Welcome Viraj Bahl: The New Judge on Shark Tank India!
Shark Tank India makes an exciting return for its fourth season on January 6, available exclusively on Sony Liv. This season introduces a fresh face to the panel of esteemed judges: Viraj Bahl, the founder and managing director of Veeba Foods. He joins the ranks of Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Peyush Bansal, bringing a wealth of experience and innovative insights to the beloved business reality show.
Viraj Bahl’s Rise in the FMCG Sector
Viraj Bahl is a significant figure in India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, renowned for his role as the driving force behind Veeba Foods, a leading sauce manufacturer. Established in 2013, Veeba Foods swiftly rose to prominence within the Indian food sector. However, Viraj’s entrepreneurial journey to success was not without its challenges, marked by resilience and determination to prevail against the odds.
A Childhood Inspiration
Viraj’s journey into the food industry was fueled by inspiration from his childhood. Frequent visits to his father’s factory and assisting at the Fun Foods stall in Aahar, Delhi, ignited his passion for the family business. Yet, before he could join the family venture, Viraj needed to prove himself to his father, Rajiv Bahl. To meet this challenge, Viraj pursued marine engineering, graduated from Singapore Polytechnic, and secured a lucrative job in the merchant navy by 2002, achieving his father’s financial milestone of earning a Rs 3 lakh monthly salary.
The Birth of an Entrepreneur
Viraj officially joined Fun Foods in 2002, playing a crucial role in its expansion into a household name across India. However, a significant turning point occurred in 2008 when his father sold Fun Foods to Germany’s Dr. Oetker for Rs 110 crore. This decision, which Viraj opposed, was professionally disruptive but also fuelled his desire to forge an independent path.
Following the sale, Viraj ventured into the restaurant industry, launching ‘Pocket Full’ in 2009. Despite initial efforts, the business faced financial hurdles, resulting in the closure of all six outlets by 2013, a challenging period for Viraj. Determined to rebuild, he, along with his wife, made the bold decision to sell their house to fund his next entrepreneurial endeavor.
The Formation of Veeba Foods
Returning to his roots, Viraj established Veeba Foods in Neemrana, Rajasthan in 2013. The company quickly gained recognition for its innovative and high-quality sauce products, cementing its status as a leading brand in the industry.
Under Viraj’s visionary leadership, Veeba Foods has experienced exponential growth, with projected revenues set to reach Rs 1,000 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24. While still privately held, the company’s success has been greatly bolstered by Viraj’s major stake and significant investor support.
A Resilient and Innovative Entrepreneur
As the founder and managing director of Veeba Foods, Viraj Bahl exemplifies resilience and innovation. His inspiring trajectory from setbacks to success offers invaluable lessons in entrepreneurship. This makes him a fitting and valuable addition to the Shark Tank India panel, where he will provide mentorship and investment opportunities to budding entrepreneurs.
Stay tuned as Viraj Bahl brings his expertise to the forefront and inspires the next generation of innovators and business leaders on Shark Tank India.
