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Ranveer Singh’s SuperYou storms past Rs 150 crore in year one as India’s protein snacking race heats up

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SuperYou, the protein snacking label founded by Ranveer Singh and Nikunj Biyani, has completed its first year in the market with an impressive Rs 150 crore in revenue. For a brand that entered store shelves only last November, the early momentum signals how quickly India’s young consumers are shifting towards convenient, high protein snacking.

The brand was launched with a simple pitch. Snacks that taste good should also do something good for the body. SuperYou chose fermented yeast protein as its hero ingredient and backed the idea with a colourful range of bars, cookies, mixes, and bite sized treats. What helped the brand break through the clutter was Singh’s active involvement in product conversations, packaging, and early marketing. Retailers who tracked the launch shared that stores in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi NCR saw the fastest movement in the protein bar line. Some modern trade partners reported sell through rates above expectations within the first quarter.

Nikunj Biyani, who leads product development, has been vocal about creating protein options that feel familiar to Indian palates. The brand introduced flavours like Choco Jaggery Crunch, Coffee Rush, Peanut Chilli Bite, and Cranberry Lift, which drew curiosity from fitness beginners and regular gym goers.

SuperYou has also grown its presence through general trade and online marketplaces. The company closed the year with more than ten million individual packs sold across formats. Industry observers note that the functional snacking space in India is heating up as more consumers reach for healthier on the go options.

With a strong debut year behind it, SuperYou plans to add new categories and expand aggressively across Tier Two and Tier Three cities.

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The Most Surprising Findings from Fireside Ventures’ Bharat 2030 Report and Why Brands Should Pay Attention Now

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The Most Surprising Findings from Fireside Ventures’ Bharat 2030 Report and Why Brands Should Pay Attention Now

India’s next consumption surge is quietly forming outside big metros, and the new Bharat 2030 report by Fireside Ventures offers one of the clearest views of this shift. The study tracks more than 150 million households across Bharat, revealing how their aspirations now mirror those of urban India, even though access still lags in many regions.

A teenager in Bhopal follows the same influencers as someone in Bandra, but the road to buying the same brands is not as smooth. Tier One cities already enjoy modern retail and easy discovery of new products. India II still deals with limited distribution, patchy availability of emerging brands, and a strong pull toward familiar, older choices.

The report highlights how household dynamics shape consumption. Working women in India II are taking on more control of daily purchases. In homes where families live with parents, buying habits still reflect the preferences of the older generation, which keeps traditional and safer brands in demand. Faith, community validation and local customs continue to influence what people choose and trust.

Fireside Ventures also maps the country’s deep regional differences. The South is quicker to adopt new categories, especially beauty and emerging brands. The North and West continue to lean toward mass brands, while the Northeast shows a completely different pattern driven by cash economies and strong cultural triggers.

The report also highlights the deep cultural and regional variations that shape spending. The South adopts new brands faster, the North and West remain loyal to mainstream choices, and the Northeast follows its own pattern guided by cash economies and cultural cues.

Fireside Ventures expects India II to add more than 100 million new brand ready consumers by 2030, creating one of the decade’s biggest growth opportunities.

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Sofía Vergara Becomes Skechers Ambassador After Discovering Brand Herself

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Sofía Vergara has signed on as the newest global ambassador for Skechers, giving the footwear company another high-profile name to front its expanding lifestyle portfolio. The partnership arrives as Skechers intensifies its push into comfort-led casual footwear across international markets, a segment that continues to outpace broader fashion categories.

The collaboration unfolded in a way that the company describes as refreshingly organic. Vergara first encountered the brand not in a boardroom but while recovering from knee surgery, a period during which she was looking for shoes that would reduce pressure on her joints. During a routine visit to a shopping mall, she tried on a pair from Skechers’ comfort range and ended up buying several more. Only later did she learn that her management team had already been in early discussions with the company.

Skechers said Vergara’s experience with its technology made her a natural fit for the role, as the brand sharpens its messaging around ease of wear and design innovation. Her first assignment will be a global campaign showcasing the company’s Hands Free Slip-ins Glide-Step collection, a franchise built on features that help users slide into their shoes without bending or pulling. The line has been one of the brand’s strongest performers in the past two years, particularly in North America and parts of Asia where convenience-focused footwear continues to gain traction.

