Married at 20, Divorced, 4 Daughters to Raise, Meghalaya’s EriWeave Founder’s Story Moves Sharks, Secures Rs 20 Lakh Deal on Shark Tank India

Iaishah Rymbai hails from a small village in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya.

In a moment of pride for Northeast, Iaishah Rymbai (47) and her daughter Lebaini Rymbai (20) from Meghalaya captivated the investors on Shark Tank India Season 4, securing a Rs 20 lakh investment for their sustainable silk clothing brand, EriWeave.

Iaishah Rymbai, hailing from a small village in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, was married at 20 but soon faced a difficult marriage that led to divorce. Left to raise her 4 daughters alone, she balanced motherhood and work as a teacher, ensuring discipline at home.

Despite her dedication, she found herself trapped in Rs 35 lakh debt, hindering her ability to grow the business.

In 2019, she turned her passion for weaving Eri silk, a craft passed down through generations, into a means of survival. What started as a way to make ends meet soon grew into something much bigger, eventually leading to the creation of EriWeave, her sustainable silk brand.

Their inspiring journey, deeply rooted in resilience and the rich weaving traditions of Meghalaya, moved the ‘sharks’ as they shared their struggles and vision for empowering local artisans.

Moved by her resilience, Shaadi.com founder and CEO Anupam Mittal and Emcure Pharmaceuticals executive director Namita Thapar invested Rs 20 lakh for 12% equity, valuing the company at Rs 1.67 crore.

While SUGAR Cosmetics CEO Vineeta Singh did not invest, she extended an offer to support the mother-daughter duo in scaling their brand.

EriWeave is a Meghalaya-based brand specialising in eco-friendly eri silk products, crafted by local artisans using traditional techniques. The brand produces handwoven scarves, shawls, and fabric, dyed organically with lac, turmeric, leaves, and bark. Their mission is to preserve indigenous craftsmanship while promoting sustainable fashion.

During the pitch, Lenskart co-founder Peyush Bansal acknowledged their financial struggles, stating, “You’re stuck in a debt trap.” However, the sharks encouraged them with strategic advice on building EriWeave into a recognizable brand.

Namita Thapar, while offering investment, reinforced the power of women entrepreneurs, saying, “There is nothing that women cannot do in this country.”
With this investment, EriWeave is set to expand its reach, bringing Meghalaya’s rich textile heritage to a broader audience while continuing to uplift local artisans.

Also Read: BJP MDC Bernard N Marak Criticizes Delays in Implementation of Agreed Text for Settlement

COMMENTS