Mumbai | Arise Times — It was a moment of triumph for India’s plant-based and vegan food sector as Wakao Foods, a startup from Goa famous for its jackfruit-based meat substitutes, acquired funding of ₹75 lakh for 21% equity in the first season of Shark Tank India. The funding round was spearheaded by a rare combination of three well-known female entrepreneurs: Vineeta Singh (SUGAR Cosmetics), Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals), and Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth), making Wakao the first Indian startup to be supported by all three women sharks together.

Established by Sairaj Dhond, Wakao Foods is an eco-friendly direct-to-consumer (D2C) company with a mission to provide plant-based, vegan food substitutes sourced from ethically obtained jackfruit. The venture’s appearance in the Shark Tank limelight marks increased investor demand for India’s alternative protein and clean-label foods market.

A Sustainable Vision Grounded in Jackfruit
Wakao’s main product line consists of a variety of “Ready to Eat” and “Ready to Cook” jackfruit meat items, which are free from chemicals and preservatives and have a 1-year shelf life without refrigeration. The company’s lead product replicates meat texture, making it suitable for vegan diets, flexitarian consumers, and health-focused eaters. Since jackfruit is a fibrous fruit with low fat and high nutritional value, Wakao is planning to make it the focal point of plant-based diets in India and globally.

“We procure our jackfruit directly from farms and make sure the whole manufacturing process is clean, hygienic, and ethical,” said Sairaj Dhond, who has a background in sustainability-based business. “Our products seek to fill the gap between taste, nutrition, and sustainability.”

A Strong Trio of Sharks Join the Cause
The support of three of India’s leading D2C founders not only brings capital to Wakao but also a strategic edge in branding, scalability, and market access.

CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics Vineeta Singh provides D2C brand-building experience.
Executive Director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals Namita Thapar lends credibility in health and wellness markets and global expansion.
Ghazal Alagh, Mamaearth Co-founder, brings marketing and operational expertise in the natural products category.
All three sharks were impressed not only by the pitch but by the sustainability story, product-market fit, and Wakao’s ability to execute.

“This is greater than a funding deal—it’s a statement that plant-based innovation has a future in Indian households,” Namita Thapar said after the pitch was aired.

Founder’s Journey from Goa to National Spotlight
Sairaj Dhond, the founder of Wakao, called the Shark Tank experience “a dream come true.” An avid fan of the internationally popular reality show, Dhond underlined how important such validation is for a startup trying to shake up a historic, meat-dominated market.

As a person who has grown up watching Shark Tank, to feature on this widely acclaimed platform and get funded is a big achievement for me and my team,” he stated. “This even more reinforces our conviction and hard work to launch innovative and breakthrough F&B product categories that are going to redefine the way plant-based meat will be perceived by consumers.”

Strategic Synergy and Road Ahead
For Wakao Foods, the three-investor partnership offers complementary abilities that can potentially drive the brand towards a national and even global presence.

Being present in more than 70 countries with Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Wakao is well-equipped to look towards export markets, especially health-obsessed destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America.
Mamaearth and SUGAR Cosmetics’ digital-first growth playbook provides Wakao with direction to expand in the online D2C segment while preparing for offline growth.
Plans to introduce standalone retail properties, enhance the portfolio of vegan SKUs, and partner with restaurants and food chains for plant-based menu inclusion are under way.
Wakao’s second phase entails fast-paced metro city expansion, higher brand visibility campaigns, and tie-ups with health and wellness influencers to spread the word about the versatility and health benefits of jackfruit meat among Indian consumers.

A Shot in the Arm for India’s Plant-Based Movement
India’s meat alternative space is still young but fast gaining momentum, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. Increasing health consciousness, eco-consciousness, and ethical consumption have created room for innovation by startups such as Wakao. The investment on Shark Tank is a sign that India’s alternative protein industry is on the threshold of mainstream acceptance.

Wakao’s success also points to a change in the investor community—where impact-driven, sustainable startups are no longer outliers but at the heart of India’s new consumer innovation wave.