Abhinav Pathak

Abhinav Pathak is an Indian entrepreneur known for building innovative startups across retail technology and consumer products. Abhinav Pathak gained recognition as the co-founder of Perpule, a retail-tech company acquired by Amazon in 2021. He is now the founder and CEO of Escape Plan, a design-led travel accessories brand that reflects his evolving vision for modern consumers.

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Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings

Abhinav Pathak is an alumnus of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), where he developed a strong foundation in engineering and problem-solving.

He began his professional career at Goldman Sachs, gaining experience in finance and global business operations. This early exposure played a key role in shaping his entrepreneurial mindset and strategic thinking.

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Building Perpule: A Retail-Tech Breakthrough

Transforming In-Store Shopping

In 2016, Abhinav Pathak co-founded Perpule, a startup focused on improving the retail checkout experience. The platform introduced a mobile-based self-checkout solution that allowed customers to scan and pay for products directly from their smartphones.

This technology addressed one of the biggest challenges in retail—long checkout queues.

Adoption Across Major Retail Chains

Perpule was adopted by several large Indian retail brands, including Big Bazaar and More. Its user-friendly interface and efficiency made it a valuable tool for both retailers and customers.

Acquisition by Amazon

In 2021, Amazon acquired Perpule for approximately $14.7 million. The acquisition aligned with Amazon’s strategy to expand its “Just Walk Out” technology and strengthen its physical retail capabilities.

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Abhinav Pathak and Escape Plan

Abhinav Pathak Launches Escape Plan After Amazon Exit

After exiting Amazon in 2023, Abhinav Pathak embarked on a global journey across Europe and the United States. During this time, he identified a gap in the travel accessories market.

While travel experiences had evolved rapidly, accessories such as luggage and organizers remained largely functional and lacked design innovation.

This insight led to the launch of Escape Plan.

A Design-First Travel Brand

Escape Plan focuses on creating travel accessories that combine:

• Functionality with modern design
• Premium materials for durability
• Personal expression through aesthetics

The company aims to cater to a new generation of travelers who value both style and practicality.

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Funding and Expansion Plans

Escape Plan recently raised $25 million in a Series A funding round led by Jungle Ventures. The funding is expected to support:

• Expansion of retail and online channels
• Product innovation and design improvements
• Strengthening of supply chain operations
• Growth across key Indian markets

The investment highlights confidence in Pathak’s vision and the brand’s market potential.

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Recognition and Industry Impact

Abhinav Pathak was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his contributions to retail technology. His work with Perpule helped redefine in-store shopping experiences in India.

With Escape Plan, he is now contributing to the evolution of consumer lifestyle products, particularly in the travel segment.

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What This Means

A New Phase for Consumer Brands

Abhinav Pathak’s transition from retail technology to consumer products reflects a broader trend of founders exploring new sectors after successful exits.

Focus on Design and Experience

Escape Plan highlights the increasing importance of design, branding, and user experience in product development.

Continued Innovation by Second-Time Founders

Pathak’s journey demonstrates how experienced entrepreneurs leverage past learnings to build more refined and scalable businesses.

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Key Takeaways

• Abhinav Pathak is a serial entrepreneur with experience in retail tech and consumer brands
• He co-founded Perpule, which was acquired by Amazon in 2021
• He is now leading Escape Plan, a design-led travel accessories startup
• The company raised $25 million in Series A funding
• Pathak is recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30

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FAQs

1. Who is Abhinav Pathak?

Abhinav Pathak is an Indian entrepreneur known for founding Perpule and Escape Plan. He has experience in retail technology and consumer products and has been recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

2. What is Abhinav Pathak known for?

Abhinav Pathak is best known for co-founding Perpule, a retail-tech startup acquired by Amazon, and for launching Escape Plan, a travel accessories brand focused on design and functionality.

3. What is Escape Plan?

Escape Plan is a travel accessories company founded by Abhinav Pathak. It focuses on creating design-led products that combine aesthetics with practical use for modern travelers.

4. What was Perpule?

Perpule was a retail-tech startup that introduced mobile-based self-checkout solutions in stores. It helped customers avoid long queues and improved the shopping experience.

5. What recognition has Abhinav Pathak received?

Abhinav Pathak was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his contributions to retail technology and innovation through his work with Perpule.