Journey of Flyrobe’s CEO, Aanchal Saini

Rajshree Upadhyaya | Business Remedies | Flyrobe was founded in 2015 by three IIT Bombay alumni-Shreya Mishra, Pranay Surana, and Tushar Saxena-who brought a major shift to the affordable and circular fashion economy. They launched India’s first large-scale online fashion rental service. Their vision was to create a model in which expensive designer outfits and occasion-specific clothing-usually purchased for a single event-could be rented, making high-end fashion easily accessible to many.

The founders soon realized that in India, clothes meant for occasional use are often worn once and then left unused. Flyrobe aimed to bridge this gap. From the beginning, Flyrobe offered both ethnic and western outfits, designer wear, and accessories for both men and women. For parties, events, or evenings out, they promised fast delivery, while for weddings or major functions, tailored fittings provided an almost boutique-like experience. This approach appealed to urban customers who desired convenience, style, and affordability-without ownership.

Combining Online Rental With Offline Physical Stores
Flyrobe attracted venture capital early on. In 2018, the company raised around Rs. 26 crore from investors such as Sequoia Capital India and IDG Ventures India. Despite early momentum, rising daily orders and customer interest brought the common challenge of losses due to its asset-heavy rental model.

In November 2019, a turning point arrived when Arck World Pvt Ltd-the operator of another rental service-acquired Flyrobe in a part-cash, part-stock deal. The merged entity retained the Flyrobe brand, and at the time of acquisition, Flyrobe’s valuation was around Rs. 60 crore. After the merger, leadership changed, and Aanchal Saini assumed the role of CEO. Under her direction, Flyrobe adopted an omnichannel approach, integrating online rentals with offline physical stores, and shifting to a franchise-driven expansion strategy rather than directly owning all assets. This allowed the company to scale rapidly and expand into new cities while maintaining operational flexibility.

Launched Its First Alliance Store in Mumbai
Flyrobe has shown signs of active revival and expansion. In 2024, it opened a new franchise store in Bengaluru, strengthening its presence in major cities. Later, in partnership with a local rental-store operator, it launched its first alliance store in Mumbai, introducing luxury inventory and modern retail infrastructure. By early 2025, Flyrobe had also opened a store in Bilaspur, marking its expansion into Tier-2 cities.

The company recently returned to public attention through its appearance on Shark Tank India (Season 3). Aanchal Saini represented Flyrobe, showcasing their continuous fashion rental model targeting weddings, parties, and festive occasions. Impressed by the concept, investor Aman Gupta offered Rs. 50 lakh for 4% equity.

Focus on Sustainable, Accessible Fashion
According to current business records, Flyrobe remains active. Its online portal is operational, and its store locator confirms outlets across multiple Indian cities. Under Aanchal Saini’s leadership, Flyrobe positions itself as a premium fashion rental service emphasizing sustainable and accessible fashion.

Flyrobe’s journey reflects a major shift in customer mindset-from ownership to access, and from long-term commitment to convenience. What began as a college-inspired idea-renting out unused wardrobe items-grew into a major startup offering online rentals, physical stores, and designer ethnic and western wear along with accessories. The 2019 acquisition reshaped its path, leading to a more streamlined operation. Meanwhile, franchise expansion, partnerships, and selective growth demonstrate the company’s intention to sustain and scale further.

Written & Edited By:

Rajshree Upadhyaya