Nikhil Kamath Celebrates Indian Premium Brands Making Global Impact
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath celebrated Indian premium brands' global success on social media, highlighting Subko's Dubai flagship store, Superyou's Dubai presence, and 11.11's New York expansion. He promoted his venture The Foundery as a platform to create more premium Indian brands for international markets. This celebration reflects a broader trend of Indian consumer companies expanding into Gulf countries since 2024, supported by robust investment ecosystem including Fireside Ventures' recent ₹2,108.50 crores fund closure.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Zerodha co-founder and investor Nikhil Kamath took to social media platform X on January 19 to celebrate the growing success of Indian premium brands making their mark on the global stage. His post highlighted several Indian companies that have successfully established themselves in international markets, countering skeptics who believed Indians couldn't build premium brands that work abroad.
Indian Brands Making Global Impact
Kamath's social media post showcased multiple success stories of Indian brands expanding internationally. He specifically mentioned Subko's flagship store at Dubai Alserkal, emphasizing the coffee brand's premium positioning in the competitive Dubai market.
| Brand | International Presence | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Subko | Dubai Alserkal flagship store | Premium coffee brand expansion |
| Superyou | Dubai market | International retail presence |
| 11.11 | New York | Global fashion reach |
| Nappa Dori | Dubai Alserkal (parallel street to Subko) | Luxury accessories brand |
The billionaire investor noted that 11.11 has achieved significant recognition, with Brad Pitt wearing the brand in a movie without any paid endorsement. Kamath clarified that while celebrating these successes, he has no connection to Nappa Dori, which operates on the parallel street to Subko in Dubai's Alserkal district.
The Foundery: Building Future Premium Brands
Kamath expressed optimism about his own venture, The Foundery, hoping it "will hopefully create a few brands like this too... Premium, artisan, COOL, Indian brands to the world." According to the official website, The Foundery is a 90-day residential launchpad co-founded by Nikhil Kamath and Kishore Biyani.
The venture offers entrepreneurs comprehensive support through:
- An ecosystem of mentors and operators
- Strategic guidance from industry experts
- Focused approach on building premium Indian brands for global markets
Broader Trend of Indian Expansion
The celebration comes amid a significant trend of Indian consumer companies expanding into international markets, particularly Gulf countries. Since 2024, several notable Indian brands have established presence in Dubai, including Anita Dongre, Blue Tokia, Nykaa, The Big Chill, and Titan's Mia.
Yash Dongre, COO of Anita Dongre, indicated ambitious expansion plans for the GCC region, targeting at least a dozen stores over the mid-to-long term. The fashion brand already operates stores in Dubai since March 2023 and New York, demonstrating the scalability of Indian premium brands in diverse international markets.
Investment Ecosystem Support
The growth of Indian consumer brands is supported by a robust investment ecosystem. In December, Fireside Ventures closed its fourth consumer-focused fund at ₹2,108.50 crores ($253 million) with a diverse base of limited partners, continuing to back early-stage startups in India's consumer sector.
Kamath's social media celebration reflects a broader transformation in how Indian brands are perceived globally, moving beyond traditional sectors to establish themselves as premium, artisan-focused companies capable of competing in sophisticated international markets.
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