Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has acquired the remaining 49% stake in plant‑based nutrition brand OZiva for ₹824 crore, making OZiva a wholly owned subsidiary of the FMCG major. The deal deepens HUL’s push into the premium health and wellness segment as consumer demand for preventive healthcare and clean-label supplements grows.
HUL consolidates ownership to scale OZiva
HUL initially bought a 51% controlling stake in OZiva in 2022, citing plans to scale the brand using its extensive distribution network and marketing expertise. By purchasing the remaining minority stake, HUL has moved from majority investor to full owner of the direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) brand, consolidating control to accelerate expansion.
The acquisition is consistent with HUL’s stated strategy of making “fewer, bigger bets” in high‑growth categories such as health, beauty and wellbeing. The wellness market in India has expanded rapidly, driven by rising health awareness, urbanisation, and higher disposable incomes among younger consumers.
OZiva’s positioning and performance
Founded in 2019, OZiva built its reputation on plant‑based protein powders, supplements and wellness products positioned as clean, transparent and science‑backed—an approach that resonated with digital‑first consumers. Since HUL’s initial investment, the brand has reported robust top‑line growth and narrowing losses as scale and operational efficiencies improved in FY25.
Integration with HUL has helped OZiva move beyond a pure D2C model. Leveraging HUL’s retail reach, the brand has strengthened its offline presence, increasing access in both metro and non‑metro markets.
Portfolio realignment underscores strategic focus
At the same time as acquiring the remaining OZiva stake, HUL approved the sale of its minority holding in Nutritionalab Private Limited (parent of Wellbeing Nutrition) to USV Private Limited for ₹307 crore. The divestment reflects HUL’s preference to concentrate resources on brands where it retains operational control, enabling more focused capital allocation and simpler integration.
Implications for the wellness and FMCG landscape
HUL’s full takeover of OZiva highlights a broader consolidation trend in India’s FMCG sector, with established players acquiring digitally native startups to capture higher‑margin, growth‑oriented categories. With full ownership, OZiva is expected to benefit from HUL’s R&D, sourcing and marketing capabilities, potentially accelerating product innovation and geographic reach.
For the startup ecosystem, the transaction signals strong exit opportunities in nutrition and wellness. As competition intensifies in plant‑based and supplement segments, HUL’s backing positions OZiva to compete more aggressively, supported by one of India’s largest distribution and marketing platforms.
