Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based startup is challenging the conventional ice cream industry with a clean-label approach, offering products free from artificial additives, preservatives and synthetic ingredients.

Founded in 2024 by Barath Akkihebbal and Akash Narain Mittal, ELVN-ELVN has built its brand around a simple principle: if an ingredient carries an E number—a code used to identify food additives—it does not make it into its ice cream.

Born from a personal health journey

The idea for ELVN-ELVN was inspired by Akkihebbal’s own health struggles. Living with gluten intolerance and lactose sensitivity, he found it difficult to find ice cream that suited his dietary needs.

Drawing on years of experience in technology, procurement, distribution and the food business, the founders spent nearly a year developing recipes that deliver flavour without relying on industrial stabilisers, emulsifiers or refined sugar.

The startup reportedly experimented with around 50 recipes before perfecting its products.

Millet and A2 dairy ice creams

ELVN-ELVN currently offers two product ranges.

The MILLET range is a vegan ice cream made from Indian millets such as jowar, ragi, foxtail millet and pearl millet, blended with coconut milk and naturally sweetened using dates, allulose and monk fruit.

The SELECT range is made using A2 Desi cow milk and fresh cream sourced from indigenous-breed farms in Karnataka. Both ranges are free from artificial preservatives and are available in several fruit and chocolate flavours.

The company manufactures its products at its facility in south Bengaluru, sourcing raw materials such as ragi from Mandya and jowar from Vijayapura, while maintaining much of its supply chain within Karnataka.

Expansion plans underway

Commercial production began in January 2025, and the company says demand has grown steadily since launch. ELVN-ELVN currently sells through selected organic stores in Bengaluru and has also partnered with cafés and online delivery platforms.

Looking ahead, the startup plans to expand into 300 supermarkets across Bengaluru before entering cities including Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune and Delhi NCR.

The founders say their long-term vision extends beyond ice cream, with plans to build a broader clean-label food brand focused on healthier, minimally processed products