Shark Tank India 4: Chhail Khalsa’s Innovative Smart Textiles

The recent episode of Shark Tank India 4 showcased Chhail Khalsa, an entrepreneur from Ahmedabad, who presented her brand Anuvad and its extraordinary smart textiles. This new venture merges fabric with technology, demonstrating the skills of Indian artisans. Chhail revealed how her textiles integrate circuits, enhancing their functionality. Nevertheless, the pitch encountered doubt from the panel of ‘sharks’, who raised concerns about the practicality and scalability of her concept.

What Defines Smart Textiles?

When Vineeta Singh inquired about what constitutes a “smart textile,” Chhail elaborated that it signifies any fabric boasting a functional advantage over standard textiles. She mentioned that she possesses an Indian patent for incorporating circuits into fabric, thereby creating an electronic medium. As an illustration, she pointed to heated cushions but unfortunately did not have a prototype onhand, leaving the sharks confused.

Challenges Faced During the Pitch

Kunal Bahl questioned Chhail about the absence of the heated cushions during her presentation, but she was unable to provide a convincing response. This led Anupam Mittal to bluntly state, “You thought you’d get funding with this. Why show the others?” indicating the difficulties in her pitch.

Funding and Market Potential

Chhail disclosed that she has dedicated more than eight years to developing this technology and has obtained three grants from the IKEA Foundation, amounting to ₹44 lakh. She was seeking ₹50 lakh in exchange for 5 percent equity in the company, thereby valuing it at ₹10 crore.

Mixed Reactions from the Sharks

Despite the skepticism, Vineeta probed whether Chhail realistically believed in the market demand for her product. Kunal, however, praised her determination. Namita Thapar opted out of the investment, citing that the business is at a nascent stage. Anupam also withdrew, branding it as a “college project, craft center, research-oriented textiles looking for a use case,” although he expressed interest in commissioning a project from her brand.

Vineeta declined the offer as well, asserting that “no one needs” her product, suggesting that it seemed more like a novelty rather than a practical alternative to traditional textiles. Kunal Bahl and Ritesh Agarwal echoed the sentiment, resulting in Chhail exiting the pitch without securing any funding.

Determined for the Future

After the pitch, Chhail remained confident in her vision, maintaining that e-textiles present substantial opportunities ahead.