India, Feb. 4 -- In late 2019, Ashutosh Valani and Priyank Shah found themselves in a quandary. They had successfully built Beardo, a category-defining men's grooming brand, and were about to finalise its acquisition by FMCG major Marico (the exit value was not disclosed). The deal marked the end of one chapter but posed another pressing question: What's next for these entrepreneurs after reaching the pinnacle?

The Indian male grooming market, once considered a niche segment, saw significant growth over the years, and so did Beardo. However, a JP Morgan report in October 2024 put the market size at INR 15.1K Cr during 2019-23, clocking a CAGR of 6%. It was much lower than the projected annual growth rate of 11%, which could drive the mar...