Shark tank India Season 4 | The Good Doll: A Sustainable Revolution in the Toy Industry

2/9/2025

Introduction

In Episode 21 of Shark Tank India Season 4, husband-wife duo Suhas Ramegowda and Sunita Suhas introduced their innovative brand, The Good Doll. Their mission? To revolutionize the toy industry by moving away from plastic-based toys and embracing sustainable, upcycled fabric dolls—also known as Rag Dolls.

The Problem They Are Solving

The founders highlighted a critical issue in the toy industry: 90% of toys are made from plastic, which eventually ends up in landfills, harming the environment. To counter this, they developed a line of dolls that are:

Made from upcycled fabric
Body-positive & color-inclusive
Tested & safe for kids
Feature interchangeable clothing

With 32,000 customers already embracing their eco-friendly dolls, the founders emphasized that Indian children should be inspired by diverse Indian characters, making their dolls not just toys, but also culturally relevant role models.


Business & Sales Insights

🧸 Sales Split:

  • 80% female characters, 20% male characters
  • 85% fair skin dolls, 15% dark skin dolls

📏 Sizes Available:

  • 12 inches, 9 inches, and 7 inches

📈 Revenue Growth:

  • FY 2021-22: ₹6.5 lakh
  • FY 2022-23: ₹17.5 lakh
  • FY 2023-24: ₹70 lakh
  • FY 2024-25 (Till October): ₹50 lakh
  • Projected FY 2024-25 Sales: ₹1.2 - 1.5 crore

🛍 Availability:

  • Sold in 50+ retail stores
  • Available on marketplaces & brand website

Financial & Funding Details

  • Total amount raised so far: ₹1.15 crore
  • Burn Rate:
    • FY 2022-23: ₹22 lakh
    • FY 2023-24: ₹6 lakh
    • FY 2024-25 (Till October): ₹13 lakh

💰 Shark Tank Pitch

  • Ask: ₹50 lakh for 5% equity (₹10 crore valuation)
  • Outcome: No Deal

🦈 Sharks' Responses:

Kunal Bahl: Went out of deal
Vineeta Singh: Not investable at this stage
Namita Thapar: Not investable, scale is not high
Aman Gupta: Business cannot be scaled
Ritesh Agarwal: Opted out


Final Thoughts

Despite not securing a deal, The Good Doll stands out as a sustainable and socially responsible brand in the toy industry. Their commitment to reducing plastic waste, promoting body positivity, and offering Indian-inspired dolls makes them a brand to watch in the coming years.