InACan: The Indian Startup Mixing Innovation, IP, and Convenience in a Can

What if you could open your fridge and pull out a perfectly crafted cocktail? No fuss of a bartender, muddler, measuring, or mess? That’s exactly the experience InACan set out to create.

The story begins with Sameer Mirajkar and Viraj Rajendra Sawant, two friends who wanted to break down the barrier between everyday life and premium cocktails. For them, it wasn’t just about alcohol; it was about giving people a slice of the “bar experience” wherever they were, be it at home, on a road trip, or at a house party.

But vision alone wasn’t enough. To bring it to life, they needed a master of the craft. Enter Varun Sudhakar, a veteran of the craft whose hands had shaped countless cocktails behind some of the country’s busiest counters. Together, the trio didn’t just build a product; they built a journey. Nine months, 15,000 kilometres of road travel, and endless hours of experimentation later, they had their answer: InACan.

Intellectual Property (IP) Portfolio

The brand launched with five variations of cocktails, packaged in sleek cans that felt just as premium as the drinks inside. From Mojitos to Cosmopolitans, each sip promised the same balance and consistency that you’d expect from a high-end bar. And perhaps that’s why InACan instantly stood out as a carefully engineered experience.

And when you’re building a brand in such a competitive space, IP protection isn’t a luxury, but it’s survival. InACan understood this from the beginning and moved quickly to secure its most valuable asset: its name.

Here’s what their trademark portfolio looks like:

This dual-class filing is strategic genius. Mocktails (Class 32) and alcoholic cocktails (Class 33) are both protected by it. Therefore, InACan’s brand identity is protected regardless of whether they are selling to partygoers or teetotallers.

Beyond trademarks, the packaging design, those instantly recognisable cans are another soft IP that adds to their brand value. While not formally registered as a design yet, it’s an area ripe for protection in the future. And let’s not forget their semi-automatic can seamer machine. If unique enough, this innovation could even be eligible for a design registration or utility patent.

Why does this matter? Because in beverages, customers buy the brand as much as they buy the liquid inside. If someone else launches “Ina-Can” tomorrow with confusingly similar packaging, the damage would be irreparable without strong IP protection.

Business Contracts: They Probably Employ

Behind each can of Mojito or Cosmopolitan, there is an entire universe of contracts keeping the business in place. For InACan, these probably consist of:

1. Supplier Contracts – For spirits, mixers, fruit extracts, and packaging. One poor batch of ingredients can ruin brand trust, so these must have rigorous quality clauses.
2. Manufacturing Agreements – In the event that production is outsourced, the agreements must ensure consistency, hygiene, and adherence to excise norms.
3. Distribution Contracts – Alcohol distribution in India is controlled by the State Governments. Thus, InACan must have watertight contracts with wholesalers and modern retail chains.
4. Employment Contracts – For all, from marketing teams to R&D personnel. Due to the premium positioning, employee confidentiality and non-compete clauses become imperative.
5. Marketing & Influencer Agreements – As the business is lifestyle-driven, influencer collaborations are strong but also legally hazardous if expectations are not documented.
6. Consultancy Agreements– For FSSAI consultants, excise law consultants, and compliance consultants.
7. Future Licensing/Franchising Agreements – If they scale up to physical cocktail lounges or kiosks, contracts will determine revenue-sharing, branding rights, and such.

In essence, every contract serves as a safety net, averting conflicts before they arise. They also guarantee seamless operations in a legally delicate sector.

Due Diligence

Now, picture it as a Shark or any investor evaluating InACan. What would they look for before writing a cheque? Due diligence is necessary in this situation.

• Corporate Structure: InACan operates under RM Beverages Private Limited (CIN: U15540PN2022PTC214999), registered in Pune in 2022. With an authorised capital of ₹60 lakh and a paid-up capital of about ₹27 lakh, the company is still in its early but promising growth stage. Its FY 2023 revenue was around $202K or ₹1.6 crores, a healthy start for such a niche product.
• Governance & Directors: The founders, Sameer Mirajkar and Viraj Sawant, are listed as directors and occupy executive roles. Through the most recent AGM in December 2023, MCA compliance and timely AGM filings were maintained. This is one of the ways the company shows its compliance standards.
• IP Audit: It is crucial to confirm that the Class 32 and Class 33 marks are also being actively used in addition to being registered. Because they might be open to imitation if they don’t comply or submit an IP filing.
• Regulatory Compliance: Alcohol is an Indian legal minefield. So, InACan must hold:
  • FSSAI licences for food safety.
  • Excise approvals for alcohol manufacture and sale.
  • GST registrations.
  • Labelling compliance, like alcohol content, batch numbers, health warnings, and such.
• Contracts Check: Reviewing distributor and supplier agreements to ensure no clauses could cripple future expansion, like exclusivity traps.
• For investors, this process isn’t red tape; it’s insurance. A lapse in excise compliance could mean a state-wide ban on sales. A weak supplier contract could cause stock-outs. Due diligence, then, guarantees that investors are placing their money on a company that is both innovative and compliant with the law.

Key Legal & Business Lessons

InACan’s journey offers a playbook for other startups:

• Think Ahead with IP – Filing in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic classes shows foresight. Too many startups wait until they’re bigger to think about trademarks, and by then, it’s often too late.
• Contracts Are Quiet Heroes – Consumers never see them, but contracts decide whether your supply chain runs smoothly or collapses overnight.
• Regulation Isn’t Optional – In food and beverage, compliance is survival. Skipping licences or excise filings is like playing Jenga with your business.
• Due Diligence Builds Investor Trust – No Shark (or VC) will invest unless the legal house is in order. Strong contracts, IP filings, and spotless MCA records all engender trust.
• Convenience Is King – At its core, InACan proves that consumers crave products that combine quality with accessibility. That’s a lesson that cuts across industries.

Conclusion

InACan isn’t just selling cocktails, it’s selling moments. A Cosmopolitan on a Friday night without a trip to the bar. A Mojito at a house party without worrying about mint leaves. Convenience wrapped in consistency, delivered in a can.

A well-constructed legal and business foundation, however, is just as significant as the flavour and fizz. Innovation plus protection is what makes a startup, as InACan exemplifies by securing dual trademarks, negotiating strong contracts, and guaranteeing adherence to India’s intricate alcohol regulations.

As India’s drinking culture evolves, and as consumers demand premium experiences in simpler formats, InACan is perfectly placed to lead. For entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear: protect your brand, lock down your contracts, stay compliant, and let your product shine.

Because in the end, the real recipe for success is equal parts creativity and compliance.

Author Details- Apoorva Lamba (3rd Year Student, Madhav Mahavidyalya, Jiwaji University, Gwalior)