Acquisition project | The whole truth foods
📄

Acquisition project | The whole truth foods

Elevator Pitch

The Half-truth

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The Whole Truth

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Elevator Pitch

Hide and seek is fun—until brands start playing it with their ingredients.

At The Whole Truth, we believe food should be as honest as it is delicious. That’s why we proudly declare every single ingredient, right on the front of the pack.


No hidden sugars, no preservatives—just clean, real food because we have #nothingtohide.


From protein bars and powders to nut butters and chocolates, we make eating right effortless—whether you’re a fitness freak or just mindful of what goes into your body. We make honesty the tastiest choice.

Grab The Whole Truth from our website, quick commerce platforms, or a nearby store.



Problem Statement Vs Solution


Problem Statement

How TWT solves it

Hidden Ingredients & Misleading Labels 🏷️ Most packaged foods contain hidden sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors that mislead consumers.

Transparent labeling: Every ingredient is listed upfront on the packaging.
No artificial additives: Only real, clean ingredients used.
Educational content: Blogs, social media, and YouTube videos explaining food labels and nutrition.

Lack of Trust in Packaged Foods 😟 Consumers assume packaged foods are unhealthy and filled with preservatives.

100% clean food: No preservatives, no hidden ingredients.
Brand positioning: “Nothing to Hide” campaign emphasizing honesty.
Founder-driven storytelling

Limited Healthy Snacking Options 🍫 Most healthy snacks compromise on taste

Wide product range: Protein bars, nut butters, chocolates, and more.
Focus on taste: R&D ensures great taste without additives.

Consumers Don't Know What’s Actually Healthy 🤷‍♂️ The food industry confuses people with misleading claims like "sugar-free" or "low-fat."

Myth-busting content: TWT actively educates users via blogs, podcasts, and social media.
Transparent communication: No buzzword marketing—just facts.
Ingredient-based marketing: Focus on clean-label messaging.

Product Range


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Mission:

We make food so clean and honest that we proudly declare every single ingredient upfront—because you deserve to know exactly what you’re putting into your body. No misleading labels. No artificial junk. Just real, wholesome food with #NothingToHide.


Understanding the Core Value Proposition:


Transparency – Every ingredient is listed on the front of the pack, unlike traditional brands that hide behind complex labels.

Clean, Honest Ingredients – No preservatives, additives, artificial sweeteners, or hidden chemicals—just whole, natural food.

No Industry Lies – Unlike mass-market "healthy" snacks that mislead consumers (e.g., ‘sugar-free’ with hidden syrups), TWT calls out industry loopholes and educates consumers.

Balancing Health & Taste – A lot of "healthy" snacks taste bland. TWT ensures great taste without compromising on nutrition.

Conscious Consumption – Customers feel in control of their diet and lifestyle choices, knowing exactly what they’re eating.

Understand the user

Understanding ICP



Criteria

ICP 1

ICP 2

ICP 3

ICP 4

Name

Thenn

Ankit

Shammi

Samrat

Age

35

​42

24

27

Gender

M

M

F

M

Location

Blr

​Blr

Mumbai

Mumbai

Occupation

Engineering manager

Founder

Founders Office

Product engineer

Income

20+

20+

10-15

10-15

Where do they shop?