The new campaign will roll out across television, digital channels and in-store displays over the next few weeks. Skechers has previously partnered with names such as Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg and Amanda Kloots, signaling its continued appetite for celebrity-driven storytelling.

For Skechers, the company’s bet is that Vergara’s broad international appeal and personal experience with the product will help strengthen its connection with consumers seeking comfort without giving up style.

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FirstCry Sees Improved Profit Metrics and 11 Percent GMV Rise in Q2

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FirstCry reported a smaller quarterly loss in the September period as the kidswear and parenting retailer continued to strengthen its revenue base across both online and store networks.

The company posted a net loss of Rs 50.5 crore for Q2 FY26, an improvement from Rs 62.9 crore in the same quarter last year. The performance also marked a sequential recovery, with the loss narrowing from Rs 66.5 crore in the June quarter. The top line remained steady through the period, with revenue from operations rising 10 percent year on year to Rs 2,099.1 crore. When other income of Rs 38.2 crore is added, total income reached Rs 2,137.3 crore. Expenses also grew 10 percent to Rs 2,036.9 crore.

The company’s operational strength showed through its adjusted EBITDA, which rose 51 percent year on year to Rs 120.8 crore. FirstCry reported GMV of Rs 2,819.2 crore for the quarter, reflecting an 11 percent rise. Its unique transacting customer base expanded at a similar pace and reached about 1.1 crore.

Brainbees Solutions, the parent of FirstCry, said that product sales across its India and international businesses accounted for 77 percent of operating revenue. GlobalBees, the company’s roll up brand arm, contributed Rs 493 crore to the consolidated figure.

Procurement remained the biggest cost centre, touching Rs 1,329 crore and accounting for 61 percent of total spending. Employee costs rose to Rs 203 crore, which included Rs 59 crore under ESOP charges. Marketing, technology, legal and rental costs pushed overall expenditure to Rs 2,175 crore.

In the India multi channel division, revenue rose 8 percent year on year to Rs 1,381.1 crore and segment profit climbed 26 percent to Rs 58.2 crore. Orders crossed the one crore mark during the quarter.

The company’s international unit posted revenue of Rs 235.7 crore, up 13 percent from last year, while losses narrowed to Rs 24.4 crore. FirstCry also opened its first fully owned store in Saudi Arabia.

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Bird Foods targets 100 outlets in three years as Freddo Bakehouse, Indian Stories and Kacheng prepare for a nationwide push

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Bird Foods is preparing for a major push in the foodservice space with a new experiential cafe format and an aggressive rollout strategy across the country. The company has introduced Freddo Bakehouse as its newest concept and plans to scale it rapidly along with its established brands, Indian Stories and Kacheng. Together, these formats will form the backbone of a network that the company wants to grow to 100 outlets within the next two to three years.

The expansion will focus on malls, high streets and busy commercial hubs in metro cities as well as tier two and tier three markets. The company is betting on the strong rise in dine-in demand. Over the last year, more customers have been choosing cafes that offer something beyond food, such as interactive spaces, fresh bakery counters and more personal experiences. Bird Foods believes that Freddo Bakehouse fits this shift well since it combines a cafe setting with live baking and a menu that changes through the day.

Indian Stories and Kacheng, the company’s existing brands, have also shown steady traction. Indian Stories is positioned around regional Indian comfort food, while Kacheng focuses on quick service Asian meals. Both brands have performed well in mixed locations, and the company expects them to benefit from the planned scale up.

Leadership at Bird Foods sees the coming years as a strong opportunity for organised food retail. With rising footfall in malls and new high street developments in mid-sized cities, the company wants to build a presence early and shape customer habits before the market becomes crowded.

If Bird Foods delivers on its 100 outlet target, it will mark one of the more aggressive expansions in the segment in recent years.

