The Gusto Food & Beverage Program,
an initiative by Gruhas, Jubilant
Bhartia Family Office, DLF Family Office and Anthill Ventures to
accelerate the growth of promising startups in the F&B industry, hosted its
highly anticipated Demo Day at Broadway. Broadway
is redefining offline retail by blending content and commerce to create
immersive consumer experiences.. The event brought together industry
leaders, investors, and media partners to witness the impact and scalability of
six exceptional startups from the Gusto cohort.
The day began with one-on-one discussions between
the leadership teams of Gruhas, Jubilant Bhartia Family Office, DLF Family
Office, and Anthill Ventures. These sessions were an invaluable opportunity for
strategic dialogue, fostering insights that aligned innovation with investment
priorities.
Next, the founders engaged in an inspiring session
with Stuti Pandey,
Senior manager from Zepto,
one of India’s fastest-growing quick commerce platforms. She shared actionable
insights on operational excellence, technology adoption, and customer retention
strategies, providing a blueprint for startups aiming for hyper-growth in the
competitive F&B ecosystem.
The highlight of the day’s knowledge-sharing
sessions was a fireside chat with Kishore Biyani,
the visionary founder of Future Group. Biyani emphasized the evolving landscape
of consumer preferences in India, highlighting the critical role of
adaptability in F&B. “Today’s consumers are looking for more than just
products; they’re seeking experiences. Brands that can integrate tradition with
innovation, while staying relevant to the modern palate, will define the next
decade of this industry,” he said. Biyani also applauded the Gusto cohort for
their bold vision and encouraged them to continue pushing boundaries. The
session was gracefully moderated by Prasad Vanga,
Founder and Director at Anthill Ventures.
The opening keynote was delivered by Arjun Bhartia,
Director, Jubilant Bhartia Family Office. In his address, Bhartia reflected on
Jubilant’s collaboration with the Gusto program, stating, “We are proud to be
part of this incredible journey with Gruhas, DLF FO and Anthill Ventures. The
Gusto cohort represents an amazing set of companies that are disrupting the food
and beverage space with their creativity and drive. At Jubilant, we believe in
backing businesses that make a real impact, and we’re thrilled to be associated
with this initiative.”
Following the keynote, the spotlight shifted to the
pitches, where six startups presented their unique value propositions and
growth strategies to a discerning audience of investors and media
representatives:
Each pitch highlighted the transformative potential
of these startups in reshaping the F&B industry. From innovative snacking
solutions to sustainable beverages, the cohort demonstrated the depth and
diversity of their market impact.
The day concluded with a powerful closing note
by Abhijeet Pai,
Founder of Gruhas, who emphasized the scalability and transformative potential
of the Gusto program. “Gusto is not just about supporting startups; it’s about
creating an ecosystem that accelerates innovation with purpose. The impact
these companies are making on the food and beverage sector is a testament to
their hard work and the program’s vision to enable scale at speed,” Pai
remarked.
The floor was then opened for networking, where
over 70 venture capitalists, founders, and partners connected over drinks,
fostering collaborations and partnerships that could redefine the industry.
For more information about the Gusto Food &
Beverage Program or Demo Day, please contact:
Anupam Pandey
Email: anupam@anthillventures.com
About
Gusto
The
Gusto Food & Beverage Program is designed to accelerate startups in the
F&B space, empowering them with mentorship, market access, and investor
networks to achieve rapid growth and scalability.