Inc42 Accelerator Program Showcases 14 Direct-to-Consumer Brands
Inc42 and Rukam Capital have launched the D2CX Runway accelerator program to support India's growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) market. The inaugural cohort featured 14 emerging brands aiming to scale in the competitive landscape.
India's direct-to-consumer (D2C) market, currently valued at $65 billion, is entering a new phase of growth, characterized by brands expanding beyond online sales to omnichannel strategies. To address the challenges faced by emerging brands in this evolving ecosystem, Inc42 partnered with Rukam Capital to launch D2CX Runway, a seven-week accelerator program.
The inaugural D2CX Runway cohort comprised 14 consumer startups spanning sectors such as fashion, food and beverages, babycare, jewelry, and automotive. These brands participated in a comprehensive program involving virtual and in-person bootcamps in Delhi, focusing on refining their brand strategy, growth playbooks, fundraising readiness, and go-to-market approaches.
Mentorship was provided by industry leaders, including Vedang Patel from The Souled Store and Archana Jahagirdar from Rukam Capital. The program culminated in a Demo Day on August 7, 2026, where the startups pitched their businesses to investors and ecosystem leaders.
Among the featured brands were 10on10 Foods, offering stone-ground flours; 41 Foods, specializing in dry fruits and plant-based nutrition; Carvve, providing car accessories; Gopiprem, a womenswear brand; and MEECHU, focused on babycare products. The initiative highlights the increasing significance of the D2C model in India and the need for structured support for scaling startups.