Biography of Pawan Kumar Droch: Founder and CEO of Creative Hatti- Entrepreneur
Biography of Pawan Kumar Droch:
Introduction to Creative Hatti
Creative Hatti is a graphic design startup that specializes
in offering Indianized stock graphics, design templates, and other graphic
assets. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Chandigarh. Its primary
focus is on providing a wide range of creative assets, including Indianized
character bundles, which businesses can use for branding and marketing
purposes. The founders of Creative Hatti, Pawan Kumar Droch, along with
Jatinder Kumar, Nisha Droch, Shallu Narula, and Mukesh Jain, have created a platform
where customers can easily purchase and download unique vector designs.
The Creative Hatti Concept
The idea behind Creative Hatti stems from the need to
provide accessible and culturally relevant design assets. In their pitch on
Shark Tank India, the founders explained how their stock graphics and templates
could help businesses promote their brand without hiring expensive brand
ambassadors. They presented the example of a small business owner who wanted to
create a strong brand image but lacked the resources to hire professionals.
Instead, the entrepreneur could use a character from Creative Hatti’s collection
to create impactful visuals for marketing.
The Founders' Journey
The founders shared their inspiring story with the Sharks,
explaining how they met and decided to come together to start Creative Hatti.
They emphasized how each co-founder brought a unique set of skills to the
table, which helped them create a strong foundation for their business. The
Sharks were impressed by their journey and the passion behind the startup, but
they were also curious about how the business would evolve in the face of
competition from newer technologies like generative AI.
The Business Model and Revenue Generation
Anupam Mittal, one of the Sharks, asked the founders about
their business model and how they were making money. The founders explained
that Creative Hatti operates on a pay-per-download model. Customers pay for
each design they purchase or download, and the company also offers bundles of
graphic assets. The founders revealed that their platform had over 1 lakh stock
graphics and more than 10 lakh vector file downloads, making it a popular
resource for businesses and designers.
Market Concerns and Competition from AI
The Sharks were particularly concerned about the competitive
landscape for Creative Hatti. Anupam Mittal raised the question of how they
planned to compete with generative AI, a technology that is rapidly advancing
in the design space. The Sharks pointed out that AI could eventually automate
the creation of designs, making platforms like Creative Hatti less relevant in
the future. While the founders acknowledged the growing role of AI, they argued
that their business model was built on the uniqueness of their designs and
their focus on Indian culture.
Biography of Pawan Kumar Droch: Founder and CEO of Creative Hatti- Entrepreneur/Indianized stock graphics and design assets/age/net worth/investor
The Sharks’ Questions on Financials
Amit Jain, another Shark, asked the founders about their
financials, including their monthly revenue and profit margins. The founders
shared that their monthly revenue was around INR 55 lakhs, with a profit of INR
10 lakhs. This revealed that Creative Hatti was already generating a
significant amount of revenue, which showed the potential for growth in the
graphic design industry. However, the Sharks felt that this was not enough to
justify the valuation of INR 30 crores that the founders had set for the business.
The Request for Investment
During the pitch, the founders requested INR 60 lakhs for 2%
equity in the business, which would value Creative Hatti at INR 30 crores. They
hoped to secure an investment to help them scale their operations and expand
their customer base. However, despite their strong pitch and promising revenue
figures, none of the Sharks were convinced enough to offer a deal. The Sharks
felt that the business was not a good fit for their investment portfolios,
considering the risks associated with the competition from generative AI and
the saturated market.
Aman's Perspective on Self-Sufficiency
Aman Gupta, one of the Sharks, was particularly positive
about the business but suggested that the founders may not need external
investment at this stage. He pointed out that Creative Hatti was already
self-sufficient and had a profitable business model. According to Aman, the
founders could focus on growing their business further without the need to
dilute their equity. He advised them to continue building their brand and
expanding their offerings, which would eventually lead to greater success.
The Outcome of the Pitch
After a thorough discussion, the Sharks ultimately decided
not to invest in Creative Hatti. While they appreciated the founders'
creativity and the business’s potential, they believed the challenges ahead,
particularly the threat of AI, made it too risky for them to invest. Despite
receiving positive feedback from the Sharks, the founders did not manage to
close a deal, leaving the stage without any investment offers.
Creative Hatti’s Performance After Shark Tank
Even though Creative Hatti didn’t secure a deal on Shark
Tank India, the brand continued to grow. The founders reported that they
received a great response from their audience, particularly from viewers who
tuned in to watch their pitch. Creative Hatti even offered special discounts to
Shark Tank viewers, which helped attract more customers to the platform. The
business continued to operate profitably, generating a steady stream of revenue
through its downloadable graphics and design templates.
Challenges and Opportunities for Creative Hatti
Despite the absence of funding from the Sharks, Creative
Hatti faces several opportunities to expand and grow. One of the biggest
challenges, however, remains the competition from AI-driven design platforms
that are becoming more prevalent in the market. The founders of Creative Hatti
will need to find ways to differentiate their business further and maintain
their relevance in an increasingly automated design world. However, their
unique focus on Indianized designs could help them carve out a niche in the graphic
design industry.
Looking Forward: The Future of Creative Hatti
Moving forward, Creative Hatti will need to leverage its
cultural focus and strong customer base to continue growing. The founders are
likely to explore new ways to innovate within the design industry and expand
their product offerings. Whether through partnerships, new marketing
strategies, or enhanced features, Creative Hatti will need to evolve to stay
competitive in a fast-changing market. While the business may not have secured
investment from the Sharks, the journey of Creative Hatti is far from over, and
the founders are committed to making it a success.
A timeline for the journey of Creative Hatti:
2020: Creative Hatti was founded in Chandigarh by Pawan
Kumar Droch, Jatinder Kumar, Nisha Droch, Shallu Narula, and Mukesh Jain,
focusing on Indianized stock graphics and design assets.
2023: The founders pitched Creative Hatti on Shark Tank
India, seeking INR 60 lakhs for 2% equity, valuing the company at INR 30
crores.
Shark Tank Pitch: Despite impressive revenue (INR 55 lakhs
monthly), the Sharks declined investment, citing competition from AI and market
saturation.
Post-Shark Tank (2023): The brand continued to grow,
receiving positive attention, with special discounts attracting more customers.
2024: Creative Hatti operates profitably with a focus on
unique Indianized design assets, navigating challenges like AI competition, and
exploring opportunities for expansion.
