Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO of OYO, has invested in Culture Circle, a youth‑focused luxury fashion marketplace, at a valuation of over ₹100 crore for an undisclosed stake, according to Culture Circle’s official release and coverage by Business Standard and Entrepreneur India
This follows his earlier ₹3 crore investment on Shark Tank India, where Culture Circle secured funding from Agarwal and Kunal Bahl at a ₹100 crore valuation for approximately 3% equity Crunchbase
Culture Circle’s Growth Story & Vision
Founded in 2023 by Devansh Jain Nawal and Ackshay Jain, Culture Circle is a platform for authenticated luxury sneakers and streetwear. The business has achieved about fourfold growth recently and now serves over 1 million monthly users, with more than 4,000 KYC‑verified sellers across India’s top 50 shopping apps
The founders emphasize that the latest investment will help scale their proprietary AI-powered engine, SourceX, expand into new product categories, and fuel international expansion plans, especially in markets like the UAE
Why This Investment Matters
- Youth-first and trust‑centric: Agarwal called Culture Circle “one of the most exciting youth-first platforms” in India, highlighting its focus on quality and customer experience
- AI-led scaling: The funding will enhance product authentication, pricing intelligence, and global sourcing through the startup’s AI engine
- Retail and international ambition: With flagship presence in Delhi and Hyderabad and plans for Gurugram and Mumbai stores, Culture Circle aims to position itself as India’s global streetwear and luxury player
✅ Conclusion
Ritesh Agarwal’s strategic investment into Culture Circle at over ₹100 crore valuation underscores investor confidence in India’s growing Gen‑Z luxury fashion and AI-led e-commerce segments. As the startup expands its AI capabilities, retail footprint, and international reach, its ability to deliver on authenticity and customer experience will determine if it can sustain momentum and live up to its valuation.
