Ravi Kabra and Anuja Kabra: The Confectionary Visionaries Reshaping India’s Packed Fashion Foods Industry

In a country where street-side chuski vendors have dominated the ice pop market for decades, Ravi and Anuja Kabra were the first to receive an ‘All Shark Deal’ on Shark Tank India, with all five investors coming together to offer their brand a cumulative funding of Rs 10 million. This husband-wife duo transformed a simple childhood treat into India’s first organized confectionary brand in the ice pops segment, revolutionizing the packed fashion foods industry with their innovative approach to frozen delights. Their journey from a pandemic-induced loss of Rs 11 lakh to building a multi-crore empire showcases how traditional confectionary products can be reimagined for modern consumers through strategic branding and quality innovation.

From Australia to India: The Sweet Beginning

Ravi Kabra and Anuja Kabra’s entrepreneurial journey in confectionary began with a simple observation during a family visit. It all began when a family member packed ice pops for her trip to India, realizing how difficult it would be to find hygienic and trusted brands of ice pops there. This moment of realization sparked the idea that would eventually transform the packed fashion foods landscape in India. The co-founders Ravi and Anuja Kabra have over 12 years of experience in the F&B space, having previously worked with multinational companies in Australia and spearheaded the quality, production, procurement and compliance divisions.

Their extensive background in the food and beverage industry, particularly their international exposure in Australia, provided them with crucial insights into global confectionary standards and consumer preferences. This experience would prove invaluable as they ventured into creating India’s first branded ice pops company. In 2019, while still in Australia, Ravi and Anuja began researching the ice pop market and set up their unit in Hyderabad. However, their timing coincided with unprecedented global challenges that would test their resolve and determination.

Rising from Pandemic Challenges to Market Leadership

The path to confectionary success wasn’t smooth for Ravi Kabra and Anuja Kabra. Just as they were about to launch in March 2020, the pandemic struck, and the nationwide lockdowns in the country put their plans on hold. The initial setback resulted in significant financial losses, but it didn’t deter the couple from pursuing their vision of revolutionizing India’s packed fashion foods sector through premium ice pops.

Founded by the husband-and-wife team Mr Ravi Kabra and Mrs Anuja Kabra in April 2021, Skippi Ice Pops became India’s first ice pop brand. Their resilience during the challenging pandemic period demonstrated their commitment to bringing quality confectionary products to Indian consumers. The couple’s determination to create a hygienic, trusted alternative to traditional street-side ice pops reflected their deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences in the packed fashion foods industry.

Within months of their official launch, Skippi Ice Pops began making significant inroads into the organized retail space. In just 6 months of its launch, they had already placed their brand across 1500 stores across India, establishing a strong foundation in the competitive confectionary market.

Revolutionary Success: The Shark Tank Breakthrough

The defining moment for Ravi Kabra and Anuja Kabra came with their appearance on Shark Tank India, where their confectionary innovation captured the attention of all investors. Skippi Ice Pops was appreciated by all the investors sharks on the show and became the first brand to secure investments from all five Sharks. This historic achievement not only validated their business model but also positioned them as pioneers in the packed fashion foods segment.

The impact of their Shark Tank success was immediate and transformative. Following the 6 Shark deal, their revenue increased 40X and their sales increased to approximately 2-2.8 cr monthly. This exponential growth demonstrated the immense potential of organized confectionary brands in India’s evolving food market. Skippi Ice Pops has seen impressive growth since its Shark Tank India appearance, with monthly sales rising from INR 5 lakh to INR 2 crore.

The success metrics extend beyond just revenue figures. Bringing back nostalgia and selling 60,000 popsicles a month, Hyderabad couple Anuja and Ravi Kabra’s startup Skippi Ice Pops bagged a deal worth Rs 10 million on Shark Tank India. These numbers reflect not just commercial success but also consumer acceptance of premium confectionary products in the packed fashion foods category.

Skippi Icepops are made from 100% Natural Flavours and Colours with their Patent Pending Technology, making them the only Icepops brand selling on online marketplaces. This technological innovation in confectionary manufacturing sets them apart in the competitive packed fashion foods landscape.

Current Market Position and Future Vision

Today, Ravi Kabra and Anuja Kabra have successfully transformed Skippi from a regional confectionary startup into a national brand with international aspirations. From a regional manufacturer and distributor, they have evolved into an international exporter. Their current market position reflects the growing demand for premium confectionary products in India’s packed fashion foods sector.

The scale of their operations continues to expand dramatically. The startup has reported an 80-fold increase in monthly revenues, soaring from their initial figures of INR 5-7 Lakhs, with current projections of INR 60 Cr to INR 100 Cr this year. These projections indicate their confidence in the growing market for organized confectionary brands and their ability to capture a significant share of the packed fashion foods industry.

Beyond ice pops, the couple has diversified their confectionary portfolio. Shop Skippi for premium ice pops, crunchy corn sticks, and delicious sweet cream rolls, along with introducing Skippi Fruitz thick and tasty Juices. This expansion into multiple product categories within the packed fashion foods space demonstrates their strategic vision for building a comprehensive confectionary brand.

Innovation and Quality: The Confectionary Difference

What sets Ravi Kabra and Anuja Kabra apart in the confectionary industry is their unwavering focus on quality and innovation. Their approach to manufacturing ice pops incorporates international standards while catering to local tastes and preferences. The use of natural flavors and colors, combined with their patent-pending technology, represents a significant advancement in confectionary manufacturing practices within the packed fashion foods sector.

Their commitment to hygiene and quality has resonated strongly with health-conscious consumers who seek premium alternatives to traditional confectionary products. This focus on quality has enabled them to command premium pricing while building strong brand loyalty in the competitive packed fashion foods market.

The couple’s background in compliance and quality management from their international experience has been instrumental in establishing robust manufacturing processes that meet both domestic and international standards for confectionary products.

Legacy and Impact on the Industry

Ravi Kabra and Anuja Kabra have fundamentally transformed how Indians perceive and consume ice pops, elevating a simple street food into a premium confectionary experience. Their success has inspired numerous entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in the organized packed fashion foods sector, particularly in traditional Indian treats that can be modernized and scaled. Through Skippi Ice Pops, they have demonstrated that with the right combination of quality, innovation, and strategic marketing, traditional confectionary products can achieve remarkable success in India’s evolving food landscape.