Understanding D2C in India with Abhishek Goenka, Head, RPSG Capital Ventures

The direct-to-consumer market, known as the D2C market had a size of about $33 billion in India in 2020. By 2025, the total addressable D2C market is forecast to grow almost threefold and reach $100 billion.

In today’s episode, we have with us, Abhishek Goenka, Head of Investments, RPSG Capital Ventures.

RPSG Capital Ventures is an early-stage consumer VC fund focused on investing in the D2C ecosystem including food & beverage, personal care, and lifestyle goods.

Some of their portfolio companies are mCaffeine, Plixlife, and The Souled Store among others.

In today’s episode, Abhishek shares the differentiating factor of what led them to invest in Plixlife, one of their portfolio’s profitable exits, and more.

Notes -

01:07 - Intro to RPSG and its investments in D2C space

02:42 - Largest portfolio companies and what helped them reach there

03:45 - What’s D2C from his perspective?

05:04 - What has helped D2C in India to have explosive growth?

13:51 - How does a D2C brand differentiate itself in today’s time?

20:39 - Zoho Sponsored – Prashant Ganti on what is their long-term vision with Zoho Payroll.

22:23 - Thesis which didn’t work out

29:41 - Why don’t we see many D2C unicorns in India?

32:14 - What are the moats for a D2C brand?

34:54 - Doubling down on the Hero product