Story of Chhail Khalsa: Founder and CEO of Anuvad -Entrepreneur
Story of Chhail Khalsa
Chhail Khalsa, the founder of Anuvad, embarked on a journey
to merge technology with traditional craftsmanship. Her Gujarat-based startup
focuses on e-textiles—fabrics embedded with electronic circuits, sensors, and
smart features that make them interactive. Through her company, she aims to
revolutionize fashion, healthcare, and wearable technology by making fabrics
more than just textiles; she wants them to respond, react, and engage with
users in real-time.
The Birth of Anuvad Innovation Studio
With a deep passion for human-centered design, Chhail
established Anuvad Innovation Studio, where creativity meets functionality. Her
approach blends art, technology, and sustainability to craft interactive and
immersive experiences. By rapidly prototyping and continuously refining her
designs, she hopes to introduce smart textiles as a new category in the
industry, much like fitness wearables changed the way people track health and
wellness.
From Concept to Reality
At Anuvad, the focus isn’t just on innovation but on making
technology accessible in everyday life. The startup has developed fabrics that
change color, light up, or respond to touch, offering applications in fashion,
healthcare, and even sports. A jacket that changes color with movement, a
bedsheet that monitors body temperature, or gloves that assist in
rehabilitation therapy—these are just a few possibilities that Anuvad is
exploring.
Early Traction and Funding
Like many startups, Anuvad started small, relying on grants
and limited sales to fund its operations. Between 2018 and 2022, the company
secured grants worth nearly ₹44 lakh, helping it develop prototypes and refine
its offerings. By FY24-25, Anuvad had generated ₹22 lakh in sales and projected
a total of ₹35 lakh for the year. While this showed early traction, the company
was still in its nascent stage, with a long way to go before achieving
large-scale commercial success.
A Bold Pitch on Shark Tank India
Chhail entered Shark Tank India, seeking ₹50 lakh for 5%
equity, valuing Anuvad at ₹10 crore. Confidently presenting her vision, she
explained how smart textiles could become a game-changer across industries. She
highlighted their potential in fashion, healthcare, and wearables, hoping to
secure an investment that would help scale her business and bring her
innovations to the mass market.
The Sharks’ Initial Impressions
The panel of investors found the idea fascinating but were
cautious about its commercial viability. Vineeta Singh, known for her sharp
business acumen, questioned the demand for smart textiles. “Who is actually
buying this?” she asked. Chhail responded that just like fitness wearables
revolutionized health tracking, smart textiles could carve out a market for
themselves. However, Vineeta remained skeptical and decided not to invest.
Revenue and Market Viability Concerns
Namita Thapar, always focused on the numbers, bluntly
stated, “Show me the money.” She wanted to see clear sales figures, repeat
customers, and growing demand beyond grants. While she respected the
innovation, she wasn’t convinced that Anuvad had a strong enough revenue model
to warrant investment. Without a clear path to profitability, she also opted
out.
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Scalability and Business Challenges
Anupam Mittal, a seasoned investor, acknowledged the
creativity behind Anuvad but raised concerns about scalability. “Innovation
alone doesn’t guarantee success,” he noted. He pressed Chhail on identifying
her ideal customer and outlining a roadmap to scale the business. Without
strong answers, he, too, decided to pass on the deal.
A Long Road to Mass Adoption
Ritesh Agarwal, the founder of OYO, saw potential in the
technology but recognized that it would take years for smart textiles to gain
mainstream traction. He advised Chhail to focus on practical applications and
industry collaborations to build a sustainable business model. While he
appreciated her vision, he believed Anuvad was still too early-stage for
investment and declined the offer.
A Moment of Reflection
During the pitch, Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal, took a
moment to share his own entrepreneurial journey. He spoke about the struggles
of launching a new business and how some ideas, despite being great, don’t
always succeed. His words resonated with Chhail, reminding her that persistence
and adaptability are key to building a successful venture.
Lessons Learned from the Sharks
Although Chhail left without a deal, she gained valuable
insights from the Sharks. Their feedback emphasized that innovation alone isn’t
enough—startups need a clear market fit, strong sales figures, and a practical
business model. She realized that while smart textiles hold immense potential,
the challenge lies in convincing industries and consumers to adopt them at
scale.
The Road Ahead for Anuvad
Despite the setback, Chhail remains determined to make
Anuvad a success. Her next steps include strengthening commercial partnerships,
expanding sales beyond grants, and refining her product offerings to make smart
textiles more affordable and practical. She plans to collaborate with fashion
and healthcare brands, ensuring her innovations serve real-world needs. While
the journey is challenging, Chhail’s passion and resilience continue to drive
her forward, proving that the best entrepreneurs don’t give up—they evolve.
Timeline for story
2018 – Anuvad founded, focusing on smart textiles.
2018-2022 – Secured ₹44 lakh in grants for prototyping.
FY24-25 – Generated ₹22 lakh in sales, projected ₹35 lakh.
2025 – Chhail pitched on Shark Tank India, seeking ₹50 lakh.
2025 – Sharks declined investment, citing scalability
concerns.
2025+ – Chhail focused on partnerships and expanding sales.
