Brands
Bubz debuts in India: Monk fruit–infused soda with just 18 calories
MUMBAI: India’s soft drink market has a refreshing new entrant with the launch of *Bubz*, a next-generation soda crafted for health-conscious yet uncompromising consumers. Each 250 ml can is naturally sweetened with monk fruit, contains zero added sugar, packs six grams of prebiotic fiber, and delivers just 18 calories, all without artificial sweeteners, caffeine, or preservatives.
Positioned as “soda, rewritten,” Bubz promises to deliver the familiar fizz and flavour of soda while stripping away unnecessary calories. Available in four flavours: Cola, lemon lime, citrus, and strawberry, it is 100 per cent vegan, functional, and indulgent, catering to young professionals, fitness enthusiasts, party hosts, and trendsetters who want their refreshment guilt-free, Instagrammable, and versatile enough to double as a post-gym drink or cocktail mixer.
The brand is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Adai Mehra and Krish Bajaj, who set out to create a soda that matches the aspirations and lifestyles of India’s new-age urban consumer. For Mehra, the project has personal roots. After stints in finance at Avendus and luxury real estate at Isprava, he experimented with ventures ranging from artisanal chocolate to interior design, all while dealing with persistent gut health issues. Yet his love for soda never faded. “I’ve dealt with gut issues for years, and giving up soda always felt like a compromise. With Bubz, I wanted to prove you can still have the fizz and flavour you crave, but in a way that actually works for your body,” he explained.
The arrival of Bubz signals more than the launch of a new beverage; it represents a cultural shift in how India’s youth approach consumption: indulgence without compromise, transparency without trade-offs, and wellness seamlessly built into everyday rituals. As Mehra put it, “Bubz isn’t trying to be a health drink. It’s soda, rewritten. The fizz, the flavour, the nostalgia but smarter, lighter, and designed for the way we live now.”
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