Blinkit, zepto, amazon

zepto, swiggy

Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto,

amazon, ajio

Where do they spend time

Chatgpt, business journals, The Ken, The captable, startups, Netflix, Insta

Insta, Netflix

Instagram, youtube, Linkedin

youtube, LinkedIn, twitter

Fitness level

regular gym, yoga

3/4 times a week

recently active. 2/3 sports

4/5 times a week

How frequently do they travel

started travelling recently and carries a protein bar

once every 2 weeks

Used to alot

once ever quarter

Value-driven or Price driven

Value

mix of both

Value driven

Value

Diet habits

Prefer eating healthy, non-vegetarian

prefer healthy, primarily veg

Prefer healthy food, veg

prefer healthy but occasionally, veg

Pain Point

Lack of trust in any brand

Not enough protein sources in the natural environment

lesser sources of protein


How did they find TWT

Insta ads, through Shashank

Swiggy app protein food section

Airport

Shashank through LinkedIn

Consumption frequency

3 times a week

infrequent

3

only while travelling

One thing they like about TWT

Content, packaging

Good brand positioning and marketing

Content marketing,

clean label

One thing they hate about TWT

Sweet, doesn't seem healthy, costly

Expensive and very sweet

Price

Price, high calories


🎯Core Consumer Insights from User Calls


1. Trust & Transparency Are Key Decision Drivers


  • Multiple users lack trust in nutrition brands and seek transparency in ingredients.
  • Consumers feel that TWT bars "hide" ingredients behind chocolate, which affects trust despite clean-label claims.
  • Competitor Yoga Bar is perceived as "less premium" but more visually transparent due to visible ingredient composition.


🛠️ Improvement Idea:

  • Introduce semi-transparent or window packaging to showcase real ingredients, increasing credibility.
  • Consider an alternative to chocolate coating (e.g., nut-butter base or granola-textured bars).


2. Price Sensitivity Is a Barrier to Repeat Purchases


  • Every respondent mentioned that the bars are expensive.
  • Some perceive it as a premium product but not necessarily worth the price.
  • Frequent users (gym-goers, active individuals) want better cost efficiency for long-term use.


3. High Sweetness Perception Affects Health Image


  • Consumers who actively seek protein sources find the bars too sweet, making them feel less healthy.
  • Some users compare it to peanut chikki (a natural snack) and prefer visibly simple ingredients over chocolate-heavy bars.


🛠️ Improvement Idea:

  • Introduce lower-sweetness variants for serious fitness users.
  • Provide a "visible ingredient" texture similar to nut bars or granola bars.
  • Educate consumers through marketing that the sweetness comes from natural sources (dates, honey, etc.) and not artificial sugars.




🚀ICP prioritization table


Criteria

ICP 1

ICP 3

Adoption Curve

Medium

High

Appetite to Pay

High

Medium

Frequency of Use Case

Medium

Medium

Distribution Potential

High

High

TAM

High

Medium

ICP Prioritisation Framework


It is based on 5 parameters.


Adoption curve :

Adoption curve is the rate at which user accepts a new product or technology. Example whats app adoption curve was fast in teenagers where as it was slower in old people


Frequency of use case:

Example - A person who uses Uber for outstation will have lower frequency compared to someone who uses uber for office commute.

More frequency = more use = more retention = more revenue


Appetite to pay:

Have an appetite to pay (aukaat filter)


TAM (Total addressable market):

Should have a sizeable TAM. Example - Calendly

Sales team will have a higher TAM compared to CXO. Prioritize customer with a sizeable TAM.


Distribution potential:

Build a sustainable distribution to these ideal customers. How quickly, easily and sustainably can you spread the product.


Example - Calendly

For sales and hr customers it has high distribution potential. But for appointment led services like doctors it doesn't have a high distribution potential.

Understand the product

User Reviews


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Understand the market

Competitor Analysis Table


Parameter

The Whole Truth (TWT)

Yoga Bar

RiteBite

Price Range

₹100–150 per bar

₹80–120 per bar

₹50–80 per bar

Target Audience

Fitness enthusiasts, health-conscious, vegans, urban youth

Fitness enthusiasts, urban youth, health-conscious buyers

Mass market, price-sensitive buyers, casual snackers

Key USP

Clean label, no additives, transparency

Natural ingredients, innovative products

Affordable, wide availability

Distribution

D2C, online, quick commerce, retail

D2C, online, quick commerce, retail

Retail (supermarkets, kiranas)

Product Range

Protein bars, nut butters, protein powders, muesli, chocolates

Protein bars, snacks, breakfast cereals, spreads, protein oats

Protein bars, energy bars, snacks

Protein Content

15g per bar

20g per bar

6–8g per bar

Sugar Content

Low (dates as sweetener)

