A Collaborative Initiative of Andhra Chamber of Commerce & Jalappa Foundation for Innovation & Incubation

Andhra Chamber of Commerce (ACC), in collaboration with the Jalappa Foundation for Innovation & Incubation (JFII), Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education & Research, is bringing together innovators, startups and businesses from the FMCG ecosystem through FMCG Cohort 2026.

The initiative is designed to create a bridge between FMCG innovators with market-ready products and the business community that understands markets, customers, distribution and commercialisation.

The objective is not only to discuss entrepreneurship, but to help promising FMCG innovations move closer to the market by creating opportunities for interaction, feedback, mentorship, market connect and potential business linkages.

What is FMCG Cohort 2026?

FMCG Cohort 2026 is a Go-to-Market platform for FMCG innovators and startups.

The cohort will bring together selected innovators and startups who have:

• Developed FMCG products that are ready for market
• Products that are already being sold in the market
• Innovative products with potential for wider market expansion
• New brands seeking access to customers, distributors, retailers and business partners
• Entrepreneurs looking for guidance on scaling their FMCG business

The programme will focus on the practical challenges involved in moving an FMCG product from innovation to market adoption and market expansion.

The cohort will cover areas such as:

• Understanding the target market and customer
• Product-market fit
• Brand positioning and value proposition
• Pricing and commercial strategy
• Packaging and presentation
• Distribution and channel strategy
• Retail and modern trade opportunities
• Digital and direct-to-consumer channels
• Market access and business networking
• Scaling from local to regional and national markets
• Feedback from experienced FMCG businesses and market practitioners

The programme will provide a platform for innovators to present, receive feedback, learn from industry and explore market opportunities.

ACC’s Role – Enabling Go-to-Market

Through the P BRAHMAYYA Centre for Knowledge Incubation, Andhra Chamber of Commerce extends its role beyond conventional chamber activities to support entrepreneurship, startups and MSMEs.

ACC’s Business Incubation initiative is designed to provide startups with support including mentorship and market assistance, while leveraging the Chamber’s business knowledge and market networks.

For FMCG Cohort 2026, the Chamber’s role is to facilitate the Go-to-Market connect between innovators and the established business ecosystem.

ACC will facilitate:

Market Connect
Connecting innovators with businesses and professionals who understand FMCG markets, customers and channels.

Industry Interaction
Providing opportunities for startups to present their products and business propositions before experienced members of the business community.

Business Feedback
Creating a platform for constructive feedback on product positioning, pricing, packaging, channels and market readiness.

Market Network Access
Leveraging the Chamber’s business network to explore potential relationships with distributors, retailers, manufacturers, service providers and other ecosystem participants.

Mentorship & Knowledge
Facilitating interaction with experienced business leaders and practitioners who can help innovators understand the realities of taking an FMCG product to market.

Potential Business Linkages
Where there is mutual interest, the cohort can create opportunities for further conversations, partnerships, distribution relationships, collaborations and market access.

The objective is to help innovators move from:

PRODUCT → MARKET → CUSTOMERS → SCALE

Who Should Participate in the Cohort?

FMCG Innovators & Startups

The cohort is particularly relevant for innovators and entrepreneurs who have:

• A market-ready FMCG product
• A product that is already in the market
• An innovative FMCG concept requiring market validation
• A new FMCG brand looking to expand its market presence
• A differentiated food, beverage, personal care, home care or other consumer product
• A need for better understanding of distribution, retail or market-entry strategies
• An ambition to scale from a local market to wider regional or national markets

The focus is therefore on products that are beyond the purely conceptual stage and have the potential to enter, strengthen or expand their presence in the market.

Why Should ACC Members from the FMCG Sector Participate?

The cohort is not only for startups.

ACC members from the FMCG sector are an important part of the programme.

Members who are manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, brand owners, marketing professionals, channel partners and other businesses connected with FMCG are invited to participate and engage with the innovators.

 Members can:

Discover New Products & Brands
Get an early look at emerging FMCG products and innovative consumer brands.

Listen to Startup Pitches
Hear innovators present their products, business propositions and market ambitions.

Identify Potential Business Opportunities
Explore possibilities for distribution, retail, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing, collaboration or other commercial relationships.

Share Industry Experience
Provide practical feedback to entrepreneurs based on real-world FMCG experience.

Support the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Help promising innovators understand what it takes to succeed in the market.

Build New Business Connections
Meet entrepreneurs, innovators and emerging FMCG brands through the Chamber platform.

An Opportunity for the FMCG Business Community

For established FMCG businesses, the cohort provides an opportunity to look beyond existing products and markets and discover what the next generation of FMCG entrepreneurs is building.

For startups, it provides access to a business community that can help answer one of the most important questions after product development:

“How do we take this product to the market and scale it?”

The FMCG Cohort 2026 therefore seeks to create a two-way ecosystem:

INNOVATORS
Present products • Seek feedback • Explore market opportunities

↕

BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Evaluate products • Share experience • Identify opportunities • Enable market access

 Join the FMCG Cohort 2026

Andhra Chamber of Commerce invites its members from the FMCG and allied sectors to participate in this two-day programme, interact with innovators and startups, listen to their pitches and explore opportunities to support or collaborate with emerging FMCG businesses.

Programme Details

Dates: 5 & 6 September 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Andhra Chamber of Commerce, Chennai
Duration: 2 Days
Participation Fee: ₹500 per person

Click the Link to register : https://forms.gle/YWviCYqSpzMP55rR7

Scan the QR Code to Register

Be part of the conversation.

Discover the next generation of FMCG products.
Connect innovators with the market.