Bootstrapped and Baked to Perfection: Popo Ventures Rises Without VC Dough, Adds a Dash of Chocolate Magic

In a startup ecosystem often driven by venture capital and rapid scaling, Bengaluru-based Popo Ventures is proving that sustainable growth and culinary creativity can thrive without external funding. The company, which operates popular food brands like Paris Panini, Pizza Bakery, and Smash Guys, is on track to hit a topline of Rs 160 crore this fiscal year—all while staying fiercely independent.

 

Here’s a deep dive into how Popo Ventures is rewriting the food business playbook and crafting immersive experiences that go beyond the plate.

 

How Popo Ventures Grew Without VC Money

 

- Co-founders Abhijit and Nikhil Gupta chose to focus on depth over breadth, building strong brand loyalty in Bengaluru before expanding  

- Pizza Bakery gained traction through online delivery platforms, prompting the launch of multiple cloud kitchens to meet demand  

- Paris Panini began as a collaboration with French chef Nicolas Grossemy, evolving from a food truck to a full-fledged restaurant  

- Smash Guys, their gourmet burger brand, rounds out the portfolio with a focus on quality ingredients and bold flavors  

- The founders credit their success to a hands-on, customer-first approach and a refusal to compromise product quality for investor-driven growth metrics  

 

Why They Said No to Venture Capital

 

- Abhijit Gupta emphasized that throwing money at food and beverage doesn’t guarantee success  

- He noted that many brands dilute their identity under investor pressure to scale quickly and deliver returns  

- By staying bootstrapped, Popo Ventures retained full creative and operational control, allowing them to grow at their own pace  

 

A Taste of the Immersive Chocolate Experience

 

- In a parallel celebration of culinary craftsmanship, Darkins Chocolates in Delhi is offering a bean-to-bar chocolate-making experience  

- Visitors tour the factory, learn about cacao sourcing from southern India, and participate in guided tastings of 5–6 chocolate varieties  

- The experience includes a live demonstration of chocolate tempering and the chance to craft a personalized chocolate bar  

- Founders Prajnay Garg and Richa Chaudary started Darkins in a garage with just four dark chocolate variants and have since grown into a nationally recognized craft chocolate brand  

- The immersive tour is designed to educate and delight, blending storytelling, sensory exploration, and artisanal pride  

 

Together, Popo Ventures and Darkins Chocolates exemplify a new wave of Indian food entrepreneurs—rooted in authenticity, driven by passion, and thriving without a single rupee of venture capital.

 

Sources: YourStory, Trove Experiences, Darkins Chocolates June 2025