Introduction
In 2022, Arpita Aditi, a biotech engineer from MIT, founded Dil Foods. She has experience with companies like Himalayan Drugs, Reliance Capital, and Swiggy. Dil Foods runs eight virtual food brands, such as Dil Punjabi, Aahar, The Chaat Cult, House of Andhra, Bihari Bowl, Bhole ke Chole, and Khichdi Bar, offering various regional Indian flavours. You can also enrol in the cooking course at Alippo.
Dil Foods operates as a virtual kitchen and partners with more than 65 local restaurants in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Their business model, known as Dil Brands, focuses on creating virtual brands and managing daily meal operations to optimize the food business structure.
| Startup | Dil Foods |
| Founder | Arpita Aditi |
| Ask | ₹ 50 lakhs for 0.5 % equity |
| Final Deal | ₹ 2 crore for 2.67% equity |
| Sharks Onboarded | Radhika Gupta, Vineeta Singh, Peyush Bansal, Ritesh Agarwal |
All About the Pitch
On an episode of Shark Tank India Season 3, Arpita, founder of Dil Foods presented their business model, seeking a Rs 50 lakhs investment for a 0.5 per cent equity share.
The Sharks, impressed by the unique model and Arpita's business spirit, got into a bidding war. Eventually, a deal was made at Rs 2 crore for a 2.67% equity share, valuing Dil Foods at Rs 75 crore. The agreement involved four Sharks: Radhika Gupta from Edelweiss Mutual Fund, Vineeta Singh from Sugar Cosmetics, Peyush Bansal from Lenskart, and Ritesh Agarwal from OYO Rooms. Despite offering different amounts initially, they collaborated to present a collective offer that Arpita accepted.
Takeaways from the Pitch
Here are some of the learning from the pitch
1. Entrepreneurial Vision
Arpita displayed a clear and visionary outlook for Dil Foods, showcasing a long-term growth plan and entrepreneurial vision.
2. Effective Communication
The Founder articulated ideas with clarity, ensuring the audience understands the business concept and its value in the true sense.
3. Market Understanding
She demonstrated a deep understanding of the food industry, market trends, and consumer preferences.
4. Adaptability and Problem-Solving
Arpita also addressed challenges such as language barriers, showcasing adaptability and effective problem-solving.
5. Negotiation Skills
She successfully negotiated equity stakes and investment terms with multiple potential investors.
6. Leadership and Team Building
Founder Arpita has built and led a team, evident from the background of co-founders and their roles.
7. Industry Experience
She utilized past experiences at Swiggy and other organizations to contribute to Dil Foods' success and revenue growth effectively.
Arpita Aditi's presentation reflects a combination of strategic thinking, effective communication, negotiation prowess, and a deep commitment to the success of Dil Foods.
