India’s fashion startup industry is set to get a major boost as the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) has announced a Rs 100 crore investment pool for Season 2 of its business reality show, Pitch To Get Rich. The initiative aims to support talented fashion entrepreneurs, designers, and creators by providing funding and business guidance to help them grow.
Following the success of its first season, the fashion-focused platform is returning with a much bigger investment commitment. The new Rs 100 crore fund is 150% higher than the Rs 40 crore investment pool offered in Season 1. The upcoming season will be streamed on JioHotstar, giving participants an opportunity to showcase their businesses to a wider audience.
The announcement comes at a time when India’s fashion and lifestyle market is growing rapidly, especially in areas such as direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, sustainable fashion, luxury products, footwear, and accessories. Through this platform, FEF hopes to help emerging businesses scale faster and become successful brands.
FEF Offers More Than Just Funding
The Fashion Entrepreneur Fund is backed by Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar, who have been actively supporting the initiative. The platform also has the backing of leading business personalities including Ravi Jaipuria, Naveen Jindal, Gaurav Dalmia, Sonali Dugar, and Manju Yagnik.
The organization is led by founder Sanjay Nigam and chairman Vagish Pathak. To strengthen its leadership team, FEF recently appointed Rohit Dhar as its Chief Business Officer (CBO), who will help drive the fund’s future growth plans.
Unlike traditional investors that mainly provide capital, FEF follows a venture studio model. This means selected startups receive not only funding but also mentorship, strategic advice, industry connections, supply chain support, and long-term business guidance.
The platform believes many fashion startups struggle because they lack access to funding and experienced mentors. By combining investment with expert support, FEF aims to help founders build strong and sustainable businesses.
Applications Open for Fashion Founders Across the World
Registrations for Season 2 of Pitch To Get Rich are now open globally. Fashion entrepreneurs, designers, creators, and startup founders with scalable business ideas can apply to participate in the show.
FEF is looking for businesses working in sectors such as apparel, footwear, accessories, luxury fashion, D2C brands, and sustainable lifestyle products. These categories are seeing strong consumer demand, creating opportunities for innovative startups.
Shortlisted founders will get a chance to present their business ideas before investors and industry experts. Along with funding opportunities, participants can gain valuable exposure and access to a strong business network.
The selection process is expected to begin in the coming weeks. More details about the investor panel, production schedule, and broadcast dates will be announced as filming starts.
Season 1 Success Stories Show Strong Growth Potential
The first season of Pitch To Get Rich helped several young brands grow and attract investments.
One of the biggest success stories was dmodot, a Delhi-based handcrafted luxury footwear brand founded by Abhishek Sharma. During the show, the company secured Rs 1.35 crore in funding in exchange for a 30% equity stake, giving the business a valuation of Rs 4.5 crore.
Another successful brand was Philocaly, operated by Matching Pants Private Limited, which also received investment support through the platform. Brands such as Banana Club and Love Kiki have also benefited from FEF’s funding and mentorship ecosystem.
The impact of the fund can be seen in its portfolio performance. Companies supported by FEF generated a combined revenue of Rs 182 crore in FY 2025-26, nearly double their revenue from the previous financial year. The organization now aims to achieve around US$52 million in portfolio revenue by FY27.
With a larger investment pool, stronger industry backing, and a growing network of mentors and investors, Season 2 of Pitch To Get Rich is expected to attract some of the most promising fashion startups. As India’s fashion industry continues to expand, initiatives like FEF could help create the next generation of successful homegrown brands.