Skippi Ice Pops, a Hyderabad-based startup, turned the humble Chuski into a multi-crore venture. The sales of the company grew month on month from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore after its appearance on Shark Tank India. Co-founders Ravi and Anuja Kabra secured an all-shark deal in the first season and raised ₹1 crore as investment.

From a Street-Side Snack to a Multi-Crore Company

Transforming a humble street-side Chuski into a multimillion business isn’t easy, yet that’s what Ravi and Anuja Kabra did with Skippi Ice Pops.

In 2021, Skippi was the first startup on Shark Tank India to be backed by all five sharks, raising ₹1 crore for 15% equity. Moreover, Lenskart founder Peyush Bansal raised the overall investment to ₹1.2 crore.

Established just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Skippi Ice Pops rode the wave of India’s nostalgic affection for chuskis and introduced ice pops in six flavors – raspberry, orange, mango twist, bubblegum, cola, and lemon.

Post Shark Tank Success: Soaring Sales and Growth

The effect of being on Shark Tank India was instantaneous. According to Ashneer Grover, co-founder of BharatPe and Skippi’s investor, the brand’s sales increased 40 times after the show. He himself referred to it as “perhaps the biggest success story” of the season. The company noted that its month-on-month sales crossed ₹2 crore, receiving more than 20,000 online orders.

Skippi’s market reach also grew considerably. Its ice pops are now available in more than 1,500 retail stores in Hyderabad and over 8,000 stores all over India. They are also found on online shopping websites such as Amazon and Flipkart. One pop retails for approximately ₹20, with multipacks available from 12 pops per box.

Innovations: The Skippi Freezer Bike Revolution

In an effort to make its ice pops more convenient, Skippi came up with a revolutionary idea – the Skippi Freezer Bike. The electric scooters, equipped with onboard freezers, allow doorstep delivery of chuskis and preserve them in their fresh state for immediate consumption.

Skippi teamed up with BikeWO, an electric two-wheeler customizing company, to make this vision a reality.

We are excited to introduce the Skippi EV freezer bikes with a partner like BikeWO that has cutting-edge technology and eco-friendliness. We are confident that the Skippi Freezer Bike will be of great use and make Skippi Ice Pops even more convenient and accessible on the move,” Ravi Kabra, co-founder of Skippi Ice Pops, said at the product launch.

With more than 100 freezer bikes deployed, Skippi seeks to disrupt the distribution of chuskis to consumers, providing additional convenience and sustainability.

Future Plans: Raising ₹4 Crore for Expansion

Following its Shark Tank India triumph, Skippi Ice Pops is seeking to raise another ₹4 crore to further grow its operations. The company intends to expand to new geographies, build stronger retail distribution, and roll out new and interesting flavours and packaging innovations.

Conclusion

Skippi Ice Pops’ path from a small startup to a national brand is a testament to the strength of strategic investments, innovation, and knowledge of consumer tastes. By capitalizing on its Shark Tank India victory and constantly refining its business model, the company has emerged as a market leader in the ice pop segment. With aggressive expansion plans and a focus on quality, Skippi is poised to revolutionise the way Indians consume their favourite frozen desserts.

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