Brands
Blinkit CFO Vipin Kapooria steps down, Flipkart return likely
MUMBAI: Vipin Kapooria has resigned as chief financial officer of quick commerce firm Blinkit after just about a year in the role and is set to return to Flipkart, according to reports. His exit comes at a time when Flipkart is sharpening its leadership bench ahead of a much anticipated initial public offering.
Kapooria joined Blinkit in September 2024, stepping in as the company’s first full time CFO since Amit Sachdeva’s departure in 2022. His appointment was seen as a key move as Blinkit doubled down on scale, speed and financial discipline in India’s hyper competitive quick commerce race.
That race has only intensified. Blinkit is currently battling well funded rivals including Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, BigBasket, Flipkart Minutes and Amazon Now, all chasing the same promise of faster deliveries and deeper consumer loyalty.
Before his Blinkit stint, Kapooria spent several years at Flipkart, most recently as vice president for business finance, where he led financial strategy for high value categories such as mobiles, electronics and large appliances. His return to the Walmart owned e-commerce major signals continuity and financial muscle as the company prepares for life on the public markets.
Kapooria’s resume reads like a tour of India’s biggest consumer and technology businesses. Alongside two stints at Flipkart, he has held senior finance leadership roles at Oyo, Yum! Restaurants International, Whirlpool and Birlasoft, building a reputation as a steady hand in fast growing and complex businesses.
For Blinkit, the search for its next finance chief now begins amid fierce competition and thinning margins. For Flipkart, Kapooria’s homecoming adds another experienced operator to its IPO ready war room, according to reports.
Brands
Sotrue crosses Rs 100 crore ARR, rides digital-first growth in beauty market
Lean marketing and ‘glow-first’ products help brand scale fast across Bharat
MUMBAI: Sotrue, a fast-rising player in India’s beauty and personal care space, has crossed the Rs 100 crore annual recurring revenue mark, underlining the growing appetite for consumer-first, digital-led brands in the country.
The milestone comes within a relatively short period since launch, positioning the brand as one of the quicker success stories in a crowded and competitive category. Its rise has been fuelled by a tight focus on product simplicity, efficient capital deployment, and a sharp understanding of evolving consumer needs, particularly in non-metro markets.
At the heart of Sotrue’s strategy is a clear, almost minimalist insight: deliver visible “glow” without the burden of complex routines. That thinking translated into early wins, with its strobe cream quickly gaining traction and becoming a breakout product for the brand.
Speaking on the milestone, Sotrue founder Gautam Khosla said, “Reaching Rs 100 crore ARR so quickly is a reflection of staying true to one clear vision, building for real women with real needs. We focused on creating products that deliver instant results while being rooted in authenticity and trust. As we scale, our mission remains the same: to build India’s most loved glow-first beauty brand without compromising on what makes us relevant to our consumers.”
Unlike many peers that rely heavily on big-budget campaigns, Sotrue has taken a leaner route. Its marketing playbook leans on authenticity, working with influencers to create relatable, experience-led content rather than high-gloss advertising. This approach has helped the brand build both acquisition and retention without overspending.
A digital-first engine has further powered its growth, with nearly 90 percent of revenue coming from online channels. Offline retail plays a supporting role, helping the brand extend its reach while maintaining a strong e-commerce backbone.
Product development, meanwhile, has been closely tied to consumer feedback, particularly from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Insights gathered from these markets have shaped everything from formulations to shade ranges, allowing the brand to stay relevant and differentiated in a segment often criticised for one-size-fits-all offerings.
Looking ahead, Sotrue is setting its sights higher. The company is targeting Rs 200 crore in revenue in the coming fiscal year, alongside plans to expand into adjacent categories across face, eyes, lips and body.
As India’s beauty market continues to evolve, Sotrue’s rapid climb suggests that brands built on clarity, consistency and consumer insight may well have the brightest glow.
