10 years ago he dreamt of participating in MasterChef India. Today he sponsors it. Shark Tank judge Viraj Bahl's journey will inspire you

Sometimes, the journey to success begins with walking away from comfort and diving headfirst into chaos. That’s exactly what happened with the founder of Veeba, the brand now synonymous with sauces on every Indian dining table. In a world obsessed with overnight success, his story is a reminder that falling hard can sometimes be the first step toward flying high. What began as a dream in 2013 to be on MasterChef turned into reality a decade later, not as a contestant, but as the proud co-presenter of the iconic culinary show. The twist? He didn’t just follow his passion for food, he built an empire around it.

An engineering graduate with a well-paying job in the Merchant Navy, he spent his 20s sailing across oceans. But despite the stability and global exposure, something always felt missing. Food was where his heart truly lay. So, in 2009, he decided to risk it all, quitting his career to launch a restaurant chain in Delhi. He poured in his savings, hustled non-stop, and gave it everything he had. But after three years of battling operational costs and rising rents, the dream crashed. The restaurant had to shut down.

With no business and no income, he and his wife took the toughest decision of their lives: they sold their only asset, their home, and moved in with their parents to start from scratch. This time, however, he came armed with research. He had identified a clear gap in the Indian market: the lack of high-quality global-style sauces made in India. That’s how Veeba was born, not in a sleek office, but from a humble beginning backed by grit, sacrifice, and a vision.

The early days were slow, with orders trickling in. But then came the breakthrough, an order from Domino’s for 70 tons of sauce. It was the validation he needed. Soon, brands like KFC, Taco Bell, and Subway came knocking. His company’s growth skyrocketed, eventually crossing Rs 100 crore and becoming a household name across the country.

Food journey started in childhood

Viraj Bahl’s journey into the food industry began in his childhood, inspired by visits to his father’s factory. Though he initially aimed to study food technology, he opted for marine engineering. After completing the course and securing a well-paying job, Viraj fulfilled his father’s wish of proving his independence. Viraj decided to start anew with Veeba in 2013. By 2023, it had grown into India’s leading homegrown brand in the category, with Rs 811 crore revenue and presence in over 700 cities. He later joined Shark Tank India as a judge in season 4.