Moderate (natural sweeteners)

High (added sugars)

Ingredient Transparency

Full ingredient list on packaging, no hidden additives

Natural ingredients, no artificial flavors

Basic ingredient list, some additives

Packaging

Minimalist, transparent

Vibrant, youthful

Basic, mass-market

Market Positioning

Premium, clean-label

Affordable, natural, innovative

Mass-market, affordable

Social Media Presence

Strong

Medium

Limited

Strengths

Strong brand trust, transparency, wide product range, unique marketing

Wide distribution, affordability, innovative products

Low price, wide retail presence

Weaknesses

Premium pricing

Limited differentiation in premium positioning

Low protein, added sugars




Step 1: Define TAM (Total Addressable Market)

We’ll calculate TAM using urban population and income brackets for Tier 1/2 and Tier 3 cities.



Tier 1 + Tier 2

Tier 3

Population

350 million

250 million

Income > 10 lakhs

20% = 70 million

10% = 25 million

TAM Population

  • TAM Population = 70M (Tier 1/2) + 25M (Tier 3) = 95 million.

TAM Revenue

  • Annual Spend per Customer: 12 bars × ₹100 = ₹1,200.
  • TAM Revenue = 95M × ₹1,200 = ₹1,14,000 crore ($13.7 billion).

TAM = ₹1,14,000 crore ($13.7 billion).


Step 2: Define SAM (Serviceable Available Market)


We’ll apply the age filter (18–50 years) and health-consciousness filter to the TAM population.



Tier 1 + Tier 2

Tier 3

Population

70 million

25 million

Age (18-50)

60% = 42 million

60% = 15 million

Health conscious

10% = 4.2 million

5% = 0.75 million

SAM Population

  • SAM Population = 4.2M (Tier 1/2) + 0.75M (Tier 3) = 4.95 million.

SAM Revenue

  • SAM Revenue = 4.95M × ₹1,200 = ₹5,940 crore ($713 million).

SAM = ₹5,940 crore ($713 million).


Step 3: Calculate SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market)

  1. Market Share: TWT can capture 10% of SAM.
  2. SOM Revenue = 10% of ₹5,940 crore = ₹594 crore ($71 million).

SOM = ₹594 crore ($71 million).


Summary Table


Metric

Calculation

Value

TAM

Urban Population + Income Bracket

₹1,14,000 crore ($13.7B)

SAM

Age 18–50 + Health-Conscious

₹5,940 crore ($713M)

SOM

10% of SAM

₹594 crore ($71M)

If your product is in early scaling stage

TWT is in the early scaling phase because it has:


A clear PMF with fitness-conscious consumers.
Strong brand differentiation & recall.
Growing distribution across multiple channels.
Challenges in pricing & taste adaptation, which are typical of early-scale brands.


To move into full-scale growth, TWT needs to:
📌 Refine pricing strategy & address taste concerns.
📌 Expand further into traditional retail & institutional sales.
📌 Diversify marketing channels to reach a mass audience.


Acquisition Channel


Growth Channel

Cost

Flexibility

Effort Required

Lead Time (Speed)

Scale Potential

Organic

Low

High

High

Low

High

Paid Ads ✅

High

High

Medium

High

High

Referral Program ✅

Medium

High

Medium

Medium

Medium

Product Integration

Medium

Low

High

Low

Medium

Content Loops ✅

Low

High

High

Low

High



Our acquisition strategy for The Whole Truth will prioritize three key channels: Paid Advertising, Referral Programs, and Content Loops to drive user growth and expand our customer base effectively.


Detailing Organic Research



Detailing Content loops

Create buying intent.png


🤯Content Game


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TWT has mastered content marketing by blending authentic storytelling, educational value, and sharp humor—something very few brands in the F&B space have done well. Their approach works because:


Radical Transparency – They don’t just sell a product; they sell trust. Their “No Secrets” approach makes people feel informed rather than marketed to.


