Gudworld’s ₹10 Crore Valuation: Shark Tank India’s Sweet Success Story

Gudworld, founded by Sayali Babasahib Shinde and Preeti Prabhakar Shinde in April 2021, is a startup that brings jaggery (gud) to modern consumers in bite-sized, flavoured cubes. Their jaggery is available in convenient 5–10 gram portions and comes in 12 flavours, including ginger and coffee.

Click here to visit their official website : Gudworld

Backed by 40 years of jaggery manufacturing expertise from the founders’ family, Gudworld aims to blend tradition with innovation. Their hygienic approach to producing jaggery and the introduction of unique flavours have set them apart from competitors like Organic India and 24 Mantra Organic.

Related: Go Zero On Shark Tank India: Offering 100% Zero Sugar Ice Creams

Although the idea for Gudworld took shape in December 2019, the startup officially launched in April 2021. By combining the traditional family knowledge of jaggery production with FDA-certified modern technology, they’ve achieved a successful fusion of past and present.

Their product doesn’t just appeal to Indian consumers—it has gained international recognition. Gudworld’s jaggery cubes have a shelf life of one year and have been sold globally, with 2 crore units sold to date.

The founders’ vision is ambitious. They aim to reach 1 crore people within the next five years by expanding their footprint through online, offline, and export channels.

Gudworld operates in a massive market. The jaggery industry is valued at ₹6,500 Crores in India and $4.2 Billion globally, with China being the largest importer of jaggery. Gudworld sources its sugarcane directly from their family farm, which spans 100-150 acres, ensuring quality control at every step.

• FY23-24 Revenue: ₹1.48 Crores
• FY24-25 (Till October): ₹2.2 Crores (₹37 Lakhs in August, ₹48 Lakhs in September, ₹69 Lakhs in October)
• Projected FY24-25 Revenue: ₹6-7 Crores

• General Trade: 45%
• Modern Trade: 15%
• E-commerce & Website: 15%
• Exports: 15%
• HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes): 5%

• Hero Product MRP: ₹89
• GST: 5%
• Raw Materials: 15%
• Distributor Margin: 30%
• Employee Benefits: 18%
• EBITDA: 2%

Running a business like Gudworld comes with its fair share of challenges:

1. Equity Structure Issues: Family involvement in equity raised concerns among investors.
2. High Competition: Established brands like Organic India dominate key markets.
3. Cost Management: High distributor margins and raw material costs impact profits.

Despite these hurdles, Gudworld’s founders remain committed to scaling their operations and carving a niche in the jaggery market.

Gudworld has received significant backing from its founders’ family, who invested ₹4.5 Crores into the business. The ownership structure is as follows:

• Preeti Shinde: 45%
• Sayali Shinde: 25%
• Family Members: 30%

Appearing on Shark Tank India was a pivotal moment for Gudworld. The founders pitched their business and highlighted their revenue potential, production capabilities, and the scope of their jaggery-infused innovation.

• Aman Gupta: Offered ₹50 Lakhs for 6% equity.
• Peyush Bansal: Opted out due to concerns about the company’s equity structure.
• Vineeta Singh: Declined the offer, citing issues with the GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy.
• Varun Alagh: Made the same offer as Aman but with a condition—no family involvement.
• Anupam Mittal: Stepped out, feeling the founders already had two strong offers.

The founders countered with an ask of ₹50 Lakhs for 3% equity, which Varun declined. Aman revised his offer to ₹50 Lakhs for 5% equity, valuing Gudworld at ₹10 Crores. After deliberating, the founders accepted Aman’s deal, securing a significant boost for their business.

Gudworld’s founders plan to utilise the Shark Tank funding to:

1. Expand production capacity to meet rising demand.
2. Strengthen their presence in international markets.
3. Optimise costs to improve profit margins.
4. Innovate with new flavours and packaging solutions.

Their focus on a direct farm-to-consumer model and commitment to sustainable practices will likely resonate with conscious consumers both in India and abroad.

Gudworld’s appearance on Shark Tank India showcased the potential of blending tradition with innovation. While the founders faced tough questions about their equity structure and strategy, they managed to strike a deal that valued their business at ₹10 Crores.

With Aman Gupta’s support, Gudworld is poised to scale its operations, refine its strategies, and bring its sweet innovation to millions of consumers. The journey might be challenging, but their vision and resilience make Gudworld a brand to watch in the years ahead.