R. Chandra: Can you start by giving your introduction and providing an overview of Zukoo?
Prasanth: Certainly. I’m Prasanth from Chennai. Before building Zukoo, I worked with global automotive conglomerates for over eight years. At Zukoo, we are building a brand and ecosystem for Cold-pressed cooking oil.
Inspiration and Motivation
R. Chandra: What inspired the creation of Zukoo, and what motivated your team to venture into the cooking oil industry with a focus on health and sustainability?
Prasanth: We encountered a common question about cooking oils when close acquaintances were diagnosed with lifestyle diseases. This led us to rethink the cooking oil industry. The market was reacting ironically; consumers were willing to pay a premium for healthier alternatives, yet the products available were substandard. Our close interactions with families reaffirmed India’s transition to cold-pressed oil, inspiring us to solve this fundamental problem.
Differentiation and Unique Qualities
R. Chandra: How does Zukoo differentiate itself from traditional cooking oil brands, and what unique qualities or ingredients set your product apart?
Prasanth: Zukoo introduces a new category, “Whole-extract cold-pressed oils,” representing indigenous seeds without filtration or refinement. We celebrate Health, Taste, and Planet with every product, ensuring that healthy food is tasty and sustainable.
Sustainability Practices
R. Chandra: Can you elaborate on the sustainability practices employed by Zukoo in the production process and how these practices contribute to a more eco-friendly cooking oil option?
Prasanth: Sustainability is integrated into Zukoo’s DNA. From reduced water and energy consumption to zero waste and impacting farmers’ income, we contribute to several UN SDGs. Our holistic approach ensures sustainability across the value chain.
Health Benefits and Quality Assurance
R. Chandra: What are some of the key health benefits consumers can expect from using Zukoo cooking oil, and how do you ensure the quality and purity of your product?
Prasanth: Zukoo ensures complete transparency with QR codes on every bottle, providing comprehensive details about the oil. Our quality standards govern every phase of production, maintaining the nutritional profile and ensuring the right fat pyramid.
Challenges and Solutions
R. Chandra: As a bootstrapped company, what challenges have you encountered in bringing Zukoo to market, and how have you overcome them?
Prasanth: Bootstrapping has been empowering. Our association with respected programs provided resources to accelerate our journey, allowing us to build a lean organization with strong fundamentals.
Market Positioning and Funding Plans
R. Chandra: How do you plan to position Zukoo in the market to appeal to health-conscious consumers while addressing the need for sustainable food options? Do you seek funding shortly? If so, how do you plan on doing that?
Prasanth: Zukoo celebrates Health, Taste, and Planet. We are attracting interest from leading funds and plan to close the seed round soon.
Consumer Engagement and Brand Awareness
R. Chandra: Given the competitive landscape of the cooking oil industry, what strategies does Zukoo employ to engage with consumers and build brand awareness?
Prasanth: Zukoo’s full-stack control allows us to command quality standards, ensuring a strong relationship with consumers beyond transactions.
Future Plans and Innovations
R. Chandra: Can you share any plans for future product innovations or expansions within the Zukoo brand, and how do you envision staying ahead of market trends?
Prasanth: Zukoo aims to play a crucial role in India’s journey toward self-reliance on edible oil. We plan to introduce innovative categories within the framework of Cold-pressed oil tech, aligning with the evolving aspirations of Indian families.
Advice to Entrepreneurs
R. Chandra: Finally, based on your experiences with Zukoo, what advice would you offer to other entrepreneurs looking to start a bootstrapped venture, especially in the food industry?
Prasanth: Bootstrapping is a superpower. It mandates creativity, lean operations, and building an organization with strong fundamentals. Funding can accelerate, but it won’t fix fundamental challenges.
