Loopie Shark Tank India Episode Review
Loopie appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5, Episode 2, with founder Akriti Gupta seeking ₹75 lakh for 1% equity (₹75 Crore valuation). Despite strong interest from the Sharks, no deal was finalized as Akriti rejected Namita Thapar’s final offer of ₹75 lakh for 2.5% equity, choosing to maintain her high valuation.
Loopie is a premium baby gear brand founded by IIM Ahmedabad alumna Akriti Gupta, who chose entrepreneurship over high-paying corporate roles after previous ventures in kids’ apparel (Tiny Toddler), Udaan, and e-commerce (Jolly). The brand specializes in high-quality strollers, car seats, and diaper bags, positioning itself as an affordable Indian alternative to expensive international imports—offering products at ₹17,000-₹20,000 compared to ₹50,000-₹60,000 for imported brands. Despite impressive growth from ₹2 lakh in sales in March 2025 to ₹45 lakh by October 2025, holding ₹3 crore in inventory, and having raised ₹14.7 crore in previous funding, the Sharks expressed concerns about the high valuation relative to current scale and the competitive resale market where parents often buy second-hand strollers. While all Sharks praised the product quality, they found the valuation premature, leading Akriti to walk away without investment.
Website Information
- Website:- Loopie
- Build on Shopify
- Poor SEO Performance, SEO Improvement Needed.
- ORGANIC TRAFFIC: 917 visitor per month.
Founder
- Akriti Gupta, an alumna of IIM Ahmedabad, leads the brand. Despite having access to high-paying corporate roles, she prioritized entrepreneurship.
- Her journey began with a kids’ apparel brand called Tiny Toddler, followed by a stint at Udaan, and later an e-commerce platform named Jolly.
- Her diverse experience in the kids’ category eventually led her to pivot toward baby gear.
Brand Overview
- Loopie is a premium baby gear brand that focuses on providing high-quality, durable, and functional products for modern Indian parents.
- The brand aims to bridge the gap between expensive international imports and low-quality local alternatives, positioning itself as a reliable homegrown solution in the baby utility space.
Shark Tank India Appearance & Ask
- Akriti appeared on Season 5 of Shark Tank India, seeking Rs 75 lakh for 1% equity in Loopie.
- This ask valued the company at Rs 75 crore, a figure that sparked significant debate among the Sharks regarding the current scale of the business versus its projected worth.
Season and Episode Air Date
- Season: 05
- Episode: 02
- Episode Air Date: Tuesday, 06 January 2026
Product Overview
Loopie specializes in essential baby gear designed for safety and convenience. Their primary product line includes:
- Strollers: Premium, foldable models.
- Car Seats: Focused on child safety during travel.
- Diaper Bags: Functional accessories for parents on the go.
Investor Reactions
The Sharks had mixed reactions to the pitch:
- Product Quality: All Sharks, including Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta, were impressed by the high quality of the strollers.
- Valuation Concerns: Anupam Mittal, Mohit Yadav, and Aman Gupta opted out early, citing that the valuation was too high for a company at its current stage.
- Market Skepticism: Kunal Bahl highlighted the challenge of the resale economy in the stroller market, noting that parents often buy second-hand, which could limit new sales.
- Negotiation: Namita and Kunal offered a joint deal at 3% equity. When Akriti countered for a much higher valuation, Kunal withdrew, and Namita’s revised 2.5% offer was also rejected.
Customer Engagement Philosophy
- Loopie’s philosophy is rooted in addressing parental anxiety regarding quality and price.
- By offering products that rival international brands (often priced at Rs 60,000) at a more accessible price point (Rs 17,000–Rs 20,000), the brand aims to build trust through value engineering and superior product design.
Product Highlights
- Price Advantage: Loopie strollers are priced between Rs 17,000 and Rs 20,000, significantly lower than imported luxury competitors.
- Rapid Growth: After starting with just Rs 2 lakh in gross sales in March 2025, the brand scaled quickly to reach Rs 45 lakh in sales by October.
- Inventory & Funding: The company holds Rs 3 crore in inventory and had previously raised Rs 14.7 crore in funding.
Future Vision
- Akriti intends to establish Loopie as a dominant player in the Indian baby gear market.
- The vision involves scaling the product line to cover more “out-of-home” baby needs while maintaining a balance between premium aesthetics and domestic affordability.
Deal Finalized or Not
- No deal was finalized. Although Namita Thapar and Kunal Bahl showed interest, Akriti was firm on her valuation.
