Bira 91 Founder Ankur Jain Steps Down After Settlement with Lenders & Investors

Expert Analysis:

• Ankur Jain, founder of Bira 91 parent B9 Beverages, has stepped down from the board and executive roles after reaching a settlement with lenders and institutional shareholders, paving the way for a restructuring of the business.

• The settlement reportedly resolves long-standing disputes involving nearly 30 stakeholders, with litigation to be withdrawn and Jain’s personal guarantees for corporate loans to be released.

• The company’s financial stress has been significant, with FY24 reporting a net loss of ₹748.8 crore on operating revenue of ₹638.5 crore, while financial statements for FY25 and FY26 remain undisclosed.

• The founder has acknowledged that B9 Beverages now needs fresh capital, a clean balance sheet, and a new management team, indicating that the business is entering a major turnaround phase.

• The settlement could provide a much-needed reset for Bira 91, but the company’s ability to secure fresh funding, stabilise vendor and employee payments, and rebuild financial health will be critical to its revival.