MAM
Indiagames signs up Zaheer Khan
MUMBAI: Indiagames has signed up cricketer Zaheer Khan and will develop content based on his game, skill and charm for mobile phones.
Mobile users will be able to watch videos on their mobile phones and observe his bowling actions, variations and his newfound batting skills.
Apart from developing a couple of games based on cricket and Zaheer’s personality, his favorite wallpapers and ring tones will be on offer. A ring tone featuring his trademark ‘howzaat’ which appeals – successful and the ones turned down by the umpire will also be incorporated.
Indiagames, which has been developing content on mobile devices since past six months, had recently announced their game show Gotta Play! Gotta Win, hosted by Mandira Bedi.
Zaheer Khan said, “This is a unique opportunity for people to interact with me. When Indiagames approached me with this concept, I was unsure on how this whole thing works. After their team shared with the blue prints of this concept, I was pleasantly surprised by the concept.
In fact right now I’m excited to see the prototypes. I think my perception on mobile phones utility has changed. Opportunities and possibilities for entertainment on a handheld device are limitless. To be onboard with Indiagames will be fun and I look forward to it. People are going to have fun.”
“We are glad that Zaheer shares our enthusiasm and vision. The content will be very varied, unlike the contents that are currently available. We will tie-up with one of the carriers and users can join the Zaheer Club and have fun playing games and downloading. People can also ask questions and doubts. Zaheer Khan will answer them on weekly basis depending on the questions,” said Indiagames Ltd. CEO and director Vishal Gondal.
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.
