USK Capital, the family office of billionaire banker Uday Kotak, has made a significant move by acquiring a majority stake in Freeland Foods LLC. This company owns the popular US-based seed-snack brand called Go Raw. The sellers in this transaction include Juggernaut Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, along with several other early-stage investors. Financial details of the deal remain undisclosed at this time.
A Strategic First for USK Capital
This acquisition holds multiple layers of importance for USK Capital. It represents the family office's very first investment outside Indian borders. It also marks their maiden exposure to the consumer sector. Most importantly, it serves as a strategic step toward building a diversified global portfolio over the long term.
Embracing the Global Health Trend
Venkat Subramanian, the chief investment officer at USK Capital, highlighted the rationale behind the investment. "Healthy eating is a growing global trend, and the US consumer is increasingly embracing it," he stated. "Go Raw has demonstrated robust growth over the years and has steadily expanded its retail footprint across the US."
The brand focuses on nutrient-dense seeds like pumpkin, chia, and flax seeds. These products are gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers worldwide. Based in the Chicago area, Go Raw positions itself as a "better-for-you" snacking brand. Its product portfolio is quite diverse:
- Sprouted seeds
- Granola
- Salad toppers
- Cluster snacks
Reports indicate that healthy snacking options are seeing a surge in popularity. Even major food delivery platforms are capitalizing on this consumer shift toward wellness.
Building a Global Consumer Portfolio
For USK Capital, this deal underscores a calibrated push into global consumer businesses. The focus is on companies with strong brand equity and clear scalability. The family office manages the personal wealth of Uday Kotak, the founder and former chief executive of Kotak Mahindra Bank. This bank is India's third-largest private sector lender by market value. The Kotak family currently holds about 26% of the bank's shares.
Looking Beyond Domestic Shores
The acquisition of Go Raw clearly signals USK Capital's intent to look beyond domestic opportunities. The family office is actively building a long-term, globally-diversified investment platform. This platform will be anchored in scalable, consumer-focused businesses that show strong growth potential. The move into the US market with a health-focused brand is a calculated step in this strategic direction.
