Author: Team CEO VINE

  • Whale Wearables Secures INR 30 Lakhs Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Whale Wearables Secures INR 30 Lakhs Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Karnataka-based startup Whale Wearables appeared on Shark Tank India Season 4, Episode 45, showcasing innovative self-defense gadgets designed for women’s safety.

    Founded by Sharad Patil and Nandita Yenagi in 2024, the company offers patented wearable technology aimed at providing women with security and peace of mind.

    The inspiration for Whale Wearables stemmed from Nandita’s personal experiences with eve-teasing, highlighting the urgent need for accessible self-defense tools.

    The founders’ commitment to empowering women was further solidified after participating in a candlelight march following the Nirbhaya case, motivating them to develop technological solutions for women’s safety.

    During their pitch, the founders sought an investment of ₹30 lakh for 3% equity, valuing the company at ₹10 crore.

    They demonstrated key products, including a wearable glove capable of delivering a 4,000-volt shock and a watch-like strap with an SOS button.

    Namita Thapar expressed concerns about potential legal issues if the glove caused harm to an attacker or an unintended individual.

    She questioned whether the device could result in hospitalization or serious health conditions, leading to litigation if used on the wrong person. The founders assured her that such situations would not occur.

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    Taffykids Secures Deal on Shark Tank India

    Taffykids Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Aman Gupta noted that existing smartwatches already feature SOS functionalities, while Vineeta Singh emphasized the need for an easily accessible emergency button. She suggested that current smartwatch designs lack a prominent, easy-to-press button for emergencies. Aman recommended that the founders focus more on the glove product rather than the strap.

    Namita declined to invest, stating that the product lacked true innovation and was merely a repositioning of buttons with a process patent.

    However, Vineeta saw potential in the product and teamed up with Aman to offer a deal. Aman encouraged the founders to proceed with government approvals and said, “We give crores on this show, 30 lakhs for 3% … I can help you, guide you in manufacturing.”

    The founders ultimately secured the deal with Aman Gupta and Vineeta Singh, gaining not only funding but also valuable mentorship to refine and scale their business.

  • Taffykids Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Taffykids Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Mumbai-based children’s fashion brand Taffykids made a strong impression on Shark Tank India Season 4.

    Launched in March 2021 by Niti Parekh, Pratik Nagariya, and Sangita Rohira, Taffykids specializes in stylish, comfortable, and affordable clothing for children aged 2-12 years, offering trendy outfits that combine fashion with functionality.

    The founders pitched their business, seeking ₹75 lakh for 1% equity, valuing the company at ₹75 crore.

    They highlighted Taffykids’ unique business model, which includes launching 30-40 new designs every week, prioritizing lightweight, high-quality fabrics, and maintaining affordable pricing (₹499 – ₹2,999) to make stylish kidswear accessible.

    With over 3.5 lakh children styled since its inception, the brand has gained a strong foothold in the market, especially in girls’ fashion, which makes up 70% of total sales.

    Also Read:

    Good Monk Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Good Monk Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    When asked about their financial performance, the founders revealed impressive growth. In FY22, the company generated ₹55 lakh in revenue, which grew to ₹3.5 crore in FY23 and surged to ₹12 crore in FY24.

    Looking ahead, they projected closing FY25 at ₹19 crore, showcasing a strong upward trajectory.

    During the discussion, the founders shared their vision to scale Taffykids further, catching the attention of the sharks.

    After negotiations, they secured a deal from Vineeta Singh and Ritesh Agarwal, who offered ₹75 lakh for 1.5% equity, plus 0.5% royalty until ₹75 lakh is recovered, settling on a ₹50 crore valuation.

    This investment, coupled with valuable mentorship from the sharks, is expected to help Taffykids expand its market presence and enhance its product offerings.

  • MapMyCrop Raises $1.8 Million in Seed Funding to Expand Agritech Offerings

    MapMyCrop Raises $1.8 Million in Seed Funding to Expand Agritech Offerings

    Agritech startup MapMyCrop has raised $1.8 million in a seed funding round led by YourNest Venture Capital, with additional support from Eaglewings Ventures and other angel investors.

