Pitch Introduction
Sepal Shark Tank India featured one of the most innovative engineering solutions for daily motorcycle commuters when brothers Kashyap and Kapil presented their revolutionary detachable bike canopy. Appearing in Season 2 Episode 16, the Hyderabad-based founders sought ₹50 lakhs for 1% equity, valuing their company at ₹50 crores. Their product promised to transform the two-wheeler riding experience by offering complete protection from unpredictable weather conditions without compromising on speed or safety.
Business Overview
Sepal is the world’s first detachable motorcycle canopy that any rider can easily fix on their bike to protect their entire family from rain, cold wind, dust and pollution. Unlike traditional raincoats or makeshift covers, this aerospace-grade engineered solution attaches securely to the bike’s tank using industrial straps, converting a regular motorcycle into a smart vehicle instantly.
Problem It Solves: Daily commuters in India face unpredictable weather disruptions that cause delays, health issues from exposure to pollution, and safety concerns during monsoons. Traditional solutions like raincoats require stopping and changing, while permanent modifications compromise bike aesthetics and speed capabilities.
Unique Selling Proposition: The canopy features a proprietary composite material construction that is lightweight yet extremely strong, polycarbonate windshield, and smart integration capabilities allowing riders to control GPS navigation, call answering and music streaming through joystick controls without touching their phones.
| Company Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016-17 |
| Founders | Kashyap and Kapil (Brothers) |
| Location | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Product | Detachable Motorcycle Canopy |
| Price Point | ₹10,000 (Scalable to ₹5,000) |
| Gross Margin | 37% |
About Founder’s
Kashyap, the elder brother, graduated with honors in Civil Engineering from IIT Bombay, specializing in Structural Engineering. He secured admission to Stanford University for his masters but made the life-changing decision to decline it during his final semester, choosing instead to solve real-world problems using his engineering skills. His inspiration came from personal struggles with Mumbai’s unpredictable rains while cycling to classes, often arriving completely soaked.
Kapil, the younger co-founder, is an architect who completed his education in Pune followed by a Masters in Parametric Design from the UK. After returning to Hyderabad, he established a design studio before joining his brother to combine design thinking with structural engineering. The duo represents the perfect synergy of technical engineering and aesthetic design thinking.
- Kashyap: IIT Bombay Civil Engineering with Honors, Stanford University Admit
- Kapil: Architecture graduate, Masters in Parametric Design from UK
- Brothers combined design studio expertise with structural engineering
- Started journey from IIT Bombay campus bicycle contraption experiments
- Self-funded bootstrapped operations before Shark Tank appearance
Shark’s and Founder’s QnA
Anupam: No one in the entire world has thought about this before, meaning engineering solutions don’t exist but jugaad solutions are plenty. I have seen many in China, tent-type structures that close from front and back, but with those you cannot go above 30 kmph speed. So how did you think about this?
Kashyap: Actually my background is from IIT Bombay, I did Civil Engineering with Honors in Structural Engineering. I got admission to Stanford University and it was my final semester. Once admission was secured, there was nothing much left to do so I thought why not use my engineering skills to build something for myself. On campus I had a bicycle but could never use it because in Mumbai it rains anytime. There were many instances where I had to attend classes completely drenched. I went to the mechanical lab, thought about this, and created a contraption for the bicycle. Then I thought if we can execute this solution for two-wheelers, we would truly solve a very big problem for India.
Anupam: When did you think about this?
Kashyap: In 2016-17. First of all, getting admission is very difficult, yet you decided that I will go to Stanford later. At that time I had connected so strongly with this problem that I thought if Stanford happens, the story will continue, options will remain plenty. But if I don’t take leave at this time and don’t do something with my engineering, I will regret it later. I thought I will do engineering first, Stanford can be done later.
Anupam: What is your relationship?
Kapil: We are brothers. I am a design student, I did architecture in Pune, did Masters in Parametric Design in UK, returned to Hyderabad, established our design studio. I saw that this is a market, this is a problem, and I connected very strongly with it. Then we felt that who better than the combination of design and engineering can do this?
