Startup Originals Team
What began on factory floors supplying global fashion giants has grown into one of India’s most successful modern menswear stories. The Bear House is the result of deep manufacturing expertise, sharp design sensibility, and a clear understanding of how Indian men dress for work and life today.
From Factory Floors to Fashion Leadership
Founded in 2017, The Bear House did not start as a typical fashion startup chasing trends. Instead, it emerged from years of hands-on experience in garment manufacturing. The brand was built to redefine smart-casual menswear, clothing that works equally well in offices, casual meetings, and everyday life.
At a time when India’s work culture was shifting toward flexibility and hybrid environments, The Bear House positioned itself as a brand offering elevated wardrobe staples inspired by European fashion, without the luxury price tag.
Meet the Founders: Fashion in Their DNA
The brand is led by husband-and-wife duo Harsh Somaiya and Tanvi Somaiya.
Harsh Somaiya previously ran a garment manufacturing factory and supplied to global brands such as Zara and Marks & Spencer. His strength lies in sourcing, manufacturing efficiency, and quality control—skills that gave The Bear House a strong operational backbone from day one.
Tanvi Somaiya brings deep expertise in sampling, design, and product development, ensuring that every piece balances comfort, fit, and contemporary style.
They didn’t “enter” fashion later in life, they grew up inside it.
Solving a Real Problem for Indian Men
Rather than chasing seasonal fashion cycles, the founders focused on a clear gap in the market. Indian men needed clothing that offered:
- Smart-casual workwear
- Comfortable daily essentials
- Premium quality at accessible prices
The Bear House was built to meet exactly these needs, creating timeless pieces that fit seamlessly into modern wardrobes shaped by long workdays and flexible office cultures.
Marketplace-Led Growth Strategy
A major pillar of the brand’s success has been its marketplace-first strategy. Nearly 85% of The Bear House’s revenue comes from leading marketplaces, including Myntra, Flipkart, Ajio, and Tata Cliq.
Instead of moving away from marketplaces too early, the brand doubled down on them—using scale, data, and visibility to grow fast. Once the foundation was strong, The Bear House expanded into:
- Its own D2C website
- Offline retail stores
This balanced approach allowed rapid growth without heavy capital burn.
The Shark Tank Moment
In March 2025, The Bear House appeared on Shark Tank India, where the founders impressed investors with their clarity, numbers, and execution.
Namita Thapar backed the brand with a ₹73 crore commitment—₹1 crore for 1% equity and ₹2 crore as debt—validating the business model and its growth trajectory.
A ₹300 Crore Brand Built on Fundamentals
Today, The Bear House stands as a ₹300 crore menswear brand, built not on hype, but on strong fundamentals, manufacturing discipline, product clarity, and smart distribution.
It is a story of how deep industry experience, when paired with modern branding and execution, can create a scalable, profitable fashion brand in India.
From running a garment factory to leading a national clothing label, the journey of The Bear House proves that real fashion leadership is built long before the first logo is ever printed.