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Ochre Spirits Secures Seed Funding; Plans Bigger Play in Whisky, Gin, and India’s Emerging Agave Category

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Ochre Spirits, a young but fast-rising homegrown alcobev startup, has wrapped up its seed round led by Ah! Ventures, giving the company fresh firepower to scale its footprint in South and Western India. While the amount raised was not officially disclosed, people tracking the segment say early-stage rounds in this space typically fall anywhere between INR 4 crore and INR 12 crore, signalling strong investor confidence in the brand’s strategy.

The company plans to channel the new capital into strengthening its production capabilities and widening its portfolio. Ochre Spirits already plays in whisky and gin, but the big buzz is around its move into agave spirits, a category still young in India but gaining serious curiosity among premium consumers. With more urban drinkers experimenting beyond mainstream labels, the timing could work in the startup’s favour.

Ah! Ventures, known for backing ambitious consumer brands, has been increasing its presence in the alcobev segment. For them, Ochre Spirits checks several boxes: a category with headroom, a team that understands craft-driven production, and a market that’s quickly shifting toward homegrown labels. Industry insiders say India’s spirits market is on track to cross USD 40 billion in the next few years, driven by premiumisation and rising disposable incomes, creating an attractive window for differentiated players.

For Ochre Spirits, this round isn’t just about scaling quantity. The team aims to sharpen quality control, expand distribution, and double down on product development, especially in niche categories where Indian brands can build global-standard offerings. As competition heats up, early movers like Ochre are positioning themselves to ride the next phase of India’s alcobev evolution.

If executed well, this funding could mark the beginning of a strong, flavour-forward chapter for the brand.

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BabyOrgano Targets Rs 100 Crore Revenue After Fresh Funding

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BabyOrgano has secured fresh backing as it looks to push deeper into India’s growing natural wellness market for children. The Ahmedabad-based startup has raised Rs 20 crore in a pre-Series A round led by RPSG Capital Ventures, with existing investor Sauce.vc doubling down on its bet.

The company plans to channel the new capital into three fronts: building out its product pipeline, strengthening marketing, and tightening operations for scale. Internally, the team has set an ambitious target of touching Rs 100 crore in revenue by FY27, a milestone they believe is within reach as more parents turn to Ayurveda-focused solutions.

BabyOrgano was founded in 2020 by Riddhi and Ripul Sharma with a simple promise: everyday health products for children that rely on traditional Ayurvedic formulations rather than synthetic alternatives. Over the past four years, the brand has quietly built a sizable base of more than one million parents, helped by strong repeat buying behaviour that the company says sits above 40 percent.

Its range spans immunity boosters, cough and cold remedies, and daily wellness products. The lineup includes Swarnaprashan drops for immunity, Cold Relief Roll-On, Cough Syrup, Sitopaladi Churna, Chocovita milk mix, and a growing set of Ayurvedic gummies. BabyOrgano sells across major online marketplaces as well as offline retail, with plans to widen this footprint significantly.

The funds will also support work on its processes and supply chain, a critical area as the company prepares for broader national distribution. With competition rising from players like Mamaearth’s kids range, The Moms Co., Mother Sparsh, Dabur, Himalaya BabyCare, Chicco’s natural line, and Kapiva Kids, BabyOrgano is positioning itself as a brand rooted firmly in Ayurveda yet accessible to modern parents.

The new investment sets the stage for BabyOrgano to strengthen that positioning while accelerating its push across India.

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Haus & Kinder Bags 3.3 Million Dollars as Demand Grows for Modern Home Essentials

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Mumbai based home and lifestyle brand Haus and Kinder has secured 3.3 million dollars in fresh capital, with Sauce VC leading the round. Several well-known angel investors also joined in, including XYXX founder Yogesh Kabra, Sangeet Agrawal, Navin Parwal and members of the Chona family. This is the company’s second significant fundraise, following its earlier round of 3.96 million dollars backed by Dev Patel and others.

The new investment will be channelled toward strengthening the brand’s presence across quick commerce platforms, an area where the company has seen accelerating demand. The management said that rapid fulfilment is becoming an important driver in categories such as home textiles and baby essentials, where younger consumers now prefer instant access to premium everyday products.

