Happilo Founder: Meet Vikas Nahar, Driving Force Behind Healthy Snacks

In the ever-growing Indian health food market, Happilo stands out as a trusted brand for premium dry fruits and healthy snacks. At the heart of this success is Vikas Nahar, a passionate entrepreneur whose journey from a farming background to building a ₹500 crore brand is nothing short of inspiring.

Who is Vikas Nahar?

• Founder & CEO of Happilo International Pvt Ltd
• Born in a farming family in Karnataka
• Featured on Shark Tank India (Season 2) as a guest shark
• Passionate about healthy eating and clean nutrition
• A visionary entrepreneur transforming India’s snacking habits

Happilo at a Glance

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Early Life and Education

• Grew up in a humble agricultural family in Mandya, Karnataka.
• Witnessed the power of hard work and resilience on the farm.
• Holds an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune.
• Previously worked with FMCG giants like Britannia and Namdhari’s Fresh.

🟩 Takeaway: His early exposure to agriculture deeply influenced his passion for natural food products.

The Entrepreneurial Spark

• Quit his job in 2016 to pursue a vision: offer clean, nutritious snacks.
• Spotted a gap in the Indian snack market—over-processed, sugary options dominated shelves.
• Took a loan of ₹10 lakh to start Happilo from scratch.

The Birth of Happilo

• Started in a small Bengaluru apartment.
• Focused on premium dry fruits, trail mixes, and seed blends.
• Tapped into the rise of health-conscious millennials and fitness trends.
• Adopted direct-to-consumer (D2C) and e-commerce first strategy.

🟨 Innovation: Packaging dry fruits in resealable, stylish pouches, making them appealing and travel-friendly.

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Challenges Faced & How He Overcame Them

Key Decisions That Fueled Growth

• Focusing on D2C model: Selling via Amazon, Flipkart, and their own website.
• Aggressive digital marketing: Leveraged influencer campaigns and YouTube.
• Brand building with cricket sponsorships: Happilo was a partner for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2022.
• Expanding product line: From dry fruits to protein bars, nut butters, and healthy sweets.

Leadership Style & Vision

• Hands-on Leader: Actively involved in product development and customer feedback.
• People-First Philosophy: Built a team of over 500+ employees across India.
• Vision: “Make India snack healthy, without compromising on taste.”
• Values: Trust, quality, innovation, and wellness.

Achievements & Business Impact

• Bootstrapped to ₹500 crore+ in less than 10 years.
• Became one of India’s top 3 health snack brands.
• Gained recognition as a self-made entrepreneur.
• Featured on Forbes, Business Today, and several business forums.

🟦 Influence: Encouraging a new generation of entrepreneurs to enter the healthy FMCG space.

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Happilo’s Stats & Revenue Growth

📈 Growth Rate: CAGR of over 70% in just 7 years.

What’s Next for Vikas Nahar & Happilo?

• Global Expansion: Plans to enter Middle East and Southeast Asia.
• Product Innovation: Launching functional snacks—protein-rich, keto, diabetic-friendly.
• Sustainability Goals: Eco-friendly packaging & ethical sourcing.

🟩 Long-Term Goal: Become India’s first health snack unicorn.

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Conclusion

Vikas Nahar‘s journey from Karnataka’s farms to founding Happilo proves that vision, resilience, and execution can create massive impact. His innovative strategies and people-first leadership have disrupted India’s snack industry. As health-consciousness grows, Happilo is poised to lead the charge with quality, trust, and flavor.

FAQs

1. Who is the founder of Happilo?
Vikas Nahar, an entrepreneur from Karnataka.

2. When was Happilo founded?
In 2016.

3. What is Vikas Nahar’s background?
He comes from a farming family and holds an MBA.

4. Is Happilo profitable?
Yes, it’s a profitable brand with over ₹500 crore in revenue.

5. How did Happilo start?
Started with a ₹10 lakh loan and a small team in Bengaluru.

6. Was Vikas Nahar on Shark Tank India?
Yes, as a guest shark in Season 2.

7. What makes Happilo different?
Premium quality, resealable packaging, and healthy product innovation.

8. Where can I buy Happilo products?
On Amazon, Flipkart, and their official website.

9. What are some competitors of Happilo?
Paper Boat, Yoga Bar, Nutty Gritties.

10. What’s the future of Happilo?
Global expansion and launching more healthy product lines.