Mid-sized consumer brands — from packaged foods and liquor to personal care — are turning top draws for investors, with a dozen raising funds from large private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) firms in the past three to four months.
Executives said the fresh round of investments is playing out for brands that are either occupying niches or already taking market share from established brands. The list includes Dairy Classic and NIC ice creams, SkinQ dermo-cosmetics, Grameen Kulfi, Fresh Press juices, Woodsmen Mountain Whiskey, Yu instant foods and Natch snacks, among others.
A significant aspect of this funding round is the approximately 10% participation from the core team of Ginglani Distillers, the parent company of Woodsmen Mountain Whiskey. This team includes Joseph Jacob (Ex-AB InBev), Sunil Thakur (Ex-Paul John), and Harpreet Bali (Ex-DS Group).