When Shantanu Deshpande founded Bombay Shaving Company (BSC) in 2016, India’s grooming market was at a crossroads. Men’s personal care was either dominated by generic FMCG giants or underserved by products that lacked sophistication and variety. Deshpande and his team saw an opportunity — to bring premium, purposeful grooming experiences to Indian men who wanted more than just shaving foam and razors.
Today, BSC stands tall as a category-defining brand, with ₹350+ crore in revenue, a strong omnichannel presence, and millions of loyal customers across India and Southeast Asia.
The Genesis of a Modern Grooming Movement
The idea was born out of a simple belief: Grooming should be a mindful ritual, not a rushed routine. Deshpande and his co-founders built Bombay Shaving Company around this ethos — combining premium products, design-led packaging, and an emotional connection with customers.
The brand’s flagship six-part shaving system became an instant hit among millennials who valued detail and indulgence. Soon, it expanded beyond shaving to offer a full range of beard care, skincare, bath, and fragrance products.
Unlike traditional grooming ads that relied on hyper-masculine stereotypes, BSC’s messaging emphasized self-expression, confidence, and individuality. Their tagline “For Men Who Care” captured this cultural shift perfectly.
Innovation and Expansion Beyond Razors
At its core, Bombay Shaving Company blends craftsmanship with innovation. Each product is designed after extensive R&D and user feedback — from razors engineered with Japanese blades to coffee-infused face scrubs and charcoal peel-off masks.
By 2022, the brand recognized the growing interest in unisex and women’s grooming and launched Bombay Shaving Company Women, expanding into hair removal, skincare, and personal hygiene.
The move paid off — women now account for nearly 25% of total sales, underscoring the brand’s ability to adapt to changing market needs.
Omnichannel Strength and Digital DNA
Bombay Shaving Company’s growth story mirrors the rise of India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem. Starting as an online-first brand, it quickly mastered digital storytelling through content marketing, influencer collaborations, and community engagement.
Its website and marketplaces like Amazon, Nykaa, and Flipkart helped it scale fast. But unlike many digital-only startups, BSC didn’t stop there — it expanded into 20,000+ offline stores, including Lifestyle, Health & Glow, and Reliance Retail.
By 2025, BSC products are available in 10+ international markets, signaling India’s entry into the global premium grooming segment.
Sustainability and Purpose
Sustainability is central to BSC’s identity. The brand uses recyclable packaging, promotes plastic neutrality, and invests in razor recycling drives. Its campaigns often spotlight men’s mental health, inclusivity, and self-care — a far cry from traditional notions of grooming.
In 2023, the company raised funding from Reckitt Benckiser, Sixth Sense Ventures, and Colgate-Palmolive, not just for scale but for R&D and sustainable product innovation.
Last Updated on: Saturday, November 1, 2025 6:41 pm by BUSINESS SAGA TEAM | Published by: BUSINESS SAGA TEAM on Saturday, November 1, 2025 6:41 pm | News Categories: Startup News
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