Ravi Kabra Biography: Building Skippi Ice Pops Empire
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- July 9, 2025
Ravi Kabra, born in 1985 in Hyderabad, India, is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Skippi Ice Pops, India’s first ice pop brand. With his wife, Anuja Kabra, he transformed a nostalgic treat into a multi-crore business. This Ravi Kabra biography explores his early life, career growth, struggles, comeback, current influence, and lesser-known facts, highlighting his journey from corporate success to startup stardom.
Ravi Kabra’s Early Life
Hyderabad Upbringing
Born into a middle-class family in Hyderabad, Ravi Kabra grew up with a strong work ethic instilled by his parents. His father ran a small business, which exposed Ravi to entrepreneurship early on. A curious student, he excelled in academics and developed a knack for problem-solving, laying the groundwork for his future ventures.
Academic Achievements
Ravi completed his schooling at All Saints High School, where he served as School Pupil Leader, showcasing early leadership. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry from St. Mary’s Junior College and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from St. Joseph’s Degree College. His elocution wins during college honed his communication skills, vital for his later entrepreneurial pitches.
Ravi Kabra’s Career Growth
Corporate Experience
Before Skippi, Ravi Kabra built a 17-year career in the food and beverage sector. He worked as an Export Consultant at DuPont in Sydney, Australia, gaining expertise in international trade. Later, roles at George Weston Foods and Kuehne+Nagel sharpened his skills in market strategy and business development. These experiences prepared him for entrepreneurship.
Founding Skippi Ice Pops
In April 2021, Ravi and Anuja launched Skippi Ice Pops, inspired by childhood “ice pepsis” and their time in Australia. Using 100% natural ingredients like RO water and stevia, Skippi targeted all age groups. Their Shark Tank India Season 1 appearance in 2021 secured a historic all-shark deal of ₹1 crore, skyrocketing sales from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore monthly.
Struggles and Down Phases
Family Tragedy
Ravi faced a personal blow when his father was diagnosed with oral cancer, forcing him to return to India from Australia. This tragedy disrupted his career plans and added emotional strain. Despite the setback, he sought new opportunities in Hyderabad, determined to start something meaningful.
COVID-19 Challenges
Skippi’s launch coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, halting production for a year. Ravi and Anuja incurred losses in rentals and distribution, testing their resilience. However, they used this time to research market gaps, ensuring Skippi’s unique positioning as a fun, natural ice pop brand.
Comeback and Rise to Fame
Skippi’s Shark Tank India pitch in 2021 marked Ravi’s comeback. The all-shark deal, praised by Aman Gupta of boAt, boosted Skippi’s visibility. By 2022, Skippi won the Franchise India Small Business Award and the Economic Times Award for Corporate Excellence. Their innovative Skippi Freezer Bikes, launched in August 2022, expanded distribution, cementing Ravi’s reputation as a visionary entrepreneur.
Current Status and Influence
Entrepreneurial Success
As of June 2025, Ravi Kabra leads Skippi Ice Pops, with a net worth of ₹10–15 crore from the brand’s success and investments. Skippi is sold in 15,000 stores across India and online on Amazon and Flipkart, capturing a share of the $6 billion Indian ice cream market. Ravi’s team has grown from 14 to 400 employees.
Personal Life and Impact
Married to Anuja Kabra, Ravi balances family and business in Hyderabad. He mentors budding entrepreneurs through workshops and supports local startups via eChai Ventures. His focus on natural ingredients and fun branding inspires health-conscious brands. Skippi’s nostalgic appeal continues to resonate with consumers, driving its growth.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Corporate Veteran: Worked 17 years in food and beverage before Skippi.
- Shark Tank History: Secured India’s first all-shark deal in 2021.
- Leadership Early: Named School Pupil Leader in high school.
- Innovative Distribution: Launched Skippi Freezer Bikes in 2022.
- Mentorship: Trained 500+ individuals in import-export business.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ravi Kabra |
| Born | 1985, Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Skippi Ice Pops |
| Notable Work | Skippi Ice Pops, Shark Tank India Season 1 |
| Marital Status | Married to Anuja Kabra |
| Net Worth | ~₹10–15 crore ($1.2–1.8 million, 2025) |
| Awards | Franchise India Small Business Award (2022), Economic Times Award (2022) |
Conclusion
This Ravi Kabra biography showcases a journey of vision and grit. From a corporate career to co-founding Skippi Ice Pops, Ravi Kabra overcame personal tragedy and pandemic challenges to build a multi-crore brand. His Shark Tank success, innovative distribution, and 2025 influence inspire entrepreneurs, proving passion and perseverance can transform a childhood treat into a nationwide sensation.
