About Sauce.Vc
Founded in 2019, Sauce.vc is a Delhi-based early-stage venture capital firm specializing in consumer brands. The firm focuses on sectors such as food & beverage, personal care, apparel, and lifestyle, aiming to back startups that dare to disrupt the market.
Mission and Philosophy
Sauce.vc operates on a high-engagement model, partnering closely with founders from the idea stage. Their investment philosophy emphasizes:
- Selective Deals: Maintaining a concentrated portfolio to provide focused support.
- Deep Engagement: Working intimately with startups on strategy, branding, and operations.
- Domain Expertise: Leveraging the team’s extensive experience in consumer sectors.
- Consistent Success: Aiming for high success rates through meticulous selection and support.
Focus Areas
Sauce.vc invests in early-stage consumer brands, particularly in:
- Food & Beverage: Innovative and health-conscious food products.
- Personal Care: Brands focusing on skincare, hygiene, and wellness.
- Apparel & Lifestyle: Fashion-forward and functional clothing and accessories
Portfolio Highlights
Sauce.vc has backed several notable consumer brands, including:
XYXX: Men’s innerwear brand focusing on comfort and style.Team:
Performa: A modern oral care brand offering clean, effective, and aesthetically designed dental hygiene products.
The Whole Truth Foods: Clean-label food products with transparent ingredient lists.
Mokobara: Design-centric luggage and travel accessories.
Supertails: An online platform for pet products and services.
Sauce Platform
Beyond capital, Sauce.vc offers comprehensive support to its portfolio companies through:
- Service Partners: Access to a network of experts in branding, marketing, and operations.
- Strategic Guidance: Assistance in business development, scaling, and market entry strategies.
Team
Sauce.vc’s team comprises seasoned professionals with deep expertise in consumer sectors:
| Team Member | Team | Designation | Location | Social Presence |
| Manu Chandra | Investment | Founder | Delhi | |
| Yash Dholakia | Investment | Partner | Delhi | |
| Zoeb Ali Khan | Investment | Vice President | Delhi | |
| Karan Kathpalia | Investment | Vice President | Delhi | |
| Padma Milhotra | Investment | Senior Associate | Delhi | |
| Vasundhara Bhagat | Investment | Associate | Delhi | |
| Chetan Ghodke | Investment | Senior Analyst | Delhi | |
| Mayur Maheshwari | Corporate | Fund Operations Manager | Delhi | |
| Richa Oberoi | Corporate | Executive Assistant | Delhi | |
| Namita Nayal | Corporate | Executive – Admin and Operations | Delhi |
What Sauce.vc Looks for in Founders
The firm values clarity in vision, a strong understanding of the target market, and a commitment to building disruptive consumer brands.
Sauce.vc seeks founders who:
- Demonstrate Passion: A deep commitment to their product and mission.
- Exhibit Clarity: Clear articulation of business goals and strategies.
- Show Resilience: Ability to navigate challenges and adapt to market dynamics.
- Possess Market Insight: A thorough understanding of the consumer landscape and target audience.
Founder Testimonials:
“Manu and Sauce team have been one of the best teams yo can raise funds from especially if you are building an early stage consumer brand. The entire team is always founder first and will always be with you during the ups and downs of your startup journey. Manu thinks very long term which is a key to building a successful consumer brand. Having Manu onboard is like having a big brother working behind the scenes and patiently guiding you to move in the right direction.” — On Sauve.Vc’s Website by Sangeet & Navin, Co-founders of Mokobara
“Sauce.vc was the first institution that backed us at The Whole Truth. And Manu was the first investor who backed me as a founder.”
— On Sauve.Vc’s Website by Shashank Mehta, Founder of The Whole Truth