Epigamia’s co-founder dies of cardiac arrest: Who was Rohan Mirchandani?

Rohan Mirchandani, co-founder of Epigamia, India’s leading Greek yoghurt brand, died at 42 due to a cardiac arrest.

Mirchandani died on Saturday, according to a statement from Epigamia’s parent company.

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In 2013, he founded Drums Food International, the parent company of the healthy snacks brand.

Who was Rohan Mirchandani?

A graduate of NYU Stern and The Wharton School, he founded Drums Food International in 2013, transforming it from Hoki Poki ice cream to Epigamia, a leading Greek yoghurt and dairy brand in India.

Led by him, Epigamia expanded to over 20,000 retail touchpoints across 30 cities and was preparing to enter the Middle East market by 2025-26.

Following Mirchandani’s passing, Epigamia’s senior leadership team, including COO and founding member Ankur Goel and co-founder and director Uday Thakker, will continue to lead the company. The team backed by the board of directors, Mirchandani’s family, and key investors like Verlinvest and DSG Consumer Partners.

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“Rohan was our mentor, friend, and leader," Goel and Thakker said in a joint statement.

“We remain steadfast in our determination to carry forward his dream with strength and vigor. Rohan’s vision and values will continue to guide us as we work together to honor the foundation he built and ensure that his dream continues to flourish.”

The board described Mirchandani as a “visionary leader" whose passion left a lasting impact, adding, “We will work closely with the leadership of the company to take Rohan’s legacy to greater heights."

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Known for his innovative mindset, he shared his “eureka moment" during a business school lecture in Mumbai, which inspired him to address the lack of innovation in India’s FMCG sector. His vision included scaling Epigamia’s revenue to ₹250 crore by FY25 and exploring quick commerce avenues, News18 reported.

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Rohan Mirchandani’s net worth

Although his net worth remains undisclosed, Mirchandani was the largest shareholder among the founding members. His share in Epigamia stood at 4.7% as of the last funding round in December 2023, slightly down from 4.8%.

Other co-founders, including Ganesh Krishnamoorthy (1%), Uday Thakker (0.4%), Rahul Jain (0.4%), and Milap Shah (0.3%), hold smaller stakes in the company.

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What causes cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest can happen due to several factors, with undiagnosed heart conditions being a major cause. One such condition is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic disorder that thickens the heart muscle and causes electrical instability, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac events.

Lifestyle and environmental triggers also play a major role. Intense physical exertion without proper medical screening, and substance abuse, including recreational drugs like cocaine or excessive alcohol, can lead to arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, The Times of India reported.

Further, stress and lifestyle-related issues, such as poor sleep, unhealthy diets, and chronic stress, may accelerate the onset of heart conditions, increasing the risk of cardiac complications.

Mirchandani’s sudden death comes after the passing of several other startup leaders. Rohan Malhotra, co-founder and managing partner of Good Capital, died on October 1, 2023. In August 2023, Ambareesh Murty, the 51-year-old co-founder of Pepperfry, died of a cardiac arrest during a biking trip in Leh.

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Tributes pour in

Epigamia co-founders Ankur Goel and Uday Thakker expressed their grief in a statement, saying, “All of us at the Epigamia family will deeply mourn this loss. Rohan was our mentor, friend, and leader…Rohan’s vision and values will continue to guide us as we work together to honour the foundation he built and ensure that his dream continues to flourish.”

Entrepreneur Vishal Gondal wrote on X, “We’ve known each other since the days he started Epic Omega, and I’ve always admired his passion and determination. Rohan would often share his newest creations with me, seeking feedback - it was a privilege to witness his inspiring entrepreneurial journey up close. We recently met at Bay Club, and I could never have imagined it would be our last meeting.”

Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta also shared her thoughts on X, saying, “It is heartbreaking to see stories of so many folks I know losing their lives in their 40s and 50s to heart attacks and stress-related ailments. It makes you question a lot of things.”

It is heartbreaking to see stories of so many folks I know losing their lives in their 40s and 50s to heart attacks and stress related ailments. It makes you question a lot of things.

As I get older my greatest learning to manage stress is to be grateful. Rich lists and power…

— Radhika Gupta (@iRadhikaGupta) December 22, 2024

“As I get older my greatest learning to manage stress is to be grateful. Rich lists and power lists will make you believe life is a race, but there is always someone who has more … and many who have less. Count the blessings and live the moments."

About Epigamia

Epigamia is a popular snack brand offering healthy and convenient food products. Its range includes yoghurt, milkshakes, almond drinks, smoothies, cheese, and flavoured yoghurts. Initially launched as Hoki Poki ice cream, the company shifted focus on yoghurt due to the seasonal nature of the ice cream business.

Known for introducing Greek yoghurt to Indian consumers, Epigamia’s products are marketed as preservative-free, plant-based, and lactose-free. The brand operates under its parent company, Drum Foods International Pvt. Ltd., which released the statement announcing Rohan Mirchandani’s passing.

Despite strong competition from brands like Country Delight (31% market share), Akshayakalpa (20%), Milky Kool (13%), Sid’s Farm (13%), and Native Milk (13%), Epigamia holds a 6% market share, Mint reported citing Tracxn data.