Annie Shark Tank India Season 1
Annie
Annie is that. Annie is a fun edtech idea by Thinkerbell Labs, a Bengaluru firm that educates blind and visually impaired children as young as 4 to learn Braille on their own through play, either with or without tutors present.
Children are fascinated by Annie. Children who weren’t interested in paying attention in class started requesting that their teachers skip lunch breaks so they could keep studying Braille on their Annies, according to Sanskriti Dawle, co-founder of Thinkerbell Labs. “A lot of students see Annie as someone they can talk to and learn with, rather than as something.”
Founder of Annie
Head of Thinkerbell Labs and Co-Founder Sanskriti Dawle received her bachelor’s degree in computer science from BITS Pilani. Her domain expertise lies on research and development of assistive technology for those with visual impairments. She has spent more than six years putting her inventions to the test with visually impaired children worldwide. For the past five years, she has also overseen finance, international business growth, and strategy at Thinkerbell Labs. She has also received the Mantra award for social leadership and spoken at TEDx.
Annie Funding Round
Company Name | Annie |
Shark Tank India Season | 1 |
Episode No | 13 |
Season No | 1 |
Brand | Annie |
Idea | Braille Literary Device |
Original Ask | 30 lakhs for 0.5% equity |
Deal | 1.05 crore at 3% equity |
Invested By: | Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal and Peyush Bansal |
At the core of Annie's pitch lay a dedication to breaking down barriers to literacy for the visually impaired community. Their Braille literary device was designed to provide users with easy access to a wide range of literary content, from books to newspapers and beyond. By leveraging technology to create an intuitive and user-friendly device, Annie sought to empower visually impaired individuals to engage with the written word in a way that was previously inaccessible to them.
The Pitch:
Annie entered the tank with a transformative proposition: a Braille literary device aimed at bridging gaps in accessibility for visually impaired individuals. Their pitch emphasized the importance of inclusive technology and highlighted how their device could empower users to access literary content independently. With a commitment to innovation and social impact, Annie aimed to captivate the Sharks and secure the investment needed to scale their operations and make their device widely available. Their original ask of 30 lakhs for a mere 0.5% equity stake reflected their belief in the transformative potential of their product.
The Deal:
Impressed by the innovation and social impact potential of Annie's Braille literary device, Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, and Peyush Bansal recognized an opportunity to support a product with the power to transform lives. They offered 1.05 crore at 3% equity, valuing the company at 35 crores. This strategic investment not only provided Annie with the capital needed to further develop and distribute their device but also brought on board investors with a shared commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
Investors Behind Annie
Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal and Peyush Bansal: Annie enthusiastically accepted Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, and Peyush Bansal's offer, marking a significant milestone in their journey to revolutionize access to literature for the visually impaired. With the backing of strategic investors who shared their vision for inclusivity and empowerment, Annie was well-positioned to expand their reach, enhance their device's features, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of visually impaired individuals across India.
Conclusion:
The success of Annie on Shark Tank India Season 1 underscores the power of innovation and technology in driving positive social change. By creating a Braille literary device that prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity, Annie is poised to transform the way visually impaired individuals engage with literature. With Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, and Peyush Bansal's support and expertise, Annie is well-equipped to navigate the challenges ahead and realize their vision of a more inclusive and literate society.