Rohit
Vikas D. Nahar is the founder of Happilo, one of India’s top brands for healthy snacks. He started with just ₹10,000 and turned it into a company that now makes ₹500 crore in revenue. His story shows how hard work, smart thinking, and determination can turn a small idea into a big success. Today, he is also a guest shark on Shark Tank India, guiding new entrepreneurs.
His journey is inspiring because it demonstrates that even with limited resources, a clear vision and the right approach can create a brand people love and trust.
Early Life and Education
Vikas was born in 1984 in Karnataka, in a family that grew coffee and black pepper. Growing up on a farm taught him about quality, patience, and how to manage resources—skills that later helped him in business.
For education:
- He completed a Bachelor in Computer Applications (BCA) from Bangalore University in 2005.
- Later, he earned an MBA in Marketing from SCMHRD Pune in 2010.
His education, combined with early work experience, gave him the knowledge to start and run a business. He often credits his teachers and mentors for helping him understand how to combine creativity with practical business skills.
Early Career: Learning the Business World
Vikas started working with the Jain Group as a Senior Import Manager. Here, he learned how international trade and supply chains work. After his MBA, he joined Satvikk Speciality Foods as Managing Director, which gave him experience in healthy food products and retail operations.
These early jobs helped him see a gap in the market: people wanted high-quality, healthy snacks, but there weren’t many reliable brands offering them. That became the idea behind Happilo. During this time, he also learned the importance of teamwork, patience, and resilience, which would be crucial later in his entrepreneurial journey.
Quick Facts About Vikas D. Nahar
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vikas Dhanmal Nahar |
| Born | 1984 |
| Birthplace | Karnataka, India |
| Education | BCA – Bangalore University; MBA – SCMHRD Pune |
| Early Jobs | Senior Import Manager – Jain Group; Managing Director – Satvikk Speciality Foods |
| Company | Happilo International Pvt. Ltd., 2016 |
| Started With | ₹10,000 |
| Business | Healthy snacks – nuts, dry fruits, trail mixes, health bars |
| Revenue | ₹500 crore (2023) |
| Distribution | Online, supermarkets, distributors |
| Funding | $13M Series A (2021), $25M growth funding (2022) |
| Shark Tank India | Guest Shark, Season 2 |
| Languages | English, Hindi, Kannada, Marwari, Spanish |
| Future Plans | Grow to ₹1,000 crore, launch new snack lines, go global, focus on sustainability |
Starting Happilo: The First Steps
How Happilo Began
In 2016, Vikas started Happilo International Pvt. Ltd. in Bengaluru. The name comes from combining “happiness” and “love,” showing the mission to bring joy through healthy snacks. He began with just two employees and ₹10,000, focusing on quality and clean packaging.
First Products and Selling Online
Happilo started with trail mixes made of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Initially, they sold through BigBasket, then expanded to Amazon, Flipkart, and other e-commerce stores. Slowly, they moved into offline shops and supermarkets, reaching more people. Vikas believes starting online allowed them to test the market quickly and understand customer preferences, helping the brand grow faster.
Growing Happilo: Products, Production, and Delivery
Products
Happilo now offers:
- Nuts and dry fruits – almonds, cashews, pistachios
- Seed snacks and berries
- Trail mixes and roasted snacks
- Health bars
This variety makes it easy for different kinds of customers to find something healthy they enjoy. Vikas focuses on introducing new flavors and combinations to keep customers interested while maintaining top quality.
Production and Supply
Vikas uses a farm-to-fork approach, getting raw materials directly from farmers or trusted suppliers. The production facility in Bengaluru is automated, which keeps the products consistent and safe. He personally monitors production and believes quality control is more important than cutting costs, a principle that has helped build Happilo’s reputation.
Delivery and Distribution
Happilo sells through:
- Online stores: Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, JioMart, Blinkit, Swiggy
- Offline shops: Supermarkets, small stores, airport stores
- Distributors: Around 150 across India
This mix helps Happilo reach many types of customers easily. Vikas also emphasizes timely delivery and customer service as key factors in building trust and repeat buyers.
