Hailing from Kolkata, Abhishek saw the potential of the leather industry and the abundance of raw materials available in the city. With an entrepreneurial spirit burning within him, Abhishek decided to take a chance and bring his idea to life. In 2015, he launched an online store featuring premium quality leather bags and wallets designed for the youth market. His products were an instant hit and market validation gave him the confidence to dream bigger. Abhishek expanded his portfolio, introducing two new brands that targeted mid-range and premium customers separately. Today, his company boasts a wide range of leather products, including backpacks and tote bags, all designed with impeccable craftsmanship and an eye for detail.
A third-generation businessman, Abhishek had an epiphany during his third year of his B.Tech. He realized that he aspired to become an entrepreneur, driven by the vast potential for growth and the opportunity to make a positive impact on society.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Abhishek M Datta is a man on a mission, driven by a burning passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to make a real difference in the world. Recognizing the need for speedy delivery, he took bold steps to expand his leather business, opening offices and supply centers in five states across India by 2017. But Abhishek wasn’t content to stop there – he had bigger dreams and a global vision. In 2019, he launched his products in the United States, followed by Japan in 2020, marking a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.
But Abhishek’s entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop there. He launched subsequent startups in the food tech and startup investment areas. While his food-tech start-up is a cloud kitchen that offers multiple brand options to customers, the startup in the investing space concentrates on providing a holistic solution to fundraising for startups. They help them with documentation and mentoring, as well as connecting them to investors to raise funds.
With an MBA and an impressive track record of co-founding five start-ups since 2015, Abhishek M Datta is a true entrepreneur at heart. He is always on the lookout for like-minded individuals to join him in working towards common goals, and his enthusiasm for investing in early-stage start-ups is contagious.
As someone who understands the real challenges of founding and scaling a company, Abhishek has achieved remarkable growth, with his leather business alone exceeding ₹100Cr.
REPL Global
REPL Global is a fashion house co-founded in 2015 by Mr. Abhishek M Datta. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its reach beyond the borders of India and is now successfully doing business in Japan and the USA. What started as a single-city venture has now taken roots in multiple cities and countries.
They offer a wide range of pure leather products under the brand names of Vogard, Erasmus, and Contacts. These products are available on both offline and online platforms, providing customers with multiple options to choose from. With a focus on quality and innovation, REPL Global has become a trusted name in the leather industry, offering premium products that cater to the needs of customers worldwide.
MOJS
MOJS is a food and beverage startup that was co-founded by Mr. Abhishek M Datta in 2021. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a humble approach to a multi-cuisine, multi-brand, cloud kitchen model. Today, MOJS is catering to the culinary needs of several households and businesses.
With a focus on catering to all age groups and health concerns, MOJS has curated a diverse range of brands that cater to different tastes and preferences. These brands include Yoga Bowl, Chowology, Bhukkad Gorilla, Dil ka Dabba, and Nawab Darbar, all of which offer delicious and healthy food options.
Tauricorp Capital
Tauricorp Capital is an innovative startup that was founded by Mr. Abhishek M Datta. As the third venture of Mr. Datta, the company focuses on raising capital for other startups. At Tauricorp Capital, the team recognizes budding talents and works to hone their skills, sharpen their ideas, and connect them with investors who can help bring those ideas to life.
The primary aim of Tauricorp Capital is to assist early-stage startups in raising funding, which is a critical requirement for any new business venture. By leveraging their vast network of investors, Tauricorp Capital provides startups with the support they need to secure the funding necessary to grow and succeed.
Feats and challenges
Since its establishment in 2015, REPL Retail has accomplished numerous feats. They have expanded their operations pan-India, with offices in over seven states. They have also recently started exporting to the USA and Japan, resulting in significant revenue growth. Additionally, they are in negotiations with Amazon, and they are interested in investing in their company. In addition to these achievements, they founded MOJS only two years ago. Despite starting with just two brands, they have since expanded to include two more under their umbrella.
Some of Abhishek’s major accomplishments include receiving awards for:
- Business Leadership of the Year Award – NARF – 2022
- Indian Achiever’s Award – Young Entrepreneur Award – 2022
- High Flyers Appreciation Award – Business Innovation 2021
- CBBPR Awards 2021 – Top 100 Impactful Business Leaders India 2021
- Indian Achiever’s Award – Promising Company of the Year – 2021
- Gold Medal – MBA – Calcutta University
However, the journey hasn’t always been a cakewalk. One of the significant challenges for their e-commerce platform is to continuously innovate and remain relevant in the market. Achieving profitability and retaining customers in the fiercely competitive food industry was also a major challenge. Another significant obstacle Abhishek encountered was his lack of familiarity with the industries in which his businesses operated. Nevertheless, he persevered and acquired knowledge through self-learning and networking. He aspires to conquer additional business verticals and broaden his horizons in the future.
Plans for Future and Lessons Learned
Currently, REPL Retail has expansion plans in the works. Additionally, since they have already penetrated all the existing markets, they plan to gradually venture into different domains. They are also gearing up to introduce apparel products to their chain. As for MOJS, they are planning to open a few more outlets in Kolkata, followed by expanding to other states.
One of the most important lessons he has learned is that starting a business is relatively easy, but the true challenge lies in persevering through the inevitable difficulties. Quitting prematurely eliminates any chance of success.
