When Abhinav Pathak sold Perpule to Amazon in 2021, he didn’t pause he doubled down. Now, alongside seasoned retail executive Abhinav Zutshi, he’s crafting a new journey with Escape Plan, a travel‑accessory startup born in Bengaluru and backed by Jungle Ventures and Fireside Ventures.
A Blueprint Built for Modern Travellers
Launched in May 2025, Escape Plan isn’t just another luggage brand it’s positioning itself as India’s first omnichannel travel gear platform, combining e-commerce, offline wearables in six cities, and technology-enabled quick‑commerce. Its product range spans luggage, backpacks, passport covers, neck pillows, and modular organizers designed for travellers whose last-minute needs can’t wait.
The company has now secured a $5 million seed round, co-led by Jungle Ventures’ First Cheque@Jungle and Fireside Ventures, with additional angel support.
Why This Round Matters
- The funding will be used to open over 100 offline stores across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities within 18–24 months, establishing a strong physical presence.
- Escape Plan plans to integrate with quick‑commerce and travel discovery platforms, offering 1–2 hour delivery in major urban centres a first in the travel accessory segment.
- Targeting a growing market valued at $3.5 billion today and projected to exceed $5 billion by 2028, the startup is tapping into rising demand from experience‑focused, design-conscious Indian travellers.
“Travel is no longer occasional it is now lifestyle,” says CEO Pathak. “But travel gear hasn’t caught up with that reality.”
Founders’ Edge and Category Opportunity
Pathak brings the Perpule playbook a exits-to-scale mindset while Zutshi contributes deep retail expertise from stints at Big Bazaar, Landmark Group, and more. Jungle’s Rishab Malik highlights the founders’ combined operational depth and technology fluency as a strong differentiator.
By merging physical stores, mobile-first design, and tech-enabled fulfillment, Escape Plan aims to plug what it sees as a white space: instant, stylish travel essentials for India’s new normal.
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