When Olympian hockey player Devindar Walmiki noticed sportsmen, mostly cricketers, drinking a black liquid instead of regular water, on field and off, he grew curious. After asking a few experts on the field who drew a long list of benefits, Walmiki decided to order a pack of Evocus beverage. The alkaline water claims to be enriched with more than 70 natural minerals and having a pH of 8+. It has no carbs, or sugar, or caffeine—just water, bettered for health, especially for athletes and those into rigorous exercises. Walmiki, who has been drinking it for three months, says he is noticing the benefits. "During practice sessions, due to its high mineral content and pH levels, it hydrates me faster and for longer duration. It also flushes out the toxins from the body. Just two bottles a day have been enough for me so far, even when I am on the field."

For the last few years, the global market for functional water and drinks has seen an upswing. Despite just a handful of brands in the Indian market, the premium water and beverage market in the country is at a growth of 20 per cent CAGR since 2015. In 2017, Vadodara-based start-up entrepreneur Aakash Vaghela entered the market with a natural, effective, multifunctional nutrient water with a shelf life of 12 months. He incorporated the company, AV Organics LLP, in February 2018 and the subsequent months were spent in setting up the plant, fine-tuning the formulations and processes, team training, market research, creating a distribution network and getting the right channel partners. The product, Evocus, was launched in Pune in June 2019 and is available online and through premium food chains.