“I Somehow Feel Connected to the Name” – Shaily to Shichisoru on Shark Tank India Season 5 Episode 42

Innovative Indian entrepreneurs are still highlighted on the well-known startup reality show Shark Tank India. In Episode 42 of Season 5, viewers were introduced to Shichisoru, a creative and unique company. The Sharks were drawn to the business because of its inventive stories, collectible characters, and items based on a made-up universe.

Shichisoru was founded by an illustrator who was passionate about both art and storytelling. The company’s goal is to bring original characters to life through collectibles like magnets, stickers, plush toys, and other items. The pitch was noteworthy because it combined consumer goods, art, and storytelling to create a distinctive brand centered on imaginative narratives and characters.

Related: “Mera Paisa Aise Hi Nahi Dunga” – Aman to Orbit Wallet on Shark Tank India Season 5 Episode 41

Maitreyee Koli, broadly known as Rey, is an artist who wanted to use graphics and fictitious characters to convey her stories and personality. She founded the collectible character and goods business Shichisoru. In order to emotionally connect with viewers and enthusiasts of adorable collectibles, the company creates a universe around characters like Mimi and Friends.

Similar to how international corporations create devoted fan bases around cartoon characters and mascots, the concept behind Shichisoru is motivated by the increasing desire for character-driven items worldwide. The firm aims to produce a recognizable intellectual property that can grow into apparel, comics, digital content, and collectibles by fusing creativity and storytelling.

Official Website – Shichisoru

Shichisoru concentrates on creating a fantasy world with endearing characters. Fans are able to emotionally relate to the brand because each character has a unique personality, backstory, and visual identity.

The startup’s product lineup includes:

• Plush toys inspired by the characters
• Stickers and collectible magnets
• Illustrated merchandise and art products
• Character-based creative collectibles

The visual quality of the drawings and the characters’ narrative approach particularly attracted the Sharks, giving the brand a unique identity in the collectibles market.

The founder clarified that Shichisoru’s goal is to create a fully realized fictitious universe that fans can interact with, rather than merely selling stuff.

Price (Mimi Plushie) – Rs 550

Price (Toffee Plushie) – Rs 650

Sales:

FY 24-25 – Rs 31.53 Lakhs

YTD – Rs 25.53 Lakhs

Personal Investment – Rs 10 Lakhs

In Season 5 Episode 42, the founder of Shark Tank India joined the tank and introduced the Sharks about Shichisoru, a brand centered around an imaginative world of unique characters and tales. The pitch started with a succinct description of how the founder, who works as an illustrator, began developing original characters as a means of narrative and artistic expression. These figures developed over time into a brand that could be turned into tangible goods like magnets, stickers, plush toys, and collectibles.

The founder displayed a number of Shichisoru-inspired products to illustrate the idea. The whimsical and “cute” design language that is central to the brand’s identity was represented in these products. The Sharks were showed how every character in the Shichisoru universe has a unique personality and history, which enables the company to establish a stronger emotional bond with its viewers. The founder clarified that the long-term goal was to develop a character-driven intellectual property business akin to international character franchises, rather than merely selling items.

The Sharks inquired about the brand’s ambitions for growth on multiple occasions during the conversation. They were especially curious about the magnitude of the Indian collectibles market and whether a character-based brand might draw a devoted fan base. The products are intended for young adults, collectors, and aficionados of cute character culture, which has already grown to be a major global trend, according to the founder.

The startup’s business aspect was also investigated by the Sharks. They inquired about margins, production expenses, and the founder’s inventory control for tangible goods. The founder clarified that the firm has been expanding its following through social media and art communities, and that online channels currently account for the majority of sales. She added that the distinctiveness of the figures is what sets Shichisoru apart from other product brands, so it’s critical to preserve a strong artistic identity.

The Ask

The founders asked for Rs 75 Lakhs for 5% Equity at the valuation of Rs 15 Crores.

Sharks Reactions

Shark Namita pointed out that the direction towards which the brand is going is unclear, she advised the founder to not seek investment right now. She backed out after stating that.

Shark Aman believed that the business is “Fad” and didn’t want to invest in it. Thus, he backed out.

Shark Kunal pointed out that the business is in a very early stage. So he opted out as well.

Shark Anupam was highly inspired by the passion of the founder and advised her to consider scaling her B2B strategy. He did not offer anything.

Shark Shaily Mehrotra, on the other hand, somehow felt connected to the business. She offered Rs 35 Lakhs for 10% Equity + Rs 40 Lakhs as debt at 10% interest rate for the duration of 2 years at the valuation of Rs 3.5 Crores.

After a phone call discussion, the founder requested Shaily to increase the tenure of loan to 3 years or a moratorium for the 1^st year.

Shark Shaily Mehrotra went ahead with the counter offer of – Rs 35 Lakhs for 10% Equity + Rs 40 Lakhs Debt at 10% interest for 3 years. Hence, the deal was made.

Following the deal with Shaily Mehrotra, Shichisoru is set to transform from a niche art project into a scalable intellectual property powerhouse. The brand plans to expand its character universe beyond stickers and plushies into new categories like apparel, comics, and digital content. By leveraging storytelling, the founder aims to build a devoted fan base similar to major international character franchises.

To drive growth, the company will focus on deepening emotional connections with its audience through social media and art communities. While maintaining its unique artistic identity, Shichisoru will work on scaling its online distribution and potentially exploring B2B strategies to diversify revenue. The ultimate goal is to establish a fully realized fictitious universe that becomes a staple in the growing Indian collectibles market.