    The investment is part of the YourNest-SanchiConnect Velocity Program 2024. The company had previously secured an undisclosed amount in the same round from Startup Wise Guys and other backers.

    The newly acquired funds will be directed toward scaling operations, finalizing pilot projects, expanding the sales and operations team, and advancing its technology platform, the company stated.

    Established in 2021 by Swapnil Jadhav and Rajesh Shirole, MapMyCrop offers an advanced 360-degree imagery agro suite that integrates critical agricultural data into a unified platform.

    The company utilizes satellite imagery, IoT, and AI-powered insights to assist farmers and agribusinesses in monitoring, predicting, and optimizing crop health with high accuracy.

    Currently, MapMyCrop supports over 4.7 million farmers worldwide and collaborates with organizations such as the US FDA for crop monitoring and sustainability initiatives.

    It is also in the process of launching new solutions, including an AI-driven farm credit score system and a dedicated forest monitoring tool.

    Also Read : indē wild Raises $5M in Funding to Expand Global Footprint

    As part of its growth strategy, the company aims to expand into emerging markets across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia while strengthening its presence in the US and Europe. It is also working on localized AI-driven solutions to address specific agricultural challenges in different regions.

    With the global agritech market expected to reach $45 billion by 2028, MapMyCrop is positioning itself as a key player in the industry. Its platform offers five key modules: onboarding, crop monitoring, detection, prediction, and sustainability-focused add-ons.

    The onboarding suite features automated field boundary mapping, crop type identification, and a historical data repository, equipping farmers with actionable insights for better decision-making.

  • Good Monk Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Good Monk Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Bengaluru-based health and nutrition brand Good Monk recently appeared on Shark Tank India Season 4, Episode 44.

    Founded in 2021 by Amarpreet Singh Anand and Sahiba Kaur, Good Monk offers a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, fibers, probiotics, and Ayurvedic herbs, designed to integrate seamlessly into daily meals.

    With no color, taste, or smell, the product is suitable for all age groups, helping improve immunity, stamina, mental health, and physical well-being.

     The founders entered the tank seeking ₹1 crore for 1.67% equity, valuing their company at ₹60 crore.

    To showcase its effectiveness, the entrepreneurs served two bowls of dal—one with their nutritional mix and one without.

    The Sharks couldn’t tell the difference, though Azhar Iqbal remained skeptical, likening it to synthetic supplements.

    Also Read:

    Fitelo Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Fitelo Secures ₹1.5 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

     Vineeta Singh, a mother herself, resonated with the product, recognizing its value in addressing picky eating. Recalling how she grated nuts into rice for her kids, she saw Good Monk as a helpful solution for parents.

    During the pitch, Vineeta identified gaps in the brand’s strategy, advising them to onboard a celebrity mother as a brand ambassador while cutting unnecessary marketing costs.

     She initially offered ₹50 lakh for 1.25% equity, plus ₹50 lakh as debt at 10% interest for three years, with conditions to reduce marketing expenses, lower fixed costs, and achieve a (-5% to -10%) EBITDA margin within three months.

    After negotiations, the final deal was sealed at ₹50 lakh for 1% equity, along with 0.25% advisory equity, and an additional ₹50 lakh as debt at a 10% interest rate for three years.

    This agreement valued Good Monk at ₹50 crore and included strategic mentorship from Vineeta to help scale the business.

  • indē wild Raises $5M in Funding to Expand Global Footprint

    indē wild Raises $5M in Funding to Expand Global Footprint

    Ayurvedic skincare brand indē wild has secured $5 million in a seed extension round led by Unilever Ventures, alongside SoGal Ventures and True Global Ventures.

    The investment will fuel the brand’s expansion into the U.S. market and strengthen its growing partnership with SEPHORA.

    Founded in 2021 by Diipa Khosla, indē wild specializes in Ayurveda-backed skincare and haircare products.

    Over the past 18 months, the brand has witnessed a remarkable 400% growth in India, with its Champi Hair Oil becoming the #1 bestseller on Nykaa and a product selling every minute.

    Also Read: MaxIQ Raises $7.8M in Seed Funding and Appoints New Leadership

    “This funding is more than just a financial milestone… it’s a vote of confidence in what we’re building,” Khosla shared in a LinkedIn post.

