Lifestyle startup Escape Plan raises $5 million to launch over 100 offline stores across India

Bengaluru-based lifestyle startup Escape Plan has raised $5 million in a seed funding round led by Jungle Ventures via First Cheque@Jungle and Fireside Ventures.

Founded by Abhinav Pathak, who previously founded Perpule (acquired by Amazon in 2021) and Abhinav Zutshi, a veteran of Indian retail with experience at Big Bazaar, Best Seller Group, Forever 21 and Landmark Group, Escape Plan is building what it describes as India’s first all-in-one platform for design-led and fashion-forward travel accessories.

The startup plans to use the raised capital to expand its retail footprint, accelerate customer acquisition, and strengthen its quick-commerce integrations. 

Over the next 18-24 months, Escape Plan plans to launch over 100 offline stores across India. It also plans to integrate with quick-commerce and travel discovery platforms to offer 1-hour delivery in key markets, addressing the growing need for last-minute travel solutions and gifting.

“India’s travel and luggage market, currently valued at approximately $3.5 billion, is expected to surpass $5 billion by 2028. Our aim is to build a platform that offers curated, functional, and design-forward products for this rapidly growing consumer base and elevate the experience of people while travelling” said Abhinav Pathak, who is also the CEO of Escape Plan. 

“Travel is no longer occasional — it is an integral part of lifestyle across age groups and segments. Yet, the travel gear industry has not kept pace with this shift,” Pathak added.

“Indian consumers today are exposed to global tastes but left with few local choices that reflect that sensibility. The founders bring hard-won lessons from retail and tech, and their approach to product, distribution, and customer experience is a genuine departure from the category’s legacy players. Escape Plan is addressing a clear whitespace in the Indian consumer market by creating a new category at the intersection of travel, lifestyle, and design,” said Rishab Malik, Partner, Seed Investments, at Jungle Ventures.

“Escape Plan is reimagining travel gear for a new generation of consumers who value design, identity, and instant access. With its sharp brand vision, omni-channel strategy, and strong founding team, we believe Escape Plan is poised to become a category-defining lifestyle brand with global relevance,” said Vinay Singh, Partner, Fireside Ventures.

Escape Plan integrates technology, design, and retail expertise to build an all-in-one platform for modern Indian travellers. It offers a curated multi-brand ecosystem of travel gear, including luggage, duffels, backpacks, slings, pouches, and modular accessories, combining style, function, and accessibility.

Its hybrid retail model spans physical stores, hyperlocal delivery, and shoppable experiences across the web and QR- enabled kiosks, with plans to scale across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities.