Indian cricketer Mayank Agarwal has joined Bengaluru based confectionery startup Gud Co. as an investor, backing the brand as it expands beyond plastic-free chewing gum into a wider range of functional confectionery and better-for-you snacks.
The investment brings more than capital to the business. According to co founder Mayank Nagori, Agarwal has also introduced the company to people in his professional network, offering potential connections as the startup works to grow its distribution and product range.
Gud Co., previously known as Gud Gum, came into the national spotlight through Shark Tank India Season 3. The company is now positioning itself as a broader snacking brand under the tagline “Making Better Snacking Fun.”
Mayank Agarwal Backs Gud Co’s Expansion
The partnership reflects the kind of strategic value early-stage consumer brands can seek from angel investors: industry connections, credibility and access to new opportunities alongside funding.
In a public account of the association, co-founder Mayank Nagori said the founders wanted investors who could contribute through their experience, network and perspective, not just provide money. He highlighted Agarwal’s Bengaluru connection and his interest in understanding the business.
The financial terms of Agarwal’s investment have not been disclosed in the information provided. It is therefore unclear how much capital he has invested or what stake he holds in Gud Co.
From Gud Gum to Gud Co: A Wider Product Ambition
Founded by brothers Mayank Nagori and Bhuvan Nagori, the startup began with a simple idea: offer chewing gum without the synthetic plastic base commonly used in conventional products. Gud Gum uses natural chicle, derived from the sapodilla tree, as an alternative. The company describes its products as plastic-free and biodegradable.
The rebranding to Gud Co. signals a wider ambition. The business has expanded into functional gum positioned around energy, focus and dental care, moving beyond its original product category. The opportunity is to build a broader consumer brand around everyday snacking, although the company’s ability to scale will depend on product demand, pricing and distribution.
Shark Tank India Deal Put the Brand on the Map
Gud Gum appeared on Shark Tank India Season 3 in 2024 and secured a deal worth Rs 80 lakh for 10% equity, plus a 4% royalty until the investment was recovered. The deal involved four Sharks: Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh and Ritesh Agarwal.
That appearance helped introduce the brand to a wider audience. Its next phase is less about proving that plastic-free chewing gum can attract attention and more about building repeat purchases and a reliable retail presence.
What Mayank Agarwal’s Investment Could Mean
Agarwal’s involvement adds a recognisable sports personality to the startup’s investor network. His introductions could help the founders build business relationships, though the scale of any commercial impact has not yet been disclosed.
For Gud Co., the strategic priority is to convert consumer interest into sustained sales across online marketplaces, quick-commerce platforms and physical retail. Expanding into functional confectionery also gives the company more product categories to develop, but each will need to establish its own customer demand.
The investment marks another step in the journey of the Bengaluru-founded brand. With Mayank Nagori and Bhuvan Nagori leading the business, Gud Co. is looking to turn a niche alternative to conventional chewing gum into a wider consumer-snacking company.
