

Dabur makes ₹500-crore venture push in hunt for next-gen brands
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. As India’s consumer preferences shift toward wellness and naturals, Dabur India Ltd is deploying fresh capital to stay ahead of the curve. The 140-year-old fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) major has set up a ₹500-crore venture investment platform to back fast-growing, digital-first brands in natural health, beauty and home care.
Through Dabur Ventures, the company will make minority investments of ₹25-75 crore in start-ups that align with its ayurveda- and naturals-led strategy, said Abhinav Dhall, group head of corporate strategy and executive director at Dabur India. The push, mirroring a broader industry trend as legacy players track shifting preferences and court younger shoppers, gives Dabur both a window into emerging trends and a pipeline of potential acquisitions. The capital will be funded entirely by Dabur’s balance sheet.
“The mandate here is very different. From the balance sheet of Dabur, we will do FMCG-oriented investments that fit with Dabur’s long-term vision of ayurveda and naturals," Dhall said in an interview with Mint. "Today, we have to be relevant to the newer, emerging consumer that needs to experience our brands at a younger age.
We have to expose ourselves to newer bets, and therefore, get in a bit early on into companies. If we find something promising, we also want to eventually acquire such companies." Legacy fast-moving consumer goods companies are increasingly investing in new-age brands to understand evolving consumer preferences. Wipro Consumer Care Ventures, the venture capital arm of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, raised a second fund of ₹250 crore earlier this year and plans three to four new investments each year.
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