Brands
Mysuru Maharaja releases book about founder of Cycle Pure Agarbathi
Mumbai: Amidst the ongoing Dasara celebrations, the royal scion of Mysuru, His Highness Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar released a book and a special limited edition agarbathi “Darbari” in honour of Shri N Ranga Rao, the founder of Cycle Pure Agarbathi, in the Royal palace, to mark his birthday.
Speaking at the special occasion, His Highness Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said “The fragrance of Mysuru agarbathi today has gained global glory and has been accorded the GI status for agarbathi. This is a testament to the fragrances of Mysuru Agarbathi that have long graced the royal courts, temples, and the homes of our people, elevating our senses and connecting us to the divine. We are committed to preserving the rich tapestry of our traditions, and we continue to extend our heartfelt patronage so that these fragrant arts continue to be a source of inspiration and pride for our people.”
The book titled “From Mysuru to the World” recounts the extraordinary life of the young, daring entrepreneur who chose Mysuru to set up his agarbathi business, right in the wake of indian independence, and went on to create a global conglomerate, with maverick ingenuity. The book is a narration by R Guru, the eldest son of N Ranga Rao.
“My father had an uncanny ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. He was a kind of alchemist, a master perfumer who could transform simple ingredients into fine fragrances. He was born with an acute sense of business acumen. Above all, he was a kind and loving man who valued family relations above all. I believe that his story will inspire young entrepreneurs for generations to come.” said NR Group chairman R Guru.
“During the 1953 Dasara, My grandfather’s perfume creations received the gold medal. Today, exactly 70 years later, we feel blessed that the king is releasing a book about him. You could say that it’s a royal tribute to his perfume making legacy, that we continue to carry forward, three generations later. We are humbled and honoured to take the finest of fragrances, from Mysuru to the world.” said Cycle Pure Agarbathi MD Arjun Ranga.
The function was graced by members of the Ranga family and the Mysuru Maharajah.
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.