Namita: I am getting very confused looking at this. When there is heavy rain or heavy wind, is this enough? If rain comes from the side, what does this solve?
Kashyap: It solves it, don’t go by looks but let me explain. If you see from close, actually come here. The angle of incidence technically is 30 degrees and this top ear that we have, this will give complete protection till your hips in every angle of rain. And when rain gets heavy, for that we have developed this small add-on. People ask what is the need for this when you can wear a raincoat. But people don’t use raincoats. If you see, you have to take it out from the tank bag and then wear it. But this stays on the bike itself.
Anupam: Will you show phone connectivity? Because if you show that, it will be very enjoyable.
Kashyap: Our smart system has a joystick on the left side and two buttons on the right side that you can use. You can control your entire mobile phone through this band. This device we have made ourselves or you made it? We have made it ourselves. When we take the display, our phone will act as the display. If you are going at speed, you won’t be able to see this. Above 30 kilometers speed you won’t see it. These are not connected to the bike, these use the phone’s capabilities.
Peyush: First tell me what is the price of this?
Kashyap: We are selling it at ₹10,000 at launch time. But currently because we have more orders and less production, if we want we can take it to ₹5,000. We have sold 1000 units so far. It has been just 6-7 months since launch. How much was sold last month? Only 160 units were sold.
Peyush: 160 units doesn’t seem like a very big sales number to me. What is the problem?
Kashyap: Our production is limited. We are not increasing production. What are the numbers for the last three months? June was ₹10 lakhs, July was ₹12 lakhs, August was ₹13.5 lakhs.
Peyush: What is your margin, gross margin and net profit?
Kashyap: Our COGS is ₹5000 per unit and our gross margin is 37%. Going forward, after doing 1000 units per month, we will get 18-20% net margin.
Key Stats & Financials
Sepal demonstrated strong unit economics despite being in early stages of market penetration. The founders presented compelling financial metrics that caught Peyush Bansal’s attention, though they faced challenges with production scaling that limited their sales velocity.
- Sales: 1000 units sold in 6-7 months since launch, with 160 units in the last month alone
- Revenue Trajectory: June ₹10 lakhs, July ₹12 lakhs, August ₹13.5 lakhs showing consistent 15-20% month-on-month growth
- Margins: Gross margin of 37% with COGS at ₹5000 per unit, projected net margin of 18-20% at 1000 units monthly production
- Valuation: Original ask valued company at ₹50 crores (₹50 lakhs for 1% equity)
- Investment Request: ₹50 lakhs for 1% equity, finalized at ₹50 lakhs for 2% equity (₹25 crore valuation)
- Use of Funds: Primarily for setting up maximum manufacturing capacity and launching export versions for UK, Middle East and African countries
| Financial Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Original Ask | ₹50 Lakhs for 1% Equity |
| Final Deal | ₹50 Lakhs for 2% Equity |
| Deal Valuation | ₹25 Crores |
| Current Price | ₹10,000 per unit |
| Scalable Price | ₹5,000 per unit |
| COGS | ₹5,000 per unit |
Business Potential and TAM
The total addressable market for Sepal extends beyond India to global markets including UK, Middle East and African countries where two-wheeler usage is high but weather protection solutions are inadequate. With India’s two-wheeler population exceeding 20 crores and daily commuters facing increasing pollution and erratic weather patterns, the product addresses a genuine pain point.
The company’s export ambitions indicate recognition of global applicability, particularly in regions with similar climatic challenges. The detachable nature differentiates it from permanent modifications, appealing to users who want weather protection without compromising bike aesthetics or resale value.
- India’s two-wheeler market represents over 20 crore vehicles with 60% being commuter bikes
- Growing export potential identified in UK, Middle East and African markets
- Increasing pollution levels in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities driving demand for protective solutions
- Product applicable to both personal and commercial delivery vehicle segments
Sepal: Ideal Target Audience & Demographics
| Demographic | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Age Group | 25-45 years working professionals |
| Geography | Urban and semi-urban India, Monsoon-heavy regions |
| Vehicle Type | 100cc-150cc commuter motorcycles |
| Income Level | Middle class, ₹3-10 lakh annual income |
| Use Case | Daily office commute, family transportation |
| Pain Point | Weather uncertainty, pollution exposure |
Marketing and Distribution Strategy
Sepal’s go-to-market strategy focuses heavily on product simplicity and user experience. The founders emphasized that for new products, perception and adoption must be simple, with installation being easy enough for any user to perform without mechanical assistance. The three-part modular design allows the base frame to permanently attach to the bike tank while the canopy detaches easily.
