A young entrepreneur, Swati, left a lasting impression on the latest episode of Shark Tank India with her saree brand Aseem by Aseem Shakti. Her unique selling point—sarees that can be draped in just 15 seconds with built-in pockets—caught the attention of the ‘sharks,’ but it was her inspiring story and commitment to empowering underprivileged women that truly won their hearts.
Swati, who pitched for Rs 50 lakh in exchange for 2.5% equity, revealed that her startup has already crossed Rs 1 crore in revenue in just six months. However, her motivation behind launching the business was deeply personal. She recalled witnessing women from lower-income groups participating in risky cosmetic trials to make a living—some even suffering severe injuries. Determined to create a safer and sustainable livelihood for them, Swati built a workforce of women who now form the backbone of her saree venture.
The ‘sharks’ were moved by her story, but concerns over pricing arose when Swati disclosed that her sarees are priced between Rs 3,000 and Rs 6,000. While Shark Tank judges Vineeta Singh and Kunal Bahl appreciated her mission, they felt her financial knowledge was lacking. Peyush Bansal also backed out, citing her inability to answer critical business questions.
However, Anupam Mittal stepped in, praising Swati’s vision despite her limited understanding of finances. “You want to help people, and you want to build a community. I will deploy a marketing and finance person for you. You only need to focus on growing your community,” he told her. He then offered Rs 50 lakh for 10% equity, which Swati happily accepted.
After sealing the deal, Swati gifted her sarees to the ‘sharks,’ and Anupam playfully draped one over himself, earning praise from his fellow investors. His gesture was met with amusement from Namita Thapar and admiration from Kunal Bahl, who commended him for being a “good sport.”
Swati now aims to scale her brand into a Rs 100 crore business while continuing to uplift women through sustainable employment.