Shark Tank India 4: How a Pune Mother’s Dream Led to Tickle Your Art, an Inclusive Platform for Special Artists

Mumbai: The final episode of Shark Tank India Season 4 was a celebration of inclusive entrepreneurship, highlighting businesses that empower individuals with disabilities. Titled the Divyang Special, the episode aimed to foster innovation and provide a platform for entrepreneurs dedicated to creating solutions for people with disabilities.

The episode featured Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airports, who not only mentored the participants but also extended financial support to help scale their businesses. The panel of investors included Srikant Bolla, Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, and Chirag Nakrani, who combined their business expertise with a deep sense of empathy while evaluating the pitches.

Tickle Your Art: A Vision for Artistic Inclusion

One of the standout pitches of the episode came from Pune-based entrepreneur Shweta Runwal, founder of Tickle Your Art. Accompanied by her daughters Ira and Dhriti, Shweta shared the story behind her social enterprise, which integrates the artistic talents of individuals with intellectual disabilities into high-end lifestyle products.

Dhriti, born with Down Syndrome, served as the inspiration for Tickle Your Art. Her passion for painting led Shweta to create a platform that celebrates the creativity of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The brand offers a range of handcrafted products, including jewelry, accessories, home décor, and stationery. Seeking investment to expand her venture, Shweta proposed an offer of ₹21.3 lakh for a 7% equity stake.

An Emotional Pitch and an Unexpected Challenge

Shweta’s pitch deeply moved the Sharks, especially Namita Thapar, who praised her resilience and commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities. In a lighthearted moment, the Sharks were challenged to sketch their dream house in just one minute. Anupam Mittal surprised everyone by drawing the moon instead of a house. Explaining his choice, he said, “It’s the easiest thing to draw, and I am a terrible artist. But also, mujhe poori duniya chahiye—when I sit on the moon, it will feel like the entire world is mine.”

Shweta shared her journey, highlighting how she combined her two decades of design experience with Dhriti’s artistic passion to create Tickle Your Art. “Being on Shark Tank India has been an incredible experience,” she said. “We’re grateful for the support of Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal, who believe in our vision of inclusion and empowerment.”

A Deal That Celebrates Inclusion

While Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal expressed their interest in investing, Namita Thapar chose to mentor the brand. Srikant Bolla, though not investing, pledged a generous donation to support the initiative. In an emotional turn, Shweta requested Aman and Anupam to collaborate in their investment. Moved by the family’s story, Anupam agreed, and both Sharks matched her requested amount, finalizing a deal that symbolized the power of inclusivity and artistic expression.

From a Mother’s Love to a Social Enterprise

Founded in Pune, Tickle Your Art is more than just a business—it’s a movement for change. Shweta, an architect with extensive design experience in India and London, turned her daughter’s artistic abilities into an opportunity to uplift a larger community. The enterprise not only provides meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities but also raises awareness about their talents.

By integrating their artwork into premium products and sharing a portion of the profits with the artists, Tickle Your Art champions a message of empowerment and inclusion. The brand stands as a testament to how creativity and compassion can come together to create lasting social impact.