Pitch Introduction
The uBreathe Shark Tank India pitch brought a fresh perspective to tackling indoor pollution during Season 2, Episode 32. Founders Sanjay Maurya and Shubham Singh presented their plant-based smart air purifiers to the investors. They highlighted a serious health concern affecting millions, noting that indoor air quality often reaches dangerous levels. To solve this, they introduced a product that uses natural biological processes instead of mechanical filters.
During their presentation on Shark Tank India, the founders explained that ordinary indoor plants are not enough to clean the air in a standard room. Their device uses specialized technology to amplify a plant’s natural air-purifying capabilities by 100 times. They entered the tank seeking ₹1.5 Crores for 7.5% equity in their Manufacturing business.
The pitch captured the attention of the investors, leading to a detailed discussion about the product’s design, sales history, and market viability. Ultimately, the founders successfully secured a combined equity and debt deal from Namita Thapar, validating their vision for sustainable indoor air purification.
Business Overview
uBreathe manufactures plant-based air purifiers designed to combat severe indoor air pollution. Traditional air purifiers rely on mechanical HEPA filters that require frequent replacement and only trap dust. This company takes a biological approach. Their specialized pots enhance the phytoremediation cycle of plants, breaking down pollutants, bacteria, and viruses directly in the soil.
The core problem this product solves is the high concentration of indoor pollutants, which can sometimes exceed an Air Quality Index of 400. By using a proprietary design called the Falcon Ring, the device creates circulation that draws air into the soil where the actual cleaning happens. This means customers never need to buy replacement filters, making it a sustainable and cost-effective solution over time.
Targeting health-conscious consumers and families living in highly polluted urban areas, the brand offers different models ranging from a desktop mini version to larger floor units. The technology behind these purifiers was developed in collaboration with IIT Ropar and the Department of Biotechnology, adding strong scientific backing to their consumer appeal.
| Company Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | uBreathe |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Gurgaon, Haryana |
| Founders | Sanjay Maurya, Shubham Singh, Akhil Gupta, Akshay Goyal, Inderjeet Rao |
| Website | www.ubreathe.in |
About the Founders
The company was founded in 2018 by a team of highly educated professionals, including Sanjay Maurya and Shubham Singh who presented the pitch. Based in Gurgaon, Haryana, the founders recognized the severe health impacts of urban air pollution. They noted that simply living in a polluted city gives a young person the lung exposure of a 50-year-old.
Before stepping into the tank, the founders dedicated significant time and personal resources to developing the product. They spent nearly two years deeply understanding the technical aspects of bio-filtration and consulting with experts. Their commitment to the business is evident in their financial investment, having poured substantial personal savings into research and development to bring the product to market.
- Sanjay is 45 years old and Shubham is 30 years old.
- The founders invested around ₹45 Lakhs from their own pockets to build the business.
- They partnered with IIT Ropar and the Department of Biotechnology to develop the technology.
- They have served over 1,000 customers since 2020.
Sharks and Founders QnA
understanding this, let us talk about the big business, tell me about sales
We had registered the company in 2018, so in the first financial year we had a revenue of 2.5 lakhs, in the second financial year it was 12:30 and in the third it was around 26 and a half.
Now the recent financial analysis has been concluded, in that we have earned a revenue of around ₹47,00,000.
what will be your true value per year
Now we have earned 27 lakhs and we have still got the order value of 26 years, so 50 5240.
but you Once quickly The price of the product
The price of the product is Bubble Life, its MRP is 40,000. The mini desktop version is 5,000.
I have a question, there is another purifier of MI but it costs 10-11000, I feel that if it is installed now, then it would have been finished in the room, do you agree with this
Mechanical filter generally works faster in PM 2.5, so basically it is the same for homes.
are you making any profit or not
At this time we are incurring loss.
so let’s say are you paying this 3 lakh loss
We invested money in this from the founders’ pocket. I have put a total of around 45 lakhs till today.
Key Stats and Financials
The financial discussion revealed a company in its early commercialization phase after extended research and development. The founders originally asked for ₹1.5 Crores for 7.5% equity, which placed their requested valuation at ₹20 Crores. While this valuation was ambitious for their current revenue scale, it factored in the proprietary technology and patents they had developed.
Revenue growth showed a steady upward curve, moving from ₹2.5 Lakhs in their first financial year to ₹47 Lakhs in their most recently concluded financial analysis. At the time of the pitch, the founders acknowledged they were still operating at a loss. To keep the company afloat during the product development phase, they had personally invested ₹45 Lakhs into the business operations.
- Ask: ₹1.5 Crores for 7.5% equity
- Valuation: ₹20 Crores
- Yearly Revenue: ₹47 Lakhs (latest concluded period)
- Founder Investment: ₹45 Lakhs
| Financial Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Original Ask | ₹1.5 Crores for 7.5% |
| Valuation Requested | ₹20 Crores |
| Final Deal Amount | ₹50 Lakhs |
| Final Deal Equity | 5% |
| Deal Valuation | ₹10 Crores |
| Debt Component | ₹1 Crore at 10% interest |
Business Potential and Market Size
The market for air purifiers in India is expanding rapidly due to worsening air quality in major metropolitan areas. With AQI levels frequently crossing hazardous marks in cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, and Mumbai, consumers are actively seeking effective indoor solutions. While traditional mechanical purifiers dominate the market, there is a growing segment of buyers looking for sustainable, chemical-free alternatives.
