On Shark Tank India Season 4 entrepreneurs from Karnataka introduced a wearable safety device designed for women. Nandita Yenagi and Sharad Patil, founders of Whale Wearables, stepped onto the stage as “social impact innovators” with a vision to enhance personal security. They showcased their patented self-defense gadgets, including a high-tech glove and a wristband. Seeking Rs 30 lakh for a 3% stake, they valued their company at Rs 10 crore.
Nandita explained that the glove was equipped with multiple features. It could activate an alarm, shine a flashlight, and track location via GPS. However, its standout feature was its ability to deliver a mild electric shock to an attacker. Sharad highlighted its biometric security, ensuring that only the registered user could operate it. Unauthorized access was impossible. The duo revealed that the idea struck them after a candlelight march advocating for women’s safety. Nandita also recalled a personal incident where she faced harassment on a bus.
Vineeta Singh also disclosed the harassment she has faced. She said though she had learnt Taikondo but still whenever she was attacked or faced such physical harassment she could do “NOTHING”.
To demonstrate, Nandita activated the glove, showing that it could emit up to 4000 volts. This raised concerns among the sharks. Namita Thapar questioned its impact, wondering if the shock could cause severe harm or legal complications. She asked, “Can this harm the attacker in terms of hospitalisation or a serious health condition because that can be a litigation issue if it is the wrong person?” The founders assured her that the voltage was not lethal and was only meant to deter an attacker.
In addition to the glove, they introduced a wristband functioning as an SOS device. With just a press, it could send a distress signal. Aman Gupta commented that his smartwatch already had a similar feature. But Vineeta Singh disagreed, saying, “Why don’t watches make it easy? That’s my big gripe. There should be a big button that is easy to press.” Aman advised them to focus on the glove, as integrating their technology into smartwatches might not be practical.
The founders disclosed that they had personally invested Rs 40 lakh into the business and still had Rs 20 lakh in reserve. Namita chose to step away from the deal, stating, “Your product, in its current form, is not the right solution. Your intent might be okay, but this is not innovation according to me. Just by putting buttons in a different place and getting a process patent, it’s not really innovation.” Kunal Bahl also declined, believing the product needed further refinement.
Despite some skepticism, Vineeta saw potential in the product and teamed up with Aman. The latter expressed his willingness to guide them through the manufacturing process and emphasized that Rs 30 lakh for 3 percent was a reasonable ask. “We give crores on this show, 30 lakh for 3 percent… I can help you, guide you in manufacturing,” he said. However, he made it clear that regulatory approvals were a must. The founders agreed to these terms, sealing a deal with Aman and Vineeta.
With funding secured, Whale Wearables moved a step closer to bringing their innovative safety solutions to a wider audience. The pitch sparked discussions about the importance of personal security, with the sharks weighing in on both the technical and ethical implications of such devices. While some questioned its feasibility, others believed that with the right guidance, it had the potential to create a significant impact.