Their love for bikes, roads, and rides led Prateek Vats and Deepesh Shrivastava to launch Wanderlooms, a brand that, according to its official website, makes adventure-inspired apparel and merchandise for riders. The brand recently garnered a lot of attention when it found a platform in the form of Shark Tank India 4.
On the show, which streams on Sony LIV, the two founders represented the brand which they have built with a lot of hard work and passion. In this interview, co-founder Vats talks about the brand, its experience of being on Shark Tank India 4, plans for the future and more.
The goal behind Wanderlooms was to create a ‘swag waala brand’ for Indian riders which, according to you, did not exist earlier. What kind of research did you have to put in to ensure your brand offered something which no other brand did in the past?
We spent a lot of time connecting with riders, understanding their lifestyle, preferences, and what they felt was lacking in existing brands. We focused on blending functionality with style, ensuring our products weren’t just trendy but also practical for riders. We also looked at global trends and adapted them to suit Indian aesthetics and riding culture. The goal was to build a brand that riders could proudly identify with, both on and off their bikes, and we continue to evolve based on their feedback.
You seemed quite confident on the show. What kind of preparation you did to make sure you registered a good impression on the Sharks?
To prepare for the show, we focused on knowing our brand inside out—our story, vision, and the value we bring to our customers. We practiced our pitch multiple times, ensuring we could confidently communicate what Wanderlooms stands for. We also anticipated potential questions from the Sharks and worked on clear, honest answers. On the show, the goal was to stay authentic while showcasing the passion behind our brand.
Now that Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal are on board as investors, what kind of expectations do you have from them? How, do you think, they will contribute to the growth of your brand?
With Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal on board as investors, we are thrilled about the opportunities ahead, especially as they were both impressed by our huge riding community. Their belief in our vision reinforces the potential of our brand.
Going ahead, what are the kind of plans you have for the brand?
Going ahead, we have exciting plans for Wanderlooms! We are working towards launching offline stores to create a more personalized shopping experience for our customers. Along with this, we’re continuously expanding our product range with new categories and introducing fresh designs that reflect the spirit of adventure and creativity. Our goal is to bring unique, high-quality products closer to our customers while staying true to the Wanderlooms vibe.