“Inspired by Nirbhaya”—The Story Behind Whale Wearables’ Mission on Shark Tank India

Whale Wearables is a technology-driven self-defense brand designed to give women a real-time way to protect themselves. Founded in early 2024, the company aims to make public spaces safer by integrating electrical self-defense tools into wearables.

The startup was founded by Nandita Yenagi and Sharad Patil, who believe that women should have access to effective, easy-to-use safety tools.

Their products are patent-backed and designed to deliver a mild electric shock, providing an instant defense mechanism in dangerous situations.

The motivation behind Whale Wearables stems from Nandita’s personal experience with eve-teasing and her realization that women lack accessible self-defense solutions.

With a bold vision and a strong mission, the duo entered Shark Tank India seeking funding to scale their innovation.

Click here to visit their website: Whale Wearables

Related: “Great Innovation, But Where’s the Demand?” – Sharks on Anuvad’s Pitch on Shark Tank India

Nandita Yenagi shared a deeply personal experience during the pitch, an incident of harassment in a public place.

This moment led her to think beyond traditional self-defense methods.

Her background in design and technology helped her develop an innovative solution for real-world threats.

Sharad Patil, an engineer with experience in wearable technology, brought technical expertise to the company.

Together, they created Whale Wearables, blending technology and self-defense into a single, wearable solution.

Their goal is simple: help women feel safer without carrying bulky or impractical defense tools.

The founders asked for ₹30 lakh in exchange for 3% equity, valuing the company at ₹10 crore.

They needed the investment to:

1. Improve product design for greater convenience.
2. Expand manufacturing capacity to scale production.
3. Market their innovation effectively to reach more women.

While the sharks were impressed by the idea, they questioned the usability and scalability of the product.

Shark Namita raised concerns about how practical the device is for real-world use. She pointed out that self-defense tools need to be quick, discreet, and easy to use under stress. Feeling that the product wasn’t there yet, she decided not to invest.

Shark Kunal liked the concept but struggled to see the ideal wearable format. He opted out, explaining that the startup needed more clarity on the final product design.

Shark Ritesh was initially interested but decided not to compete with Aman’s offer. He believed Aman’s experience in consumer electronics would be more valuable to the startup.

While several sharks opted out, the concept was compelling enough to attract investment.

Sharks Aman and Vineeta, recognizing the potential of tech-driven self-defense, offered ₹30 lakh for 3% equity, exactly what the founders had asked for.

With this funding, Whale Wearables gained the financial backing and mentorship needed to refine and scale their product.

Securing investment is just the beginning. The company still faces major challenges, including:

1. Perfecting the product design: The wearable must be comfortable, discreet, and easy to activate in emergencies.
2. Building customer trust: Women need to feel confident using the product in real-life situations.
3. Navigating legal concerns: Electrical self-defense tools must comply with safety regulations.

To overcome these challenges, the founders plan to:

• Conduct user testing to refine product functionality.
• Expand manufacturing to ensure affordability.
• Partner with safety organizations to increase adoption.

With Aman and Vineeta’s support, the company is set to make its mark in the wearable self-defense market.

1. If executed well, wearables could change the way women protect themselves.
2. A great idea needs a clear, user-friendly product to succeed.
3. Scaling a hardware-based business requires strong execution and market trust.

Whale Wearables introduced an ambitious and much-needed innovation, but real-world adoption remains the biggest challenge. With the right strategy and product improvements, this startup could redefine self-defense for women across India.