Shark Tank India 5 is once again putting the spotlight on Indian startups with bold ideas. One such pitch that caught attention came from a desi sneaker brand that proudly wears its cultural roots. In the latest episode 15, GullyLabs entered the tank.
Founders Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra from New Delhi introduced their premium footwear brand on Shark Tank India 5 with confidence. Instead of following Western trends, they said they wanted to build sneakers that feel Indian at heart but global in quality. This approach sets them apart from regular sneaker brands.
Desi Sneaker Brand Pitches Indian Culture As Its USP On Shark Tank India 5
In a video shared by the official Instagram handle of Shark Tank India 5, the founders explained their idea in their own words. They said, “Hum jooton se coolness ki definition badal rahe hain. Hum ek hand-crafted sneaker company hain jinke designs ke blueprint India ke satrangi culture se aate hain. Chahe hockey ke historic wins hon, ya ghar ki barfi ki mithaas capture karna ho, yeh saari kahaniyaan hi hamari inspiration hain. Hamare high-quality jootey sirf khoobsurat hi nahi balki function-crafted bhi hain, taaki aap unhe ghanton tak comfortably pehen sakhein.”
They also spoke about how the brand started and where they want to take it next. The founders added, “Sach kahoon toh hamari shuruaat sirf do karigaron aur ek social media post se hui thi, aur aaj hum Indian dream ko represent kar rahe hain. Toh bas, Gully Labs ko… me-too brands se beyond ek movement banane ke liye, hum apna 12.5% stake bech rahe hain, because it’s time to export desi soul globally.”
GullyLabs designs take inspiration from Indian culture and everyday memories. From Phulkari-style details to Onam-inspired colours and even a fun “Kulfi” collection, each shoe tells a desi story.
Watch the video below
How GullyLabs Is Scaling Up
Both founders also brought strong professional experience to the Tank. Arjun Singh previously worked at JP Morgan, while Animesh Mishra was a consultant at Bain & Company. They explained that GullyLabs follows a design-first approach. The team uses AI for quick prototyping and 3D designs, while keeping hand-crafted details intact. Their sneakers use water-resistant leather, Ortholite insoles, and are made for long hours of comfort.
The brand runs its own manufacturing unit in Noida. The 10,000 sq ft facility employs over 50 skilled karigars. This helps GullyLabs maintain quality control. The company follows a direct-to-consumer model and sells mainly through its website and experience-led stores across five Indian cities.
The numbers also impressed the Sharks. By early 2026, GullyLabs had reached an annualised revenue of Rs 30 crore. By the end of 2025, the brand was selling around 5,000 pairs every month. The founders also revealed that nearly 25% of their revenue already comes from markets like the US and the UK.
When asked about scaling a culture-led premium brand, the founders stayed confident. They said Indian stories deserve a global stage. With plans to expand offline stores and grow overseas, GullyLabs is aiming for Rs 100 crore in revenue by FY2026–27.
Meanwhile, Shark Tank India 5 currently features an expanded panel of 15 investors. Returning sharks include Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Peyush Bansal, Ritesh Agarwal, Amit Jain, Kunal Bahl and Viraj Bahl. New faces this season are Varun Alagh, Mohit Yadav, Kanika Tekriwal, Hardik Kothiya, Shaily Mehrotra and Pratham Mittal.