- Namita’s final offer was Rs 75 lakh for 2.5% equity, which Akriti declined, leading her to walk away from the tank without an investment.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | Loopie |
| Website Technology | Shopify |
| SEO Performance | Poor SEO performance, improvement needed |
| Organic Traffic | 917 visitors per month |
| Founder | Akriti Gupta |
| Founder Background | IIM Ahmedabad alumna |
| Career Choice | Chose entrepreneurship over high-paying corporate roles |
| Previous Ventures | Tiny Toddler (kids apparel), Udaan, Jolly (e-commerce) |
| Category Experience | Extensive experience in kids & baby products |
| Brand Type | Premium baby gear brand |
| Brand Positioning | High-quality Indian alternative to expensive imports |
| Core Mission | Bridge gap between luxury imports and unsafe local gear |
| Shark Tank Ask | ₹75 Lakh for 1% equity |
| Valuation Sought | ₹75 Crore |
| Season | Season 05 |
| Episode | Episode 02 |
| Episode Air Date | Tuesday, 06 January 2026 |
| Product Categories | Strollers, Car Seats, Diaper Bags |
| Stroller Type | Premium, foldable, travel-friendly |
| Car Seat Focus | Child safety during travel |
| Target Consumer | Modern Indian parents |
| Product Quality Feedback | Praised by all Sharks |
| Namita Thapar Reaction | Impressed by product quality |
| Aman Gupta Reaction | Opted out due to valuation |
| Anupam Mittal Reaction | Valuation too high for current scale |
| Mohit Yadav Reaction | Early exit due to pricing expectations |
| Kunal Bahl Concern | Second-hand stroller resale market |
| Resale Market Risk | Parents prefer used strollers |
| Joint Offer | Namita + Kunal at 3% equity |
| Negotiation Outcome | Kunal withdrew after counter |
| Final Offer | Namita offered ₹75 Lakh for 2.5% |
| Founder Decision | Rejected offer |
| Deal Finalized | No |
| Stroller Price Range | ₹17,000 – ₹20,000 |
| Imported Competitor Pricing | ₹50,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Value Proposition | International quality at Indian prices |
| Sales Start | ₹2 Lakh in March 2025 |
| Sales Growth | ₹45 Lakh by October 2025 |
| Inventory Value | ₹3 Crore |
| Total Funding Raised | ₹14.7 Crore |
| Customer Philosophy | Reduce parental anxiety around safety |
| Safety Positioning | Focus on certifications & design |
| Indian Birth Rate | ~25 million births annually |
| Market Growth Rate | 11.39% CAGR (Baby care market) |
| Baby Gear Adoption | Increasing due to urban travel lifestyles |
| Global Stroller Market Size | ~$3 Billion (2026) |
| Indian Baby Care Market | $8.46 Billion by 2030 |
| Serviceable Market | Urban dual-income households |
| Target Segment | SEC A & B |
| Parent Age Group | 25–40 years |
| Family Structure | Nuclear families |
| Psychographics | Safety-focused, quality-conscious |
| Travel Use Case | Lightweight, cabin-friendly strollers |
| Core Marketing Message | International Quality at Indian Prices |
| Shark Tank Leverage | Used for credibility and trust |
| Emotional Hook | Anxiety alleviation for parents |
| Partnership Strategy | Hospitals & pediatricians |
| Content Strategy | Educational parenting blogs & videos |
| Influencer Strategy | Mom-fluencers and real-world demos |
| Video Content Focus | One-hand fold & safety features |
| SEO Focus Keywords | Best foldable stroller India, baby car seat |
| Shopify Optimization | Site speed & meta improvements |
| Primary Channel | D2C via Shopify |
| Marketplace Presence | FirstCry, Amazon, Ajio |
| Offline Experience | Premium baby boutiques |
| Gifting Strategy | Baby shower & registry bundles |
| Core Advantage | 60% cheaper than imported brands |
| Founder Advantage | Strong execution & category insight |
| Major Challenge | Resale economy |
| CAC Challenge | High cost to reach urban parents |
| Inventory Advantage | Ready stock for fast delivery |
| Competitive Pressure | R for Rabbit, LuvLap |
| Resale Mitigation | Buy-back / trade-in programs |
| SEO Mitigation | Content-led inbound strategy |
| Phase 1 Focus | Fix SEO & scale core products |
| Phase 2 Focus | Smart baby gear & accessories |
| Phase 3 Vision | International expansion |
| Revenue Target | ₹1.5–2 Crore monthly run rate |
| CAC Reduction Goal | 25% |
| AOV Growth Strategy | High-margin accessories |
| Profitability Path | EBITDA-positive trajectory |
| Long-Term Goal | Justify ₹75 Crore valuation |
Loopie Shark Tank India Business Plan
1. Loopie Business Potential in India
- India’s Massive Birth Rate: India accounts for nearly one-fifth of global childbirths, with approximately 25 million children born annually.
- Rising Disposable Income: With a projected CAGR of 11.39% for the baby care market through 2030, Indian parents (especially in Tier 1 and 2 cities) are shifting from “price-conscious” to “quality-conscious” buying.
