D2CX Converge Kicks Off In Hyderabad With Founders Mapping India's Next Wave Of D2C Growth
The direct-to-home (D2C) segment has emerged as one of the most formidable business forces cradled in the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem that’s expanding at 12-15% every year, backed by the fastest-growing economy globally.
With more than 800 brands vying for a slice of an estimated over $87.5 Bn market pie, India boasts of the second most-funded D2C sector, trailing behind the US and racing ahead of China. India’s $87.5 Bn D2C ecommerce market is on track to almost triple to $267.03 Bn by 2030 at a staggering 25% annual growth rate.
This shift reflects deeper changes in how Indian consumers discover and buy products, and how brands compete for retention.
Driven by more than 270 Mn online shoppers, the rapid adoption of digital payments, the proliferation of quick commerce, and the rise of premium, purpose-led consumer categories, the D2C sector has moved beyond its early experimental years into a decisive scale phase.
This surge in D2C space calls for sharper insight into product-market fit, distribution, omnichannel behaviour, and cost-disciplined execution.
Inc42 has teamed up with Shadowfax to support this next generation of consumer builders by launching D2CX Converge — a five-city founder meetup series designed to bring together India’s most promising early-stage D2C brands in an intimate and high-trust environment. The event is intended for builders who believe progress compounds in the community. Each stop gathers a curated room of early-stage D2C founders for compact, practical sessions led by successful operators.
A look at India’s D2C landscape shows Hyderabad emerging as a strong base for early-stage brands, supported by cost advantages, expanding digital infrastructure and a growing startup ecosystem. These factors made it a natural choice for Inc42 and Shadowfax to kick off the first chapter of D2CX Converge.
On November 13, more than 50 D2C brand founders across categories, including beverages, fashion, FMCG, ethnic wear, consumer retail, and lifestyle, converged on Hyderabad. There was clarity in the shared goal: Gather India’s most promising early stage operators in a city where momentum is palpable, ambition runs high, and the environment catalyses founders to test, refine, and scale their playbooks.
The evening featured a sessions, which brought together diverse perspectives from across the D2C landscape.
The D2C galaxy at the event included the likes of:
- Nikhil Doda, cofounder and COO of Lahori Zeera
- Srishti Tanwani, cofounder and CEO of Indo Era
- Raju Bhupati, founder and CEO of Troo Good
- Praharsh Chandra, cofounder and CBO at Shadowfax
- Shashi Kumar, cofounder and CEO of Akshayakalpa Organic
- Rahul Dayama, founding partner at Urbanic
- Avnish Kumar, managing director at NEERU’S