Recognised the need for deeper discourse among D2C pioneers, Inc42 held the invite-only D2C Retreat — a three-day residential unconference in Shimla
Over 60 leaders, including the likes of BoAt’s Aman Gupta; Vu Television’s Devita Saraf; Ferns N Petals Pawan Gadia; CashKaro’s Swati Bhargava among others, convened to ignite the next wave of India’s consumption story
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors for making this extraordinary feat possible
With a $300 Bn market opportunity, building a thriving direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem in India requires a collaborative spirit. At Inc42, we have been at the forefront of this D2C wave, fostering connections and shaping up the narrative through extensive research, high-impact conferences and hands-on programmes like D2CX.
So, recognising the need for a deeper discourse along the way, we created an invite-only D2C Retreat – a three-day (June 28 to 30) residential unconference nestled in Shimla.
A simple way to describe it is this: Imagine a think tank in the queen of hills, buzzing with the collective brilliance of India’s D2C titans – founders and retail leaders who have crossed the INR 100 Cr revenue mark and boast a combined valuation of $10 Bn.
Here, more than 60 such leaders, including the likes of boAt’s Aman Gupta; Vu Television’s Devita Saraf; Ferns N Petals Pawan Gadia; Ashutosh Valani from Renee Cosmetics; CashKaro’s Swati Bhargava; Pankaj Vermani of Clovia; Drool’s Shashank Sinha and OZiva’s Aarti Gill, among several others, convened in an intimate setting to forge new strategies, share insights and ignite the next wave of India’s consumption story.
In the backdrop of majestic mountains, the attendees engaged in a myriad of team-building activities – whether it was a fierce game of Pickleball to get the competitive spirit running or a host of breakout sessions on topics like building leadership, communication, creating wealth and more.
Overall, to call it an event would be an injustice. What we witnessed was the convergence of a D2C community, where individuals found the space to be candid with like-minded peers. This fostered an environment ripe for collaboration and thought-provoking conversations, all fueled by a shared passion for navigating the D2C journey.
With the D2C Retreat, we believe to have ignited a revolution of sorts. By uniting the previously siloed efforts of D2C and retail pioneers, we have set the stage for forging powerful bonds and friendships. These connections, stitched together, will form the foundation for a brighter future for the Indian retail landscape.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors for making this extraordinary feat possible. Their belief in the power of community and collaboration has undeniably helped us pave the way for the future of the Indian D2C ecosystem.
A look at D2C Retreat’s enablers:
Presenting Partner
Simpl
Simpl, founded in 2015 by Nityanand Sharma, is a merchant first checkout network, making payments invisible and money intelligent. Simpl is on a mission to empower merchants to build trusted relationships with customers, one transaction at a time. With more than 26,000 available merchants and millions of approved users Pan-India, Simpl envisions creating a frictionless and inclusive digital payments experience.
Powered By
Nitro
Founded in 2023 by Umair Mohammed, Pratik A and Shamail Tayyab, Nitro Commerce empowers D2C brands to skyrocket sales with AI-powered solutions. The Delhi NCR based D2C-focused startup tackles challenges like anonymous visitors and conversion hurdles, while simplifying complex marketing for D2C businesses. Its mission is to unlock the full potential of D2C brands.
Pay10
Founded in 2017, Delhi-based Pay10 acts as a one-stop shop for businesses and consumers looking for digital payment solutions in India. It offers a secure online payment gateway for businesses, enabling them to accept various payment methods from customers including debit cards, credit cards and UPI. It also offers services like bill payments for utilities and mobile recharge at their retail outlets. Additionally, it provides mPOS (mobile Point of Sale) solutions for retailers, allowing them to accept card payments conveniently through mobile devices.
Gifting Partner
Svaara
Svaara partnered with Inc42 to present a handcrafted brooch made from lab grown diamonds for 60+ attendees as an ode to their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
Founded in Surat in 2019 by Chahat Shah, it is on a mission to revolutionise the jewelry experience for the modern, eco-conscious consumer.
It believes that luxury shouldn’t compromise sustainability and aims to offer exquisite pieces crafted with ethically sourced, lab-grown diamonds, ensuring the same brilliance and beauty without the environmental impact of traditional mining.
