Lifestyle startup Escape Plan, based in Bengaluru, has landed $5 million in seed funding to build what its founders call a “next-gen travel essentials brand” for modern Indian consumers. The round was led by Jungle Ventures (via First Cheque@Jungle) and Fireside Ventures.
The company is the brainchild of Abhinav Pathak, previously the co-founder of Perpule, which was acquired by Amazon in 2021, and Abhinav Zutshi, a seasoned player in India’s retail space with stints at Big Bazaar, Landmark Group, Bestseller Group, and Forever 21. Together, they’re setting out to reimagine how Indians shop for travel accessories—blending utility with style and speed.
Escape Plan wants to shake up what it sees as a stale category by focusing on design-driven, multifunctional products—from travel bags to on-the-go accessories—that align with a lifestyle where travel is now a constant, not an exception.
With the fresh capital, the startup plans to open over 100 offline stores across India within the next 18–24 months, and also integrate with quick-commerce and travel platforms to enable 1-hour delivery in top cities—targeting last-minute travelers and gifting needs.
“Travel today is not a special event—it’s embedded in the daily lives of consumers, whether for work, weekend getaways, or lifestyle shifts,” said CEO Abhinav Pathak. “But travel gear hasn’t caught up. We want to build products that are functional, good-looking, and available when you need them most.”
India’s travel and luggage market is currently pegged at $3.5 billion, and is expected to touch $5 billion by 2028. Escape Plan wants a major piece of that pie, aiming to fill the gap between global design trends and what’s available to Indian consumers.
Rishab Malik, Partner at Jungle Ventures, sees the startup as tapping into a clear gap in the market. “Indians today know what’s happening globally—but when it comes to travel gear, the local offerings just don’t match that aesthetic or utility. The Escape Plan team brings retail and tech know-how that legacy players lack. They’re creating something the market hasn’t seen before.”
Vinay Singh, Partner at Fireside Ventures, echoed the sentiment: “This is more than luggage—it’s identity, access, and design. With their omni-channel model and clear brand story, we see Escape Plan emerging as a lifestyle brand that can resonate far beyond India.”
With experienced founders, a fast-moving rollout plan, and a bold pitch, Escape Plan may just be plotting a new course for India’s travel accessories game.
