Rohan Sangoi (Rio Innobev)

Image for Rohan Sangoi (Rio Innobev)

Overview

Rohan Sangoi is a prominent figure in the Indian beverage industry, known as a co-founder of Rio Innobev Pvt Ltd. Born into a family with a long history in the beverage business, Rohan, along with his cousins Rahul and Rajiv Sangoi, launched Rio Innobev in 2014. The company specializes in innovative beverage products such as the RIO Bubbly Fruit Drink and RIO BOOM Energy Drink, which have rapidly gained popularity among Gen Z and millennial consumers in India. Rohan Sangoi has played a significant role in brand activation, striving to make RIO a household name through strategic alliances and promotional campaigns.

Recent Developments

  • April 2025: Rio Innobev secured INR 10 crore from Atomic Capital in a pre-Series A funding round. This capital will drive the company’s plans to triple its retail presence from 35,000 to 100,000 outlets over the next three years, enhancing their omnichannel presence across modern trade, quick commerce, and e-commerce channels.

  • 2024: Rio BOOM's popularity surged, particularly in Maharashtra, due to its accessible pricing and aggressive marketing strategies. The company aimed to transform India's energy drink market by positioning Rio BOOM as a cost-effective alternative to more expensive energy drinks.

  • 2023: Rio Innobev continued its aggressive expansion in Maharashtra and Gujarat, achieving significant market penetration.

  • Pre-2023: Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rio Innobev maintained its growth, innovating with new product lines and increasing export reach.

Personal Information

AttributeInformation
Full NameRohan Bharat Sangoi
Born---
NationalityIndian
OccupationCo-Founder, Head-Brand Activation
Known ForRio Innobev
Net WorthNot publicly disclosed
Education---

Early Life and Education

Rohan Sangoi's early life details remain less public, but he grew up in Pune, India, linked to a family deeply entrenched in the beverage industry. The Sangoi family had previous ventures in traditional drinks, and this background undoubtedly influenced Rohan’s career choices. His educational background remains relatively undisclosed, but his professional journey indicates a strong affinity for business management, marketing, and brand development. The skills he acquired became instrumental when, along with his cousins Rahul and Rajiv, he co-founded Rio Innobev. The entrepreneurial environment in the Sangoi household provided Rohan with invaluable insights into the dynamics of starting and sustaining a successful business, pushing him to innovate within the traditional beverage framework.

Career and Notable Achievements

Rohan Sangoi's career trajectory is marked by his pivotal role in establishing Rio Innobev as a frontrunner in the Indian beverage market.

  • 2014: Founded Rio Innobev alongside Rahul and Rajiv Sangoi, focusing on creating beverages that cater to the modern Indian palate with products like RIO Bubbly Fruit Drink and RIO BOOM Energy Drink.
  • 2015 Onwards: Spearheaded the brand activation and marketing strategies that led to RIO becoming synonymous with innovative, taste-forward beverages in over 35,000 outlets in India.
  • 2025: Successfully facilitated Rio Innobev’s first major funding round, a significant achievement pointing towards the brand's growing market influence and financial robustness.

Current Work and Impact

Rohan Sangoi currently serves as the Head of Brand Activation at Rio Innobev. His work focuses on expanding the company’s reach, strengthening its brand presence, and ensuring that the product offerings remain aligned with consumer preferences. The impact of his work is evident as RIO products continue to disrupt the beverage market, offering affordable, innovative beverage options as viable alternatives to legacy brands. Under his co-leadership, the company remains committed to maintaining its EBITDA positive status and scaling its market presence steadily.

Conclusion

Rohan Sangoi’s work with Rio Innobev has been instrumental in redefining the beverage landscape in India. His efforts in brand building, strategic market positioning, and innovative product offerings continue to garner consumer loyalty and industry recognition. As Rio Innobev aims to become a Rs 500 crore brand in the coming years, Rohan’s role in driving this vision showcases potential for significant future impacts not only in the Indian market but potentially on a global platform as well.

References

  1. Indian Startup News - Rio Innobev Funding
  2. Entrepreneur - Rio Innobev Retail Expansion
  3. Outlook India - Rio Boom Popularity
  4. Entrackr - Funding Announcement
  5. Enjoy Rio - Company Background
  6. VCCircle - Founders Strategy