Disha Shidham Net Worth: Shark Tank to Yale – Her $1M Dream
Disha Shidham captured America’s attention in 2018 when she stepped onto the Shark Tank stage as a brave 20-year-old entrepreneur. She pitched her innovative shopping app Savy with confidence and determination.
Her ask was bold: $100,000 for 10% equity in her company. The moment sparked conversations about young entrepreneurship and the courage it takes to pursue your dreams.But what happened after the cameras stopped rolling?
Quick Facts About Disha Shidham
| Category | Details |
| Known For | Founder of Savy app, Shark Tank Season 9 contestant |
| Shark Tank Appearance | Season 9, Episode 18 (2018) |
| Age During Pitch | 20 years old |
| Current Education | Yale University, Environmental Engineering |
| Notable Achievement | D. Allan Bromley Prize in Environmental Engineering |
| First Venture | TacBoard (pre-Savy startup) |
| Entrepreneurship Programs | MIT Launch, Catapult Ideas, Draper University |
| Current Status | Full-time student focused on academics |
Who Is Disha Shidham Net Worth? The Woman Behind the Pitch
Disha Shidham represents a new generation of fearless young entrepreneurs. She became the founder of Savy, a revolutionary shopping app that let users “name their price” for products. The concept was simple yet powerful. Users could set their desired price point and receive notifications when products hit that target.
Her Shark Tank appearance at just 20 years old showcased remarkable courage. Standing before five billionaire investors takes guts at any age. For someone barely out of their teens, it was extraordinary. She asked for $100,000 in funding with a valuation that raised eyebrows across the business world.
What makes Disha’s story compelling isn’t just her entrepreneurial spirit. It’s her intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn from failure. She taught herself to code as a teenager. She pursued environmental engineering at an Ivy League school. She embodies the idea that our paths aren’t linear but rather journeys of continuous growth.
Her story resonates because it reflects reality. Not every startup succeeds, but every experience contributes to your development. As Disha noted, “I will always be a student, regardless of whether I’m in school or not.” This mindset separates lifelong learners from those who give up after setbacks.
Early Life and Education: Building the Foundation
Disha’s entrepreneurial spark ignited during childhood. She loved tinkering with broken radios and electronics. This hands-on problem-solving mentality would define her future business ventures. Curiosity drove her to understand how things worked and how to fix them.
Her formal introduction to entrepreneurship came through the MIT Launch Summer Program in 2014. This four-week intensive program opened her eyes to startup culture. She described it as her “introduction to entrepreneurship” and a transformative experience. The program taught her to think like a founder and execute like a CEO.
During high school, Disha balanced academics with business aspirations. She participated in multiple entrepreneurship programs including Catapult Ideas and Draper University. These experiences built her confidence and expanded her network. They also taught her the fundamentals of business operations and customer development.
Educational Crossroads
Disha faced critical decisions about her educational path. She was accepted to the University of Michigan for engineering studies. This represented a traditional path to success through higher education. However, her startup dreams pulled her in a different direction.
She made the bold choice to defer her college admission to focus on building Savy. This decision wasn’t easy and would later become a talking point on Shark Tank. She believed the opportunity to grow her startup might not come again. Education, she reasoned, would always be available later.
During this period, she often felt torn between two worlds. “My work was compromised when either school or my business became particularly busy,” she admitted. The struggle to balance both revealed the sacrifices entrepreneurs must make. She recognized that “in a startup, it either grows or stagnates.”
Years later, she made another pivotal decision. Around 2021, Disha enrolled at Yale University to study environmental engineering. This choice demonstrated her capacity for strategic thinking. She understood that different life seasons call for different focuses. Learning happens both inside and outside the classroom.
Career Journey: From TacBoard to Savy to Yale
The Beginning: TacBoard and Early Entrepreneurship
Before Savy became her flagship venture, Disha created TacBoard. This aggregate shopping site served as her training ground for e-commerce. She learned crucial lessons about customer behavior and online retail dynamics. The experience taught her to talk with businesses and understand their pain points.
Through TacBoard, she gained confidence in reaching out for support. She contacted State Representative Stephanie Kunze for guidance. She even spoke with Ohio’s Speaker of the House about increasing diversity in business. These early networking efforts showed her fearless approach to building relationships.
TacBoard ultimately helped her realize a deeper truth. “The core problem that I wanted to solve could be done through another model,” she explained. This realization led her to pivot rather than persist with a flawed concept. Smart entrepreneurs know when to adapt their approach.
The Pivot: Creating Savy
The inspiration for Savy came in an unexpected place: her AP European History class. Disha noticed a classmate tracking product prices manually in a Google Doc. This simple observation sparked a million-dollar idea. She realized that “price is really important” to shoppers.
