In the wake of the pandemic, a surge in health-conscious living has redefined priorities, sparking a notable interest in mindful eating and sustainable lifestyles. Capitalizing on this wave, Delhi-based start-up TheGoodFat, founded by Uditya Sharma and Radhika Kohli in January 2022, has emerged as a customer-centric marketplace, spotlighting over 100 local vendors across India. This innovative venture focuses on curating and showcasing artisanal foods crafted by skilled food artisans, presenting a unique blend of tradition and innovation.

TheGoodFat operates on a dual front, employing an ecommerce marketplace that delivers products to the Delhi/NCR region and a distinctive “gourmet-store-on-wheels” concept. The latter involves fully air-conditioned trucks traversing the Delhi-NCR region, showcasing and selling gourmet products directly to customers. The start-up’s mission is to provide visibility and warehousing solutions to local vendors who often lack a significant brand presence. The curated products hail from diverse corners of the country, ranging from cheese in Uttarakhand and Kashmir to mustard sauce in Kodaikanal and pickles in Lakshadweep.

Uditya Sharma’s journey into the world of gourmet foods is marked by a unique transition. Initially involved in the energy sector and family business of coal imports, Uditya made a conscious shift to the Food & Beverage industry. This transition was fuelled by his passion for healthy foods and a desire to contribute to the industry differently. Co-founder Radhika Kohli, with a corporate background and previous entrepreneurship experience in hand-made paper business, complements Uditya’s vision for TheGoodFat.

With a keen eye for quality, Uditya and Radhika adopt a meticulous approach to curate products for TheGoodFat. A rigorous screening process ensures that the products meet specific criteria, including the absence of trans fats, preservatives, and adherence to non-GMO and organic standards. The startup broadly categorizes its offerings into 12 segments, covering bakery, cold cuts, fresh produce, cheese, vegan, keto, baby food, and even pet food.

Bootstrapped at present, TheGoodFat envisions expanding its footprint across Tier II cities like Noida, Faridabad, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana over the next two years. The goal is to add more than 50,000 users and on board 300 additional vendors. Further expansion plans include launching in major metropolitan areas such as Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune within the same time frame. Despite already receiving interest from other metros, the start-up is strategically pacing its expansion based on the availability of warehousing solutions.

Since its inception in January 2022, TheGoodFat has generated approximately Rs 40 lakh in revenue. With an average of 50 to 60 orders daily, both online and offline, the start-up boasts an average ticket size of around Rs 2,200. Operating with an initial capital of Rs 80 lakh, the major expenses for the gourmet grocery brand have been warehousing solutions and the full-stack trucks equipped with chillers and deep freezers. The start-up currently hosts around 100-105 brands and 15,000 SKUs, with plans to add 300 more small brands in the near future.

As a capital-intensive business, TheGoodFat is actively exploring funding opportunities to fuel its growth. The founders are in discussions with potential investors, considering the capital-heavy nature of the business. Additionally, there are exploratory discussions with quick commerce startups, indicating potential partnerships that could expedite TheGoodFat’s growth trajectory.

In essence, Uditya Sharma and Radhika Kohli are not just orchestrating a marketplace; they are crafting a culinary experience that connects consumers with the diverse flavors of India. TheGoodFat’s commitment to empowering local artisans, promoting healthy living, and creating a unique shopping experience positions it as a noteworthy player in India’s evolving gourmet food landscape.

In the rapidly growing Indian hyperlocal sector, one name stands out for its unique approach and ambitious expansion plans: Samar Singla. As the co-founder and CEO of Jugnoo, based in Chandigarh, he’s not just transforming auto-rickshaw services but also venturing into the on-demand grocery and food delivery space. With a vision that’s reshaping urban mobility and hyperlocal services, Samar Singla is leading Jugnoo on a remarkable journey.

Jugnoo began its journey in 2014 as an auto-rickshaw aggregator, offering customers the convenience of booking auto-rickshaws through a mobile app. Similar to how Uber and Ola revolutionized the taxi industry, Jugnoo provided on-demand auto-rickshaws. But Samar Singla soon realized that there was untapped potential to meet various customer demands beyond transportation services. Enter Jugnoo Fatafat, the hyperlocal products platform that took the Jugnoo concept to the next level. Through this platform, customers can order groceries and various products from nearby stores, all of which are efficiently delivered using the existing auto-rickshaw network. Furthermore, Jugnoo Meals offers freshly cooked meals delivered through the app, adding another layer to their hyperlocal ecosystem. Today, Jugnoo successfully manages over 8,000 orders daily, making it a prominent player in the hyperlocal arena.

While the Indian hyperlocal market is fiercely competitive, Jugnoo’s model sets it apart from the conventional bike-borne delivery approach adopted by many competitors. The company utilizes auto-rickshaws, offering a distinctive solution in the hyperlocal space. But, like all trailblazers, Jugnoo faces competition. Ola, another major player in the ride-hailing sector, has recently ventured into grocery delivery services, launching Ola Store. Although currently available in Bengaluru only, this move signifies the growing significance of the hyperlocal sector. Samar Singla is not one to rest on his laurels. With his eyes set on the future, he’s determined to expand Jugnoo’s presence across India. His plans include expanding to ten cities by October and a staggering 40 cities by the year’s end. While these ambitions are grand, they reflect Jugnoo’s commitment to meeting the ever-growing customer demand for hyperlocal services.

The hyperlocal sector has taken the Indian startup scene by storm. Young companies in this space have raised around $250 million, underscoring the surging demand for on-demand services. As consumer behavior shifts towards on-demand solutions and mobile-first approaches, hyperlocal startups are uniquely poised to capitalize on this trend. With advanced mobile technology and precise location-based services, these companies can offer swift and convenient solutions to an expanding customer base.

While the hyperlocal sector’s potential is undeniable, it comes with its share of challenges. Competition is fierce, technology requirements are stringent, and achieving operational efficiency can be demanding. However, Samar Singla’s vision and Jugnoo’s innovative approach position the company to overcome these obstacles successfully.

Samar’s leadership embodies the spirit of innovation and determination, setting the stage for Jugnoo’s remarkable journey into the hyperlocal space. As Jugnoo continues to expand its footprint and make life easier for customers, Samar Singla’s vision and the team’s efforts are indeed transforming the way we experience hyperlocal services in India.

Akash Gupta is the co-founder and CEO at Zypp Electric Mobility which is the largest electric logistics startup in India and the country’s first dock-free electric scooter sharing app.

In order to create more livable cities and a sustainable India, his ambition for Zypp is to address micro-mobility in cities in a practical, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly manner. Akash is in charge of creating the most successful electric scooter sharing company from the ground up in his capacity as chief evangelist. Akash enjoys speaking and has participated in conferences on electric mobility, startups, and marketing as a thought leader.

He worked in a number of companies after earning his MBA from IMT Ghaziabad, including Airtel as the National Acquisition Head. Later, he worked for MobiKwik and Snapdeal, two startups. He extensively collaborated with the company’s founders there as they virtually quadrupled their revenue. He decided to start his own startup, which was formerly known as Mobycy, after gaining extensive experience in both the corporate world and the start-up environment.

They made their initial 1.5 crore investment out of their own money, and during the past four years, they have participated in three rounds of angel and seed financing. They received investments in each of the first two rounds totaling Rs. 1.5 crores, and in the third round they received investments totaling Rs. 15 crores.