Rashmi Daga

"We bought a 13-acre piece of land in a village called Sikra in Kutch which is enough for us to reach a revenue of 500 crores." 🔥 Ep#08 of The India Opportunity Podcast with Aditya Aagare from Thermoflyde is out now! 🔥 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/g6JjrGq6 We talk about: > The market opportunity in the refractory space - north of $30 Billion USD globally > How Thermoflyde is aggressively growing its market share by taking on RHI Magnestia (a $3 Billion revenue-generating, publicly listed business) and has grown 100% year-on-year in terms of REVENUE > How starting up in college taught Aditya lessons about entrepreneurship the hard way > Focusing on customer service as a competitive advantage > Building an IPO-able, cash-flow-positive business > 500 Crores revenue in sight with current capacity and potential to grow much bigger > Aditya's goal of positively impacting 1000+ lives > How traditional manufacturing businesses can be multi-baggers over decades in the public markets > How kindness from angels helped them survive in the first 2 years Great episode for founders looking to build IPO-able businesses, with key insights into how to prepare your business at the earliest stages if IPO is an outcome you're working towards. Thermoflyde Industries Private Limited is destined to be a big success story emerging in the traditional manufacturing space and we're early backers via Swadharma Source Ventures - SSV. Thrilled to share Aditya's story with the world. #india #manufacturing #makeinindia #rhimagnestia #refractory #steelplants #ipo

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Cloud kitchen startup Curefoods (EatFit) has raised Rs 80 crore ($9.6 million) in debt from investors Binny Bansal and Jitender Kumar Bansal, marking its second fundraising round in six months. The loan agreement allows Curefoods to strengthen its operations and growth strategy as it prepares to raise an additional $40 million in a forthcoming Series D round, potentially elevating its valuation to $500 million. Founded in 2020, Curefoods operates popular brands such as EatFit and Yumlane, boasting over 100 kitchens across 15 cities. With a revenue of Rs 384 crore in FY23, it has quickly positioned itself as a leading player in the cloud kitchen market. #Curefoods #CloudKitchen #Fundraising #BinnyBansal #JitenderBansal #StartupFunding #FoodTech #InvestmentNews #CulinaryInnovation #GrowthStrategy #EatFit #Yumlane #SeriesDRound #KitchenExpansion #IndianStartups #RevenueGrowth

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Q-Commerce overtaking traditional e-commerce? Currently we are seeing a big boom in terms of the different SKUs being sold in Quick commerce apps like Zepto, Blinkit, etc. - Atomberg Technologies 's fans - Sony's PS5 - Samosa, Chai and what not - Digital Gold from Jar! Zepto is in talks to raise $300m for its broader ecommerce play. While Swiggy is preparing to file for an IPO this year, incumbent Flipkart is readying its entry into quick commerce. Zomato has invested $240 million in Blinkit over the last one year. Taking a step back, the lines between quick commerce and traditional e commerce have started to become increasingly blurred with QCom pretty much catering to every needs! Also, multiple reports suggest that QCommerce can potentially become bigger than traditional e commerce in India!  Case in point : According to Goldman Sachs, the valuation of Blinkit is greater than Zomato's core food delivery biz! Non-grocery boom in Q-Commerce: Categories including beauty, toys, health and electronics are witnessing robust sales growth on quick-commerce platforms overall. While the overall base for the new categories is still small, aggressive expansion by these players is starting to ensure a dominant presence for these categories. Plus AOV is higher which also comes with better margins, making it a win-win! Case in point: Zepto - 2x sales MoM in segments such as toys and electronics accessories - Beauty category expanded 3x QoQ - ~15% of Zepto’s $1.2bn annualised gross sales currently comes from non-grocery products (Source: Goldman Sachs) For several D2C quick commerce has become the fastest growth channel as well as the platform with highest customer engagement This is definitely a positive for the consumers and the Q-Commerce players, but is everything on the up and up?   As the demand for space on quick-commerce platforms skyrockets, niche D2C cos in segments like FMCG, beauty and personal care, and health and fitness are agreeing to pay a 30-45% commission on sales, besides shelling out on advertising and discounting on these Q-Com platforms. On top of the commissions, brands are also regularly spending around 20% of their total sales on ads on the platforms, and discounting their products by about 20-25% (totaling 60-70% revenue!). This is in stark contrast to the 10-20% commission that large FMCG cos pay these platforms reflecting the intense competition for visibility. The brand's scale and comparison with competitors are crucial considerations when it comes to new listings. On the positive side, smaller D2C brands have seen 40-60% total revenue coming from Q-Commerce compared to ~10-20% from traditional ecommerce, which is surprising! Essentially, Q-com currently has a BIIIG Bargaining power against new D2C brands and can essentially make or break their businesses! Is this sustainable on the long run? #ecommerce #quickcommerce #india #zepto #businessmodel #d2c #startups #LIPostingChallenge