This led to the creation of Savy’s unique value proposition:
- Win-win dynamics: Businesses gained pricing insights and customer emails while consumers saved money
- Data-driven pricing: Retailers received valuable market data about customer price expectations
- Community building: A “Savy Stores” network of partnered businesses created ecosystem value
- Smart notifications: Users received alerts when products reached their desired price points
The platform allowed shoppers to set their desired price for products. When items reached that threshold, users got notified immediately. For businesses, this provided invaluable pricing intelligence about customer expectations. It was e-commerce meets market research.
Shark Tank Experience: The Pitch That Captured America
Disha’s Shark Tank journey began with an unexpected email. She initially thought the casting invitation was spam. After verifying its authenticity, she embarked on the rigorous preparation process. The opportunity to pitch before five billionaires was both thrilling and terrifying.
The Pitch Details:
- Ask: $100,000 for 10% equity
- Valuation: $1 million for the company
- Traction: 1,000 retail partners and 2,000 registered users
- Revenue: Zero—the app was completely free with plans for a paid version
The Sharks’ reactions revealed the challenges of pitching an early-stage startup:
Mark Cuban withdrew after learning Disha deferred college. He emphasized education’s importance and felt she should focus on school first. His concerns reflected a common debate about entrepreneurship versus education.
Robert Herjavec felt Disha didn’t seem “fanatically obsessive” about Savy. He questioned whether she had the burning passion needed to succeed. Entrepreneurship demands all-consuming dedication that he didn’t sense.
Kevin O’Leary saw potential in the concept but considered it too early-stage. The lack of revenue concerned him despite the user growth. He needed proof of concept before investing.
Lori Greiner and Daymond John also declined with similar concerns about traction. They felt the business needed more development before being investment-ready. The timing simply wasn’t right for a deal.
Despite leaving without funding, Disha maintained perspective. “It was an experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything,” she reflected. The insights and advice from five successful entrepreneurs proved invaluable. Sometimes the journey matters more than the outcome.
Post-Shark Tank Challenges and Pivot
After the episode aired, Disha faced unexpected challenges. Unlike many Shark Tank contestants who experience a sales bump, Savy received largely negative attention. Public focus centered on her nervous pitch performance rather than her business idea. Social media can be cruel to young entrepreneurs.
Key post-Shark Tank developments included:
- Continued development: Disha worked on a paid version with improved features
- Stanford StartX accelerator: Savy participated in this prestigious startup program
- Scalability issues: The app struggled to attract larger commercial brands
- Eventual shutdown: By late 2018, Savy’s website and social media became inactive
The scalability problem proved insurmountable. While small retailers participated, major brands remained hesitant. Without big-name partners, user growth stalled. The business model required network effects that never materialized.
By the end of 2018, Savy had ceased operations. The app disappeared from app stores. Social media accounts went silent. The website became inactive. For Disha, this represented both an ending and a new beginning.
Disha Shidham Net Worth: The Financial Reality
Current Net Worth Assessment
Disha Shidham’s current net worth is likely minimal in traditional financial terms. The $1 million valuation during her Shark Tank pitch was aspirational rather than actual. With Savy no longer operational and Disha focused on academics, her financial picture has shifted dramatically.
Her wealth today exists primarily in human capital:
- Yale University education in environmental engineering
- Entrepreneurial experience from multiple ventures
- Network connections from startup programs and Shark Tank
- Personal growth and resilience from navigating failure
Most financial experts estimate her liquid assets are modest. She’s a full-time student without active business income. However, measuring success purely in dollars misses the bigger picture. Her investments in education and experience will pay dividends throughout her career.
Understanding the $1 Million Valuation
The $1 million valuation requires important context. This figure represented future potential rather than current assets. Early-stage tech companies often use similar valuation methods based on growth projections.
Consider these factors:
- Pre-revenue startup: Savy had zero sales at the time of pitching
- Based on potential: The valuation reflected market opportunity and user growth
- Standard startup math: Tech companies frequently value themselves on multiples of potential
- User metrics: The 2,000 users and 1,000 partners suggested scalability
As one analysis noted, “She was putting a $1 million price tag on a business that had never made a buck.” This isn’t unusual in startup culture. Facebook, Twitter, and countless others were valued highly before generating revenue. The question is always about potential versus reality.
Income Sources and Financial Philosophy
While specific current income sources aren’t publicly documented, Disha’s financial philosophy is clear. She prioritizes investment in human capital over immediate profits. This long-term thinking separates successful people from those seeking quick wins.
Her approach includes:
- Education investment: A Yale degree represents significant future earning potential
- Experience over immediate profits: Choosing learning opportunities throughout her journey
- Adaptive career planning: Willingness to shift strategies based on changing circumstances
- Long-term vision: Understanding that temporary setbacks don’t define ultimate success
This philosophy reflects maturity beyond her years. Many young entrepreneurs chase the next funding round or viral moment. Disha chose to step back and build a stronger foundation. Time will tell if this strategy pays off financially.