Haus and Kinder was founded in 2018 by Saket Dhankar and Kanupriya Anand with a clear focus on modernising home and baby products for millennial households. The brand offers a wide range of home textiles including bed sheets, curtains, blankets and cushion covers. It also sells a large portfolio of baby essentials such as swaddles, nesting bags, feeding pillows and blankets. All products are designed around high-quality cotton, with the company’s ringspun cotton range becoming one of its most recognisable offerings.

The brand operates on a multi-channel model across its own website, leading e-commerce marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart, and an expanding presence on quick commerce apps. Dhankar said that Indian families are upgrading their homes far more frequently than before, with design choices influenced strongly by global trends. This shift, he added, has created room for brands that blend affordability with premium quality.

Haus and Kinder competes in a fast growing category that includes players such as Nestasia, 10Club, Homecentre, IKEA and Westside.

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David Beckham’s IM8 Breaks Records: The Supplement Brand Growing Faster Than Any Competitor in History

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David Beckham’s wellness venture, IM8, has officially disrupted the global supplement market, earning the title of the fastest growing supplement brand in history. Launched with a mission to make high quality nutrition simple, stylish, and trustworthy, IM8 has quickly become a favourite among fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and wellness focused consumers around the world.

IM8’s growth has been driven by its clean ingredient philosophy, transparent formulations, and Beckham’s strong personal involvement in the brand. Unlike many celebrity backed wellness products, Beckham has positioned IM8 as more than just a name driven venture. The brand has focused heavily on research backed formulations and premium branding, creating a strong identity that resonates with modern consumers who value both performance and aesthetics.

In just a short span, IM8 has expanded its product portfolio to include daily performance blends, hydration mixes, multivitamins, and protein solutions. The brand’s strong presence on social media, coupled with Beckham’s global influence, has pushed IM8 into international markets at record speed. Retailers have reported rapid sell outs, and online sales continue to climb month after month.

Industry analysts believe the timing of IM8’s rise is strategic. With consumers prioritising wellness more than ever, the supplement industry has seen explosive growth, and IM8 has capitalised on this shift with sleek packaging, convenient formulations, and a powerful story of discipline and personal care led by one of the world’s most recognisable sports icons.

As IM8 continues to scale, the brand shows no signs of slowing down. Its early success signals a new era where athlete backed wellness brands prioritize authenticity, quality, and long term health benefits rather than quick wins.

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Haircare startup &Done bags Rs 6.5 crore to expand professional salon partnerships

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Haircare startup &Done bags Rs 6.5 crore to expand professional salon partnerships

Indian premium haircare brand &Done has secured Rs 6.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by All In Capital, with participation from M.G. Investments and a group of angel investors. The capital will be used to expand product development, scale salon partnerships, and strengthen its direct-to-consumer presence across metro markets.

Founded earlier this year by entrepreneurs Saumya Yadav and Atit Jain, both engineers with prior startup experience, &Done aims to create a high-performance, science-backed haircare line tailored specifically for Indian hair textures and weather conditions. Yadav, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and Stanford Graduate School of Business, previously co-founded the edtech platform Udayy, while Jain, a BITS Pilani graduate, brings a track record of operational expertise in building consumer-led ventures.

Within months of its launch, &Done has established partnerships with more than 1,500 stylists across 300 premium salons in major Indian cities. The company follows a dual-channel approach—focusing on professional salon distribution while also selling directly to consumers through its online platform. Its flagship offerings include a range of shampoos and conditioners designed for at-home use that mirror professional-grade formulations.

“All In Capital sees &Done as a strong contender in a market long dominated by global brands,” said Aditya Singh, Co-founder at All In Capital. “Haircare is a tough category, with consumers quick to judge after one use. &Done has approached the challenge with genuine problem-solving and data-backed formulation.”

Co-founder Saumya Yadav said the brand’s mission is rooted in filling a gap for Indian consumers seeking results-oriented haircare. “Most professional brands used in Indian salons are imported. Indian hair behaves differently, and the environment demands different care. Our goal is to deliver high-performance, professional results made for Indian realities,” she said.

The company added that its formulations use globally sourced active ingredients, clinically tested to repair and strengthen hair with visible results.

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