Two-time Olympic medalist and one of India’s leading female athletes, PV Sindhu, has joined forces with wellness brand Hoop as both a strategic investor and brand ambassador. This collaboration marks a significant step in Hoop’s journey to becoming India’s most beloved wellness brand.
Founders’ Vision for Hoop
Hoop was founded by Twinkle Uppal and Saharsh Agarwal, a dynamic couple with impressive credentials as former McKinsey consultants and alumni of SRCC, IIM, and ISB. Their mission is clear: to modernize relief and recovery while integrating fitness into the daily lives of Indians.
“Hoop emerged out of the unmet wellness needs of young India. Our lifestyles have changed – muscle recovery after workouts, injury prevention during sports, back pain from long sitting hours, neck pain from tech devices, screentime-induced sleep troubles. While our needs have changed, there are limited innovative products today which fit the lifestyle of new India,” remarked Twinkle Uppal.
Hoop’s Product Range
Hoop offers a range of products designed to address topical pain relief, muscle recovery, and sleep support. These products have been developed after more than 18 months of research and development, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation.
Hoop X PV Sindhu
“Badminton demands peak physical performance. Prioritising pain relief, muscle recovery and sleep is critical for athletes like myself. I tried Hoop products for months and was incredibly impressed with their value not just for athletes, but for anyone who is focusing on living an active life. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Hoop on their mission to help India live active,” said PV Sindhu, explaining her decision to support the brand.
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The Founders’ Perspective on Sindhu’s Role
“We feel PV Sindhu is the perfect evangelist of our brand. She truly embodies the spirit of a champion and her story is one of tremendous grit. She is the first and only Indian to become the Badminton World Champion, only the second individual Indian athlete to win two consecutive medals at Olympics and one of the World’s Highest-Paid Female Athletes. Sindhu is not only the face of Indian sport, but also an immensely credible voice in fitness. With Olympics 2024 right around the corner, Hoop is incredibly proud of Sindhu’s trust in our brand,” added Saharsh Agarwal.
Hoop’s Rapid Growth and Market Impact
Before its market launch in October 2023, Hoop’s co-founders dedicated over 18 months to research and development. The brand has rapidly gained popularity, with customers in over 1,000 cities across India, from metropolitan areas to remote regions like Lakshadweep, Kargil, Changlang, and Kanyakumari.
Hoop is part of Peak XV’s (formerly Sequoia India) Spark Program and is supported by notable angel investors, including Rohit Kapoor (CEO, Food Marketplace, Swiggy), Abhinav Sinha (COO, OYO), Naiyya Saggi (co-founder, Good Glamm Group), Suhail Sameer (ex-CEO, BharatPe; ex-CEO, RPSG Consumer), Shantanu Deshpande (founder – Bombay Shaving Company), Kunal Suri (former MD, Food Panda), Saurabh Vashishtha (co-founder, SimSim) Arjun Vaidya (founder – Dr Vaidya’s).
Rising Trend in Wellness Among Young Indians
According to a recent Lancet study, India has the twelfth highest prevalence of insufficient physical activity as per WHO norms. However, this trend appears to be changing among young Indians, with wellness becoming a top priority for millennials and Gen Z. There has been over a 40% increase in search interests related to wellness. The consumer wellness product market in India is currently valued at approximately $20 billion and is growing rapidly at over 15% each year.
Conclusion
The partnership between PV Sindhu and Hoop symbolizes a significant shift in the wellness industry in India. With Sindhu’s endorsement, Hoop is poised to become a leading name in wellness, helping to modernize relief and recovery and promote an active lifestyle among Indians. As wellness becomes increasingly important to the younger generation, Hoop is well-positioned to meet their evolving needs with innovative and effective products.
