On the latest episode of Shark Tank India, Komal, a young entrepreneur, presented her unique lifestyle brand, Kanvas. The brand merges her love for art with footwear, offering shoes that celebrate India’s rich artistic traditions. Komal explained that Kanvas introduces fresh designs every season, with an average price of ₹4000 per pair. Seeking ₹60 lakh for a 6% equity stake, she valued her company at ₹10 crore.
While her pitch showcased her passion, the sharks had mixed reactions. Aman Gupta, who expressed a strong interest in the sneaker business, decided to step back. He cited a lack of transparency in Komal’s responses as his reason for withdrawing. Following her pitch, Komal remarked in her interview that building a brand takes time and patience, and she believed the sharks were focused on quick profits rather than long-term growth. He commented, “They are trying to invest in companies where they can make a good profit, but I am an artisanal person.”
Komal’s creativity impressed the panel, but Namita Thapar raised concerns about repeat customers. She wondered if buyers would purchase more than one pair given the similarity in designs. Komal countered this by highlighting her 23% customer retention rate, emphasizing that each product had enough variety to appeal to different buyers.
Anupam Mittal and Aman’s probing questions put Komal on the spot. Anupam asked her to prioritize between purpose, passion, and profit. After some thought, Komal chose purpose, explaining that genuine goals naturally lead to profits. While Anupam and Ritesh Agarwal appreciated her answer, Anupam clarified that the ideal response would include all three.
The sharks were disappointed by Kanvas’s slow growth over five years. Komal shared that her revenue had increased modestly, from ₹67 lakh to ₹77 lakh. Kunal Bahl and Namita decided not to invest, with Kunal citing the footwear industry’s high entry barriers as a significant challenge. Ritesh encouraged Komal to either raise her prices to manage supply and demand or expand her product range. Ultimately, he also declined to invest.
Aman, initially interested, posed a critical question: “What do you want from us?” Komal promptly restated her ask of ₹60 lakh for 6%, leaving the panel amused. Aman, however, was unimpressed. He explained that he wasn’t there to just provide money but to add value to businesses. “If it’s just about returns, the stock market offers better options,” he said, adding that Komal’s response had discouraged him from proceeding. Anupam defended her, suggesting she didn’t intend to downplay the importance of mentorship.
Despite the feedback, Komal remained steadfast in her vision. While she left without securing a deal, her pitch sparked discussions about the challenges of balancing artistry and profitability. Her journey on the show highlighted the hurdles faced by creative entrepreneurs in a competitive market.