons committed to mentoring and guiding him as he continues to build and grow Zozo Connect.
What problem does Zozo Connect solve? Zozo Connect aims to eliminate the waste associated with paper business cards and streamline the networking process by allowing instant sharing of professional details with a simple tap.
Meet the Tycoons
The investor panel, collectively known as the Tycoons, comprises industry leaders including Dr A. Velumani, Founder of Thyrocare; Nitish Mittersain, Founder and CEO of Nazara Technologies; and Shanti Mohan, Founder and CEO of LetsVenture. Also on the panel are Dr Aarti Gupta, Chief Investment Officer at Anikarth Ventures; Aditya Singh, Co-Founder of All In Capital; Ankur Mittal, Co-Founder and Partner at Physis Capital and Inflection Point Ventures; and Eklavya Gupta, Co-Founder of Recur Club.