Current Status and Life at Yale
Academic Focus and Achievements
In recent years, Disha has largely stepped away from public life to focus on studies. She’s pursuing environmental engineering at Yale University, one of the world’s premier institutions. This represents a complete pivot from her entrepreneurial phase.
Her academic journey includes impressive achievements:
- Excelling academically in a rigorous engineering program
- D. Allan Bromley Prize in Environmental Engineering
- Maintaining privacy compared to her Shark Tank days
- Continuous learning that embodies her lifelong student mentality
The Bromley Prize recognizes outstanding achievement in environmental studies. Winning this award demonstrates her commitment to academic excellence. She’s not just attending Yale; she’s thriving there.
This academic pivot shows her growth mindset. She understands that skills and knowledge transfer across domains. Sometimes stepping back from one path allows advancement in another. Her willingness to pivot reflects wisdom and self-awareness.
Reflections on Entrepreneurship
In interviews, Disha has shared insights about her journey. She describes “refining her skills and investing in her personal development.” This ongoing commitment to growth defines her character. Whether in business or academics, she’s always learning.
Her reflections offer wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Failure is education: Every setback teaches valuable lessons
- Timing matters: Sometimes pursuing education first provides a better foundation
- Stay authentic: Your growth path matters more than public opinion
- Keep perspective: One venture doesn’t define your entire career
She noted that “Confident CEOs have a plethora of experience in failing—again and again—but they’re failing in the right direction.” This understanding of productive failure separates successful people from those who quit after setbacks.
Lessons from Disha Shidham’s Journey
For Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Disha’s story offers valuable lessons for anyone starting a business:
1. Failure doesn’t define you: Savy didn’t succeed, but Disha is thriving in a different arena. One business failure doesn’t predict future outcomes.
2. Timing is everything: Sometimes the market isn’t ready for your idea. Or you’re not ready for the market. Recognizing this takes wisdom.
3. Education matters: Mark Cuban was right to emphasize this. A strong educational foundation opens doors throughout your career.
4. Build resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks determines long-term success more than any single victory.
5. Stay curious: Disha’s transition to environmental engineering shows continued curiosity about the world. This trait serves entrepreneurs well.
Broader Life Lessons
Beyond entrepreneurship, Disha’s journey teaches universal truths:
Adaptability is strength: Recognizing when to pivot demonstrates wisdom, not weakness. Stubbornly pursuing a failing path wastes time and resources.
Multiple forms of success exist: Academic achievement represents success as meaningful as business funding. Society often overvalues financial metrics.
Continuous learning pays dividends: Each experience builds transferable skills for new contexts. Nothing is wasted when you’re learning.
Privacy has value: Unlike many public figures, Disha chose to step back from the spotlight. This decision shows maturity and self-awareness.
Your twenties are for exploration: Using this decade to try different paths and discover your strengths is a smart strategy.
Social Media Presence and Public Persona
Unlike many Shark Tank alumni, Disha maintains a minimal online presence today. She’s not actively promoting personal brands or business ventures. Her social media accounts remain largely inactive or private.
This intentional privacy reflects her current priorities:
- Academic focus takes precedence over public engagement
- Personal development happens away from social media scrutiny
- Mental health benefits from reduced public exposure
- Authentic living without performing for an audience
In an age of influencer culture and personal branding, her choice is refreshing. Not everyone needs to be constantly visible online. Sometimes the most important growth happens privately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Disha Shidham’s net worth in 2025?
Her current net worth is minimal in financial terms, likely far below the $1 million Savy valuation. Her wealth exists primarily in education and experience.
What is Disha Shidham known for?
She’s best known as the Savy app founder who appeared on Shark Tank Season 9 in 2018 at age 20.
Where did Disha Shidham go to university?
After deferring University of Michigan admission, she enrolled at Yale University to study environmental engineering.
Is Savy still in business?
No, Savy ceased operations around late 2018. The app, website, and social media accounts are no longer active.
What is Disha Shidham doing now?
She’s focused on environmental engineering studies at Yale University and has stepped back from public life and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
Disha Shidham’s journey from Shark Tank sensation to Yale student reminds us that success has many dimensions. While the public focuses on net worth and business valuations, true achievement often lies elsewhere. The courage to pursue different paths as we grow matters most.
Her story demonstrates that the most valuable “net worth” isn’t measured in dollars. It’s measured in knowledge gained, character built, and wisdom to recognize new opportunities. In a world obsessed with overnight success and viral moments, Disha’s path serves as a powerful reminder.