The company currently operates on a Direct-to-Consumer model through their website sepal.in, with plans to expand to dealership networks and e-commerce platforms. International expansion represents a significant portion of their future roadmap, with testing already completed in foreign markets.
- Direct-to-Consumer sales through website with plans for Amazon and Flipkart expansion
- Three-part modular design for easy self-installation without service center visits
- Export strategy targeting UK, Middle East and African markets already tested
- Plans to establish maximum manufacturing capacity to meet current unfulfilled demand
- Potential B2B partnerships with bike manufacturers for pre-fitted accessories
Sepal Deal Outcome
After discussions regarding sales numbers and production constraints, Peyush Bansal saw potential in the engineering innovation and the founders’ technical background. While Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar expressed confusion about the product’s utility and target market, Peyush recognized the value proposition for specific use cases.
Peyush Bansal offered ₹50 lakhs for 2% equity, doubling the equity stake from the original ask but providing the full requested investment amount. The founders accepted the offer immediately, valuing the company at ₹25 crores post-deal, down from their initial ₹50 crore ask. This represented a classic compromise where the Shark got better valuation terms while the entrepreneurs secured necessary capital without debt components.
| Deal Terms | Details |
|---|---|
| Investor | Peyush Bansal |
| Investment Amount | ₹50 Lakhs |
| Equity Acquired | 2% |
| Company Valuation | ₹25 Crores |
| Deal Status | Accepted |
| Conditions | None specified |
Sepal Post-Show Update
Following their appearance on Shark Tank India Season 2, Sepal experienced significant brand visibility and website traffic growth. The company has reportedly expanded its manufacturing capabilities as planned during the pitch, working toward achieving the 1000 units per month production target necessary for reaching positive net margins.
The founders continue to focus on their export strategy, with increased interest from international markets following the Shark Tank exposure. The smart device integration features have been further refined based on user feedback, and the company maintains its headquarters in Hyderabad while serving customers across 25 Indian states.
Business Analysis & Lessons
The Sepal pitch offers several crucial lessons for hardware startups in India. First, technical superiority alone doesn’t guarantee market success, as evidenced by the Sharks’ confusion about product utility despite the engineering innovation. The founders’ ability to demonstrate the product physically rather than just explaining it became crucial for investor understanding.
Second, the importance of production scalability became a central theme. Despite having demand (evidenced by 1000 units sold with limited marketing), the inability to fulfill orders at scale raised concerns about operational readiness. This highlights the classic hardware startup challenge of managing inventory and manufacturing capacity.
- Technical innovation must be balanced with clear market communication and demonstration
- Production scalability is as important as product-market fit for hardware startups
- Founder credibility (IIT + International education) helps justify premium valuations
- Declining premium education opportunities (Stanford) for entrepreneurship signals strong founder conviction
- Pricing strategy must account for mass market accessibility while maintaining margins
Pitch Conclusion
Sepal Shark Tank India appearance showcased the potential of Indian engineering to solve local problems with global applications. While the Sharks had mixed reactions to the product’s immediate appeal, Peyush Bansal’s investment validated the founders’ vision and technical execution. The deal represents a strategic bet on mobility accessories and weather protection solutions in a market dominated by unorganized sector products.
For daily commuters tired of weather disruptions, Sepal offers a compelling value proposition that balances protection with practicality. As the company scales production and expands internationally, it stands as a testament to the fact that world-class innovation can emerge from IIT campuses and Hyderabad design studios alike.
What are your thoughts on the Sepal motorcycle canopy? Would you invest ₹10,000 to make your daily commute weather-proof? Share your views in the comments below.