MAM
Indobevs names Vikas Kumar co-founder to lead growth
MUMBAI: Indobevs, one of India’s fastest-growing alco-bev companies, has elevated Vikas Kumar to co-founder, signalling a bold step in its expansion drive. In his new role, Kumar will steer operational strategy, boost manufacturing muscle, and tighten supply chains to support Indobevs’ ambitious growth plans.
Kumar, who joined Indobevs seven years ago, has been the architect of the company’s operational backbone. He built robust manufacturing systems, streamlined supply chains, and implemented scalable processes that have helped the company grow nearly 40 per cent year-on-year.
With more than 20 years of experience across Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, United Biscuits and SC Johnson, Kumar brings expertise in supply chain management, plant engineering, project execution and process optimisation.
“Indobevs has always stood out for bold ideas and quality focus,” Kumar said. “As co-founder, I aim to make our operations resilient, agile and future-ready, ensuring we scale responsibly while delivering exceptional value to customers.”
Co-founder Geetika Mahandru added, “Vikas’ vision and operational insight have been key to our growth. Under his leadership, we are well-positioned to expand into new markets and continue offering premium, consumer-focused experiences.”
Indobevs is expanding both domestically and internationally, with greenfield facilities under construction in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. New launches include the liqueur Bonga Bonga and multiple whisky variants, all under Kumar’s operational oversight.
Founded in 2007, Indobevs has built a diverse portfolio that includes Brocode, Big Bro, Bro Red, Brose, Bonga Bonga Mystery Liqueur, Enso Japanese Whisky, Eden Blended Malt Whisky, Wingman Blended Malt Whisky, God’s Own Cognac and Tom & Mew Gin. The company continues to push bold flavours and contemporary drinking experiences.
Brands
Pre-seed funding fuels nailinit, India’s new-age nail care brand
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund backs Gen Z-focused beauty startup
MUMBAI: nailinit, a community-first nail care startup targeting Gen Z and millennials, has raised Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund and Marsshot VC, alongside a clutch of consumer, technology and operator angels.
Backed by entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath, Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund is betting on nailinit’s attempt to give India’s nail care aisle a long overdue makeover. The fresh capital will be used to deepen distribution across quick commerce and D2C channels, build its community engine, and accelerate product innovation in a category that is high frequency but still light on strong brands.
Founded by Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal, nailinit is positioning itself at the crossroads of beauty, self-expression and culture. The brand wants nails to be more than a finishing touch. It sees them as a canvas for identity, content and commerce.
“At nailinit, we are building for a generation that sees beauty as self-expression, not just routine,” said Ambegaokar. “The nail category in India has largely been underserved by strong brands. This capital allows us to invest in product depth, community and distribution in a thoughtful and long-term way.”
Singhal added that while the brand’s tone may be playful, its operating focus is sharp. “This round strengthens our supply chain, expands our digital footprint and enables disciplined execution as we scale.”
The funding round drew notable angels including Shashank Kumar of Razorpay, Arjit Johri of Marsshot VC, Yash Jain, formerly of NimbusPost, Karan Jindal of Meta, Jivraj Singh Sachar of ISV Capital, Nishank Jain of Accel, Yashvardhan Kanoi, Ashwarya Garg of HYPD, Venus Dhuria of Phot.AI and Amishi Parasrampuria of The Whole Truth.
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund fund manager Gauri Kuchhal, believes the opportunity lies in shifting habits. “Nail care remains underpenetrated in India, with consumers relying on time-intensive salon visits. As convenience and self-expression gain ground, press-on nails can unlock more frequent and experimental usage. Nailinit is well-placed to expand beyond press-ons into adjacent categories.”
The brand is currently the only nail care player in India blending product-led retail with a dedicated kiosk at Jio World Drive in Bandra, where customers can walk in for services while discovering the range. It has also built early traction across quick commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit, with a launch on Instamart in the pipeline, and is available on Amazon, strengthening its omnichannel presence.
In a space long dominated by salon chairs and scattered labels, nailinit is attempting to file, shape and polish the category into something sharper. With fresh funding in hand, the startup is setting out to prove that in beauty, small details can make a bold statement.
