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Paper Boat, a brand that has redefined the Indian beverage landscape, is a celebration of nostalgia, culture, and authentic flavours. Produced and marketed by Hector Beverages, headquartered in Bengaluru, Paper Boat was launched in August 2013 with a mission to revive traditional Indian drinks in a modern, convenient format. (Image: Instagram) Hector Beverages was founded in 2009 by Neeraj Kakkar, Neeraj Biyani, Suhas Misra, and James Nuttall. Initially, the company ventured into the health drink segment with Frissia, followed by the energy drink Tzinga in 2011. However, the real turning point came in 2013 when the team shifted focus to ethnic beverages, giving birth to Paper Boat. (Image: Forbes) Starting with flavours like Aam Panna and Jaljeera, the brand quickly expanded its portfolio to include Aam Ras, Chilled Rasam, Kokum, Jamun Kala Khatta, Chilli Guava, and Neer More. These drinks were first introduced in single-serving flexible pouches and later in one-litre Tetra Pak cartons, catering to both individual and family consumption. (Image: Amazon) Paper Boat’s manufacturing capabilities are robust, with two major facilities in Manesar (established in 2010) and Mysuru (opened in 2014). The Manesar plant produces 80 bottles per minute, while the Mysuru unit boasts a capacity of 380 bottles per minute. Together, they churn out up to ten million pouches monthly, meeting growing demand across India and abroad. (Image: YouTube/Screengrab) In 2016, Paper Boat ventured into traditional Indian snacks with the launch of peanut chikki. This move marked the brand’s entry into the food segment, emphasizing fair trade practices by sourcing groundnuts directly from farmer collectives in Rajkot, Gujarat. The chikki range includes variants like crushed peanut, sesame, and rajgira peanut. The brand has since added more snacks and dry foods to its lineup. (Image: Amazon) Paper Boat’s drink offerings span fruit-based ethnic beverages and milk-based drinks. Seasonal specials like Panakam (for Rama Navami) and Sherbet-e-Khas (for Eid) reflect the brand’s cultural sensitivity. Popular flavors include Aam Panna, Aamras, Chilli Guava, Jaljeera, and Kokum (Image: Amazon) The brand’s tagline, “Drinks and Memories,” captures its essence, evoking childhood nostalgia and cultural pride. Paper Boat’s advertising campaigns are known for their emotional storytelling, often set to the music of Malgudi Days. The debut campaign was penned by Gulzar, followed by Swanand Kirkire’s lyrical narratives. (Image: Instagram) Beyond commercials, Paper Boat has produced short films like Ride Down the River of Memories, Waiting for Ma, My Struggles with the Treasure Chest, Hum Honge Kamyab, and Rizwan – Keeper of the Gates of Heaven. (Image: Instagram) In a unique branding move, Paper Boat entered book publishing. It reprinted classics like Three Men in a Boat and The Jungle Book, which were bundled with beverages as part of gift boxes. In 2017, the brand published Half Pants Full Pants by Anand Suspi, a collection of nostalgic tales from Shimoga. (Image: Instagram) Paper Boat’s growth has been supported by prominent investors including Catamaran Ventures (led by N. R. Narayana Murthy), Footprint Ventures, and Sequoia Capital. Their backing has helped the brand scale operations, innovate packaging, and expand its reach. (Image: Amazon)
