Startup Industry Mourns Epigamia Cofounder Rohan Mirchandani’s Demise at 42

-Mirchandani's untimely passing left his friends, peers, and the startup ecosystem in shock, with many turning to social media to express their pain and pay tribute to the entrepreneur.

-Epigamia's parent company, Drums Food International, announced that the startup's senior leadership will continue managing its daily operations.

-Mirchandani's tragic death follows the passing of other prominent Indian entrepreneurs, including Ambareesh Murty, cofounder of Pepperfry, last year, and Rohan Malhotra, cofounder of Good Capital, in October this year.

The Indian startup industry comprising approximately 1, 27,433 startups as of April 2024, has come forward in paying tribute to the shocking demise of 42 years old Rohan Mirchandani. Mirchandani, the cofounder of the yogurt brand Epigamia, tragically passed away on Sunday due to a cardiac arrest.

"Rohan was a mentor, friend and leader. We remain steadfast in our determination to carry forward his dream with strength and vigour," said Epigamia cofounders Ankur Goel and Uday Thakker, in a press statement.

Mirchandani's untimely passing left his friends, peers, and the startup ecosystem in shock, with many turning to social media to express their pain and pay tribute to the entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur Vishal Gondal shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "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 latest creations with me, seeking feedback—it was a privilege to witness his inspiring entrepreneurial journey firsthand. We recently met at Bay Club, and I could never have imagined it would be our last meeting."

Billionaire Harsh Mariwala was among those who paid tribute to Rohan Mirchandani, the Epigamia CEO. The chairman of Marico shared a photo of himself with Mirchandani, reflecting on their association.

"I had the privilege of collaborating with Rohan through the ASCENT Foundation, where his insights and enthusiasm inspired our community of over 1,000 entrepreneurs," Mariwala said. 

He added that Mirchandani's passing is a significant loss to the entrepreneurial community.

Epigamia's parent company, Drums Food International, announced that the startup's senior leadership will continue managing its daily operations. The board, which includes Rohan Mirchandani's father, Raj Mirchandani, will also provide support for the business' ongoing operations, as stated in a press release.

Mirchandani had earlier stepped down from the CEO post in 2023, giving the charge to Rahul Jain.

Mirchandani's death from a heart attack follows the passing of other prominent Indian entrepreneurs, including Ambareesh Murty, cofounder of Pepperfry, last year, and Rohan Malhotra, cofounder of Good Capital, in October this year.

These deaths highlight the growing challenges and pressures faced by entrepreneurs, leaving the community to reflect on their legacies and contributions to India's dynamic startup scene.

Mirchandani graduated from the prestigious Stern School of Business at New York University and the Wharton School, before founding Drums Food International in 2013. The startup became the parent of Epigamia, a new-age FMCG brand that has since grown into India’s leading Greek yogurt brand.

In previous interviews, Mirchandani shared that attending a lecture in Mumbai on consumer brands and the lack of innovation in the FMCG sector inspired him to establish Epigamia.