Edutainment – Their content isn’t just educational; it’s fun. From witty social media posts to breakdowns of “healthy” snacks, they make learning engaging.


Consumer-First Approach – Instead of aggressively selling, they focus on empowering the consumer with knowledge—so when people choose TWT, it’s an informed decision, not a marketing gimmick.


Strong Brand Personality – They’ve built a voice that’s bold, witty, and relatable, helping them stand out in a crowded market.


Multi-Platform Strategy – They’re everywhere—Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and newsletters—tailoring content for each platform while maintaining a consistent voice.


This blend of education + storytelling has helped them build a community, not just a customer base—and that’s the real win. 🔥




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One Good Thing About Each of TWT's Content Initiatives


1️⃣ Truth Be Told (Newsletter) – Deep dives into food and fitness myths in a concise, no-nonsense format that makes knowledge super digestible.


2️⃣ Truth GPT – A fun and interactive way to instantly decode food ingredients, giving users real-time awareness about what they consume.


3️⃣ Chemical X Dictionary – Simplifies complex ingredient names, making it easier for consumers to decode food labels and make informed choices.


4️⃣ The Whole Truth Academy (YouTube) – Engaging, high-quality educational videos that are both entertaining and insightful, bridging the gap between science and everyday fitness.


5️⃣ The Whole Truth Project (Podcast) – Brings industry experts and thought leaders to discuss health, nutrition, and lifestyle with depth, offering more than just surface-level knowledge.




New Content Ideas Inspired by These Initiatives


🍫 "Truth IRL" (In Real Life) – A series where people take on 7-day challenges based on TWT’s principles (e.g., "No Added Sugar Challenge"). Creates high engagement & shareability.


🍫 "Food Court Face-Off” – Instead of packaged foods, compare restaurant meals by breaking down their real calorie and ingredient count. This shifts the focus to broader eating habits.


🍫 "Healthy but Tasty" Series – Featuring chefs/nutritionists creating TWT-style meals (clean but indulgent), solving the "healthy food is boring" problem.


🍫 "Truth Hacks" (Short-form YouTube Shorts/IG Reels) – Quick, 30-60 second myth-busting or hacks to eat healthier, optimized for virality.


🍫 "The Real Fitness Diaries" – Featuring real people’s health transformations, focusing on honest struggles & wins, making it more relatable than polished fitness influencers.


🍫 "Fuel for the Journey" Series – A content series where TWT breaks down the best travel-friendly foods for different types of trips—long flights, treks, road trips, or backpacking adventures.


🍫 "Truth Uncovered" (Event/Community Meetups) – Offline experiences where people decode their own eating habits with TWT experts, building deeper trust.



Content Loop Table (Hook → Generator → Distributor)


IdeaHook

(What grabs attention?)

Generator

(Who creates it?)

Distributor

(How it spreads?)

🍫 Truth IRL

(7-day challenges)

"Can you go 7 days without added sugar?" (Challenge format)

Users, Influencers, TWT Team

Social Media (Reels), Community shares, Youtube

🍫 Food Court Face-Off

"Your go-to meal might have

this much sugar!" (Surprising comparison)

TWT Content Team, Nutritionists

YouTube, Instagram, Blog, SEO

🍫 Healthy but Tasty

"What if healthy food tasted like a cheat meal?" (Solving a pain point)

Guest chefs, Nutritionists, TWT Team

YouTube, Instagram, Short-form video

🍫 Truth Hacks

"You've been eating

wrong this whole time!" (Myth-busting)

TWT Team, Experts

IG Reels, YouTube Shorts, Twitter Threads

🍫 The Real Fitness Diaries

"This is how I actually got fit" (Authentic storytelling)

Real users, Fitness influencers

Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Blogs

🍫 Fuel for the Journey

"How to eat clean while traveling!" (Relatable problem-solving)

TWT Team, Travel bloggers

Travel vlogs, Instagram, Newsletters

🍫 Truth Uncovered (Events)

"Do you really know what you’re eating?" (Interactive event)

TWT Team, Nutrition Experts

Offline Events, UGC, YouTube


Detailing Paid Advertising

Paid Advertising Strategy for The Whole Truth (TWT)

TWT has been actively running ads on Instagram with promising results, but as they are in the early scaling stage, they should experiment further with their channels and strategies. Here’s a structured approach to refining their paid ad efforts:


Current Observations & Opportunities


Instagram Ads Are Performing Well

  • Instagram is working as a primary paid acquisition channel.
  • Engaging creatives and brand storytelling are driving good results.


