Annie Braille device has gained attention after its pitch on Shark Tank India. The device helps visually impaired users learn Braille reading and writing. It secured funding on the show and is now reaching more schools and institutions across India.
What Annie Braille Device Does
Annie is a learning device. It teaches users how to read and write in Braille. It also supports typing practice.
The device works for:
- School students
- Teachers
- Adults who want to learn Braille
Users can learn on their own. This reduces the need for constant teacher support. The device supports different languages, which helps in diverse classrooms.
Founders and Background
Annie was developed by Thinkerbell Labs. The founders are:
- Sanskriti Dawle
- Aman Srivastava
They built the device after seeing gaps in Braille education. Many students do not have access to trained teachers or proper tools. The founders wanted to create a device that allows self-learning.
Their work focuses on accessible education.
Annie Shark Tank India Deal
Annie pitched on Shark Tank India with an ask of ₹30 lakhs for 0.5% equity. After discussion, the deal closed at ₹1.05 crore for 3% equity.
The investors were:
- Namita Thapar
- Anupam Mittal
- Peyush Bansal
The higher investment shows strong interest in the product. The investors saw value in both the device and its use in education.
Effect of Shark Tank India
After the episode aired, many users searched for “Annie Braille device Shark Tank India,” “Thinkerbell Labs Annie,” and “Braille learning device India.”
This helped the company reach schools, NGOs, and education groups. It also increased awareness about tools for visually impaired learners.
In this sector, awareness plays a key role in adoption.
Growth After the Show
After Shark Tank India, Thinkerbell Labs focused on expansion. The company worked on:
- Reaching more schools
- Partnering with organisations
- Improving device features
- Supporting more users
The device is now used in different learning setups.
Recognition and Public Engagement
Annie also gained recognition at policy and education forums. It was invited to:
- Raisina Dialogue
This event is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation with support from the Ministry of External Affairs. The invite shows interest in inclusive education tools.
The company has also received awards and mentions in the innovation space.
Latest Updates (2025–2026)
Recent updates show that Thinkerbell Labs is working to scale the device. Key focus areas include:
- Expanding distribution
- Adding language support
- Improving usability
- Working with education systems
The company is also trying to make the device more affordable. Cost is a key factor for wider use.
Why Braille Devices Are Needed
Many visually impaired students face limits in learning Braille. Access to trained teachers is not equal across regions.
Devices like Annie help by:
- Allowing self-paced learning
- Giving regular practice
- Reducing dependency on teachers
- Supporting multiple languages
Such tools can improve literacy levels.
Market and Competition
The assistive tech space in India is still small. There are limited devices for Braille learning.
Annie competes with:
- Traditional teaching methods
- Imported devices
- Basic digital tools
Many options are costly or not easy to access. Annie aims to fill this gap.
Challenges
The company faces some issues:
- Keeping the device affordable
- Reaching rural users
- Training teachers and students
- Scaling production
Adoption depends on both price and awareness.
Current Position
Annie is in a growth phase. It has funding, recognition, and a working product. The company is now focused on scale and access.
Demand for inclusive education tools is rising. This supports the device’s future growth.
The next stage depends on how well the company expands reach and maintains quality.
FAQs
Q1. What is Annie Braille device?
Annie is a device that helps visually impaired users learn Braille reading and writing.
Q2. Who are the founders of Annie?
Annie was developed by Sanskriti Dawle and Aman Srivastava of Thinkerbell Labs.
Q3. What happened to Annie on Shark Tank India?
The company secured ₹1.05 crore for 3% equity from Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, and Peyush Bansal.
Q4. What is Annie used for?
Annie is used for teaching Braille and supporting independent learning for visually impaired users.







