When you see gleaming hair extensions in photos, slick Instagram videos, and celebrity-style marketing, it’s easy to be dazzled. Behind all that, though, there is strategy: securing trademark protection, negotiating deals, using contracts, and satisfying investor due diligence. This article dives into Nish Hair and its founder, Parul Gulati, what’s publicly known about its IP, business structure, what contracts it must be using or would need, and what due diligence Sharks and any serious investor should and probably did check.
Who Is Nish Hair?
- Founded in 2017 by Parul Gulati, Nish Hair is a beauty and personal care/hair extensions/accessories brand. Its mission is to address hair thinning, hair loss, and styling versatility.
- Presenting on Shark Tank India Season 2, she pitched ₹ 1 crore for 2% equity, valuing the company at ₹ 50 crore. The deal closed with Amit Jain for the same ₹1 crore for 2%.
- Post-Shark Tank, the brand grew significantly: multiple sources say sales got about 4× growth after exposure.
- Product range includes: hair extensions, toppers, wigs, clip-in bangs, etc.
What IP Registrations They Have (What’s Verified)
Here is what public data shows regarding Nish Hair’s trademark / IP:
| Trademark / IP | Details |
| NISH HAIR | Registered Trademark. Application No. 3805257 filed on 13 April 2018 by Ms. Parul Gulati (Single Firm) under Class 26, which covers wigs, false hair, hair extensions, false beards, hair thickeners, etc. Status: Registered, valid up to 13 April 2028. |
| Company Registration | Nish Hair Private Limited was incorporated on 2 June 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. CIN: U32904MH2023PTC404094, authorized capital ₹10,00,000, paid-up ₹1,00,000. Directors: Parul Hariom Gulati and Urmil Gulati. |
So, the key IP registration is for “NISH HAIR” for hair-extension-type products, etc, under Class 26.
Business Contracts They Likely Use / Need
Based on the business profile and scale, these are contracts Nish Hair almost certainly uses or needs. Some may have been executed; others should be.
| Contract Type | Purpose / Why Necessary |
| Supplier Agreements | Ensuring that IP (trademark “NISH HAIR”) is properly owned, any design or packaging unique designs are protected, and assignment of IP rights where necessary. |
| Manufacturing / Processing Agreements | If Nish Hair sells through Amazon, through boutiques, or possibly in offline stores. These contracts define margins, return policies, delivery responsibilities, packaging/labelling, damages, etc. |
| Trademark/Brand Licensing / IP Ownership Agreements | Agreements with website providers, payment gateways, and logistics partners. Terms for shipping, returns, liability, consumer claims etc. |
| Employment Contracts | With staff (full-time, part-time, designers, quality control, packaging, sales, marketing). Include confidentiality (for designs/process), non-competition (within legal limit), ownership of creations, notice period, wages, leave, etc. |
| Distribution / Retail Agreements | Given they took equity from Amit Jain, there must be a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) covering governance: voting rights, board seats, if any, reporting obligations, equity dilution, exit rights, profit sharing etc. |
| Online / E-Commerce Agreements | Agreements with website providers, payment gateways, and logistics partners. Terms for shipping, returns, liability, consumer claims, etc. |
| Investor / Shareholder Agreements | Given they took equity from Amit Jain, there must be a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) covering governance: voting rights, board seats, if any, reporting obligations, equity dilution, exit rights, profit sharing, etc. |
| Lease / Studio Agreements | If there are studios / physical stores/studios for customer interactions or for display / try-ons, etc, then lease contracts with landlords. |
| Regulatory / Lab / Certification Agreements | For raw materials: human hair (if sourced), synthetic hair, wigs, clips, and packaging materials. Terms should include quality standards (e.g., “100% human hair”), delivery schedules, liability for defects/damages, cost, and payment terms. |
Due Diligence: What Would Be Checked by Investors & Internal Legal Team
When an investor like Amit Jain agrees to invest, they and the founder / legal counsel should do thorough due diligence. Here are key checkpoints, along with what public sources reveal.
| Area | What to Check / Risk |
| Corporate & Ownership Structure | Is the trademark “NISH HAIR” freely registrable for all product classes Nish Hair sells? Are there similar marks leading to possible opposition? Is Are packaging/brand design unique or at risk of copying? |
| Trademark Ownership & Conflicts | If they claim “100% human hair,” “DIY extensions,” “hair growth solutions,” etc, are these claims verified? Are lab tests done and certificates in place? Labelling should meet legal regulations. Risk of misleading advertising or consumer complaints. |
| Product Claims & Labelling | Examine supplier contracts (quality, liability for defects), distribution/returns, logistics responsibility (who bears damage), warranty/returns with customers. Also, examine the lease, employee contracts. |
| Contractual Obligations & Liabilities | Validate sales numbers, margins, and costs. Investors will look at trend growth, profitability vs burn, cash flow, debts, etc. For example, are revenue figures audited? Are the numbers claimed (for example, in the media) consistent? |
| Financials&Valuation | Does the business have required licenses (if any), obey laws related to cosmetics/hair care products, customs for import, GST, consumer law, dispute resolution obligations, etc? Also, product safety / chemical compliance if hair products involve chemicals. |
| Regulatory Compliance | How returns, complaints,and warranties are handled. Does the company have contracts with logistics, policy in place? Reputation risk, consumer law liabilities. |
| After-sales Support / Warranty / Consumer Feedback | How returns, complaints, and warranties are handled. Does the company have contracts with logistics, policy in place? Reputation risk, consumer law liabilities. |
Legal & Business Observations / Lessons
From what can be gathered, here are key observations that may serve as lessons for Nish Hair and similar startups:
- Trademark protection in relevant classes matters: Nish Hair got its trademark for the hair extension/wig category (Class 26). For cosmetics, accessories, hair care chemicals, etc, separate classes/trademarks may be needed to prevent others from registering similar names there.
- Accuracy of product claims is crucial: Complaints from customers accusing substitution of synthetic hair with human hair or misrepresentation, if valid, can result in consumer law / legal liability under the Consumer Protection Act, etc.
- Contract clarity & customer service: Return, refund, and delivery time contracts/policies are crucial. Bad after-sales experiences can damage a brand and leave it open to legal risk.
- Effective integration & succession of business: Nish Hair under “Nish Hair Private Limited” was registered only in 2023; the business has been operating since 2017. Having prior business operations/assets/supplier agreements transferred to the corporate entity, intellectual property allocated, etc, is a part of a strong legal setup.
- Investor due diligence: In light of evident grievances, the investor would have to ensure quality, customer complaints, exposure to legal liability, uniformity in supplier assertions, product testing, etc.
Conclusion
Nish Hair is a strong example of a modern influencer-backed beauty / personal care business in India: started small, built with digital marketing, got investment in visibility, and is leveraging IP registration. The trademark for “NISH HAIR” gives them legal footing in the wig/extension space. However, scaling brings more legal responsibilities: validating product claims, maintaining high product quality, ensuring consumer satisfaction, clear contracts with suppliers, distributors, and employees, and ensuring all regulatory compliance is in place.
For founders and investors alike, the case of Nish Hair highlights that aesthetics & branding are critical, as is legal robustness behind the scenes. Doing IP early, documenting contracts, listening to consumer feedback, being transparent, and executing due diligence are not “nice to have” but essential.
Author Details-Apoorva Lamba (3rd Year Student, Madhav Mahavidyalya, Jiwaji University, Gwalior)