The company’s approach taps into the global trend of eco-friendly and biophilic home design. By eliminating the recurring cost and environmental waste of HEPA filters, they offer a strong long-term value proposition. The challenge lies in convincing mass-market consumers to switch from established, fast-acting mechanical brands to a premium, biological solution.
- The product addresses the severe indoor air pollution problem in Indian metropolitan cities.
- Growing consumer awareness regarding the environmental impact of disposable mechanical filters supports their sustainable model.
- The company faces direct competition from established tech brands selling cheaper, fast-acting mechanical purifiers.
- Backed by technical testing and validation from respected institutions, the product appeals to highly health-conscious buyers.
Ideal Target Audience for uBreathe
| Demographic | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Audience | Health-conscious urban families and professionals |
| Age Range | 28 to 55 years old |
| Geography | Tier 1 cities with high pollution levels |
| Income Segment | Premium and upper-mid income |
| Buying Trigger | Respiratory health concerns, sustainable living choices, and long-term cost savings |
| Channels They Use | Amazon, company website, and specialty home goods stores |
Marketing and Distribution Strategy
To reach their target audience, the company utilizes a multi-channel digital distribution strategy. They sell directly to consumers through their own D2C website, allowing them to educate buyers on the complex bio-filtration process through detailed content. This direct channel is supported by their presence on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, providing visibility to consumers actively searching for air purification solutions.
Their marketing highlights the scientific backing of the product. By promoting the technology developed alongside IIT Ropar and recommended by AIIMS Delhi faculty, they build trust in a market crowded with generic appliances. Moving forward, the capital injection will likely be used to scale their manufacturing capacity and increase marketing spend to acquire customers faster.
- Direct-to-consumer sales through their proprietary website.
- Listings on major marketplaces including Amazon and Flipkart.
- Marketing focused on the scientific validation of their Nobel Breeding Technology.
- Future expansion plans involve scaling production and reaching international markets with their patented designs.
uBreathe Deal Outcome
The pitch sparked a thorough evaluation of the company’s valuation and market readiness. The founders asked for ₹1.5 Crores at a ₹20 Crores valuation, which raised concerns given their current revenue levels. However, the underlying technology and the critical problem they were solving kept the investors engaged.
Namita Thapar saw the potential in the health-focused, scientifically-backed product. She structured an offer that provided the required capital while managing her risk. Namita offered ₹50 Lakhs for 5% equity, bringing the valuation to ₹10 Crores, and provided the remaining ₹1 Crore as debt at a 10% interest rate. The founders accepted this hybrid funding structure.
| Deal Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Sharks Present | Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Aman Gupta, Peyush Bansal |
| Offers Received | Yes |
| Final Deal Amount | ₹50 Lakhs Equity + ₹1 Crore Debt |
| Final Equity | 5% |
| Investing Shark(s) | Namita Thapar |
| Royalty Terms | None |
uBreathe Post-Show Update
Following their appearance on the show, the company gained significant national attention for their unique approach to air purification. According to YourStory, they successfully secured the early-stage funding of approximately $181,000 from Namita Thapar. The press coverage highlighted that their product is tested and certified by NABL Labs and recommended by faculty at AIIMS Delhi, adding immense credibility to their brand.
Reports from Inc42 also confirmed the investment, noting it as one of the key startup deals Namita participated in during that period. The media exposure from the show, combined with the capital injection, positioned the company to scale their manufacturing operations and expand their consumer reach across heavily polluted Indian cities.
Business Lessons from This Pitch
This pitch offers valuable insights into balancing long-term research with commercial viability. The founders spent years developing and testing their product, resulting in a highly differentiated offering. By securing patents and partnerships with respected institutions, they built a defensive moat around their business, which proved critical when defending their high price point compared to cheaper mechanical alternatives.
However, the financial discussion highlighted the challenge of valuing an early-stage hardware company. Because their revenues were still modest, they had to accept a lower equity valuation combined with a debt component to secure the full capital they needed. This demonstrates how investors use debt to bridge the gap between a founder’s valuation expectations and the company’s current financial reality.
- Scientific validation and institutional backing can justify premium pricing in health-related markets.
- Founders must be prepared to accept hybrid deals (equity plus debt) when their revenue does not yet support their requested valuation.
- Personal financial investment from founders signals strong commitment to investors.
- Clearly explaining the technical differences between your product and cheaper market alternatives is vital during a pitch.
Pitch Conclusion
The uBreathe Shark Tank India pitch is a strong example of hardware innovation addressing a critical environmental problem. By securing a deal with Namita Thapar, the founders gained not just capital, but a strategic partner with deep experience in the healthcare sector. Their journey from spending personal funds on R&D to national television showcases the perseverance required in hardware startups.
What are your thoughts on using plant-based technology instead of traditional HEPA filters? Let us know in the comments below. For more insights into hardware and product-focused startups, explore other Shark Tank India pitches on our platform.