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#FractionalCFO market in India is on a rapid ascent, says Dipanjan Basu, co-founder, and Partner at Fireside Ventures (a consumer brands fund with INR 3000 Cr capital managed). Why? Startups are craving top-notch financial guidance without the hefty price tag of a full-time CFO. And this trend is creating immense opportunities for finance professionals. Is the Fractional CFO role on your radar? (This is from our recent Bangalore event. Kirtane & Pandit Consulting COWRKS Datachamps) #fractionalcfos #finance #charteredaccountants #cfos

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“Love this! A roadside coconut vendor in Bengaluru is making waves with a smart pricing comparison against quick commerce giants like Zepto, Blinkit, and BigBasket. His ad highlights how local vendors can offer fresh coconuts at a better price. Grassroots innovation and witty marketing supporting the local economy never looked this refreshing! #LocalBusiness #QuickCommerce #SupportLocal”

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Game On, India: A VC Perspective on the Untapped Potential in Sportswear (Beyond Jerseys) 🇮🇳 The Indian sportswear market is poised for a major leap, fuelled by a growing passion for fitness and exploring the great outdoors. But let's talk beyond the ubiquitous cricket jerseys for a moment and delve into a hidden gem – the booming market for outdoor gear! 💸 A VC's Perspective: Why I am Bullish on Outdoor Sportswear in India As a Venture Capitalist, the Indian outdoor sportswear market presents a compelling investment opportunity for several reasons: 💹 High-Growth Market: The market is projected to reach a staggering USD 1.93 billion by 2029, with a growth rate exceeding 16% annually (source: Maximize Market Research). This significant growth trajectory signifies a large and rapidly expanding consumer base. 🥇 Untapped Potential: Unlike cricket jerseys, the outdoor segment lacks a centralized and organized retail experience. This fragmentation creates a prime opportunity for innovative brands and platforms to capture market share. 📯 Shifting Consumer Preferences: Growing participation in activities like running, cycling, trekking, and adventure travel is driving demand for specialized outdoor gear. Consumers are increasingly seeking high-quality, functional products that enhance their outdoor experiences. 🇮🇳 Rise of Domestic Brands: This market shift presents a golden opportunity for Indian brands to offer high-quality, affordable options alongside established international players. This approach can resonate with cost-conscious Indian consumers while fostering domestic innovation. 🦋 Experience-Driven Retail: The rise of experience-based travel and adventure sports opens doors for brands to connect with customers beyond just products. VCs are looking to invest in companies that curate a holistic outdoor experience, fostering brand loyalty and customer engagement. 🚵‍♂️ The REI Model for India? The current market lacks a comprehensive online or physical store similar to REI in the US or Outdoor Goat internationally. A platform that curates a selection of established international brands alongside promising domestic ones, offering expert advice and a focus on the entire outdoor experience, could revolutionize the Indian market. 🔊 Calling All Outdoor Enthusiasts and Industry Leaders! Share your thoughts in the comments. What exciting possibilities do you see in the Indian outdoor sportswear market? #sportswear #india #outdoors #entrepreneurship #marketresearch Khyati V Bhinde Joanne Kiara Fernandez Lakshmi Naga Potluri Abhay Vashistha Amisha Vashistha Garima Vashistha

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💪 Let's Build Strong Start Up Ecosystem We are happy to host Premananth (Pitch Deck Expert) from Star insights for a meet in Tirunelveli. Session will be on Helping StartUp founders to raise funds faster ✅ Essence of Investment ✅ Arts and roots of investments ✅ Branding entomology He will be available on 29th April 2024 @ Brand Mindz Tirunelveli Office. #brand #investments #growth #startups

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have been sharing this for a while and been advising some of the start-ups I consult and we work with on the same. many new age brands make the mistaken assumption that their performance-driven sales as brand-driven demand. forgetting that its a mirage made possible by the collapsed duration and distance between intent/desire, demand to purchase. there might in fact be no element of brand in it at all in some or many cases. Its not the case with offline and that is why those sales are more realistic (not necessarily entirely accurate) reflection of the brand power or pull. scraping the bottom through performance marketing is in fact long-term injurious to such brands. happy to hear thoughts and inputs.

