In the ever-competitive world of frozen treats, creating a niche and achieving rapid growth is no small feat. Skippi, founded by Ravi and Anuja Kabra in 2021, is a stellar example of how innovation, quality, and strategic support can revolutionize an industry. With a mission to offer 100% natural ice popsicles free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, Skippi has quickly become a household name in India, capturing the hearts of consumers nationwide and expanding into international markets.
The Birth of Skippi
Identifying a significant gap in the Indian ice popsicles market, which was largely dominated by a handful of global and Indian players, Ravi and Anuja Kabra set out to create a brand that stood for quality and innovation. Founded in 2021, Skippi introduced ice popsicles that are not only delicious but also 100% natural, free from any artificial additives. The Hyderabad-based startup quickly gained traction, establishing its presence in over 14,000 outlets across India. Skippi also offers a diverse range of frozen treats, including popsicles, cream rolls, and corn sticks and Indianised flavours popsicles through an omnichannel retail business model. Since then, the brand has been launching a new product every six months and currently has a total of 15 SKUs.
Strategic Support from Hyderabad Angels
In 2024, as Skippi continued to grow and expand its market presence, Hyderabad Angels (HA) played a critical role in the startup’s success by securing vital pre-series funding. This funding was instrumental in enabling Skippi to scale its production capabilities, enhance its distribution networks, and explore new markets, both domestically and internationally. HA’s strategic guidance also helped Skippi navigate the complexities of a competitive market, which includes giants like Mother Dairy, Amul, and Kwality Walls in India, and Unilever, Nestlé, Mengniu, and Yili globally.
Expansion and Diversification
Skippi expanded its product lineup and diversified its offerings to appeal to a broader audience.The startup also sells its products on Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy, Cred, Amazon, Flipkart, and BigBasket. The brand’s products are now available not only across India but also in international markets, including Kuwait, Oman, Dubai, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, and the UAE. Additionally, the brand is preparing to launch on Amazon US to target the US and UK markets in the coming month. Skippi’s omnichannel approach has also been a significant driver of its success, with approximately 50% of sales coming from online channels and 50% from offline channels. The startup has successfully positioned itself as a leader in the frozen treats market, leveraging both innovation and quality to capture a growing share of the market. The company claims to have experienced year-on-year growth of 60-70%, with a 38% repeat customer rate. In addition, the startup’s average order value (AOV) has increased from INR 180 initially to almost INR 310 this year.
Looking Ahead: The Road to INR 100 Cr in ARR
Skippi’s journey from its inception to becoming a market leader in the frozen treats industry has been nothing short of remarkable. With its current trajectory, the founders have ambitious plans to achieve INR 100 Cr in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by FY25 and 1 lakh outlets in FY25.
Conclusion
Skippi’s story is a testament to the power of innovation, quality, and strategic support in driving success in a competitive market. The involvement of Hyderabad Angels in securing pre-series funding and providing strategic guidance has played a crucial role in Skippi’s rapid growth and expansion. As Skippi continues to grow, its impact on the frozen treats market in India and beyond will undoubtedly be significant, setting new standards for the industry.
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