MeMeraki raised ₹1 crore for 4% equity from four Sharks on Shark Tank India, valuing the culture-tech startup at ₹25 crore.
New Delhi-based MeMeraki, a culture-tech platform focused on scaling traditional Indian arts and crafts through technology and enterprise partnerships, has secured a ₹1 crore investment from four Sharks on Shark Tank India.
The deal brings together investors Varun Alagh, Namita Thapar, Kunal Bahl, and Viraj Bahl, marking one of the rare multi-Shark endorsements for a culture-first, impact-led venture.
Founder Yosha Gupta had initially sought ₹50 lakh for 1.67% equity. Following strong interest and negotiations, the Sharks collectively doubled the cheque to ₹1 crore in exchange for 4% equity, valuing the company at ₹25 crore.
A Culture-Tech Platform at Scale
Founded in 2019, MeMeraki operates at the intersection of heritage preservation and technology-enabled market access. The platform connects over 500 master artisans representing more than 300 traditional Indian art forms with global buyers across 40+ countries.
Unlike conventional handicraft marketplaces, MeMeraki’s model spans three pillars:
- Curated digital learning experiences and workshops
- Direct-to-consumer handcrafted products
- A growing enterprise vertical delivering murals, installations, campaigns, and cultural advisory services
The enterprise arm has become a significant growth driver, enabling larger-ticket projects and offering predictable income streams to artisans.
Business Model and Financial Trajectory
MeMeraki currently operates on a 60% consumer and 40% enterprise revenue mix. The company has reported consistent year-on-year revenue growth and achieved profitability in the current financial year.
Enterprise collaborations have included projects with GMR Hyderabad Airport, the Ministry of Culture, Science City Kolkata, and Apollo Hospitals — partnerships that expand both commercial depth and global visibility for Indian art traditions.
The Shark Tank deal signals investor confidence in the company’s structured approach to scaling a traditionally fragmented ecosystem.
Strategic Use of Funds
According to the company, the fresh capital will be deployed across three priority areas:
- Strengthening the technology backbone
- Expanding enterprise partnerships
- Deepening structured artisan engagement, including onboarding, design intervention, and documentation
Yosha Gupta said the investment brings not just capital but strategic depth in brand-building, operational discipline, and distribution as the company moves toward long-term institutional growth.
The startup is targeting a ₹100 crore-plus business within the next four to five years, driven by enterprise expansion and global consumer demand.
Impact Meets Institutional Scale
India’s artisan economy has historically struggled with fragmented distribution, inconsistent pricing, and limited global visibility. MeMeraki’s model attempts to professionalise this ecosystem by combining digital storytelling, structured commerce, and institutional partnerships.
The company had previously raised capital from Suzuki-backed Next Bharat Ventures and received support from ecosystem players including IIMA Ventures and accelerator programs such as Google for Startups (women founders) and Meta XR Accelerator.
The four-Shark investment represents a validation of culture-tech as a scalable business category, not merely a social enterprise.
As India’s startup ecosystem continues to broaden beyond fintech and consumer apps, platforms like MeMeraki illustrate how technology can unlock economic value in heritage-driven sectors — provided operational rigor matches cultural ambition.
