Infosys Aims for Green Buildings in India
In our Forty-Seventh D2C Insider edition, explore Infosys Collaborates with AEEE and IIHS, The Unconventional Path to a Healthier India and more!
Hello and welcome to the world of D2C Insider, your weekly dose of insights, news, and trends from the direct-to-consumer space in India and beyond. In D2C Insider Digest’s Forty-Seventh edition you'll see:
Infosys Collaborates with AEEE and IIHS to Decarbonize India’s Commercial Building Sector
Infosys, AEEE, and IIHS launched 'ASSURE' to decarbonize India's commercial building sector and promote sustainability. ASSURE aims to realize 100 million sq.ft. of high-performance commercial buildings by 2030. It brings together experts, enterprises, and the government to provide technical assistance, capacity development, and demonstrate viability. The program will foster entrepreneurship, collaborate with agencies for supportive policies, and engage financial institutions. Infosys aims to amplify climate action through this initiative, aligning with its commitment to responsible business practices and ESG goals.
The Unconventional Path to a Healthier India
Ahana Gautam, Founder & CEO at Open Secret, chose an unconventional path that went against the norm. She gave up a comfortable life, earning in dollars and traveling the world, to pursue her entrepreneurial dream in India. Entrepreneurship brought her a sense of purpose but also a lot of challenges and sacrifices.
Gautam had to say no to spending quality time with her loved ones as she was always caught up with her work. Despite coming from a prestigious background (IIT), she faced criticism for starting a food business and "selling biscuits" instead of leveraging her technical skills.
However, Gautam's driving force was her love for "unjunking" – providing healthier snacking options to Indian families. She believed that even though India has progressed technologically, the average family still consumes unhealthy snacks loaded with preservatives and harmful ingredients.
Gautam acknowledged that her entrepreneurial journey has been extremely difficult, especially running a low-margin food business. People often questioned her decision, but she remained committed to solving the important problem of unhealthy snacking habits in India.
Despite the challenges, criticisms, and sacrifices, Gautam remained hopeful that her efforts would be worth it someday. She continued to persevere and grind, driven by her purpose of building a healthier India and empowering more women in the process.
Key Learnings:
The Path to Success - Lessons from Failures and Customer-Centric Innovation
Manish Chowdhary's, Co-Founder at Wow Skin Science, offers valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey of building Wow Skin Science, now rebranded as Body Cupid. Through his experiences, he highlights several crucial factors that have shaped their success story.
Chowdhary's article serves as an inspiring reminder that entrepreneurial success is not a linear path but a journey filled with challenges, failures, and lessons. By embracing a customer-centric mindset, fostering innovation, and remaining resilient in the face of adversity, entrepreneurs can pave the way for greatness and create a lasting impact on their customers and the industry.
Special offers for you
The Bengaluru-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) sneaker brand, Comet, founded by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani, is currently in advanced discussions with Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners to raise Series A funding. The brand offers sneakers for both males and females in the price range of INR 4,000 to INR 4,500. The planned usage of the fresh funds includes expanding the team and product portfolio, growing inventory, and opening offline retail stores by early next year. This reflects a positive trend in the D2C market, showcasing Comet's growth and investor interest in the brand.
🤖 D2C brand using AI Tech to reduce logistics costs. How?
1. D2C Insider Regional Summit-North
D2C Insider Regional Summit-North, held in Gurugram witnessed the participation of 200+ attendees on Saturday, 11th May 24'.
Next up is our much-awaited D2C Insider Regional Summit-West at Mumbai
🗓️ Date: 8th June 24'
📍Location: Mumbai
🕓 Time: 9 AM to 10 PM
2. Elevate Super 30
A. The Demo Day of Elevate Super 30 Cohort 1 was concluded in the D2C Insider Regional Summit - North.
Congratulations to the winners Yaan Man, The solved skin, Pistascia who received 25L cash commitment from D2C insider Angels & 50L worth rewards.
This brought an end to the first cohort.
B. Be Part of Elevate Super 30 Cohort 2 by joining the waitlist here
3. D2C Insider Super Angels Fund
Introducing the Early Super Angels of D2C Insider Super Angels Fund – India's first operator-led consumer fund backed by top founders from the D2C space in India!
If you are a startup founder seeking relevant and strategic capital, fastrack your success with the D2C Insider Super Angels Fund!
If you are an angel investor looking for exclusive investment opportunities, the D2C Insider Super Angels Fund is for you!
Stay tuned for more updates and future events. Let's keep taking your D2C business to new heights
Until then, keep rocking the D2C world! 🚀