Near-Death Experience to Business Triumph: Wanderlooms’ Shark Tank Win!

Adventure is becoming popular, and the thrill of exploring new terrains draws more enthusiasts daily. Two passionate trekkers turned their love for riding and adventure into a brand, “Wanderloom.”.

Finding multi-bagger stocks is essential for building wealth. Discover potential multi-baggers at Sovrenn Discovery.

Who are the founders of Wanderlooms?

Prateek Vats and Deepesh Shrivastava are the co-founders of Wanderlooms. For them, the road is not just a path; it’s a calling. They have transformed their love for riding and adventure into a thriving clothing brand that curates stylish, comfortable, and functional gear for travel enthusiasts. Their journey, however, was far from easy. It was a tale of an unbreakable spirit.

Investing has built enormous wealth for several HNI investors. Learn investing FREE OF CHARGE at Sovrenn Education.

The Journey of Wanderlooms and its Founders

Prateek Vats is a seasoned rider from Bhopal and the founder of a riders’ club, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. He envisioned a brand that catered to adventure seekers' practical needs and told their stories. Another co-founder, Deepesh Shrivastava, is an intern from Madhya Pradesh. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering but was always interested in designing. He took a design diploma course and joined Prateek early on in 2019. His commitment was unparalleled; he braved a 100 km daily commute to be part of the team.

Also Read: Dhruv Kohli’s Bold Pitch of 167cr, Stuns Investors in Shark Tank India.

His dedication didn’t go unnoticed, and soon, he became a co-founder in 2021, riding alongside Prateek on the mission to revolutionize adventure touring in India. In 2011, Pratik's father sold some of his plots and gave 50-60k money to Pratik to buy whatever he wanted. He bought a bike, and while going home,e he realized what was missing in his life. Some people called him to make a Sunday riding club, and this is how the "born to ride club" of Madhya Pradesh came into existence. His interest increases day by day, and this is how,w in 2019, Wanderlooms came into existence. Their average selling price of Jousey is 1400.

The journey of Wanderlooms wasn’t just about business growth; it was also about survival. Prateek recalls a harrowing experience that changed his perspective on life. On July 5, 2020, he felt uneasy during one of his bike rides deep inside a jungle. With no immediate help in sight, he called a fellow rider who happened to be a cardiologist. Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack, his friend arranged for immediate assistance. After a grueling 40 km ride to the nearest hospital, Prateek was saved and later received two stents. This near-death experience reaffirmed his belief in Wanderlooms, not just as a business, but as a community where every ride and every rider mattered.

He says he does not make it solely for business purposes but also to share his 14 years of experience with riders like him. The brand is also featured at international rallies like Baja and Dakar. The gross sales for FY23-24 were 2.16 cr, with a negative 13% EBITDA. They also raised funding in September 2022 at a valuation of 4 crores.

Wanderlooms in Shark Tank India Season 4

Recently, Prateek and Deepesh stepped into the Shark Tank India stage. They shared the dream fueled by passion and driven by the unbreakable spirit of the riding community. Seeking an investment of ₹50 lakh for 2.5% equity, valuing Wanderlooms at ₹20 crores, they captured the sharks’ attention with their compelling storytelling and unique business mode of an unorganized sector.

Namita Thapar & Ritesh Agarwal made a joint offer of ₹50 lakh for 5% equity, recognizing the potential of Wanderlooms’ strong community and its connection with motorcycle clubs.

Aman Gupta, equally impressed, matched their offer, appreciating how Prateek and Deepesh had turned their passion into a sustainable business. However, the co-founders weren’t willing to part with that much equity. Prateek countered at 4% equity, willingness to negotiate. Surprisingly, both Namita-Ritesh and Aman agreed. He chose Namita and Ritesh’s offer of 50 lakhs for 4% at the valuation of 12.5 cr.

With the investment and strategic mentorship of Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal, Wanderlooms is set to scale new heights. Their roadmap is to develop utility products for cycling, hiking, and other adventure activities. What started as a passion project has now become a movement, empowering adventure lovers with gear that’s stylish, comfortable, and functional.

As Prateek beautifully sums up their mission, We’re not just a touring company; wwe’restorytellers. Every journey is about emotions and connections. We create wearables that resonate with the spirit of adventure. For aspiring entrepreneurs, their story is a testament that passion, coupled with perseverance, can lead to remarkable success. Their journey continues, one thing is certain: the road ahead is filled with endless possibilities.

Also Read: Shark Tank Season 4 Spotlights: MetaShot’s Innovative Cricket Game