Dhruv Kohli’s Bold Pitch of 167cr, Stuns Investors in Shark Tank India

A brand named Boba Bhai is redefining Gen Z’s food culture with its Korean-inspired bubble tea and fusion delights. India’s K-culture craze, transforming a trend into a thriving QSR brand that resonates with young, flavour-seeking consumers.

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Who is the founder of Boba Bhai?

The founder of Boba Bhai is Dhruv Kohli. Boba Bhai is, India’s largest Korean fusion food brand, has carved a niche in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry by blending uniqueflavorss, cultural influences, and strategic expansion. 

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Early Life and Entrepreneurial Roots

Dhruv Kohli’s journey to success did not happen overnight. A serial entrepreneur with an impeccable track record, he built his reputation on his ability to identify market gaps and transform them into thriving businesses. 

Dhruv Kohl was born in Jalandhar, Punjab, later, his parents moved to Australia for better opportunities. He has an impressive academic background spanning prestigious institutions. His educational journey began at Arthur Phillip High School (2008-2014). He earned a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership) from Western Sydney University (2014-2017). He also completed the Blockchain Fintech Programme at the University of Oxford. He started his first startup at the age of 18, and like everyone else,e he was also a cricket enthusiast. So he started selling.  Later, he pursued an MBA in Finance and Investment Management at UNSW. 

Dhruv Kohli is a dynamic entrepreneur and investor with a strong track record in building and scaling businesses. In his early days, he worked in business development, management consulting, and leadership at ALDI Australia. Kohli's journey is marked by strategic growth, innovation, and market disruption.  He has been an angel investor in multiple startups and is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2023 honoree for his contributions to retail and e-commerce. Earlier, he also successfully exited Grabox, a data-driven sampling platform operating in 14 countries with $5M in annual revenue. He co-founded Geezy Foods, an international food tech brand present in the USA, UK, Australia, and more. 

In 2023, Dhruv Kohli decided to return to India to be with his fiancée (now wife). Inspired by the opportunity to build something locally, he launched Boba Bhai in October 2023, bringing his entrepreneurial vision to the Indian market. Boba Bhai was born from Kohli’s vision to introduce high-quality, Korean-inspired bubble tea to the Indian market. With the rising influence of Korean culture, from K-dramas to K-pop, he saw an opportunity to cater to this growing demand through a localized and accessible brand. His mission was clear: to make Korean fusion flavors an integral part of India’s QSR landscape.

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Within just a year and a half, Boba Bhai expanded to over 40 outlets nationwide, achieving an impressive monthly order volume exceeding 70,000. This rapid growth reflects Kohli’s strategic approach to brand building, customer engagement, and market penetration. The brand offers a diverse menu, including bubble teas, burgers, and ice creams, each crafted with premium ingredients and a commitment to quality. The company's revenue was ₹5.2 crore for FY 23-24, and he projected ₹30 crore turnover for FY 24-25.

Boba Bhai in The Shark Tank India

Dhruv Kohli’s pitch on Shark Tank India was nothing short of electrifying. He entered the tank with a bold ask of Rs 50 lakh for 0.3% equity, valuing Boba Bhai at a staggering Rs 167 crore. His confidence, backed by real business numbers, left the sharks in awe. He revealed that he had previously raised Rs 30 crore at a post-money valuation of Rs 110 crore, purely based on his past successes. His sales figures spoke volumes, with an impressive Rs 60 lakh per month in revenue during his early funding rounds.

Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt, was stunned at how investors had flocked to Kohli’s brand at such high valuations. “Main ussi pe hairaan hoon. Kuch dekhte nahi hain, sochte nahi hain kya investors?” he remarked, questioning the investor enthusiasm around Boba Bhai. However, he couldn’t ignore Kohli’s business acumen and industry foresight. Though he loved the beverages, he was less impressed by the brand’s food offerings, particularly the burgers, stating, “Tera burger toh koi khaas nahi hai bhai.”

Despite this, Kohli’s business savvy won over investors Namita Thapar and Viraj Bahl, who recognized the immense growth potential of Boba Bhai. Thapar, who typically refrains from investing in QSR brands, made an exception, seeing the market opportunity and the brand’s strategic positioning. They invested ₹90 lakh for 1% equity. The sharks loved the confidence and business acumen of the founder. 

His ambition doesn’t stop at India. Kohli has set his sights on taking Boba Bhai global, positioning it as a major player in the international QSR market. With his proven track record, deep understanding of consumer behavior, and relentless drive, he is well on his way to achieving this vision.

As Boba Bhai continues to expand, one thing remains ,  ear, Dhruv Kohli is not just building a brand; he’s shaping a movement. His journey is an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere, proving that with vision, strategy, and relentless execution, success is inevitable.

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