MAM
“Availability is the key to success for a FMCG product”: Deepender Singh
Mumbai: Swizzle is a Bengaluru-based new-age beverage startup. Founded in May 2019, Swizzle started as a specialist cocktail kit delivery startup, the company is making waves in the industry by offering a refreshing twist to traditional mocktails. What sets them apart is their commitment to using 100% natural ingredients making it India’s first organic mocktail startup and providing consumers with a premium and authentic drink experience. The startup, founded by young visionaries, delivers its mocktails through popular platforms like Amazon, Swiggy minis and its own website, drinkswizzle.in. Swizzle also has its presence across various retails and MRPs across Bengaluru providing a better beverage experience to all.
The company has also concluded its pre-seed funding round, securing equity investment from four angel investors. This funding propels Swizzle forward in its mission to introduce a diverse lineup of premium mocktails. With this, Swizzle also has exciting plans on the horizon, including the introduction of canned mocktails for HoReCa and QSRs, a direct-to-consumer launch, and nationwide expansion. Their goal is to be present in over 1000 locations by August 2024, serving close to five lakh mocktails monthly.
Indiantelevision.com caught up with Swizzle co-founder Deepender Singh. In this conversation, Singh graciously shared valuable insights into the journey and vision of Swizzle.
Edited excerpts
On the journey of Swizzle from a cocktail kit delivery service to India’s first 100% Natural mocktail startup been
Well it has been a fabulous journey so far with lots of ups and downs, but the one thing which kept us alive is to come up with the best solutions for the consumers. Whether it was freshly made Swizzle’s DIY cocktail kits or Swizzle’s RTD mocktails now, our vision to provide 100% Natural beverage has been steady. In the journey of 4 years we got various suggestions to use artificial ingredients and do the job traditionally how it is being done in the market, but we never explored that and did our R&D with the continuous feedback of our beloved customers. Today we’re proud to launch our authentic premium mocktails at an affordable price for a better world.
On some cultural aspects, Swizzle celebrate through its innovative offerings
India is land of vast varieties of Flora and Fauna which is our heritage and pride. We at Swizzle believe in utilising these resources from nature and giving back to nature for a sustainable ecosystem. It’s not about creating just a generational company, our vision to create a sustainable ecosystem for upcoming generations and a beautiful earth. Being a Co-founder of Swizzle I’m proud to say that I’m a part of this mission to utilise India’s heritage and deliver Made in India products for the global market.
On ensuring its products are both vegan and free from harmful chemicals
We don’t outsource the manufacturing of these flavours, we have done our R&D and developed our SOP”s which are followed strictly. In the whole process of manufacturing there is no involvement of chemicals or artificial ingredients. Every single ingredient we use is natural hence we’re able to deliver every single drink free from additives and chemicals.
On contributing to environmental sustainability through its packaging and operations
Our packaging includes a premium aluminium can which is eco-friendly and recyclable. Our aim is to produce Zero non-biodegradable waste in every stage of our process. While manufacturing we only generate fruits or herbs waste (biodegradable waste and good for nature) and then we pack it only in eco-friendly packaging options. Hence we’re creating an environmentally
sustainable business, from Nature for Nature.
On the rise of growing demand for immunity-boosting beverages amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a heightened awareness of the importance of maintaining a strong immune system. As people prioritise their health and well-being, they are turning to immunity-boosting beverages as a convenient and proactive way to support their immune systems and reduce the risk of illness.
On elaborating Swizzle’s plans for nationwide expansion and the introduction of new products
Availability is the key to success for a FMCG product, and impactful marketing will help to generate the demand.
Swizzle mocktails are rapidly expanding their availability across Bangalore, with over 250 locations including 150 vending machines, Nature Basket stores, MRP outlets, and supermarkets. By August 2024, we aim to be accessible in over 1000 locations and plan to extend our reach to new cities, bolstering our distribution network.
To ensure convenience, we’re partnering with quick delivery platforms like Instamart and Blinkit, ensuring our products are just a few clicks away and delivered within minutes.
With projected revenue of Rs 15 Crore for FY 25, driven by our presence in over 5000 locations, including 1500 retail stores across Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai, Swizzle is poised for significant growth and impact in the FMCG sector.
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
