Biography of Rohit Thakur: Founder & CEO of The Future Animation -Entrepreneur
Biography of Rohit Thakur:
Dream in Motion
Rohit Thakur, a young man from Delhi, grew up in a
financially struggling household. His father worked as a construction laborer,
and from an early age, Rohit understood the importance of supporting his
family. Despite his circumstances, he was fascinated by animation, inspired by
childhood cartoons like Doraemon and Shinchan. With limited resources, he
turned to YouTube to teach himself animation, fueling his passion even further.
A Hardworking Youngster
To help his family, Rohit started giving tuition classes at
the age of 15. Alongside his studies, he also took up a night job at an
international call center. Juggling multiple responsibilities took a toll on
his health, but he never let go of his dream of becoming an animator. His
determination to learn and improve kept him going despite the challenges he
faced.
A Life-Changing Encounter
In 2017, Rohit met Anmol Pandey, a student eager to learn
animation. They crossed paths at a tuition center, where Rohit was teaching.
When Anmol’s family faced financial difficulties and couldn’t afford tuition
fees, Rohit continued teaching him for free. This act of kindness strengthened
their bond, and they discovered a shared passion for animation.
An Unbreakable Friendship
Anmol was struggling with an outdated computer, which made
it difficult for him to work on animations. Seeing his dedication, Rohit went
out of his way to buy Anmol a laptop using a friend’s credit card. This gesture
marked the beginning of their journey as future business partners.
The First Step into the Industry
Determined to turn their passion into a profession, Rohit
and Anmol started taking animation projects on Upwork, a freelancing platform.
Their first client paid $100 with an additional $21 tip. However, their
excitement was short-lived when Anmol’s account was suspended due to his age.
They quickly adapted and shifted their operations to Rohit’s account, ensuring
their work continued.
The Birth of The Future Animations
With growing demand for their animation work, the duo
decided to establish their own company, The Future Animations, in 2020. Their
vision was to make high-quality animation more affordable and accessible,
competing with global studios. They focused on creating Pixar-quality
animation, corporate videos, and motion graphics.
Building a Global Team
As their business grew, they expanded their team, hiring
talented animators from Brazil, India, and Indonesia. By collaborating with
artists worldwide, they were able to deliver stunning animations to clients
across different industries. Their focus remained on maintaining quality and
efficiency in their work.
Overcoming Challenges on Upwork
Initially, 70% of their business came from Upwork, but in
August 2024, Rohit’s account was suspended due to platform policies. Losing
such a major source of income was a huge setback. Instead of giving up, they
adapted by reaching clients directly through social media platforms like
LinkedIn and Instagram.
Biography of Rohit Thakur: Founder & CEO of The Future Animation -Entrepreneur #startup#age#net worth#shark tank#investor#The Future Animation story
Expanding Their Services
Over time, The Future Animations broadened its services
beyond 2D and 3D animation. They started offering scriptwriting, storyboarding,
video editing, sound design, and corporate video production. This allowed them
to cater to a wider audience and secure more projects.
A Vision for the Future
Rohit and Anmol’s ultimate goal is to take Indian animation
to a global level. They strive to provide high-quality animation at competitive
prices, delivering projects faster and more efficiently. By continuously
improving their production processes and hiring skilled artists worldwide, they
aim to position The Future Animations among the world’s top animation studios.
From Freelancers to Entrepreneurs
Starting as freelancers, Rohit and Anmol had to learn
everything about running a business. They initially operated as a sole
proprietorship but soon realized the need to transition into a private limited
company. This move would help them attract investors and scale operations
effectively.
Shark Tank India – The Big Pitch
In 2024, Rohit and Anmol took their startup to Shark Tank
India Season 4. They presented their vision through an engaging animation
featuring the show’s judges. Their ask was ₹50 lakh in exchange for 2.5%
equity, valuing their company at ₹20 crores.
A Tough Negotiation
The sharks were impressed by the creativity and hard work of
the founders but were hesitant to invest at the proposed valuation. While many
sharks opted out, Peyush Bansal, the founder of Lenskart, saw potential in
their business. He made an offer of ₹50 lakh for 10% equity, reducing the
valuation to ₹5 crores.
A Life-Changing Deal
Understanding the value of a strategic investor like Peyush,
Rohit and Anmol accepted the offer without hesitation. This partnership
provided them with much-needed financial support and mentorship to scale their
business. The investment marked a significant milestone in their
entrepreneurial journey.
A Story of Resilience and Success
From struggling with financial hardships to building a
thriving animation company, Rohit and Anmol’s journey is an inspiring tale of
determination, passion, and resilience. With their unwavering commitment to
animation and storytelling, The Future Animations is on its way to making a
mark in the global animation industry, proving that dreams, when pursued with
persistence, can become reality.
Timeline for story
2017 – Rohit meets Anmol at a tuition center and teaches him
animation.
2018 – Rohit buys Anmol a laptop to support his animation
journey.
2019 – They start freelancing on Upwork, earning their first
$100.
2020 – They establish The Future Animations to create
high-quality animations.
2024 (August) – Rohit’s Upwork account gets suspended; they
shift to LinkedIn and Instagram for clients.
2024 (Shark Tank India Season 4) – They pitch for ₹50 lakh
at a ₹20 crore valuation.
2024 (Shark Tank Deal) – Peyush Bansal invests ₹50 lakh for
10% equity at a ₹5 crore valuation.
