The business landscape is in constant flux, with new brands emerging and disrupting industries every day. Our Power Packers 2024 is a compilation that shines a spotlight on the brands that are leading the charge this year. These are the innovators, the trendsetters, and the game-changers.
From startups to established giants, these brands are capturing hearts, minds, and market share. We love our food so naturally; Power Packers 2024 has larger chunk of F&B-related brands on this list but we have not forgotten our lifestyle companies either. Get ready to discover the next big thing and learn what makes these brands stand out from the crowd.
Power Packers 2024 dives into the world of brands that are under our radar (in no particular order).
Hospitality
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A launch that caused a ripple effect so effective that quarrels for reservations ensued. True to form, the hype isn’t an empty echo, but a racous and confident shift in gears. Curiously, this intimate chef’s table was always the main plan. The sandwich shop below was the distraction strategy to open with their ideal iteration. A cook of a lifetime by Chef Hussain Shahzad and team, effective bar programme by Harish and team, unreasonable hospitality by Madhu and team, incredible leadership by Sam, Yash and team.
Try getting a reservation. We hear it is quite difficult.
Hospitality
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Chaitanya Muppala runs one of the few brands in India cultivating their own Cacao produce. This year, the brand redefined the Indian Chocolate story. Today, we are choco-loving beneficiaries of an education on traceability, single-origin, terroir, vintage, and product versatility…all via a clever back-of-pack QR code. Also, what an engaging brand story! The fermentry is a converted 70-yr old tobacco warehouse; the information system is blockchain enabled; 300+ product portfolio that spans 50 categories…..this is a Willy Wonka fantasy x 100.
Hospitality
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Chef Heena Punwani’s Maska Bakery bagged our recommendation and custom, and got added to speed dial within the first week of opening. Her fresh, inventive spin on classics is her love letter to Mumbai’s old bakeries. Maska Bakery rids itself of a need-for-global-touch hangover, and instead delights with imaginative renditions of nostalgic treats.
May all software engineers eventually find their way to the closest oven.
Innovation/ Culture
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When we first heard about this concept, we were gobsmacked. Whaddya mean 1,00,000 sq ft solely for innovation and play? Sorry, please, thank you, but kids, we’re coming too. A learning module that’s fun and focused on staying curious – sign us up. Their experience calendar is consistently innovative, and their impact on community is impressive.
Hospitality
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A good speakeasy is the way to our hearts. Make it an award-winning one and we have no complaints. Tucked away at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, they snagged the 40th spot on Asia’s Best Bars. The decor of this Kyoto-style speakeasy, killer cocktail programme, and food that ain’t an afterthought is what makes it an exciting brand to look out for. The ride in a service lift, delivers. IYKYK.
Design
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What a campaign. Beautifully timed around Wimbeldon, the brand served an evocative visual narrative via ‘Court of Carpets’. The campaign juxtaposes a tennis court, a mesmerizing tapestry of 93 rugs, a match between Rohan Bopanna and a team of skilled village weavers. This ain’t just a marketing campaign; it’s a powerful story of artistic excellence and duty to community.
At Milan Design Week 2024, they collaborated with Vimar1991, the prestigious Chanel-owned yarn producer. The year witnesses their continued global expansion with a 20% growth in global retail sales.
Fashion
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This brand was always too cool for school, with its contemporary and slouchy silhouettes. This year, Kartik Kumar’s brand made history as the first Indian designer at Paris Fashion Week. Taking Indian fashion in a new direction, the brand steers away from the romanticisation of Indian craft and textile, but acts on viable scale. 80% are naturally dyed, 90% of the fabrics are handloom, 100% standout in the sea of samesies.
Hospitality
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This Delhi-based team is switching gears for the non-alcoholic market in India. Known to be the first distilled non-alcoholic drinks in India, the portfolio consists of rum, whisky, gin, and pink gin, This year, their efforts got bolstered by Diageo India who bought a 15% stake.
Hospitality
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The product garners a mixed bag of feedback. What we love is the brand at-large. A story with assured hooks, clutter-breaking aesthetic, brave longform writing. Packaged to represent India, now. The format of storytelling is detailed and patient compared to its FMCG peers. Despite serving a cease-and-desist to the formulaic structure, the brand valued at $34 million bagged $10 million in funding this year.
Innovation
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We were eating cake when we were 21. Adit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra instead bagged $665 million funding, doubling its value to $3.6 billion. Despite scepticism, this startup is gearing up to double its dark stores, prepping for an IPO, entering new cities and showing no signs of slowing down. Big moves from a young team that’s raised a total of $1.2 billion! Guess you can make your cake, and eat it too.
Check our for Power Packers 2024 People list here.
