After building one of India’s most recognised craft beer brands from scratch, Bira 91 founder Ankur Jain has stepped away from the company he launched more than a decade ago. Jain has resigned from the board and all executive roles at parent company B9 Beverages, following a settlement with lenders and investors aimed at reviving the financially troubled business.
The move marks the end of an important chapter for Bira 91, a brand that changed India’s premium beer market with its youthful image, distinctive flavours and strong appeal among urban consumers. But years of financial stress, mounting debt and funding challenges eventually forced the company into a major restructuring.
As part of the settlement, Jain and his family have agreed to surrender their 17.8% stake in the company, effectively giving up control of the business. In return, lenders will release the personal guarantees provided by Jain for the company’s loans, while both sides have agreed to withdraw all legal claims, bringing months of disputes to a close.
In a heartfelt message shared after his resignation, Jain described the decision as one of the toughest moments of his entrepreneurial journey. He thanked employees, investors, distributors, customers and business partners who believed in the Bira 91 story from the beginning.
He acknowledged that the company had gone through an extremely difficult period over the past two years and apologised to employees who faced uncertainty and delayed salaries. Saying the situation weighed heavily on him, Jain admitted that he wished the outcome had been different but hoped the settlement would give the company a fresh start.
According to Jain, the agreement was reached after months of negotiations involving nearly 30 stakeholders, each with different priorities. Despite the complexity of the discussions, he said everyone ultimately shared a common objective—to save the company and protect its future.
The settlement now clears the path for a comprehensive financial restructuring. Existing investors and lenders are expected to inject fresh capital into the business, allowing B9 Beverages to restart operations, clear pending dues and rebuild its supply chain.
The company has reportedly been grappling with debt of around ₹1,000 crore, forcing it to suspend production and delay payments to employees, vendors and suppliers. The inability to raise fresh funding over the past year further worsened the financial situation, making restructuring unavoidable.
People familiar with the development said production is expected to resume gradually over the next few months as the new management works to stabilise operations. The immediate priorities include restarting breweries, restoring product availability in the market and rebuilding confidence among distributors and retail partners.
Founded in 2015, Bira 91 quickly emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing beer brands, offering premium craft beers that appealed to young consumers looking for alternatives to traditional lagers. Its vibrant branding, quirky marketing campaigns and expanding portfolio helped the company gain a loyal customer base not only in India but also in several international markets.
The startup attracted investments from leading global firms, including Peak XV Partners and Kirin Holdings, and was often seen as one of India’s biggest consumer startup success stories. However, rising operating costs, tighter funding conditions and slowing growth created significant financial pressure in recent years.
Industry experts believe the settlement could offer Bira 91 the stability it needs to recover. With ownership disputes resolved and legal battles behind it, the company can now focus on rebuilding its business instead of dealing with financial uncertainty.
For employees, suppliers and distributors, the restructuring also brings renewed hope. Many had endured months of uncertainty as operations slowed and payments were delayed. Fresh funding could help restore confidence across the company’s business ecosystem.
Although Jain is stepping away from leadership, his association with the brand remains deeply personal. From introducing a new craft beer culture in India to building Bira 91 into a household name, his entrepreneurial journey has left a lasting impact on the country’s consumer beverage industry.
The next chapter for Bira 91 will now be written under new leadership. With fresh investment, financial restructuring and a renewed focus on growth, the company will be looking to regain its place in India’s competitive beer market while winning back the confidence of employees, investors and consumers alike.