Shantanu Deshpande: Shaping the Future of Men’s Grooming
Introduction
Historically, men’s grooming has often been overshadowed by the focus on women’s beauty routines. Recently, however, this narrative has shifted. Men’s grooming has gained prominence, with an increasing array of skincare products, hair styling tools, and grooming services now catering to men seeking to enhance their appearance and confidence.
One individual who recognized this shift and capitalized on it is Shantanu Deshpande. He has made significant strides in transforming the Indian grooming industry with his innovative approach.
Shantanu Deshpande – Biography
- Name: Shantanu Deshpande
- Birthplace: Dallas, United States
- Born: 1987
- Education: B.Tech in Computer Science (Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur), MBA (IIM Lucknow)
- Position: Co-founder and CEO, Bombay Shaving Company
Early Life and Education
Shantanu Deshpande was born in Dallas but moved to India with his family in 1997. His father, Kiran Deshpande, worked with TCS in the US before the family relocated. Shantanu grew up in Indore, inspired by his father’s success in building companies from scratch. He completed his schooling at Vikhe Patil School in Pune and pursued a B.Tech degree at VNIT, Nagpur. Ambitious and driven, Shantanu went on to earn an MBA from IIM Lucknow.
Career Journey
After completing his MBA, Shantanu began his career at McKinsey & Company, where he honed his skills and attributes his professional growth. After five years, he chose to embark on his entrepreneurial journey and co-founded Bombay Shaving Company in 2016 with Deepu Panicker, Raunak Munot, and Rohit Jaiswal.
Bombay Shaving Company
Founded in 2016, Bombay Shaving Company is a high-end direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand specializing in men’s grooming products. The company offers a range of items including trimmers, razors, and skincare products. Expanding its scope, Bombay Shaving Company ventured into women’s personal care with the launch of ‘Bombae’ in 2022, which has been met with considerable success.
The company’s strong online presence helped it weather the challenges of the pandemic better than many competitors, thanks to its direct-to-consumer model.
Investments
Shantanu Deshpande has made 13 investments across various startups. His recent investments include:
- Ginglani Distillers (Series A, ₹125 million, March 26, 2024)
- Relso (Pre-Seed Round, $840k, March 19, 2024)
- Fiona Diamonds (Seed Round, ₹60 million, March 12, 2024)
- All Is Well (Seed Round, ₹20.7 million, August 9, 2023)
- Go Zero (Seed Round, $1 million, August 8, 2023)
Controversy
In 2022, Shantanu faced controversy over a social media post advocating for long working hours. Critics accused him of promoting a “toxic work culture.” In response, Shantanu clarified that his intent was to encourage dedication and effort, not to literally work 18 hours a day.
Awards and Recognitions
Shantanu Deshpande was recognized as one of Fortune India’s 40 Under 40 in 2022.
Interesting Facts
- Shantanu was a member of his college football team and served as the sports secretary.
- He played the Tabla in his college band and is passionate about music.
- He has been an ambassador for the Olympic Gold Quest.
Podcast
Shantanu Deshpande hosts “The Barber Shop,” a popular video podcast that features discussions with entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders. The show has garnered a substantial viewership and continues to explore insights from various industry figures.