Brands
Hindustan Unilever takes full control of Zywie Ventures as OZiva valuation soars
Wellness brand OZiva now fully owned as valuation triples in just three years
MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever Limited (Hul) has stirred the last ingredient into its wellness mix, securing complete ownership of Zywie Ventures Private Limited. The acquisition makes OZiva, the six-year-old plant-based nutrition brand, a wholly owned Hul subsidiary.
The FMCG giant finalised the deal after acquiring the remaining 49 per cent stake for Rs 824 crore, following its initial 51 per cent purchase in December 2022 for Rs 264 crore. That earlier investment had valued the company at around Rs 518 crore. Today, OZiva’s valuation has soared to nearly Rs 1,682 crore, more than tripling in just over three years.
Founded in 2019, OZiva sells direct-to-consumer health, wellness, skin, and hair nutrition products. Investors including Matrix Partners, Eight Roads Ventures, and Stride Ventures had already poured around $17 million into the company before Hul stepped in.
The brand’s financial performance has been equally robust. Revenue jumped 148 per cent to Rs 258 crore in FY25 from Rs 104 crore the year before, while losses shrank 90 per cent to Rs 4.5 crore from Rs 43.5 crore.
With the acquisition now complete, Hul has successfully folded OZiva into its vast portfolio, marking another milestone in the company’s growth through strategic acquisitions.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
