Co-Founder

About Upperi

Upperi is a premium snack brand from Kerala that focuses on authentic regional snacks free from palm oil, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Targeting the high-end snack segment, the company is fully established with incorporation, FSSAI licensing, GST registration, five SKUs, and manufacturing partnerships. Currently, Upperi is available through Kochi general trade, modern retail outlets, and online channels.

Position Overview

We seek a Co-Founder to join as an equity-holding partner involved in strategic decision-making from day one. This role is not a conventional job but an opportunity to co-build and scale a pioneering regional food brand from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Expand distribution networks across Kerala encompassing general trade, modern retail, and quick commerce, with eventual pan-India growth.
• Design and manage the structure for upcoming funding rounds.
• Develop the founding team covering sales, operations, and marketing functions.
• Guide brand strategy as Upperi introduces new SKUs, explores new markets, and enters export territories such as UAE, UK, USA, and Singapore (with IEC license in place).

Candidate Profile

• Commitment to invest a minimum of ₹25 Lakh as founder equity, not merely a financial stake.
• Passion for the Upperi mission focusing on clean-label and authentic regional snacks rather than generic snack products.
• Relevant experience in FMCG/D2C sectors, sales and distribution, brand development, supply chain management, or finance and fundraising.
• Ready to be actively involved hands-on during the startup’s foundational stages.
• Resident or able to be physically present in Kerala, especially Kochi.

Offerings

• Equity share as a founding partner, negotiable based on capital and role.
• Participation in strategic planning, fundraising, and key business decisions.
• Opportunity to join at the inception stage with complete compliance, manufacturing and warehousing contracts, and operational sales momentum.
• A clear three-year growth trajectory starting from Kerala to South India, expanding nationally, and targeting exports.