Nomad Food Project began as a college research project and eventually developed into a niche food brand built around bacon, savoury jams, relishes and unconventional Indian flavours. Founded by Aditya Rai and Advaith Inamke, the company emerged from the founders’ culinary education at the Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai.

The brand later appeared on Shark Tank India Season 1, where its unusual product category attracted attention from multiple investors.

Nomad Food Project entered the show seeking ₹40 lakh for 10% equity, implying an asking valuation of ₹4 crore.

The founders ultimately accepted a deal worth ₹40 lakh for 20% equity from Ashneer Grover, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh and Ghazal Alagh. The deal implied a valuation of approximately ₹2 crore.

From a Culinary College Project to a Food Startup

The story of Nomad Food Project began while Aditya Rai and Advaith Inamke were studying at the Institute of Hotel Management in Mumbai.

What started as a research project gradually turned into experimentation with bacon and other flavours. The founders were interested in creating food products that could be used in multiple ways rather than functioning as conventional jams alone.

According to the company’s own account, the idea emerged from identifying a gap for niche and versatile products that could appeal to Indian consumers. The founders experimented with bacon-based recipes and eventually developed products that could work as spreads, accompaniments, dips or ready-to-eat foods.

The company was founded in 2018, while commercial sales developed through subsequent experimentation and small-batch production.

What Is Nomad Food Project?

Nomad Food Project is a food and beverage brand known for its bacon jams, thechas, relishes and other savoury products.

Rather than treating bacon simply as a breakfast ingredient, the company uses it as the base for unconventional Indian-inspired condiments.

Its product philosophy combines smoked meat with spices, vegetables and regional flavours.

The company’s website describes its products as handcrafted and says its savoury jams are made using real smoked bacon and fresh spices. It also says the pork bellies used for its products are sourced from farms in Pune and undergo curing and smoking before being incorporated into recipes.

The Bacon Jam Concept

The company’s signature idea is simple but unusual: turn bacon into a spreadable and versatile condiment.

Nomad Food Project experimented with bacon jams that could be paired with different foods. Its products have also included Indian-inspired preparations such as bacon thecha.

The concept gives consumers an alternative way to use bacon beyond conventional breakfast dishes.

The company has described its products as suitable for uses ranging from breakfast preparations and burgers to adding flavour to everyday meals.

A Blend of Indian Flavours and Western Ingredients

One of the brand’s distinguishing features is its attempt to combine familiar Indian flavours with bacon.

The company has experimented with products inspired by regional Indian preparations while retaining the smoky and savoury character of bacon.

Earlier coverage of the brand highlighted its bacon-based version of Maharashtrian green-chilli thecha, along with other savoury preparations.

This positioning allowed the founders to create a category that was different from traditional jams and conventional meat products.

Nomad Food Project’s Shark Tank India Pitch

Nomad Food Project appeared on Shark Tank India Season 1.

The founders entered the pitch with the following proposal:

• Investment sought: ₹40 lakh
• Equity offered: 10%
• Asking valuation: ₹4 crore

The pitch generated interest from the sharks, with more than one group making an offer.

The final deal was agreed at:

• Investment: ₹40 lakh
• Equity: 20%
• Implied valuation: ₹2 crore
• Investors: Ashneer Grover, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh and Ghazal Alagh

The deal details are also recorded by startup databases and Shark Tank-focused sources.

Four Sharks Back the Brand

The investment brought together four Shark Tank India investors.

Ashneer Grover

Ashneer Grover was one of the investors in the final Nomad Food Project deal. His involvement brought experience from India’s fintech and startup ecosystem.

Namita Thapar

Namita Thapar, executive director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals, also joined the investment.

Her experience in business and consumer-facing ventures added another dimension to the deal.

Vineeta Singh

Vineeta Singh, co-founder and CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics, became another investor in the company.

Her experience in building a consumer brand made the investment particularly relevant to Nomad’s direct-to-consumer positioning.

Ghazal Alagh

Ghazal Alagh also participated in the final four-shark deal.

The four-investor structure made Nomad Food Project one of the more notable multi-shark deals from the first season.

Why the Brand Stood Out

Nomad Food Project entered a category that was still relatively niche in India.

Instead of competing directly with established jam, sauce or condiment companies, the founders created a specialised proposition around meat-based gourmet condiments.

The concept also gave the brand a strong storytelling angle.

The founders’ culinary background, unusual recipes and focus on experimentation became central to the company’s identity.

Ingredients and Production Approach

Nomad Food Project says it focuses on natural ingredients and traditional preparation techniques.

The company states that it uses 100% real pork bacon and Goan sausages, with pork sourced from traditional farms in Pune. Vegetables are sourced from local farmers and markets after quality checks.

Its website also says the bacon undergoes a 6–8 hour cold-smoking process using hickory wood chips, giving the products their characteristic smoky flavour.

This production approach is part of the brand’s premium and artisanal positioning.

Expanding Beyond Bacon Jams

Although bacon remains central to Nomad Food Project’s identity, the company has expanded its product portfolio over time.

Current products listed by the brand include bacon-based products and other chilli oils, sauces and savoury food products.

Industry coverage has also reported the company’s plans to diversify its range and explore international markets.

A January 2026 report said the company was planning to export its products to markets including the UK, US and Australia.

From Shark Tank Exposure to Wider Markets

Shark Tank India provided Nomad Food Project with exposure to a much larger consumer audience.

For a niche food brand, television visibility can be especially valuable because consumers may discover the product category for the first time through the show.

The company has continued operating after its Shark Tank appearance, with business databases listing it as a Pune-based direct-to-consumer food and beverage company.

The founders’ focus has increasingly moved toward building a broader food brand rather than limiting the business to one bacon jam product.

The Road Ahead

Nomad Food Project’s journey demonstrates how a small culinary experiment can evolve into a consumer startup.

Aditya Rai and Advaith Inamke started with food experimentation during their hospitality education. They eventually converted that interest into a commercial brand built around bacon, Indian flavours and ready-to-eat condiments.

The ₹40 lakh Shark Tank investment for 20% equity gave the company both capital and access to four investors.

Its next stage will depend on how effectively it can expand beyond its niche customer base, develop new products and build demand in international markets.

With plans to explore markets such as the UK, US and Australia, Nomad Food Project is attempting to take an unconventional Indian food concept to a wider audience.

For a brand that began as a college research experiment, the Shark Tank deal represents a significant step in turning culinary experimentation into a scalable food business.

Most Searched FAQs

Q1. What is Nomad Food Project?

Nomad Food Project is an Indian food brand founded by Aditya Rai and Advaith Inamke. It is known for bacon jams, thechas, relishes, chilli oils and other unconventional savoury products.

Q2. What was Nomad Food Project’s Shark Tank India deal?

Nomad Food Project raised ₹40 lakh for 20% equity, implying a valuation of approximately ₹2 crore.

Q3. Which sharks invested in Nomad Food Project?

Ashneer Grover, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh and Ghazal Alagh invested in Nomad Food Project.

Q4. What was Nomad Food Project’s original Shark Tank ask?

The company originally asked for ₹40 lakh for 10% equity, implying an asking valuation of ₹4 crore.

Q5. Who founded Nomad Food Project?

Nomad Food Project was founded by Aditya Rai and Advaith Inamke, who developed the concept while studying culinary and hospitality at the Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai.

Q6. What does Nomad Food Project sell?

The brand is known for bacon jams, bacon thechas, relishes, chilli oils and other savoury food products. Its products combine smoked bacon and other ingredients with Indian-inspired flavours.

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