“Toh fir toh ek Tarah se Dhanda hi nai ban raha hai – given the low repeat it” said Shark Anupam to the Founders of Panda’s Box

For numerous individuals, the initiation into Indian culture came through our grandmothers’ tales at bedtime, melodic mantras, and nurturing lessons.

Panda’s Box is reviving that sentiment, one toy at a time.  Panda’s Box,the brand, established in 2022, develops toys, décor, puzzles, and learning kits across more than 40 categories that are rooted in culture.

These products aim to introduce children to Indian stories, values, and mantras in a manner that is joyful rather than forced.

Panda’s Box is founded by Sukriti, a marketer with over 12 years of experience from Sonipat, and Rajat, an engineer who adds structure and scale to the vision.

Their distinctive advantage is in combining play with sacred mantras and storytelling, transforming cultural education into an experience that children truly anticipate.

As they enter this season, the founders  asked ₹80 lakh for 2% equity, promoting Panda’s Box as a link between nostalgia and contemporary parenting, where playtime serves as an entrance to heritage.

The founders shared their experience, stating, “Shark Tank India Season 5 provides us with a robust platform to demonstrate why Indian culture should be part of modern childhood.

 Panda’s Box originated from the recollections of tales and teachings that formed our identity, and we aim to share that warmth through playfulness, inquisitiveness, and pride in our heritage.

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Panda’s Box was born from one simple belief — that children deserve joyful, meaningful play that connects them to their culture and values.

 When the founder noticed how captivated her son was by stories of courage, kindness, and devotion, she realized there was a beautiful opportunity to blend ancient wisdom with playtime.

 That spark grew into Panda’s Box — a brand dedicated to creating mantra-chanting plush toys and cultural play experiences that nurture young hearts and minds

Official Website – Panda’s Box

Panda Box offers a variety of activity kits, DIY kits, and educational toys in its collections. Every kit is tailored to the age and interests of the children. These kits provide children with step-by-step activities, facilitating the learning process.

Panda Box emphasizes practical learning rather than theory alone. It assists kids in building self-assurance and problem-solving abilities. Parents view it as a solution for home learning.

Panda Box’s key characteristic is its emphasis on STEM learning. The acronym STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The kits from Panda Box present these ideas to kids in an enjoyable manner.

Through experiments, building activities, and creative tasks, children acquire knowledge. This fosters a sense of logical reasoning and creativity in children. This learning approach reinforces future skills.

The items from Panda Box also assist in fostering creativity in children. Children get a chance to use their imagination through DIY and craft-based activities. When children make things on their own, it enhances their self-expression.

Children are encouraged to experiment with colors, shapes, and ideas through Panda Box kits. It fosters art and design skills in a natural way. Children gain confidence through creative learning.

A significant benefit of Panda Box is its encouragement of learning without screens. Children today are primarily reliant on mobile phones and tablets. Panda Box involves kids in physical activities.

Children’s ability to concentrate and their patience are enhanced by practical play. Activities that do not involve screens are regarded as more beneficial for children’s mental health. This is a beneficial choice for parents.

Panda Box kits assist children in developing their problem-solving skills. Throughout the activities, kids are presented with challenges that they must tackle on their own. It enhances skills in making decisions and critical thinking.

Panda Box offers children the chance to learn from their errors. The process of learning occurs without stress. This method creates in children the fearlessness of learners.

Sukriti Mendiratta (Founder): A seasoned marketing and brand communications professional with 12 years of experience working with brands like Sugar Free, Revlon, and Hyundai, she manages marketing, product development, and HR. She holds a BA in Journalism and an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication.

Rajat Mendiratta (Co-Founder): Joined full-time in October 2024 to manage operations. He brings over 15 years of operational experience, previously serving as COO at Modi Naturals Limited, and holds an MBA from the University of Bath and a BTech from MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology. 

Channel Split

• Own Website – 33%
• Quick Commerce – 37%
• Amazon – 25%
• Others – 5%

Sales

• FY 22-23 = Rs 53 Lakhs
• FY 23-24 = Rs 2.93 Crores
• FY 24-25 = Rs 8.77 Crores
• YTD = Rs 8 crores

Projected Sales

• FY 25-26 = Rs 14 Crores

EBITDA

• FY 22-23 = Rs 9 Lakhs
• FY 23-24 = Rs 13 Lakhs
• FY 24-25 = Rs 55 Lakhs
• YTD = -Rs 49 Lakhs

Repeat Rate own Website

• YTD – 15%
• FY 24-25 – 12%

Shark Anupam said – Repeat isme Banega nai jyada, it is a nice gifting option but was not convinced with the idea of the business

Shark Kunal bahl said the product is good, channel distribution is good but it’s not still a brand & for those reasons he was out of the deal

Shark Shaily Mehrotra said that the repeat purchase & scalability is challenging

Shark Aman Gupta was blunt enough to say ” Naam bohot hi kharab laga” mujhe. He also felt there is profitability issues in the business, but he felt he can help the foundeRs.

Shark Namita wanted to discuss with Shark Aman Gupta & both gave a conditional offer = Rs 80 Lakhs for 8% Equity (Aman) + Rs 40 Lakhs for 4% Equity (Namita) + 2% Royalty until Rs 1.2 Crores is recouped. Valuation – Rs 10 Crores

Shark Aman said they wanted the founders to change the name of the business.

The founders finally closed the offer with Shark Aman Gupta & Shark Namita Thappar for Rs 80 Lakhs for 8% Equity (Aman) + Rs 40 Lakhs for 4% Equity (Namita) + 2% Royalty until Rs 1.2 Crores is recouped. Valuation – Rs 10 Crores

Panda Box aims for holistic development, not just entertainment. All three of cognitive skills, motor skills, and creativity are developed at the same time. Activities contribute to the comprehensive peRsonality development of children.

Panda Box links education to real-world experience. It aids in the cultivation of real-world thinking in children. Education is supposed to have significance.

Panda Box can be seen as a contemporary educational solution for kids. It turns brand education into an activity that’s enjoyable and captivating. Panda Box provides children with the chance to explore, create, and learn.

Its greatest asset is learning that is activity-based and screen-free. Parents have come to regard it as a dependable choice. Panda Box represents a significant advance in preparing children for the future.

Panda’s Box, an early learning startup, has successfully secured Rs 1.2 crore after its appearance on Shark Tank India. The investment was jointly led by Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt, and Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. This milestone has enabled the startup to secure both financial resources and strategic support from two leading figures in the industry.

The company states that Panda’s Box will utilize the newly raised funds to expedite product development, diveRsify distribution channels, enhance its digital brand presence, and extend its reach to more families throughout India.

Panda’s Box is becoming a formidable competitor in India’s developing early learning ecosystem by integrating screen-free education with experiences that hold cultural significance. The startup has the backing of notable investoRs from Shark Tank India and is bolstered by increasing consumer demand, positioning it effectively to expand its impact while tackling a crucial gap in early childhood development. With parents placing greater emphasis on balanced and mindful learning, Panda’s Box seems set for ongoing growth and enduring significance.

In the latest episode of Shark Tank Article, the brand Panda’s Box focuses on the importance of mantra chanting & our Indian culture. They discuss how can kids connect with our gods & chant their names, mantras & listen their stories using the products of Panda’s box.

Mantra chanting is an ancient practice that has been a corneRstone of spiritual and mental well-being for centuries. A mantra is a sacred sound, word, or phrase repeated rhythmically, often in meditation or prayer. The repetition of mantras helps calm the mind, focusing attention and reducing mental clutter. This practice is known to lower stress levels, enhance concentration, and promote emotional balance.