To demystify these secrets, Brunch Labs, a video series, brought to life by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), a sector-agnostic venture capital fund that has proven to be a strong pillar for mentoring growth-stage companies into unicorns. In the past decade, BII has invested in category-defining companies including Eruditus, Licious, Shiprocket, Pepperfry, AgroStar, Bijak, Skeps and Vymo, among others. BII focuses on early growth-stage investments (Series A to D) in tech-driven startups. Committed to nurturing India’s entrepreneurial talent, Brunch Labs by BII has emerged as a solid platform providing valuable insights from founders and investors who have conquered multiple challenges along the way. The series showcases remarkable startup journeys, offering practical guidance for aspiring founders, with the lessons they’ve learned now being brought to the forefront.
Brunch Labs is all set to capture the brilliant relationships that BII has built with founders in the past decade in the upcoming episodes. For those of you looking to know more about the startup verse, watch this space to gain in-depth knowledge about India’s vibrant startup ecosystem and track its latest developments.
With Brunch Labs all set to showcase the transformative power of authentic collaboration, its maiden episode showcased the unique and brave entrepreneurial model of Licious.
Why did BII decide to bet big on Licious in its early days
Pankaj Makkar, the visionary behind BII’s strategic decisions, shares the profound potential he saw in the sector Licious operates in, recognising the significant challenges it faced. Solving these very challenges, he believed, would pave the way for creating an extraordinary company. But it wasn’t just market potential that drove BII’s decision; it was the founders’ unwavering commitment and passion that struck a chord with Makkar. Like a seasoned matchmaker, he knew that embarking on this journey with the founders of Licious would be an amazing experience, with their dedication combined with BII’s expertise and resources joining force.
Drawing a beautiful analogy, Makkar likens investing to getting married, emphasising the significance of trust in such partnerships. Founders, he stresses, must be authentic and genuine with their investors, just like partners in a marriage. And indeed, Licious found its ideal partner in BII, a match made not just on paper but one forged with a shared vision and mutual respect. The episode serves as an invaluable lesson for startup founders seeking investors; they need to find partners who not only understand their vision but also wholeheartedly support and contribute to realising it, just as Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) did for Licious. With this partnership, Licious soared to new heights, leaving aspiring founders with a trail of inspiration and guidance to apply to their own journeys and forge a story of startup triumph.
The episode opens with Abhay Hanjura and Vivek Gupta, the trailblazing co-founders of Licious, recounting their quest to find a VC partner who would not only invest but also bring unparalleled industry insights and expertise to the table. Watch Brunch Labs featuring Licious to know how BII’s unique approach coupled with the brand’s innovative model of operation gave way to some unique revelations and valuable insights.
The Licious journey
When Licious first forayed into the market, it took the food industry by storm. Abhay Hanjura and Vivek Gupta, its co-founders, single-handedly changed the way India consumes meat with its smart supply chain and seamless farm-to-fork model of operation. Licious started out small by delivering to only a few locations within Delhi NCR but soon gathered momentum, and is today one of the leading meat stores in the country. It isn’t surprising to see why. The brand, with its immaculate attention to improving purchase experience and product quality has scaled by focussing not just on raw meat but also providing a curated range of diverse products to its clientele. Licious is also FSSC 220001 certified and maintains a robust, zero-inventory model where products don’t stay in cold storage for long periods of time so that only the freshest products reach the clients.
Licious and Bertelsmann India Investments (BII): Towards an enriching partnership
BII’s unwavering belief in investing in entrepreneurs coupled with a deep commitment to their success, is well-evident in its association with Licious. When co-founder Vivek Gupta reached out to BII with the Licious pitch, it struck the right chord and subsequently BII joined the table for an association in 2017 that would shine even brighter in the years that were to follow.
In 2018, BII had already led a Series C financing round for Licious that raised a total of $25 million. Subsequently, the Series D round in 2019 reportedly led to a raise of another $25 million, which served the brand well for its further expansions. As a leading provider of refrigerated logistics for fresh meat and seafood products in India, Licious’ journey has been incredible.
BII has established itself as a prominent early- to growth-stage funder, providing crucial support and capital to numerous startups that have achieved remarkable success. With a strong belief in investing in visionary entrepreneurs, BII has identified and nurtured ventures across various industries. BII’s portfolio includes a diverse range of successful startups that are now industry leaders, demonstrating the effectiveness of BII’s early-stage funding approach. By leveraging their expertise, resources, and extensive network, BII continues to support and empower startups, contributing to the vibrant and dynamic startup ecosystem.
Fun, unique and engaging format
What makes Brunch Labs an immersive journey into demystifying a startup journey is its unique format. By hosting engaging conversations with distinguished guests over a delightful three-course meal that is open, honest, and fun, e creators unlock valuable insights from their successful partnerships helping viewers understand the nuances of navigating the road to entrepreneurship. The combination of a shared passion for food and meaningful dialogue enhances the overall experience, making it immersive for aspiring entrepreneurs who might want to embark upon a startup path some time in the future.
Bertelsmann India Investments celebrates a decade of empowering Indian startups with Brunch Labs
With Brunch Labs, BII also commemorates a decade of supporting Indian startups and founders. Over the past 10 years, they have played a pivotal role in propelling India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to greater heights. Collaborating with founders driven by remarkable ideas and an unwavering passion to create impactful products, BII has been at the forefront of fostering innovation.
BII’s support has been instrumental in the exponential growth of numerous startups. Notable success stories include Eruditus, Pepperfry, Shiprocket, Rupeek, Licious, and Lendingkart, which have emerged as category leaders and unicorns. These achievements highlight the transformative impact of BII’s partnership and guidance.
Over the last decade, BII has invested over $300 million in 17+ startups across various disruptive sectors such as fintech, healthtech, agritech, and more.
India ranks third globally in terms of its thriving startup ecosystem, trailing behind only the United States and China. BII’s continued association with Indian startups is set to further strengthen this position. Their commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and leveraging their resources will contribute significantly to India’s standing as a global hub for innovation and startup success. Read More
(This article is generated and published by the ET Spotlight team. You can get in touch with them on etspotlight@timesinternet.in)