- The Safety Gap: Loopie capitalizes on the lack of mid-premium options. While global brands like Chicco or Stokke cost ₹50,000+, and local unbranded strollers are unsafe, Loopie provides a “Goldilocks” solution at ₹17,000–₹20,000.
- Rapid Adoption of Baby Gear: Unlike toiletries, baby gear (strollers/car seats) is a high-ticket, one-time purchase category seeing a surge due to urbanization and the rise of travel-friendly lifestyles.
2. Loopie Total Addressable Market (TAM)
- Global Market Context: The global baby stroller market is valued at approx. $3 billion (2026).
- Indian Market Share: The Indian baby care market is expected to reach $8.46 billion by 2030.
- Loopie’s Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM): Focusing on urban, dual-income households, Loopie’s SAM includes the roughly 10–15% of Indian parents who can afford premium gear, representing a multi-crore annual opportunity.
3. Loopie Ideal Target Audience & Demographics
- Primary Audience: Millennial and Gen Z parents (Ages 25–40).
- Socio-Economic Segment: SEC A & B (Urban/Metro dwellers).
- Demographics: * Nuclear Families: Where both parents work and need mobility solutions.
- Health & Safety Conscious: Parents who prioritize international safety certifications (e.g., European standards).
- Travelers: Parents who require lightweight, foldable, “cabin-friendly” strollers.
4. Loopie Marketing Strategy
- Value Engineering Messaging: Position Loopie as “International Quality at Indian Prices.”
- Social Proof & Trust: Leveraging the “Shark Tank” brand equity to build instant credibility.
- The “Anxiety Alleviation” Strategy: Marketing focused on safety features (5-point harnesses, suspension) to ease parental fears.
- Partnership Channel: Collaborate with premium maternity hospitals and pediatricians for “first-touch” brand visibility.
5. Loopie Content & Digital Marketing Strategy
- Educational Content: Blogs and videos on “How to choose a safe car seat” or “Stroller maintenance.”
- Influencer Marketing: Partnering with “Mom-fluencers” for unboxing and real-world “stroll-tests” in Indian park/mall conditions.
- SEO Overhaul:
- Target high-intent keywords like “best foldable stroller India” or “lightweight baby car seat.”
- Improve Shopify site speed and meta-descriptions to increase the current 917 monthly visitors.
- Video Marketing: Short-form content (Reels/YouTube Shorts) demonstrating the “one-hand fold” feature.
6. Loopie Distribution Strategy
- D2C Focus (Shopify): Primary channel for higher margins and direct customer data.
- E-commerce Marketplaces: Presence on FirstCry, Amazon, and Ajio for wider reach.
- Omnichannel “Experience Centers”: Partnering with premium baby boutiques (e.g., Mothercare or Hamleys) for a “touch-and-feel” experience before purchase.
- Strategic Gifting: Gift registries and “New Parent” bundles on baby shower platforms.
7. Loopie Advantages & Challenges
| Loopie Advantages | Loopie Challenges |
| IIM-A Pedigree: Founder’s expertise in scaling. | Resale Market: High competition from second-hand sales (Olx/Facebook groups). |
| Price Gap: 60% cheaper than premium imports. | High Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Expensive to target urban parents. |
| Inventory Strength: ₹3 crore ready stock allows for rapid delivery. | Brand Awareness: Competing with established giants like R for Rabbit or LuvLap. |
8. Loopie Success Factors & Mitigation Strategies
- Why Success is Likely: Loopie solves a genuine problem (affordability + safety) in a massive, growing demographic.
- Mitigation for Resale Market: Implement a “Buy-Back” or “Trade-In” program where parents can trade in old Loopie gear for credits on the next size up.
- Mitigation for SEO/Traffic: Transition from purely paid ads to a content-heavy inbound strategy to lower CAC over time.
9. Loopie Future Business Roadmap
- Phase 1 (Year 1): Focus on core gear (Strollers/Car Seats) and fix SEO to drive organic growth.
- Phase 2 (Year 2-3): Expand into “Smart Gear” (e.g., strollers with integrated sensors) and baby-safe travel accessories.
- Phase 3 (Year 5): International expansion into other emerging markets with similar price-sensitive but quality-seeking demographics.
10. Roadmap to Increase Loopie Valuation
- Revenue Milestone: Achieve a consistent monthly run rate (MRR) of ₹1.5–2 crore.
- Operational Efficiency: Reduce CAC by 25% through organic community building.
- Product Diversification: Launch higher-margin accessories (diaper bags, rain covers) to increase Average Order Value (AOV).
- Path to Profitability: Show a clear “EBITDA positive” trajectory to justify the ₹75 crore valuation in the next funding round.
