National, August 8: Go Zero, an innovative ice cream brand committed to offering guilt-free delight, has secured USD 1 Million in its pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by DSG Consumer Partners, Saama, and V3 Ventures, with participation from angel investors Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of the Bombay Shaving Company; Arjun Purkayastha, Regional – Head Greater China, Reckitt Benckiser; Nikhil Vora, Founder & CEO, Sixth Sense Ventures; Krishi Fagwani, CEO, Thrive; and many other notable founders and CEOs. Founded by Kiran Shah, the brand’s diverse product portfolio comprises zero-sugar, high-protein, and low-calorie ice creams.
Go Zero possesses the potential to establish itself as the pioneering brand in its category, with its distinct product portfolio, taste profiles, and vast domain expertise. Go Zero’s Founder and CEO, Kiran Shah, is a veteran of the food and beverages industry, having spearheaded Apsara Ice Cream’s operations from 2014 to 2022. At Apsara, he played an instrumental role in expanding it from its single-store operations to a nationwide chain with over 100 outlets. Although his family has run Apsara since 1971, Apsara had remained a single-store brand for over 50 years until Shah took over.
Go Zero has been focused on producing delicious ice creams without compromising on taste while ensuring its products contain zero added sugar. With a mission to provide health-conscious consumers with alternatives to traditional sugar-laden ice creams, the brand has rapidly gained popularity among individuals looking for healthier dessert options. Given that there are numerous emerging brands that provide low-calorie and zero-sugar options, Go Zero aims to majorly focus on the taste, sweetness, and flavour to stand apart from its peers. With the new financing, the company plans to expand its market reach, enhance its production capabilities, strengthen its distribution network, and introduce more innovative flavours and product lines.
According to Kiran Shah, Founder, Go Zero, “Post the pandemic, people have become conscious of what they are consuming. More and more consumers are switching to healthier snacking options. With Go Zero, we aim to make the ice cream and dessert eating experience a healthy and guilt-free one for all. All our products are completely zero sugar, sweetened with plant-based sweeteners, which are completely safe and low in calories. For example, my favourite is the Belgian Chocolate flavour, which was designed such that consumers never had to feel a compromise while consuming a no-sugar product. With a wide range of low-calorie, high-protein, vegan, and keto ice creams, there’s something in it for everyone. Our wide range of zero-sugar popsicles will take you down memory lane. All products are made with natural ingredients, and there are zero artificial flavours or preservatives.”
“With this fundraise, we will look at expanding our presence in all major cities and on all e-commerce and q-commerce channels such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto. The funds will also be used for marketing and creating awareness about the brand,” added Kiran.
According to reports, the Indian ice cream market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a twofold increase by 2026 and a quadruple surge by 2039, reaching a substantial value of INR 410,398 million (USD 5.1 billion) with a CAGR of 15%. New-age brands that are sharply positioned and have high-quality ingredients are increasingly being preferred by the evolving consumer.
Considering that the better-for-you ice cream market is expected to be worth USD 500 million in 2030, there is a vast total addressable market for Go Zero to tap into. Given Go Zero’s significant market share in the first 12 months of its operations, Go Zero has the opportunity to be a leading brand in this category.
