Rohan Mirchandani, co-founder of Epigamia, passed away on the night of December 21, according to multiple sources. The 41-year-old reportedly succumbed to a heart attack on Friday.
Mirchandani, an alumnus of NYU Stern and Wharton School, co-founded Drums Food International in 2013. This venture led to the creation of Epigamia, a modern FMCG brand and one of India’s leading Greek yogurt brands.
In a statement, a Drums Food spokesperson paid tribute to Mirchandani, saying, “All of us at the Epigamia family will deeply mourn this loss. Rohan was our mentor, friend, and leader. We remain steadfast in our determination to carry forward his dream with strength and vigor. Rohan’s vision and values will continue to guide us as we work together to honor the foundation he built and ensure that his dream continues to flourish.”
Mirchandani’s entrepreneurial journey was sparked during his business school days when he attended a lecture in Mumbai highlighting the need for innovation in the FMCG sector. This epiphany led him to start Epigamia, which gained popularity in major cities as consumers increasingly opted for its unique flavored Greek yogurt offerings.
The company’s board paid tribute to Mirchandani’s legacy, issuing a joint statement that read, “Rohan was not only a visionary leader but also an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His unwavering commitment, boundless energy, and deep passion for Epigamia have left an indelible mark on all of us. We will work closely with the leadership of the company to take Rohan’s legacy to greater heights.”
In the interim, the existing leadership team will oversee the business operations. According to the spokesperson, “The senior leadership of Epigamia, led by Ankur Goel (COO & Founding Member) and Uday Thakker (Cofounder & Director), continues to steer the company’s day-to-day operations with the full support of the Board of Directors, including Rohan’s family, Raj Mirchandani, Verlinvest, and DSG Consumer Partners.”
Mirchandani’s untimely passing is the latest in a series of unfortunate demises in the startup industry. This year has seen the loss of several key figures, including Rohan Malhotra, co-founder and managing partner of Good Capital, who passed away on October 1.
Another notable loss was Ambareesh Murty, co-founder of online furniture store Pepperfry, who tragically died of a cardiac arrest during a biking trip in Leh in August 2023. He was just 51 years old at the time of his passing.
Epigamia boasts a strong investor base, with Belgian investor Verlinvest being one of its largest external shareholders. The company is also backed by prominent names such as French dairy major Danone and Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone.
In a recent leadership reshuffle, Rohan Mirchandani transitioned into the role of executive chairman in December 2023. Co-founder Rahul Jain took on the mantle of co-founder and CEO, while Ankur Goel, a founding member, was elevated to the position of COO, overseeing the company’s supply chain and business intelligence functions.
In his recent interviews, Mirchandani shared his ambitious plans for Epigamia, revealing that the company is placing a significant bet on the quick commerce channel, with a target to achieve revenue of ₹250 crore in the financial year 2025.
Mumbai-based Epigamia has a diverse product portfolio, encompassing yogurt, curd, beverages, milkshakes, smoothies, and kheer. The brand’s origins date back to 2015 with the launch of its first product named “Hoki Poki” ice cream and later pivoted to focus on yogurt due to the seasonal nature of the ice cream business.
As of December 2023, Epigamia’s products are available across 20,000 touchpoints in over 30 towns. The brand has reported sales of ₹168 crore in FY23 and is planning to expand its presence to the Middle East by 2025-26.
