In a notable D2C news India moment within the evolving social and community-driven Direct-to-consumer India landscape, Gurugram-based startup Misfits appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5 and secured a ₹1 crore investment for 3% equity. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, the deal highlights the growing investor appetite for platforms that build real-world engagement beyond pure ecommerce.
Founded by Shashwat Narhatiyar and Saurabh Chaitanya, Misfits is building hobby-based offline communities that help people connect through shared interests and activities. Positioned within the broader D2C ecosystem India, the startup enables users to discover, join, and host local clubs and hobby groups through its mobile platform. Activities span sports, music, art, game nights, and curated social meetups, reflecting emerging D2C consumer behavior India trends where community, belonging, and experiential engagement are becoming key value drivers.
On the show, the founders initially sought ₹1 crore for 3% equity, implying a valuation aligned with early-stage D2C brands India building scalable platforms. During the pitch, discussions evolved around equity expectations, and a counter-offer of ₹1 crore for 3% equity was made by shark Kanika. The founders accepted the offer, securing the deal and marking a milestone in their D2C funding news journey.
Within D2C industry news, Misfits represents a different category of D2C business India—one that monetizes network effects, community-building, and offline engagement rather than physical products. As D2C market trends 2025 increasingly highlight experience-led platforms, creator-led D2C brands, and community-first models, Misfits is tapping into a structural shift toward meaningful in-person connections in a digitally saturated world.
The startup’s mobile-first approach allows users not just to participate but also to host local clubs, creating a two-sided ecosystem. This aligns with a scalable D2C business model India that leverages user-generated communities and localized growth strategies. In a landscape where D2C brand building stories often focus on products, Misfits is building social infrastructure—an emerging vertical within Latest D2C startups.
The Shark Tank India exposure also strengthens its visibility among angel investment D2C circles and early-stage VC-backed D2C brands exploring experiential or community-led plays. While not a traditional D2C funding round such as Series A/B/C funding India, the ₹1 crore investment signals early validation and strengthens its D2C startup valuation narrative within the Direct-to-consumer startup IPO tracker conversation.
As India’s urban population increasingly seeks curated offline experiences and authentic social connections, platforms like Misfits are positioned to benefit from this macro D2C consumer behavior India shift. Within the broader D2C ecosystem India, where omnichannel D2C strategy and hybrid engagement models are becoming the norm, Misfits bridges digital discovery with physical community participation.
For observers following the daily digest of D2C news in India and India’s D2C market news and insights, Misfits’ ₹1 crore deal underscores how new-age D2C brands scaling in 2025 are not limited to ecommerce or FMCG categories. Instead, they are expanding into experience-driven, community-first platforms that combine technology, offline engagement, and scalable network effects—marking a fresh chapter in India’s rapidly evolving Direct-to-consumer India story.
