What Is Very Much Indian?
Very Much Indian is a handloom saree startup that sources authentic, traditional sarees directly from artisans across India and brings them to the online marketplace. The brand celebrates India’s diverse textile heritage by offering a curated collection of:
- Paithanis from Maharashtra
- Chanderis from Madhya Pradesh
- Banarasi from Uttar Pradesh
- Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu
- Jamdanis from Bengal and more
Each saree is handcrafted, rooted in tradition, and designed to tell a story of culture, craft, and heritage.
Founder Story: Meet Smita Patil
The woman behind this beautiful venture is Smita Patil, a first-generation entrepreneur from Yeola, Maharashtra, and the daughter of a farmer. Her inspiration? The weavers she grew up around—and the desire to give them access to the digital economy.
Armed with a vision and a background in fashion, Smita started Very Much Indian in 2016. Her goal wasn’t just to sell sarees—it was to preserve Indian handlooms, empower rural artisans, and introduce the elegance of Indian weaves to global buyers.
Very Much Indian on Shark Tank India
Smita’s pitch on Shark Tank India Season 2 struck a deep emotional and cultural chord with the sharks.
The Ask:
- ₹50 lakh for 3% equity.
Pitch Highlights:
- Over ₹2.5 crore in annual revenue
- 15+ handloom categories listed
- 100% artisan-sourced sarees
- Sold across India and exported globally
- Direct relationships with over 200 weavers
She walked in with passion, numbers, and a story that felt “very much Indian.”
Shark Reaction:
The sharks praised Smita’s authenticity, vision, and execution. They appreciated how she blended tradition with e-commerce and helped revive fading handloom clusters.
Smita accepted a deal of ₹50 lakh for 10% equity, partnering with Namita to scale operations, strengthen the supply chain, and boost marketing.
What Makes Very Much Indian Special?
In a world of fast fashion and factory-made saris, Very Much Indian stands out for its authenticity, traceability, and impact.
Key Differentiators:
- Direct Sourcing: No middlemen. Fair wages for artisans.
- Storytelling: Every product has a “story of the saree” card explaining its origin.
- Cultural Education: Their blog and social media content educates buyers about weaves, fabrics, and care tips.
- Global Reach: Ships to USA, UK, UAE, and Canada.
- Eco-Friendly: Focus on sustainable, handwoven textiles.
Product Categories
Very Much Indian offers a rich range of handloom sarees and related products:
- Paithani Sarees
- Cotton Handloom Sarees
- Silk Sarees
- Festive & Wedding Sarees
- Blouses and Accessories
- Saree Care Kits
Each product is curated for quality, tradition, and contemporary appeal.
Growth, Reach & Impact
- Shipped to over 25,000+ customers globally
- Connected with 200+ weavers in 15+ regions
- Monthly revenue growing post-Shark Tank appearance
- Featured in Forbes India, YourStory, and The Better India
Smita’s story has inspired many young rural women entrepreneurs to believe that small towns can build global brands.
FAQs About Very Much Indian
What is Very Much Indian?
Very Much Indian is a handloom saree startup that sources sarees directly from Indian artisans and sells them online to customers globally.
Who is the founder of Very Much Indian?
Smita Patil, an entrepreneur from Yeola, Maharashtra, founded the brand to promote Indian handlooms and support rural weavers.
Was Very Much Indian on Shark Tank India?
Yes! It was featured in Shark Tank India Season 2, where Smita Patil secured a deal from Namita Thapar.
Are the sarees handmade?
Yes, all sarees are handwoven, artisan-sourced, and come with their origin story.
Final Thoughts: A Saree Startup That’s Very Much Needed
Smita Patil’s journey proves that you don’t need to be in a metro city or have big investors from day one to build a successful brand—you need passion, authenticity, and a vision rooted in purpose.
In an era where fast fashion dominates, Very Much Indian stands as a reminder that tradition will always have a timeless place in our wardrobes. Draped in heritage yet styled for today, this saree startup truly lives up to its name—it’s very much Indian, and very much needed.
For more Blogs: beyondthepunchlines
Author: Team BTP
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