Reckitt Benckiser leads Rs 45 crore investment in Bombay Shaving Company

 The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the business for Bombay Shaving Company, which plans to scale its operations and cross Rs 150 crore top line by the end of this year

Reckitt Benckiser, the British multinational consumer goods company, has led a strategic investment round of Rs 45 crore in Visage Lines Personal Care Pvt. Ltd., the owner of the personal care brand Bombay Shaving Company (BSC).

The round also saw participation from individual HNIs (high net-worth individuals) such as Rajesh Sud from Bharti Enterprises, Anjali Bansal founder of Avaana Capital, and Kuldeep Jain, managing director of CleanMax Energy. The investment demonstrates RB’s commitment to innovative, purpose-driven brands and is in line with its strategy to play in new spaces and places.

“Our investment represents a commitment to bring the best of two worlds together, BSC’s expertise in digital-first brands with strong e-commerce capabilities, and RB’s expertise in branding, manufacturing, and global scale,” said Arjun Purkayastha, RB’s senior vice president, e-commerce, digital, and Ventures, who will join the board of Visage Lines board. “Together, this combination of complementary skills sets us up for huge success.”

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the business for BSC, which plans to scale its operations and cross Rs 150 crore top line by the end of this year. “The pandemic has created a few tailwinds and our business now is almost three times what it was pre-Covid,” said Shantanu Deshpande, founder CEO of Visage Lines.

Launched in 2016, BSC has a portfolio of over 100 products across shaving, bath and body, skin, and beard care. RB’s investment will support the company’s plans to scale its operations and provide BSC with access to RB’s global scale, expertise, and mentorship, helping to grow the startup as the leader in personal care for men and women.

“RB has an excellent record in building health and wellness brands over their 200-years heritage. Working in partnership, our young team is ambitious for what we can achieve together and scale our operations with an omnichannel presence,” said Deshpande.