Startup Originals Team
When Shubham Gupta walked into Shark Tank India Season 5, he wasn’t just pitching a fashion brand, he was presenting a decade-long journey shaped by failure, grit, and self-belief. From watching his family go bankrupt to building Bonkers Corner, now valued at ₹300 crore, Gupta’s story is a striking example of resilience-driven entrepreneurship.
When Life Hit Rock Bottom
In 2011, Shubham Gupta’s life changed abruptly. His father’s textile business collapsed, pushing the family into complete financial distress. With no strong academic record, having barely passed his Class 12 examinations, Shubham faced a future filled with uncertainty.
At a time when options were limited and pressure was intense, he made a crucial choice: instead of giving up, he decided to learn directly from the market. Mumbai’s streets became his classroom, and survival became his motivation.
Starting From Scratch, Learning the Hard Way
Shubham began by selling basic t-shirts sourced from local markets, listing them on online platforms. There was no mentor, no funding, and no blueprint. Every lesson came from trial and error.
Through hands-on experience, he learned the fundamentals of the fashion business, fabric sourcing, white labelling, pricing, logistics, inventory management, and understanding customer preferences. Each mistake refined his approach, and gradually, a brand identity began to take shape.
What started as a simple online experiment slowly evolved into Bonkers Corner, built on affordability, trend awareness, and a deep understanding of India’s young consumers.
Growth That Spoke for Itself
By 2025, Bonkers Corner had grown into one of India’s most recognisable homegrown streetwear brands, clocking ₹100 crore in annual revenue. Within the same year, revenues climbed to ₹125–140 crore, with the company targeting ₹180 crore in 2026.
This strong performance gave Shubham the confidence to make a bold ask on Shark Tank India:
₹1.5 crore for just 0.5% equity, valuing the company at ₹300 crore, a number that immediately caught attention.
The Shark Tank Moment
The Sharks were impressed not just by the numbers, but by Shubham’s clarity, honesty, and control over his business. His understanding of margins, customer behaviour, and scalability reflected years of hands-on learning.
Namita Thapar matched his exact ask, ₹1.5 crore for 0.5% equity, with no conditions attached. With no competing offer surpassing it, Shubham accepted the deal, marking a defining milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.
Impact Beyond Revenue
Today, Bonkers Corner’s impact extends far beyond balance sheets:
- 2+ million customers served across India
- Team expanded from 30 to over 450 employees
- 23 physical stores operating nationwide
What began as a survival-driven side hustle has become a large organisation that creates jobs, shapes youth fashion trends, and competes with global brands, while remaining distinctly Indian.
A Story of Self-Belief and Persistence
Shubham Gupta’s journey from family bankruptcy to building a ₹300 crore brand is not about overnight success. It is about learning without privilege, building without shortcuts, and growing without losing conviction.
Bonkers Corner’s rise proves that in India’s startup ecosystem, real-world learning, patience, and persistence can still outshine pedigree, and that sometimes, the strongest brands are born at rock bottom.
