RockClimber, the innovative beverage brand founded by Deepak Poduval and Hariprasad Shetty, is set to make waves in the market with the launch of five new variants this year. With an ambitious target of reaching INR 100 crore in revenue, the company is gearing up for an exciting phase of growth and expansion.
The company produces a variety of beverages, including fruit sparklers, celebratory drinks, fruit wine coolers, and is now launching a line of energy drinks. According to reports, to date, the beverage maker has successfully raised approximately $2 million in funding.
Expansion Plans and Market Strategy
To achieve the target of INR 100 cr turnover, RockClimber has aggressive plans to expand its geographical reach, particularly targeting the Middle East and North Africa. Poduval expects 25-30% of the company’s revenue to come from these regions in the next 12 to 18 months. The company is also eyeing the tier 2 markets in India, recognizing the large untapped potential there.
“I believe in the next 10 years, most startups will somehow relate to those regions, in terms of expanding or exploring the consumer base. As a company, we are also looking at growing significantly in those regions,” he says.
Continue Exploring: Beverage brand RockClimber plans $5 Million funding round, targets INR 100 Cr turnover this fiscal year
Shift Towards Non-Alcoholic Beverages
RockClimber initially started with alcoholic beverages but has seen a significant shift towards non-alcoholic options. According to Poduval, they are innovating as consumers preference change.
“As we move on, we see that the world over, the trend is moving towards non-alcoholic beverages,” Poduval shares. This shift is also reflected in their revenue, with non-alcoholic options rising substantially. The company plans to focus heavily on fruit-based beverages and energy drinks in the coming years.
Energy Drinks: The Next Big Wave
The company is soon launching its energy drink line and Poduval is particularly enthusiastic about the energy drink segment.
“That’s something which we believe is yet to come,” he says, referring to the potential growth of energy drinks in markets like India, the Middle East, and North Africa.
“The company is working with technical institutes and food researchers to innovate in this space,” Poduval asserts that there is significant potential for improvement in this market, and RockClimber’s energy drinks will be fruit-based, focusing on pure ingredients without preservatives or artificial sweeteners, he shares.
Non-Alcoholic Premium Sparklers
With consumers welcoming experiential treatments, there’s a large audience for non-alcoholic celebratory beverages, especially during festivities. This is where RockClimber is aiming to position their products. Highlighting its celebratory offerings, Poduval talks about one of the flagship products—non-alcoholic premium sparklers, branded as Celebration.
“It looks like champagne, smells like champagne, pours like champagne, but is non-alcoholic,” Poduval explains. These fruit-based beverages cater to families and celebrations, providing a festive option without alcohol. The company plans to produce 25,000 bottles per shift from its facility in Sangli, Maharashtra.
Continue͏ ͏Exp͏lor͏i͏ng͏͏:͏ India’s ͏beverage marke͏t͏ bubb͏lin͏͏g ͏wit͏h͏ ͏͏na͏͏t͏ural r͏͏͏ea͏͏dy-͏͏t͏͏͏o-dri͏͏nk pu͏nch a͏n͏d ͏m͏͏͏ocktails a͏͏s͏ h͏ealth͏ and con͏v͏eni͏enc͏e take͏͏ cent͏er ͏͏s͏t͏age
Commitment to Quality and Innovation
Poduval emphasizes the importance of authenticity and quality in their products. “Consumers are now aware, saying, ‘I don’t want all this. Just give me be authentic in what you’re giving,'” he says. RockClimber’s commitment to using better ingredients and maintaining transparency is a core part of their strategy.
With a clear vision and solid plans, RockClimber is set to make a significant impact in the beverage industry. The company is currently focused on raising equity to support its growth and aims to reach its INR 100 crore target by the end of the year. “The next 6 months are going to be super exciting for us,” Poduval concludes.
