An everyday kitchen utensil has helped Indian-origin entrepreneur Rahul Agarwal secure a $350,000 investment, worth approximately Rs 3.33 crore, on the American business reality show Shark Tank USA. Agarwal’s company, Polygons Design, has developed a measuring spoon set that combines multiple measurements in two compact tools, designed to fold flat for convenient storage.
Unlike conventional measuring spoons, which typically come as separate utensils attached to a ring, Agarwal’s invention uses a flexible, origami-inspired design that changes shape when pressed at designated points. The spoons also feature embedded magnets, allowing them to be attached to a refrigerator or another magnetic surface. The product has reportedly earned more than 20 international design awards.
Rahul Agarwal’s Education and Career
Agarwal studied design at the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, where he developed his expertise in industrial and product design. His professional interests also include user experience (UX) design. He later moved to the United States, where he established his business around the idea of making everyday products more practical.
His career began with design assignments at Inventindia Innovations in Ahmedabad, where he worked between 2013 and 2014. He subsequently joined Storebound as a consulting designer from 2014 to 2015.
Alongside his industry experience, Agarwal also worked in design and innovation education at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar.
In 2016, he became chief design officer at Trip In Inc. He also spent a month as a visiting professor at NID before launching Polygons Design in October 2016. The venture gave him an opportunity to turn his product-design ideas into commercially available products.
The Innovation Behind Polygons Measuring Spoons
Polygons has reworked the conventional measuring spoon set by combining six measurements into two foldable utensils. Instead of keeping multiple spoons in a kitchen drawer, users can select the required quantity by folding the appropriate tool at its marked points.
The larger spoon accommodates half a tablespoon, one tablespoon and two tablespoons. The smaller one measures a quarter teaspoon, half a teaspoon or one teaspoon.
When flattened, each spoon is just 2.8 mm thick. The design uses food-grade thermoplastic and hydrophobic silicone, along with embedded neodymium magnets.
These features are intended to make the product easier to store while retaining the measurements needed for cooking and baking.
The origami-inspired construction is central to the concept: a flat piece transforms into a functional measuring utensil through a simple folding action. This approach distinguishes Polygons from conventional measuring sets, which require users to store and handle several individual pieces.
Sales and International Reach
Polygons has established a presence in international markets, with Agarwal stating on his LinkedIn profile that the company has sold more than 250,000 measuring spoon sets in over 120 countries.
The product has also been sold through established retailers, including the MoMA Design Store, Williams-Sonoma and Uncommon Goods. Its reported recognition includes more than 20 international design awards, reflecting interest in its approach to everyday product design.
The company’s growth demonstrates how a relatively small household product can be developed into a business with customers across multiple markets. Its focus on storage efficiency and functionality gives the design a clear use case for home cooks and baking enthusiasts.
How Rahul Agarwal Secured the Shark Tank Investment
Agarwal pitched Polygons on the fourth episode of Season 18 of Shark Tank USA.
The episode featured actor and producer Mindy Kaling as a guest investor alongside the show’s regular Sharks.
His presentation secured a joint offer from Lori Greiner and Kaling. They agreed to invest $350,000 for an 8% equity stake, along with an additional 2% in advisory shares. Agarwal accepted the offer, putting the company’s valuation at approximately $3.5 million.
Kaling praised the product during the programme, describing it as ingenious and useful. The agreement marked an important development for the entrepreneur, whose product combines a straightforward household function with a distinctive design.
The investment could support Polygons as it looks to build on its existing sales and expand its market presence. For Agarwal, the television appearance has also provided a platform to introduce his invention to a broader audience.
Why the Invention Is Attracting Attention
Measuring spoons are a familiar part of most kitchens, but conventional sets can take up drawer space and require users to keep track of several utensils. Polygons addresses this issue by offering multiple measurements in two foldable tools that can be stored flat.
The product’s appeal lies in its attempt to improve an established object rather than introduce an entirely new kitchen category. By combining a flexible structure, clearly defined measurements and magnetic storage, Agarwal has developed an alternative to the traditional measuring spoon set.
His journey from design studies at NID Ahmedabad to securing a multi-crore investment on Shark Tank USA highlights the commercial possibilities of practical product innovation. The deal gives Polygons an opportunity to build on its international sales and bring its distinctive kitchen design to more consumers.