Kartik Verma’s ‘Assuage Mom’ wins Global James McGuire Business Plan Competition

Young Indian entrepreneur Kartik Verma has bagged the coveted 2015 edition of prestigious Global James McGuire Business Plan Competition with his business idea 'Assuage Mom' for the maternity wear market in India.

Verma, a Level 3 Fashion Business Management student of Pearl Academy, received his award from James McGuire and Douglas Becker, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Laureate Education at an event in Miami Florida recently. At any given point, there are 17 million ready users accounting both pregnant and nursing mothers in India but the prospective market segment, growing at an annual rate of 17 percent every year, remains largely untapped. Verma’s ‘Assuage Mom' targets this segment offering them stylish yet comfortable nursing clothes. He raced ahead of candidates from 16 countries to bag the top spot. He also received a low interest loan of 50,000 dollars (over Rs 31, 00,000) to launch his brand in India.

Based on extensive market research, 'Assuage Mom' was conceptualised offering functionality, fashion sense and use of organic and eco-friendly fabrics. Stylishly designed for the modern day multi-tasking mothers, it promises comfort and ease. Verma plans to begin manufacturing clothes at his father’s factory and retail the range through partnerships with various online platforms. Special concessions will be given to companies that support the cause of providing comfortable attire to nursing mothers.