Funding and Financial Growth
Starting Small
Vikas began by using his own savings and government support. He faced many rejections but kept learning from each failure. In fact, he had 20 failed ventures before Happilo succeeded. This experience taught him not to fear failure but to treat it as feedback for improvement.
Investment to Grow
- In 2021, Happilo raised $13 million from A91 Partners.
- In 2022, it got $25 million in growth funding from Motilal Oswal Private Equity.
Today, the company earns around ₹500 crore annually and is planning to reach ₹1,000 crore. Vikas continues to reinvest profits into R&D, marketing, and supply chain improvements to maintain growth momentum.
Marketing and Branding
Vikas made sure Happilo looked premium and trustworthy. Some strategies include:
- Working with celebrities and social media influencers
- Sponsoring sports events and IPL teams
- Running digital marketing campaigns for health-conscious people
He believes brand perception is as important as the product itself, and his efforts helped Happilo become a brand people trust and love.
Overcoming Challenges
Vikas faced many challenges:
- Failures in previous businesses
- Investors saying no
- Scaling production without losing quality
He succeeded because he kept learning, stayed focused, and put quality first. He also emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and staying calm under pressure, especially during tough business periods.
Role on Shark Tank India
Vikas is now a guest shark on Shark Tank India Season 2. He invests in new businesses and shares his experience, teaching others how to grow their companies successfully. He encourages entrepreneurs to focus on both numbers and storytelling, helping them present their ideas better.
Leadership Style
Vikas leads with:
- Values: Focusing on quality and fairness
- Long-term thinking: Planning growth carefully
- Learning from mistakes: Treating failures as lessons
- Team focus: Supporting employees who share the company’s mission
He is known for mentoring his team personally, ensuring they understand the brand vision and culture.
Personal Life
Vikas is married to Sunita Bansal and they have a daughter. He can communicate in English, Hindi, Kannada, Marwari, and Spanish. Even with big business success, he stays connected to his farming roots and ethical sourcing, often visiting farms and suppliers personally.
Awards and Recognition
- Featured in Times 40 Under 40
- Recognized for entrepreneurship and innovation in food
- Seen as a role model for resilience and building a healthy food brand
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Vikas D. Nahar?
He is the founder of Happilo and a guest shark on Shark Tank India.
Q2. How did he start Happilo?
He began in 2016 with ₹10,000 and a small team, focusing on high-quality healthy snacks.
Q3. What products does Happilo sell?
Nuts, dry fruits, seeds, trail mixes, roasted snacks, and health bars.
Q4. What is his education?
He studied BCA at Bangalore University and MBA in Marketing from SCMHRD Pune.
Q5. How did Happilo become so big?
Through careful planning, online and offline sales, high-quality products, and smart funding.
Q6. What does he do on Shark Tank India?
He mentors startups and invests in promising businesses.
Q7. What are his future goals for Happilo?
Grow revenue to ₹1,000 crore, launch functional snacks, expand globally, and strengthen sustainability.
Q8. What challenges did he face before Happilo?
He had 20 failed ventures and faced multiple investor rejections.
Q9. What awards has he received?
Featured in Times 40 Under 40 and recognized for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Q10. What can entrepreneurs learn from him?
Be persistent, start small, focus on quality, invest in your brand, and think long-term.
Future Plans
Vikas plans to:
- Reach ₹1,000 crore revenue
- Launch new healthy snack lines
- Open own stores
- Expand internationally
- Strengthen sustainability in sourcing
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
- Never give up – failures are learning opportunities
- Start small, think big – small beginnings can grow
- Focus on quality – people trust good products
- Invest in brand image – trust and packaging matter
- Use resources smartly – personal savings, government help, or investors
- Plan for the long term – vision leads to lasting success
Challenges Ahead
- Keeping quality consistent at scale
- Facing more competition
- Managing capital-intensive growth
- Balancing sustainability with profits
- Adapting to changing customer tastes
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Conclusion:
Vikas D. Nahar shows that dreams can become reality with determination, focus, and quality. From a small farm background to a ₹500 crore company, he proves that persistence, smart planning, and ethical leadership can build a lasting business. His work with Happilo and Shark Tank India continues to inspire entrepreneurs across India.