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Quick commerce logistics startup Blitz raises Rs 51 Cr in Series A round led by IvyCap Ventures. Blitz plans to use the funds to enhance its 60-minute delivery infrastructure and expand its dark store network across India’s top 20 cities. Blitz Read more at: https://lnkd.in/dRSHreb8

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Cloud kitchen startup Curefoods (EatFit) has raised Rs 80 crore ($9.6 million) in debt from investors Binny Bansal and Jitender Kumar Bansal, marking its second fundraising round within six months. This infusion will bolster Curefoods’ growth strategy as the company prepares for an additional $40 million Series D round, potentially increasing its valuation to $500 million. Founded in 2020, Curefoods operates popular brands like EatFit and Yumlane, with over 100 kitchens across 15 cities. The startup recorded a Rs 384 crore revenue in FY23, establishing itself as a prominent player in India's growing cloud kitchen market. #Curefoods #CloudKitchen #Fundraising #BinnyBansal #JitenderBansal #StartupFunding #FoodTech #InvestmentNews #CulinaryInnovation #GrowthStrategy #EatFit #Yumlane #SeriesDRound #KitchenExpansion #IndianStartups #RevenueGrowth

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"Can Quick Commerce provide an opportunity for the rise of healthy cooked food brands? 10-minute food delivery has redefined convenience in India, but at what cost? The race for speed often compromises food quality, freshness, and nutrition. As we increasingly prioritize “quick,” are we forgetting “good”? This presents a golden opportunity for healthy, cooked food brands to disrupt the market—not by delivering faster, but by delivering better. → Consumers are craving trust. A growing segment values wholesome, thoughtfully-prepared meals over lightning-fast options. → Healthy food = long-term loyalty. Brands that prioritize nutrition and taste can tap into India’s rising health-conscious demographic. Imagine a service that doesn’t just save time but adds value to your plate. The question isn’t how fast you can deliver—it’s how good your food really is. Would you choose quality over speed?"

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Spoke on a panel at the Forbes India Small Business Summit earlier this week about digitization in building. Great conversation & insights with some stellar company! The Gourmet Jar The Moms Co. | Good Glamm Group TAC (the ayurveda co) Pee Safe Libas PhonePe #entrepreneurship #founderlife #digitization #startup #makeinindia #brandsofindia #forbesindia #phonepe #paneldiscussion

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its not just about VC/investor appetite for more mature start-ups where the risk is relatively less, its the turn now of VCs being treated the same by LPs. very likely to happen in India as well if not already happening. The infamous long tail in VC universe is very much going to be a reality.

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🔥 Ep07 out now with Piyush Goenka from Prath Ventures! We talk about building great consumer brands in India 🔥 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gaPcCTqF We talk about: > Piyush's journey across all stages of investing > How he and Harmanpreet Singh defined Prath's sector and stage focus > The journey of Safari from a 200 Crore company to a 10,000+ Crore company > Prath's recent investments in Jimmy's Cocktails, Assembly and Aukera > Consumer trends in India and opportunities in the Indian market > His experience of fundraising for Prath (not something you get to hear very often and that too so candidly and vulnerably!) > How Vipassana changed his life   Prath ideally wants to be the first institutional investor when founders are raising their seed or series A rounds and the first cheque for them is usually between 3-15 Crores which is roughly 500K-2M USD. Excited to deep dive with Piyush into the consumer landscape in India today, and his plans for Prath in the future. Founders who are building consumer businesses, you will gain a lot of rich insights from Piyush’s experience about business building as well as fundraising.

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Great advice on growing D2C. Also a powerful lesson on how an entrepreneur thinks as opposed to a 'founder'. Public market benchmarking on bottom line, not top line. Operating with a ten percent profit margin, you need 150 crores of Earnings, which requires 1500 crore of topline, to get to a valuation of ~5000 crore+ These are similar multiples to what I offer, because they're close to reality. Seeking a 15x+ multiple on your topline? I'm the wrong person to chat with #venturecapital #founder #startups #scaling #valuation

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