StartupLanes

I am Satyam Meher, founder of Bunker Valley, a premium handloom startup rooted in Odisha’s rich textile heritage. I come from a family of national award-winning weavers with over 120 years of legacy in handloom craftsmanship. My father and grandfather have both been honored at the national level for their contributions to Indian textile art. After completing Master Weaver Training at IIM Sambalpur, I decided to build a business that not only preserves this legacy but also scales it globally.

Bunker Valley works directly with 250–300 weaver families across Odisha to produce premium handwoven cotton and silk sarees, dress fabrics, and home furnishings using organic dyes and traditional techniques. We aim to eliminate middlemen, increase artisan income by 15%, and offer superior quality products to customers at 50% lower markups compared to high-end retail.

We’re on track to scale to 3000–3500 sarees per month, with an average price point of ₹12,000 for cotton and ₹22,000 for silk. Our business model is direct-to-customer (D2C) via e-commerce, exhibitions, and global partnerships. We are targeting a 20–25% net profit margin while creating meaningful social impact in the artisan economy.

The global market for handloom is worth $18 billion, and Indian handlooms alone account for $6–8 billion. Bunker Valley is positioned to be a key premium player in this space by combining authentic craft, ethical production, and modern branding and distribution.

We are currently raising capital to:

Scale production capacity and working capital

Develop a full-featured e-commerce platform

Launch national and international marketing campaigns

Start exports of high-value Odisha silk sarees and handloom fabrics


I’m looking to connect with investors, angel networks, and family offices who believe in the potential of cultural businesses, ethical fashion, and Made in India premium products. Bunker Valley is not just a brand — it’s a movement to make Indian handlooms globally respected and commercially strong.