Wanderlooms on Shark Tank India: “Sharks also have to pitch” Shark Aman Learns a Lesson as Wanderlooms Picks Namita and Ritesh

Wanderlooms isn’t your typical apparel company. It’s a brand built for those who feel most alive on the open road, those who chase adventure, and those who believe that travel isn’t just a hobby-it’s a way of life.

Founded by Prateek Vats and Deepesh Shrivastava, Wanderlooms specialises in travel-inspired apparel and accessories. The company’s mission is simple—offer stylish, comfortable, and functional gear that resonates with modern wanderers. Whether it’s a rugged biker, a weekend backpacker, or a digital nomad, Wanderlooms creates merchandise that speaks to the travel-loving spirit.

Click here to visit their official website: Wanderlooms 

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Prateek Vats, a passionate rider from Bhopal, had been organising motorcycle expeditions long before he thought of launching a business. His love for adventure led him to create a rider’s club, where he met countless like-minded individuals.

In 2007, he took a leap and started an adventure touring company. But it was in 2020, after a life-changing experience, that he realised the need for reliable, travel-friendly gear.

During a ride deep inside a jungle, Prateek felt an unusual discomfort. With no medical facility nearby, he contacted a fellow rider, who happened to be a cardiologist. The symptoms pointed to a heart attack. A local drove him 40 km to the nearest hospital, where he received life-saving treatment. That moment changed his perspective—life was unpredictable, and chasing dreams had to happen now, not later.

Wanderlooms wasn’t built overnight. It took years of dedication, market understanding, and learning from setbacks. But the company’s growth has been impressive.

• FY23-24 Gross Sales: ₹2.61 Cr
• Net Sales: ₹2.32 Cr
• EBITDA: -13%
• Marketing Spend: 38% of total sales

In just one year, the company’s revenue nearly doubled, growing from ₹1.26 Cr in FY22-23 to ₹2.32 Cr in FY23-24.

• Own Website & WhatsApp Groups: 31%
• Marketplaces (Amazon, Flipkart, etc.): 43%
• B2B Partnerships: 26%

Wanderlooms secured ₹1.43 Cr in funding in September 2022 for 26% equity. But the journey wasn’t over—they wanted more capital to scale up.

On Shark Tank India Season 4, Prateek and Deepesh stepped in with an ambitious ask—₹50 lakh for 2.5% equity, valuing Wanderlooms at ₹20 Cr. Their pitch wasn’t just about numbers. It was about emotion, experience, and the community they had built.

The sharks listened carefully, but they weren’t going to hand over money that easily.

Each shark had a different perspective on the business:

• Sharks Namita Thapar & Ritesh Agarwal: Made a joint offer of ₹50 lakh for 5% equity. Ritesh saw potential in Wanderlooms’ community and connections with motorcycle clubs.
• Shark Aman Gupta: Matched their offer, stating he admired how the founders had turned their passion into a business.

The founders weren’t ready to give up so much equity. Prateek countered at 4% equity, testing the sharks’ willingness to negotiate. Surprisingly, both Namita-Ritesh and Aman agreed.

At this point, Prateek had an interesting choice. He could take either offer, or even try to bring all three sharks on board. But when Namita hinted that involving all of them would raise the equity ask to 6%, he made a decisive move.

He chose Sharks Namita and Ritesh’s offer.

Aman, clearly disappointed, questioned why he wasn’t picked. Prateek’s response was straightforward—Ritesh’s connections in the travel space could help Wanderlooms scale its community faster. Shark Aman, half-joking, half-serious, remarked, “So today I learned that even sharks need to pitch themselves.”

Several factors made Wanderlooms an attractive investment:

1. Strong Market Niche: Adventure touring and travel-inspired apparel have a passionate customer base.
2. Community-Driven Approach: The brand wasn’t just selling products; it was selling a lifestyle.
3. Solid Financial Growth: Doubling revenue within a year showed scalability.

While profitability was still a challenge, the sharks saw potential in Wanderlooms’ business model.

With the funding secured, Wanderlooms now has the opportunity to expand in multiple ways:

With 43% of sales coming from marketplaces, Wanderlooms aims to scale direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales through its own website and exclusive community-driven campaigns.

While sneakers, jackets, and sunglasses are the brand’s primary offerings, new categories like travel accessories and outdoor gear are on the horizon.

Ritesh Agarwal’s expertise in travel networks will help the brand partner with travel groups, increasing exposure and sales.

Wanderlooms’ appearance on Shark Tank India was more than just a pitch—it was a showcase of resilience, passion, and strategic thinking. The founders’ ability to negotiate, highlight their strengths, and stay firm on their vision won them a deal that aligned with their long-term goals.