MAM
Channel [V] to offer scholarships to budding Popstars
MUMBAI: Channel [V] has announced that all 81 finalists of the Coke [V] Popstars 2 hunt, will be awarded scholarships for a year worth rupees 1, 00,000 each from Rai University, to hone their skills.
In the second edition of the nationwide hunt for a mixed band, Star’s music arm has already narrowed the search from over 15,000, to 81 finalists across various cities and to the final four, says a company release.
The neck to neck battle that ensued between 85 finalists had many contestants losing out by just a few points. The channel, in a bid to be fair to the talented but not-so-lucky lot, has joined hands with the Rai University to help then enhance their musical skills.
According to the Channel [V] Vice President Content and Communication Keertan Adyanthaya: “During the audition and selection process of Coke [V] Popstars 2, we came across some incredible musical talent from across the country. As a channel that represents the youth of India, Channel [V] has always believed in recognizing and nurturing raw musical talent. At Channel [V], we firmly believe that talented youth always come out as winners.”
The Rai Foundation, an institute with a holistic approach to learning, is a nonprofit NGO, says the release. The university dedicated to provide quality education to students from all strata of society is spread over eleven campuses across the country: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Kosi, Lucknow, Behror, Hyderabad, Pune, Bhopal, Pathankot and Dehradun. The University offers a wide variety of programmes from the pure and conventional to the more modern and career-oriented qualifications, adds the release.
Rai University president, Vinay Rai said: “Channel [V]`s talent scholarship in conjunction with Rai university will provide a superb environment to 81 talented youngsters. Rai University’s extensive and innovative courses in over 309 skill based innovative disciplines will be the perfect platform for these talented stars to launch their exciting careers “
Brands
Hocco crosses Rs 530cr revenue in two years
Sauce.vc-led Rs 100cr raise values ice cream brand at Rs 2,500cr pre-money as quick commerce hits 20 per cent of sales.
MUMBAI: Hocco has just scooped a seriously sweet milestone crossing the Rs 530 crore revenue mark in just two full years of operations. The fast-growing Indian ice cream and indulgence brand announced it has raised Rs 100 crore in fresh capital led by Sauce.vc. The round values the company at Rs 2,500 crore pre-money and underscores investor confidence in its rapid scale and distinctive India-first approach.
Founder Ankit Chona said the brand’s success stems from solving real Indian challenges extreme summer heat, fragmented cold chains and culturally rooted tastes. “In India, product development doesn’t end in the lab. It only ends when it survives the street,” he noted. This philosophy has produced viral hits such as Aamchi mango ice cream, BIX cake-sponge sandwiches, the Oh cone and culturally relevant collaborations like Haldiram’s Barfi and festive Modak specials.
Hocco currently operates manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad and Panipat with a production capacity of approximately 3 lakh litres per day, running near full capacity in peak season. The fresh capital will help expand this to around 4.5 lakh litres per day.
Quick commerce has emerged as a major growth engine, now contributing ~20 per cent of overall business and growing nearly 2x year-on-year. The channel has boosted product discovery, increased consumption frequency and helped extend ice cream beyond its traditional seasonal limits.
Sauce.vc founder Manu Chandra said, “At Sauce, we believe that when you chance upon an outlier business, you double down with stronger conviction. We see Hocco as just that.”
With a strong innovation pipeline, deeper distribution and continued focus on cultural relevance, Hocco is entering its third year aiming to capture even more mind space and market share. In a category long dominated by legacy players, this young brand is proving that the coolest way to win is to build for India’s realities, one scoop, one street and one satisfied craving at a time.
