The entrepreneurial arena of Shark Tank India Season 5 witnessed a compelling pitch from founder Akriti Gupta, who presented her baby care brand, Loopie. Seeking an investment of Rs 75 lakh for a 1% equity stake, Gupta placed a high valuation bet on her venture focused on affordable baby solutions like strollers, car seats, and nappy bags.
The Pitch and The Founder's Journey
Akriti Gupta, who hails from Dhanbad and is an alumna of the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad, chose the path of entrepreneurship over a corporate career. Her first foray was the kidswear brand Tiny Toddler, which she ran for nearly four years. Her current venture, Loopie, was launched in March 2025, and impressed the sharks with the build quality and design of its products.
The discussion quickly turned to the brand's pricing strategy. Loopie's strollers are priced between Rs 17,000 and Rs 20,000. While the sharks questioned if this price point could attract a mass market, Kunal Bahl provided context by noting that imported foldable strollers can cost as much as Rs 60,000.
Impressive Traction Meets Valuation Concerns
Gupta revealed impressive financial metrics. Loopie started with gross sales of Rs 2 lakh in March 2025 and saw a dramatic rise to Rs 45 lakh by October 2025. The company had already raised Rs 14.7 crore in funding prior to the pitch and held Rs 30–40 lakh in cash with inventory valued at Rs 3 crore.
Despite this traction, the high valuation became a sticking point. Shark Anupam Mittal stepped out of the deal citing these very concerns. Namita Thapar made the first offer, proposing Rs 75 lakh for a 3% equity stake, significantly diluting Gupta's asked valuation. Kunal Bahl, while disagreeing with the initial valuation, was willing to match Namita's offer.
The Negotiation Breakdown
Akriti Gupta, standing firm on her brand's worth, presented a counteroffer valuing the company at Rs 1.5 crore. In response, Namita Thapar adjusted her offer to 2.5% equity for the Rs 75 lakh investment. With a significant gap remaining between the entrepreneur's expectations and the sharks' revised terms, a consensus could not be reached. Consequently, all investors withdrew from the pitch, leaving Loopie without a deal on the show.
The episode highlighted the classic Shark Tank dilemma: a founder's belief in their company's future potential versus investors' focus on current metrics and sustainable valuation. While Loopie's growth story was acknowledged, the valuation bridge proved too wide to cross in the Tank.
