Jacqueline Fernandez is now an entrepreneur

Actress Jacqueline Fernandez has joined the list of several Bollywood stars that have turned entrepreneurs. However, unlike her peers, she has stepped out of the movie and fashion industry for her venture, having invested in Rakyan Beverages that makes soup, nut milk, coconut water, and smoothies, under the Raw Pressery brand.

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With this, she has become the first celebrity from India to part-finance a consumer products firm.

Internationally, singer Madonna has funded coconut water brand Vita Coco, rapper 50 Cent has held minority stake in Glaceau vitamin water, while singer-actress Beyonce had invested in watermelon-water startup WTRMLN WTR.

"While professional investors take calculated risks, celebrities are believers and users of the brand. Jacqueline has about 13 million followers just on Instagram and can influence buyers. Hence, she is not an ambassador but an evangelist who can have an impact on the topline," founder Anuj Rakyan told ET.

Jacqueline has invested an amount of Rs 3.5 crore, after which the company's worth stands at about Rs 120 crore, similar to the valuation it had got during last year's series B funding from Sequoia Capital, Saama Capital Management and DSG Consumer Partners.

It is because of the demand of healthier drinks that the industry is growing faster in India, especially urban centres. Over the past year, Rakyan Beverages has increased its retail network by about 1000 sale points.

(Image source Mr Popat)