A Dubai-based startup selling emergency survival kits is experiencing a massive surge in demand as regional missile threats and unstable weather conditions push UAE residents to prepare for disruptions. Trooper, founded by Dr. Damini Shrivastava and Dippesh Bhargava, reported that monthly sales of its flagship “Trooper Box” have jumped more than eightfold.
Quick Facts
- Sales have increased over 800% month-on-month.
- The Trooper Box supports a family of four for 72 hours.
- The global emergency kit market is valued at $1.8 billion.
A Response to Regional Anxiety
The spike in demand follows weeks of escalating regional tensions. Repeated security alerts, the sound of air defense interceptions, and debris falling near homes have heightened public anxiety, directly fueling sales of emergency supplies.
The impact was immediate. On March 1, following a significant barrage of missiles and drones launched from Iran, Trooper sold 19 of its kits in a single day.
“It was like I was living a prophecy,” Dr. Shrivastava told AGBI. “I always knew instinctively that this product would find its audience, unfortunately, in a calamity. The panic psychology was activated as people’s survival instincts kicked in.”
Beyond geopolitical concerns, recent extreme weather has also highlighted the need for preparedness. The startup was initially conceived in response to the April 2024 floods in the UAE, which saw record rainfall disrupt daily life across the country.
“When my apartment leaked during the big storm, I was scrambling to find towels to soak up the water,” said co-founder Dippesh Bhargava. “It never occurred to me to keep basic supplies like flashlights for a power outage. When Damini came to me with the idea, I realized the gap in the market.”
A Doctor-Designed Survival System
The Trooper Box is designed to sustain a family of four for up to 72 hours during an emergency or evacuation. The kit contains over 75 items, including a 101-piece first-aid kit, emergency water pouches, meal replacement bars, hand warmers, duct tape, a hand-crank radio flashlight, and thermal blankets.
Dr. Shrivastava, a physician who trained at Cardiff School of Medicine, leveraged her experience in NHS emergency and intensive care units to inform the product’s design.
“In the hospital, we would routinely practice drills on how to safely evacuate ourselves and patients in case of natural disasters or aggression from criminal gangs,” she said. Shrivastava noted she has always kept a personal ‘go-bag’ at home, a practice she assumed was universal.
Tapping a Growing Global Market
Trooper is entering a rapidly expanding market. According to Dataintelo Consulting, the global emergency kit market is projected to nearly double from $1.8 billion in 2023 to $3.4 billion by 2032, driven by climate-related disasters and rising preparedness awareness.
With its initial consumer traction established, the one-year-old startup is now expanding its focus. Trooper is in talks with governments and multinational corporations looking to equip their employees and facilities with emergency supplies.
“The UAE is very safe with strong air defenses, but being prepared is just common sense,” Shrivastava stated. “It’s about being ready for any situation, not expecting the worst.”
About Trooper
Trooper is a Dubai-based startup that provides comprehensive emergency survival kits. Its flagship product, the “Trooper Box,” is designed to support a family of four for up to 72 hours during emergencies, containing over 75 essential items for short-term disruptions or evacuation scenarios.
Source: MEXC
