Shark Tank India 4: Aman Gupta criticizes brand name of rug company, agrees to invest on one condition

Shark Tank India 4

The latest episode of Shark Tank India Season 4 featured a passionate entrepreneurial couple, Harnam Kaur and Samrath Singh Nagpal, from Delhi.

They pitched EasyRugs, India's first washable rugs brand, with a vision to make soft furnishings affordable, sustainable, and hassle-free.

Seeking ₹35 lakh for 5% equity, they showcased their product’s durability with a live demonstration—spilling coffee and ketchup on a rug and effortlessly washing it off.

With a background in interior design, Harnam identified the gap in the market for budget-friendly yet stylish rugs, while her husband Samrath, a lawyer, saw its potential as a scalable business. They launched in September 2023, achieving ₹83 lakh in lifetime sales. Samrath highlighted that the Indian rugs market ranges from ₹234 million to ₹2,000 crores, positioning their brand as a strong contender.

When Anupam Mittal asked about their long-term vision, they revealed ambitions of becoming India’s leading soft-furnishing brand. However, Anupam opted out, citing scalability concerns and the lack of emphasis on their key USP—washability. Namita Thapar also stepped away, advising them to expand before seeking investment. Peyush Bansal, though impressed, believed it was too early and urged them to focus solely on rugs, aiming for a ₹50-100 crore business before diversifying.

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Aman Gupta, however, had a different concern—the brand name. He felt EasyRugs lacked the premium appeal needed to compete with brands like Jaipur Rugs. "Your competitor exudes royalty, but ‘EasyRugs’ sounds too casual. Branding is key—without it, this remains just another commodity," he remarked. Vineeta Singh agreed with his assessment.

When Aman asked if they would consider changing the name, Samrath showed openness to the idea. Sensing potential, Vineeta expressed interest in investing, leading to a private discussion with Aman. They returned with an offer—₹35 lakh for 5% equity plus a 5% royalty until ₹52.5 lakh was recouped.

After deliberation, Harnam and Samrath agreed to a potential rebranding. Vineeta even promised to brainstorm new names for them. Ultimately, the entrepreneurs accepted the deal, taking their business one step closer to transformation.