    Despite initial skepticism from investors about its niche positioning, indē wild has proven that Indian beauty can thrive on the global stage without diluting its identity.

    With this latest funding, the brand is poised to scale operations and bring its unique blend of Ayurveda and modern science to a wider international audience.

  • MaxIQ Raises $7.8M in Seed Funding and Appoints New Leadership

    MaxIQ Raises $7.8M in Seed Funding and Appoints New Leadership

    MaxIQ, formerly known as Gyaan AI, has raised $7.8 million in seed funding led by Dell Technologies Capital, with participation from Intel Capital.

    This follows the company’s earlier funding of $5.95 million.

    The newly raised capital will be used to scale operations, drive product innovation, and expand the leadership team, MaxIQ announced in a press release.

    Founded in 2022 by Sonny Aulakh, MaxIQ is the first AI-powered customer journey management platform aimed at unifying sales, customer success, and revenue operations to maximize customer lifetime value.

    It helps B2B SaaS enterprises manage revenue across the entire customer lifecycle, addressing challenges such as inaccurate forecasting, delayed time-to-value, and lost revenue opportunities.

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    Phot.AI Raises $2.7 Million in Seed Round

    Phot.AI Raises $2.7 Million in Seed Round Led by Info Edge Ventures

    MaxIQ also announced the appointment of Matt Hickey as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Rob Sexton as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Both executives bring extensive leadership experience from Palo Alto Networks, EMC, and most recently, Securiti.ai.

    Their backgrounds include senior roles in scaling category-defining technologies such as Data Domain, XtremIO, and CloudGenix.

    With sales and customer success teams often relying on more than 14 tools in their tech stack, the platform simplifies operations by improving adoption, retention, and revenue forecasting, enabling businesses to manage customer journeys with greater efficiency and confidence.

  • Phot.AI Raises $2.7 Million in Seed Round Led by Info Edge Ventures

    Phot.AI Raises $2.7 Million in Seed Round Led by Info Edge Ventures

    AI-powered creative automation platform, Phot.AI has raised $2.7 million in a seed funding round led by Info Edge Ventures, with participation from Together Fund and AC Ventures.

    The round also saw backing from 50+ angel investors, including founders of Shiprocket, Bella Vita, V3 Ventures, Bewakoof, Astrotalk, Droom, and Fashinza.

    The funds will be utilized to expand the team, invest in research and development, and launch Phot.AI’s much-anticipated copilot feature.

    Founded in 2023 by Venus Dhuria, Aneesh Rayancha, and Akshit Raja, who previously co-founded AppyHigh, an app publishing studio with over 700 million downloads.

    Phot.AI focuses on automating creative design and marketplace listings for e-commerce, brands, and retail.

    Its AI-driven technology analyzes and optimizes designs across various product categories, streamlining workflows, reducing manual effort, and enhancing conversion rates.

    Also Read : Rezolv Raises $3.5 Million in Seed Funding led by 3one4 Capital

    Phot.AI simplifies visual content creation for e-commerce brands, cutting costs by up to 80% and accelerating market entry.

    It enables A/B testing, enhances conversions by 40%, and ensures adherence to marketplace guidelines.

    The platform features over 25 editing tools, a design studio, and generative AI for product photography and image enhancement.

    With more than 3 million pre-launch sign-ups and adoption by over 25 businesses, Phot.AI is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in AI-powered e-commerce design automation.

  • Fitelo Secures ₹1.5 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Fitelo Secures ₹1.5 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Mohali-based weight loss platform Fitelo made waves on Shark Tank India Season 4, Episode 43, securing an investment deal that promises to propel its growth in the health and wellness sector.

    Founded in 2016 by Sahil Bansal and Mahakdeep Singh, Fitelo focuses on helping customers achieve a healthy and fit lifestyle through a comprehensive approach to diet, exercise, and the psychological aspects of obesity.

     The company aims to contribute to making India obesity-free through innovative healthtech and wellness solutions.

    The founders sought ₹1.5 crore for 0.5% equity, valuing their company at ₹300 crore.

