Biography of Shivani Mehta: Founder and CEO of Daakroom- Entrepreneur
Biography of Shivani Mehta:
Beginning of Daakroom
In 2013, Shivani Mehta started Daakroom from their hostel
room at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. What began as a
small postcard stall at NID’s canteen quickly grew into a full-fledged startup.
Their passion for handwritten communication turned into a business aimed at
reviving the art of writing physical letters in a world that was increasingly
turning digital. This journey from a simple project to a cultural enterprise
has been nothing short of remarkable.
A Mission for Meaningful Connections
Daakroom was created to promote handwritten letters as a way
of fostering real, meaningful relationships in today’s tech-driven world.
Shivani and Harnehmat’s belief in the power of handwritten words to connect
people led them to create workshops, events, and campaigns. Their goal was
simple yet profound: to encourage people to slow down, reflect, and communicate
thoughtfully with the people they care about. The name “Daakroom,” derived from
the Hindi word “Daak” meaning post, reflects their vision of reviving
traditional letter writing.
Entering the Digital Detox Culture
As the world became increasingly digital, Shivani and
Harnehmat saw a need for a cultural shift that would encourage people to
disconnect from screens and engage in more personal, meaningful communication.
Through Daakroom, they organized creative events, partnerships, and campaigns
aimed at encouraging people to write letters. The company’s work not only
brought back the charm of letter writing but also promoted a digital detox
culture, offering people a chance to step away from the noise of digital life and
connect authentically.
The Birth of Daakroom’s Flagship Event
Daakroom’s flagship event, the Letter Writing Carnival,
became a huge success. The first few editions were held in cities like
Allahabad, Chandigarh, and Delhi. The events attracted thousands of people, all
eager to take part in the tradition of writing letters. The 5th edition of the
carnival in 2023, held in Delhi, saw over 8,000 attendees, further solidifying
Daakroom’s reputation as a cultural enterprise that was making a real impact on
the way people thought about communication.
Expansion and Business Growth
In addition to the Letter Writing Carnivals, Daakroom also
offered letter writing workshops, educational programs for schools, and a
variety of stationery products. The company’s product line expanded to include
unique items like postcard kits and other creative materials designed to
inspire people to write. These products were carefully crafted to serve as a
reminder of the beauty and importance of handwritten words, while also
encouraging individuals to disconnect from their digital devices.
The Shark Tank Pitch
In 2024, Daakroom made its debut on Shark Tank India during
Season 3. The founders pitched their unique idea to the sharks, seeking an
investment of ₹36 lakh for 4% equity in the business. The pitch included their
vision for the company’s future, the success of their events, and the potential
to scale their operations. The sharks were captivated by the founders’ passion
for handwritten letters, even though some raised concerns about the scalability
of the business in today’s tech-heavy world.
Biography of Shivani Mehta: Founder and CEO of Daakroom- Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/startup/small postcard stall/Daakroom story/Shivani M
Sharks Respond to the Pitch
Radhika Sharma, one of the sharks, acknowledged that
Daakroom’s business idea was unique. However, she questioned whether the
founders were clear about whether it was a passion project or a full-fledged
business. Vineeta Singh expressed her doubts about the data showing a trend of
declining letter writing, but she still offered ₹36 lakh for a 6% stake in the
company. On the other hand, Aman Gupta did not invest, as he didn’t share the
same passion for writing letters and felt he couldn’t add value to the business.
Ritesh Agarwal Makes His Offer
The turning point came when Ritesh Agarwal, CEO of OYO,
expressed his belief in the potential of Daakroom’s business. He saw the value
in reviving handwritten communication and made an offer of ₹36 lakh for 6%
equity in the company. This offer was accepted by Shivani and Harnehmat, who
were eager to scale their impact and reach a wider audience. The deal was
sealed, and Ritesh’s investment would help propel Daakroom to new heights.
Post-Shark Tank Success
After their appearance on Shark Tank India, Daakroom
experienced a surge in interest from people across India and even
internationally. The founders were overwhelmed by the queries and support they
received from various quarters. They quickly reached out to the sharks to thank
them for their valuable feedback and input. This support has been instrumental
in helping Daakroom focus on refining its business model and expanding its
offerings.
Adapting the Business Model
Following advice from Peyush Bansal, one of the sharks,
Daakroom began to explore the idea of branching out into stationery products as
part of their business model. The founders appreciated Peyush’s insights,
particularly when it came to creating stationery with a purpose. They worked on
developing new products that could be sold alongside their events and
workshops. This shift toward creating meaningful stationery products helped
Daakroom diversify its revenue streams and reach a broader market.
Support from the Sharks
The sharks’ support didn’t end with the investment deal.
Radhika Sharma, in particular, offered to help Daakroom with Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which could help the business expand its
reach. The founders were grateful for the ongoing guidance and support they
received from the sharks, and they were excited about the future opportunities
this partnership could bring. The sharks’ belief in the business model and the
founders’ vision played a crucial role in Daakroom’s growth after their pitch.
A Passionate Business
At the heart of Daakroom’s success is the founders’ deep
passion for handwritten communication. Despite the challenges of operating in a
digital age, Shivani and Harnehmat have stayed committed to their mission of
fostering meaningful connections through letter writing. Their work reflects
their belief in the power of slowing down, cherishing the art of handwriting,
and maintaining personal connections in a world that is becoming more virtual
by the day.
Looking Ahead
With Ritesh Agarwal’s investment and the sharks’ ongoing
support, Daakroom is poised for even greater success in the future. The
founders are excited about scaling their educational programs and expanding
their reach to more cities and communities. Daakroom’s unique approach to
reviving letter writing and promoting a digital detox is resonating with people
from all walks of life, and the company’s future looks bright as they continue
to inspire others to embrace the art of handwriting.
Timeline for story
2013 - Shivani Mehta and Harnehmat Kaur start Daakroom at
NID, Ahmedabad.
2013 - Launches a small postcard stall at NID's canteen.
2013-2023 - Hosts workshops, events, and campaigns promoting
handwritten communication.
2023 - Daakroom’s 5th Letter Writing Carnival in Delhi
attracts over 8,000 attendees.
2024 - Appears on Shark Tank India, pitches for ₹36 lakh
investment.
2024 - Ritesh Agarwal invests ₹36 lakh for 6% equity.
2024 - Post-Shark Tank, Daakroom experiences a surge in
interest.
2024 - Shifts focus to stationery products, following advice
from Peyush Bansal.
2024 - Receives ongoing support from the sharks, including
CSR initiatives.
Future - Plans to scale educational programs and expand to
more cities.
