These toys bring culturally rooted play to toddlers

This article is a part of Startup Spotlight, a series that features young, up-and-coming startups.

Photo credit: Rajat Mendiratta

When Sukriti Mendiratta looked for learning tools for her young son, what she found most were either screen-based or culturally disconnected tools. With a background in building consumer brands, she saw a personal problem that needed a solution. Mendiratta left her corporate career to create India-based Panda’s Box, a brand focused on screen-free, culturally rooted play.

😟 Problem

Young children in India spend two to three hours on screens daily, contrary to the WHO guidance of zero screen time for those under two. This overexposure can affect attention spans, speech, and emotional development. Parents often lack calm, meaningful, and culturally relevant alternatives to digital entertainment.

💡 Solution

Panda’s Box creates screen-free learning products for children aged zero to six. The brand focuses on hands-on play that connects children to Indian culture. These include:

• Mantra-chanting plush toys that introduce calming sounds and rhythms.
• Interactive musical books and storytellers encourage listening and curiosity.
• Products feature a calm design without overstimulating lights or patterns.
• Content is culturally relevant*, using Indian stories, values, and sounds.

Photo credit: Panda’s Box

📊 Market size

Panda’s Box targets parents seeking screen-free learning tools for early childhood. It operates in a repeat-purchase category.

The company currently operates at a monthly run rate of 1.5 crore rupee  (US$163,737). This reflects strong demand from a focused segment of high-intent buyers.

🤝 Team

• Sukriti Mendiratta. Co-founder. Over 12 years of work experience across B2B and B2C roles.
• Rajat Mendiratta. Co-founder. Former COO at Modi Naturals.

🚀 Traction

• Achieved a monthly run rate of 1.5 crore rupee (US$163,737).
• Built a growing community of parents focused on screen-free learning.

🏆 Competition

The company’s direct competitors are Montessori-inspired and other premium early learning toy brands. Panda’s Box differentiates itself by combining calm, screen-free play with Indian cultural grounding. This positions it against mass-market electronic toys and screen-based educational apps.

💰 Financials

Panda’s Box raised 1.2 crore rupee (US$130,959) in February 2026. The funding was a joint investment from Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar on Shark Tank India. The company is now deploying this capital to scale its operations.