Brands
French Bloom races ahead as Formula 1’s first alcohol-free fizz partner
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has uncorked a new kind of partnership, naming French Bloom its first official non-alcoholic sparkling wine partner. The collaboration brings bubbles without the buzz to Grand Prix weekends, offering an inclusive and elevated way to toast every lap, podium and party.
From the 2025 season, French Bloom’s award-winning cuvées will be served across Paddock clubs, the F1 Garage and hospitality spaces, marking a milestone in the sport’s partnership with LVMH. The maison, co-founded by Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger and model Constance Jablonski, is the first alcohol-free brand backed by Moët Hennessy, which acquired a minority stake last year.
“Our sparkling cuvées unite centuries of French winemaking savoir-faire with cutting-edge innovation,” said Frerejean-Taittinger. “This partnership celebrates intention, sophistication and the future of how we raise a glass.”
With Netflix’s Drive to Survive fuelling global fandom and a surge of younger, more diverse audiences, the move reflects changing tastes. Millennials, gen z and female fans are driving demand for luxury choices that balance indulgence with moderation. French Bloom, crafted from organic Chardonnay and refined through an innovative dealcoholisation process, answers that call with style.
Formula 1’s chief commercial officer, Emily Prazer, added, “The addition of French Bloom brings variety to our hospitality portfolio and ensures every guest experiences true luxury at our races.”
Beyond bubbles, the tie-up carries a green note. French Bloom’s commitment to organic ingredients and reduced production impact dovetails with F1’s net zero carbon by 2030 goal.
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.
