Hipcask

Hipcask, operating under the legal entity Appvintage Solutions Pvt Ltd, was a Mumbai-based mobile platform focused on the discovery of alcoholic beverages. Founded in 2012 by Aneesh Bhasin and Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya, the company initially launched as the "Indian Wine List" before rebranding. Bhasin, a professional photographer with a passion for wine, identified a gap in the Indian market for a consumer-focused platform to navigate the beverage industry. Mukhopadhyaya brought over eight years of experience in software and automation solutions to the venture.

The core of Hipcask's business was a smartphone application that served as a digital sommelier for wines, spirits, and beers. The platform was designed to help consumers make informed decisions, whether at a retail shop or a restaurant. Its database contained information on over 1,100 wines, providing users with details, tasting notes, and pairing recommendations. A key feature allowed users to input the food they were eating, and the app would suggest a suitable wine pairing. For select restaurants, primarily in Mumbai, the service offered specific pairing recommendations from the establishment's menu.

The business model evolved from content and discovery to include a transactional layer. Revenue was initially generated through advertising and co-branding opportunities, leveraging the original content created by the platform. In February 2015, Hipcask expanded into alcohol delivery, although this was geographically limited. The company later introduced a loyalty program with pre-paid cards called "Passports" for beverages like coffee and craft beer, which could be used across multiple partner brands. Hipcask secured two rounds of funding, with its latest seed round in October 2016 from investors including Mobikon and Bold and Subtra. This investment led to a strategic partnership with Mobikon, integrating Hipcask's services into a broader food and beverage management platform. Corporate filings for Appvintage Solutions Private Limited show the company's last balance sheet was filed for the financial year ending March 31, 2017, and its current corporate status is listed as "Strike Off," indicating it is no longer operational.

Keywords: beverage discovery, digital sommelier, wine pairing app, spirits database, beer guide, alcohol delivery, food and beverage tech, restaurant tech, mobile commerce, loyalty program, Appvintage Solutions, Aneesh Bhasin, Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya, Indian Wine List, Mumbai startup, alcohol e-commerce, wine recommendation, craft beer app, beverage industry, consumer platform