Deepika Padukone has invested in companies like Epigamia, Furlenco, Blu Smart, Bellatrix, and Atomberg Technologies.
Many actors in India are now exploring entrepreneurship. Alia Bhatt, a popular Bollywood actress, is the co-founder of a children’s clothing brand that achieved a valuation of Rs 150 crore a few years after its launch. Deepika Padukone, one of India’s highest-paid actresses, also recognized the advantages of starting a business at a young age. She partnered with Jigar Shah, a former manager turned co-founder, to establish a lifestyle business a few years ago.
Deepika Padukone has invested in several Indian startups, including Epigamia, Furlenco, Blu Smart, Bellatrix, Atomberg Technologies, Front Row, Mokobara, Supertails, and Nua.
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Deepika Padukone and her co-founder Jigar Shah evaluated various ideas such as investing in a brand or collaborating with marketplaces. Eventually, they decided to create their brand and launched 82°E, which offers unique skincare products. The name of the brand was inspired by India’s longitudinal coordinates.
Deepika Padukone is not just a passive investor in 82°E. In a recent interview, she revealed that she is actively involved with the brand’s creative aspects. She contributes to the ideation process and collaborates with the research and development team to discuss product formulations. She also works on the packaging material. On the other hand, Jigar Shah takes care of business operations, including human resources management. Together, they form a great team.
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The company’s website features two standout products — Patchouli Glow, a liquid sunscreen with an oil-like texture, and Ashwagandha Bounce, a hydrating cream. The products are sold exclusively through their website. In addition, they also use a marketing strategy of product drops, where they periodically release their products in limited quantities, creating a sense of exclusivity and increasing demand.
He told Your Story about the reason behind the high price range of the products, which start from Rs. 1200. He said that people would find it hard to believe that Deepika Padukone is using a product that costs only Rs. 500.
The company is also leveraging influencers to promote its products. Additionally, they secured Rs 60 crore in funding from angel investors last year.
Their products are created by their in-house experts. The primary objective of the brand is to blend Indian ingredients with scientific compounds.
Shah also aims to benefit from the fame of Padukone. She had previously mentioned that the brand was an extension of his personal and professional journey.
Shah was a venture capitalist before joining Deepika’s KA Enterprises in 2020 as a fund manager. He manages all her financial assets. In a recent interview, he mentioned that Deepika Padukone is the heart of the company while he is the head. The brand’s lab is located in Bengaluru where its experts make their products in-house using a blend of Indian ingredients and scientific compounds.
