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So, you know what’s really cool? This incredible mother-daughter team, Simran and Tina Bapu, are completely changing the Indian dessert landscape with their clean-label bakery, Paleoo Bakes! Since 2019, they’ve been creating these amazing delights that are not only incredibly tasty but also incredibly healthy—without a trace of processed sugar, gluten, or maida! Tina is an incredible pastry chef, while Simran contributes her knowledge of nutrition. And guess what? They just nailed it on Shark Tank India, securing a Rs 1 crore investment to take Paleoo Bakes to the next level!
Simran, who holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, is passionate about creating wholesome meals that taste great. Together with her mother, Tina Bapu, who has a knack for baking and a love of trying out healthy ingredients, they have developed a revolutionary brand. Paleoo Bakeshas had an incredible 
journey, growing 200% year over year and turning a 38% profit after taxes, from modest beginnings in their home kitchen during the epidemic to a 2000 square foot cloud kitchen in Versova. That’s amazing! Simran and Tina are at the forefront of clean-label baking, which is undoubtedly the way of the future. Who knew eating well could taste so delicious? Can’t wait to see what they do next! The update comes straight from the founders themselves.
In India, “healthy dessert” was still a niche idea when you started Paleoo Bakes in 2019. What were the first indications that your vision of a clean-label future would be accurate and scalable?
Simran Bapu: When we first started out, folks would come to us just asking for something “healthy,” but they weren’t necessarily sure what that meant in terms of nutrition or ingredients. What was most notable was how those discussions began to change over time. Consumers started to inquire carefully about certain ingredients, nutritional information and the sources of our goods. It demonstrated to us that people were becoming more conscious of their dietary choices. Parents searching for truly healthier solutions for their children as well as people with diabetes, thyroid problems and PCOD began placing repeat purchases with us. For us, that was a true turning point. It became evident that this was a deeper, more deliberate movement towards thoughtful, educated eating rather than merely a fad.
As a clinical nutritionist (Simran) and a pastry chef (Tina), you both embody opposite extremes of the food spectrum: self-control and decadence. What impact did this dichotomy have on its identity as a concept?
Simran Bapu: As a clinical nutritionist, I brought science and credibility to the table, ensuring that every ingredient we used had a purpose and was supported by nutritional value, while my mother, with her experience as a pastry chef, made sure that taste and experience were never compromised. This balance between discipline and indulgence allowed us to create desserts that felt truly indulgent but came with zero guilt and it significantly shaped our core philosophy: you shouldn’t have to choose between health and happiness. That’s exactly what we wanted it to stand for.
It has experienced a 38% PAT and 200% annual growth. What do these figures reveal about changing Indian customer attitudes as well as your business savvy?
Simran Bapu: These figures accurately capture our dedication as well as the changing attitudes of Indian consumers. Despite the fact that our products cost a little more than typical desserts, consumers are becoming more aware of what they put into their bodies. They would rather spend a bit more on guilt-free, clean treats than later medications. It demonstrates a move toward preventive options and it’s heartening to see that consumers now prioritise health, quality and transparency over low costs alone.
What have been the most significant turning points or instances of reinvention in your path, from placing your first order to establishing a 2000 square foot cloud kitchen?
Simran Bapu: The transition from our home kitchen to a 2,000 square foot cloud kitchen was one of the most significant turning moments in our lives. It wasn’t an overnight success; rather, it was the consequence of consistent, natural expansion and a strong indication from our clients that demand was surpassing our initial setup. Although scaling up was necessary, we were adamant about maintaining it’s handcrafted touch and quality. The change in customer thinking during this phase was what was most noticeable. Desserts that felt decadent but guilt-free and truly nourishing were what people wanted, not simply diet-friendly or sugar-free options. Every phase of expansion reaffirmed how crucial it is to maintain flexibility and a close relationship with our clients’ changing needs.
You were able to acquire a Rs 1 crore investment on Shark Tank India. What did that experience teach you about communicating a bigger purpose in a high-stakes situation?
Simran Bapu: Shark Tank taught us that effectively expressing the “why” behind your brand is more important than simply proposing a product. You just have a few minutes to convince others of your greater purpose in a situation like that, where the stakes are so high. For us, it was about demonstrating that it is more than just a dessert company—we’re supporting a movement toward enjoyment that is mindful and guilt-free. The encounter truly forced us to hone our narrative, make our mission clear, and express the more profound influence we wish to have on people’s lives. It made us realise that people relate to you on a deeper level than just your product when your mission is obvious.
Do you have concerns about “healthy washing” in the F&B industry as the clean-label movement gets traction?
Simran Bapu: Indeed, there is a lot of “healthy washing” that can confuse customers as the market for healthy desserts becomes more competitive. However, I bring genuine credibility to the table as a clinical nutritionist, which is what makes us unique. It’s about comprehending the science of food and nutrition together, not just about utilizing trendy terms. Since most ordinary bakeries do not possess that level of expertise, we are able to maintain our integrity and transparency rather than merely adhering to a marketing fad.
How can the essence of traditional Indian desserts be combined with the science of nutrition, particularly when rethinking traditional recipes without the use of butter, sugar, or maida?
Simran Bapu: It’s undoubtedly a fine balance. From gluten-free flours that are easier to digest to natural sweeteners with a lower glycemic impact to healthy fats that fuel the body, the science of nutrition assists us in carefully choosing components that offer genuine functional benefits. Preserving the essence of classic Indian desserts—their coziness, nostalgia and decadence—is just as crucial. To help individuals enjoy the flavors they grew up with while still supporting their health objectives, we strive to recreate the same depth and emotional connection. It’s about preserving the heritage of these recipes while adapting them for the conscientious consumer of today, making sure they are satisfied without sacrificing anything.
Compromise is a common danger associated with scaling. What are the unavoidables that will shape its future as it transitions to FMCG retail and wider distribution?
Simran Bapu: Quality is the foundation of our brand and the confidence we have earned in our community, thus it is absolutely non-negotiable to us. We are not just expanding our reach but also establishing a new standard for clean-label sweets in India as we expand into FMCG and wider distribution. To guarantee that every product satisfies the highest standards of ingredient integrity, food safety, and consistency in flavor and texture, we have made significant investments in R&D and developed strong SOPs. Our procedures, which range from obtaining premium, ethically produced products to strict quality control, are made to be uncompromising. However, our path is personal and goes beyond the scientific. A mother-daughter desire to make decadent pastries that nourish rather than hurt gave rise to it.
In an entrepreneurial climate that is dominated by men, what has it meant to establish a firm as a mother-daughter team?
Simran Bapu: To be honest, we have never worked in an entrepreneurial structure that is controlled by men, therefore it was never our main concern. It has always been about our shared passion and mission. Our greatest strength has been that we are a mother-daughter team, with one contributing the taste and the other the vision. Of course, there are bad days, but we always persevere because of our mutual trust, understanding and desire to create something significant.
How do you envision indulgence in India developing in the future?
Simran Bapu: It is obvious that indulgence in India will shift in the future toward more thoughtful, knowledgeable decisions. Individuals desire the best of both worlds; they long for that comforting, nostalgic flavor but no longer wish to bear the associated guilt. It all comes down to finding a balance: indulging in sweets that are both decadent and beneficial to the body and mind. Our goal is to spearhead this trend by establishing a new standard for inclusive, transparent, clean-label desserts that accommodate a range of lifestyles and health requirements. We want enjoyment without guilt to become the rule rather than the exception.
