Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia has acquired an equity share in the direct-to-consumer dinnerware brand BlackCarrot.
As part of the agreement, Dhupia has been appointed as a brand ambassador for the startup, BlackCarrot announced. The startup, however, did not disclose the amount of equity she acquired.
Yadupati Gupta, the Co-Founder of BlackCarrot, stated that the actor obtained the equity as part of the brand partnership agreement with the startup.
Founded by the father-son duo of Yadupati and Vishal Gupta, the D2C dinnerware brand offers products including stoneware, glassware, and stainless-steel cutlery. The brand boasts over 71 SKUs at present and has not yet secured funding from external investors.
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Dhupia commented on her investment, stating, “BlackCarrot is an innovative startup with a distinctive product line and dedicated founders. Their dinnerware combines health and eco-friendliness with a touch of style and elegance.”
In a joint statement, Co-Founders Yadupati and Vishal expressed, “At BlackCarrot, we believe that we should also be conscious of our eating habits. After all, what’s the use of consuming organic and pesticide-free food if our dinnerware undermines our efforts to stay healthy? This principle drives our comprehensive range of dinnerware designed for health-conscious consumers.”
The startup asserts that its unique selling proposition (USP) is rooted in its health-conscious products. It emphasizes that its cutlery is crafted from FDA-approved 304-grade stainless steel, and its drinking glasses are guaranteed to be lead-free.
The bootstrap startup competes with established brands like Nestasia and Pepperfry, as well as legacy names such as Borosil and IKEA.
Dhupia’s investment comes at a time when Bollywood actors are increasingly investing in Indian startups. Earlier this year, actor Ranveer Singh injected undisclosed funding into the audio tech giant boAt. In December of the previous year, Singh also became a co-owner of the direct-to-consumer sexual health and wellness brand, Bold Care.
In 2023, actor Suniel Shetty invested in various Indian firms, including WAAYU, Klasroom, Pro Panja League, & REGRIP. Meanwhile, Shilpa Shetty Kundra funded two startups last year: WickedGud and KisanKonnect. Sanjay Dutt has promoted the alcobev business Cartel & Bros as well as the sneaker marketplace DawnTown in 2023.
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