Brands
Reliance Retail acquires Himalayan beauty brand Pahadi Local
Deal brings nature-led skincare brand into Reliance’s expanding beauty portfolio
MUMBAI: Reliance Retail Limited has acquired the beauty and wellness brand Pahadi Local, along with its business, from Pahadi Goodness Private Limited, further expanding its presence in India’s fast-growing natural skincare market.
The acquisition brings a Himalayan-inspired brand into Reliance Retail’s beauty portfolio, aligning with the company’s strategy of nurturing purpose-driven Indian brands with strong storytelling and loyal consumer communities.
Founded in 2018, Pahadi Local has built a reputation for skincare and wellness products rooted in traditional Himalayan ingredients and clean formulations. The brand draws on time-honoured extraction methods and locally sourced botanicals, offering products designed to support skin health while emphasising sustainability and transparency.
Commenting on the development, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited executive director Isha Ambani, said the brand’s ethos and authenticity make it a natural fit for the group’s growing beauty ecosystem.
“At Reliance Retail, we are focused on curating brands that combine authenticity with innovation and meaningful consumer relevance. Pahadi Local’s roots in Himalayan wellness traditions and its commitment to responsible sourcing make it a compelling addition to our beauty ecosystem,” she said.
Ambani added that Reliance plans to expand the brand through its omni-channel network and experiential retail platforms while preserving the purity and identity that define Pahadi Local.
A key highlight of the brand’s portfolio is Gutti Ka Tel, or apricot kernel oil, a traditional Himalayan ingredient that has gained popularity among skincare enthusiasts. The brand has also earned recognition for working closely with women-led self-help groups in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, supporting local livelihoods and community initiatives in healthcare, education and environmental conservation.
Following the acquisition, the founding team of Pahadi Local will continue to guide the brand’s creative direction and product development, ensuring continuity in its philosophy and consumer promise.
Reliance Retail plans to scale the brand by expanding its presence across physical retail formats, strengthening its digital commerce footprint and accelerating product innovation.
Reliance Retail Limited operates under Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, the holding company for retail businesses within the Reliance Industries group. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, the company runs an integrated omni-channel network of 19,979 stores and digital platforms serving more than 378 million registered customers.
With the addition of Pahadi Local, Reliance Retail continues to sharpen its focus on high-potential Indian brands across beauty, wellness, fashion and lifestyle, particularly those rooted in authenticity, sustainability and strong community connections.
Brands
Spark Eighteen acquires Voice AI startup JAM to boost capabilities
Deal brings voice tech edge as studio bets big on AI-led product growth
NEW DELHI: Spark Eighteen has acquired JAM, a Voice AI startup focused on building intelligent voice agents, in a move aimed at strengthening its capabilities in the fast-evolving artificial intelligence space.
Founded by Aayush Narang, Spark Eighteen has positioned itself as a global technology partner with a team of over 200 engineers, building digital products for startups and enterprises, particularly in the US market. The company operates a venture-building arm, Spark Eighteen Studio, alongside its investment vertical, Aay Capital, which backs early-stage startups.
JAM, founded by Ashish Khurana and Akshay Dewan, brings expertise in deploying scalable, human-like voice AI systems across use cases such as customer support, operations and workflow automation. Both founders were early team members at Zomato and Hyperpure, adding operational depth to the venture.
As part of the acquisition, Akshay Dewan will join Spark Eighteen as vice president of product and business operations, bringing experience in product strategy and scaling operations. Meanwhile, Ashish Khurana, who previously held leadership roles including senior director of engineering at Yubi and head of engineering at Zomato, will exit the company following the completion of the deal.
The acquisition will see JAM integrated into Spark Eighteen Studio, where it will contribute to building and scaling new AI-driven products, particularly in the voice interface layer, an area gaining traction as businesses look to simplify interactions with customers and systems.
Commenting on the move, Spark Eighteen founder Aayush Narang said, “Voice is emerging as a dominant interface in how businesses interact with customers and systems. JAM brings a strong foundation in this space, and together we aim to accelerate the adoption of intelligent, scalable voice solutions globally.”
Echoing this sentiment, JAM co-founder Ashish Khurana said, “We’ve always believed voice AI will fundamentally reshape user experiences in the tech and digital space. By joining Spark Eighteen, we are set to scale capabilities, talent and deploy faster across global markets.”
With this acquisition, Spark Eighteen is doubling down on its AI-first strategy, combining product engineering, venture building and investment under a unified ecosystem. As voice continues to gain ground as the next big interface, the deal positions the company to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.