    Their pitch resonated with the investors, leading to a competitive negotiation. Unlike traditional fitness apps that primarily focus on diet plans or workout routines, Fitelo incorporates personalized meal plans, fitness programs, and lifestyle coaching, all tailored to an individual’s unique needs.

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    Tribalveda Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Tribalveda Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    During their pitch, the founders highlighted how their technology not only provides customized diet plans but also allows users to choose from various exercise options based on their preferences, whether it’s Bhangra, gym workouts, or home exercises.

    Anupam Mittal inquired about Fitelo’s financials, and the founders revealed ₹110-120 crore in revenue but admitted they were still working toward profitability.

     Kunal Bahl shared his childhood struggles with bullying over his weight, being called “Mota” instead of his name, sparking a discussion on body shaming.

    Namita Thapar also opened up about being called “Moti” as a child, which impacted her self-esteem and led to emotional eating.

    Vineeta Singh and Namita Thapar, moved by both the pitch and the emotional discussions, saw Fitelo’s business potential and its positive social impact.

    They decided to invest, offering a deal of ₹1.5 crore for 1% equity, along with 1% royalty until ₹1.5 crore is recovered.

  • Tribalveda Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Tribalveda Secures Deal on Shark Tank India Season 4

    Udaipur-based Tribalveda, a company specializing in products made from seasonal fruits like custard apple, made a remarkable appearance on Shark Tank India Season 4, Episode 42.

    Founded by husband-wife duo Rajesh Ojha and Pooja Ojha, Tribalveda is committed to empowering tribal women by sourcing and processing natural fruit-based products.

    The brand focuses on 100% pure jamun-based offerings, including strips, cubes, flakes, and jams.

    The founders entered the Shark Tank seeking an investment of ₹50 lakhs for a 2% equity stake, valuing the company at ₹25 crore.

    Their pitch emphasized purity, sustainability, and social impact, capturing the Sharks’ interest.

    During the presentation, the nostalgic flavors struck a chord with the Sharks. Namita Thapar fondly recalled eating jamun as a child, as her grandmother had a jamun tree at home.

    Vineeta Singh praised the jamun shot, sharing her positive feedback, while Ritesh Agarwal expressed how the taste rekindled childhood memories for him.

    The founders revealed that their primary customer base consists of individuals over 35 who purchase their products for health benefits.

    Approximately 40% of their total sales come from Mumbai, with an additional 20% from Bengaluru. Their revenue is generated through online marketplaces, events, farmers’ markets, and their official website, with their website contributing a significant 70% of sales.

     The company currently maintains a gross margin of around 45% in B2B sales.

    While the Sharks appreciated Tribalveda’s vision, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Anupam Mittal, and Kunal Bahl opted out due to scalability challenges.

     However, Ritesh Agarwal recognized the business’s potential and expressed his confidence, stating, “I will bet on you.”

     After an engaging negotiation, Tribalveda secured a deal with Ritesh Agarwal, who invested ₹50 lakhs for 2.8% equity along with 2.2% advisory equity, bringing the company’s valuation to ₹17.86 crore.

  • Rezolv Raises $3.5 Million in Seed Funding led by 3one4 Capital

    Rezolv Raises $3.5 Million in Seed Funding led by 3one4 Capital

    Rezolv, a debt resolution platform for banks and NBFCs, has raised $3.5 million in a seed funding round led by 3one4 Capital.

    The investment will enhance Rezolv’s AI-driven debt collection solutions, streamlining the recovery process for lenders.

    Founded in October 2024 by Karan Mehta and Sonali Jindal, co-founders of digital lending startup Kissht, Rezolv addresses inefficiencies in debt recovery.

    By integrating AI and advanced analytics, it offers a purely software-based platform that optimizes every stage of the collection process.

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    DotMe Raises $150,000 Funding to Expand Creator Monetization Tools

    The platform consolidates digital communication, early payment reminders, IVR calls, field visits, legal workflows, and analytics, helping lenders build efficient, policy-compliant collection systems.

    Its real-time AI auditing detects policy violations instantly, while AI-driven analytics and an early warning score identify potential defaulters, enabling proactive recovery strategies..