Fortune India Startup Summit: Bihar’s Makhana, Kannauj perfumes show how small towns can go global

Entrepreneurs and investors at the Fortune India Startup Summit 2026 said India’s smaller cities and towns hold immense potential to create globally competitive brands, provided they gain better access to technology, capital, and markets. Speaking at a session titled ‘Small towns, big dreams’, Satyajit Singh, Managing Director of Shakti Sudha Industries, popularly known as Bihar’s ‘Makhana Man’, said Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are rich in entrepreneurial opportunities.

“There are a lot of business ideas in smaller cities. People can create business models. They are highly dedicated. Many people working with me have been associated for the last 20 years. What we are lacking is technology and capital,” Singh said. He said his company is trying to replicate the global success of California almonds with Mithila Makhana. “What California almonds did for the world, I think we can repeat with Mithila Makhana for the entire world,” he said. 

Singh added that makhana is not intended to replace popcorn but can emerge as a healthier complementary snack. “We are not going to replace popcorn, but we can be alongside it. The world should have a better alternative,” he said. He also announced that the company has opened its first Pop and Mac Café in New Jersey as part of its global expansion plans. 

After building a 25-year-old makhana supply chain, Singh said the company is now focusing on direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels and strengthening its global presence. 

Pranav Kapoor, founder of PKapo Perfumes, said Kannauj’s centuries-old perfume-making legacy inspired him to build a modern global brand rooted in Indian heritage. 

“Kannauj is an ancient city. Perfumery has been practised there for over 3,000 years. Being born into a family that has been in the business for over 200 years has given me nothing but pride. I felt it was time the world knew about it,” Kapoor said. 

His expansion strategy, including acquisitions, is aimed at restoring Kannauj’s position as a global fragrance hub, Kapoor said. “The reason I am getting into acquisitions is to put Kannauj, the ancient perfume capital, at par with Milan, Florence, Paris or New York. It is about having multiple brands on the platform,” he said. 

He added that acquisitions are not merely about consolidating brands under Kannauj, but also about giving emerging labels a platform to grow. “My goal is direct competition with the world and to put India out there,” Kapoor said.  

On the other hand, Kannan Sitaram, co-founder of Fireside Ventures, said growing aspirations and improved market access are creating major opportunities for startups serving consumers in smaller towns. “There were many things consumers wanted to buy, but physical availability constrained them. With the increase in reach of different mediums, aspirations are now everywhere,” Sitaram said. 

He added that this was one of the reasons Fireside Ventures invested in Rozana, which he said was effectively addressing a key market gap.