Starting a business does not always require significant capital or a large team; sometimes it is enough to understand market needs and act in time. Vikas D. Nahar founded the healthy snack brand Happilo in 2016, starting with just 10,000 rupees and two employees. According to Traction data from January 2026, after almost a decade, the company's valuation reached approximately 700 million rupees.
However, this was not his first entrepreneurial experience. Before that, Nahar spent several years studying issues related to food production, international trade, and consumer brand creation.
Vikas D. Nahar grew up in a family involved in growing coffee and black pepper in Sakleshpur, Karnataka. He then received education in computer applications at the University of Bangalore, followed by an MBA in Marketing at Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resources Development (SCMHRD) in Pune. After graduating, he worked in the trading sector and gained experience in international spice trade with Jain Group. During this work, he had the opportunity to study packaged products and goods sold in stores across various countries in detail.
Before launching Happilo, Vikas had already tried himself in business. In 2011, he launched a retail project called Satvik Specialties Foods, which sold chocolate and sugar-free products. His older brother was also involved in this venture. Nevertheless, in 2015, Vikas decided to exit this enterprise. Having gained the necessary experience, he focused on the growing market of branded dried fruits and healthy snacks, as such products were much scarcer then than they are now, and customers often relied on traditional shops or foreign brands.
Vikas launched Happilo in September 2016. Initially, this business operated as a sole proprietorship, and the company was officially registered in 2018. Despite the modest initial capital, additional investment was later required to expand the business. According to available information, Vikas received an interest-free loan of 75 lakh rupees through a government credit guarantee program. These funds helped increase processing capacity, automation, packaging, and the business's supplier network.
Happilo gained an advantage through listing on BigBasket early on. After this, the brand was able to reach customers in six major cities. Gradually, the company increased its presence not only on online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart but also in physical retail stores.
Vikas D. Nahar also participated in the Shark Tank India show in the 2023 season as a guest investor, where he evaluated the business ideas of other entrepreneurs. In a video published as part of the show, Vikas D. Nahar stated that about 20 investors declined to invest before the launch of Happilo. Nevertheless, he started and developed his business.
According to Traction data from January 2026, Happilo's valuation was around 700 million rupees. Previously, in January 2022, its valuation was estimated at approximately 1.6 billion rupees. However, in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the company's revenue decreased by 15 percent, amounting to 282.57 million rupees. During this period, the company also incurred losses of 9.55 million rupees. The story of Happilo demonstrates that while a business can be built starting with small investments, there remains constant complexity in further development and profitability.