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Limited Presence on Quick Commerce Apps

  • When searching for "protein bars" on platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart, TWT is not appearing at the top.
  • Competitors like Max Protein and Yoga Bar dominate search rankings.
  • Quick commerce is a key GTM strategy for snacking, and missing out here limits impulse purchases.


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📌 Keyword Optimization & Visibility on Quick Commerce

  • When users search for "protein," Max Protein appears first in search suggestions.
  • TWT should invest in sponsored listings or banners within these apps to boost discoverability.


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Detailing Referral / Partner program

Given TWT’s strong content-driven approach and trust-building ethos, encouraging loyal users to spread the word will not only reduce customer acquisition costs (CAC) but also drive higher retention.

TWT has built a brand on trust and transparency, and what better way to grow than through the people who already love it? By integrating exclusive rewards like free TWT merch, personalized nutrition consultations, and milestone-based perks, the program will incentivize engagement while deepening brand affinity. 🚀​


TWT currently doesn't have a referral program; they only offer loyalty points that can be redeemed on purchases. We will design a new referral program to tap into word-of-mouth growth and turn loyal customers into brand advocates.


You can track your loyalty points on website

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On a purchase of INR 1000, you get 20 loyalty points. 1 loyalty point = Rs 1

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TWT Referral Program – “Spread the Truth” 🚀


1️⃣ Who will you ask for a referral?

Happy moments to validate before asking:

  • After a repeat purchase (loyalty indicator).
  • 4/5-star reviews on taste or delivery.
  • After loyalty points redemption (indicating high engagement).
  • High engagement with Truth BeTold, Truth GPT, or TWT Academy (content-driven referrals).


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2️⃣ How will they discover it?

🚫 Not on checkout. Instead, show it:

  • Thank You Page after a successful purchase.
  • Order confirmation emails with a friendly nudge.
  • Pop-up or banner after a review submission.
  • TWT YouTube descriptions to engage knowledge-seekers.
  • Merchandise packaging (QR code leading to referral).

3️⃣ Why and how will they share?

Motivation (Platform Currency):

  • Freebies & Discounts: “Refer a friend & get a free bar; they get 10% off.”
  • Social Signaling: Unlock new flavors & limited-edition TWT merch (T-shirts, gym bottles, tote bags).
  • Dopamine Boost: Leaderboard for top referrers (gamification).
  • Personalized Benefits: Earn a free nutrition consultation & diet plan after 15 referrals.

📲 How they share:

  • One-tap referral via WhatsApp, Instagram Stories, Email, SMS or Linkedin.
  • QR code on TWT Merch & Packaging for easy sharing.
  • Unique referral link generated instantly.

4️⃣ How will they track?

  • A personalized referral dashboard inside TWT accounts.
  • Monthly updates via email/SMS on referral count & rewards.
  • Push notifications when a referred friend makes a purchase.

5️⃣ How will they keep referring? (Milestones & Retention)

🎯 Milestone-based rewards:

  • Refer 1 friend → Free TWT bar
  • Refer 5 friends → 15% discount on next purchase
  • Refer 10 friends → Free TWT merch, tote bag or gym bottle
  • Refer 15 friends → Personalized nutrition consultation + 4-week diet plan
  • Refer 25 friends → A month’s worth of protein bars
  • Refer 50 friends → Invite to exclusive ‘Truth Tasting’ event with the founders

🎁 Bonus Surprise:

  • Top referrer of the month wins additional discounts or gift vouchers or 1 month gym membership.


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