FAST42 By Inc42 — India’s Most Coveted List Of Fastest Growing D2C Brands To Launch Tomorrow

The wait is finally over! After three months of extensive groundwork, Inc42 is all set to unveil India’s most coveted list of the fastest-growing D2C brands — the FAST42 — during a grand unveiling event taking place tomorrow (February 29) in Delhi.

Launched in 2021, FAST42 isn’t just a ranking — it serves as a testament to the thriving D2C market in India, poised to exceed a $300 Bn market opportunity by 2030. It is also a celebration of resilient founders and promising D2C brands dedicated to revolutionising India’s consumer landscape. 

Leading the transition from brick-and-mortar, D2C brands now stand at the crossroads of traditional and modern retail. By embracing omnichannel strategies to engage customers at every touchpoint, these brands are reshaping brand development, customer interaction and overall experience. With FAST42, our goal is to recognise these remarkable brands and their role in shaping the future of consumerism in India.

Presented in collaboration with Emiza and co-presented by Simpl and Axis Bank, FAST42 2024 signifies the third installment of Inc42’s flagship initiative. Our mission from the outset has been clear: To discover hidden gems within the D2C realm and provide them with the recognition they deserve. In previous editions, we have showcased emerging stars such as SuperBottoms, Flo Mattress, Rage Coffee, Boldfit and many more brands that have become household names in their respective sectors.

The grand unveiling event will be attended by 150+ India’s leading D2C brands’ founders, leaders, and investors and feature speakers including Govind Shrikhande, former MD, Shoppers Stop; Gaurav Khatri, cofounder, Noise; Nikhil Doda, founder & CEO of Lahoori Zeera; Ajay Rao, founder & CEO, Emiza; Malika Sadani, founder & CEO, The Moms Co.;  Nat Habit’s cofounder Swagatika Das; Akash Sharma, cofounder & CEO, Farmley; Vidur Kapur, director, O3+; Puneet Gupta, founder & CEO, Clensta; Nitya Sharma, cofounder & CEO, Simpl and Aman Gupta, cofounder, boAt.

Discovering The FAST42 Trailblazers 

The FAST42 list features brands categorised under two segments — Growth and Emerging. We selected 42 brands in the growth category, while 10 have been chosen in the emerging category. For both categories, Inc42 considered their revenue growth, along with other parameters listed here.

We received 300+ applications, out of which we meticulously selected 52 of the brightest and most promising after a rigorous three-month application and selection cycle. The response was overwhelmingly positive, to say the least. While we’re keeping the names under wraps until the grand unveiling, a few statistics highlight the scale at which India’s D2C ecosystem is expanding.

Based on Inc42’s analysis of the application, collectively, these brands have generated $739 Mn+ in combined revenue in FY23, and raised close to $1.3 Bn in total funding, while creating 12.3K jobs.

Interestingly, the D2C revolution is transcending emerging startup hubs. A quick glance at the analysis of applications shows that while 47% of applicants hailed from Delhi, Maharashtra and Karnataka, states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and beyond are emerging as fertile grounds for entrepreneurial success.

What To Expect At The FAST42 Event

The launch event is set to bring together over 150 key stakeholders from the D2C ecosystem, comprising investors, winners and leaders from India’s top D2C brands. Beyond providing an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and celebrate the achievements of FAST42 brands, the event promises to offer valuable insights through engaging sessions featuring prominent figures in the D2C industry.

We delve into emerging trends, challenges, opportunities and growth drivers for startups in the D2C space. This event serves as a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange, offering in-depth insights into the future of new-age retail. Besides this, attendees will get a chance to engage with those who have played pivotal roles in propelling the growth of D2C brands in India.

As the countdown for the grand unveiling of the event begins, take a look at the rankings from the previous year to get a preview of what lies ahead.

If you are a D2C brand or an investor and want to attend the event, apply here.

Note: We at Inc42 take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found here.