Every startup success story begins with one small step. For Hooba Boba, that step was a single bubble tea shop opposite VIT 3rd Gate in Vellore, India. This is how a woman entrepreneur in Tamil Nadu built a homegrown bubble tea brand – and why Hooba Boba is now open for business partnership with partners from anywhere in the world.
In this article
- Meet the founder
- Our startup journey
- Registrations and recognition
- What makes Hooba Boba different
- A food startup from India, built for the world
- Business partnership with Hooba Boba
- Have ₹10 lakh, ₹20 lakh or ₹50 lakh? The best business to start in India
- A business opportunity in India and beyond
- Is bubble tea a profitable business in India?
- How to become a Hooba Boba business partner: 6 steps
- The vision: 100 branches in 10 years
- Why women entrepreneurship matters
- Frequently asked questions
- Business partnership enquiries
Meet the founder
Hooba Boba was founded by Sathiya Panneer Selvam, a woman entrepreneur from Ranipet district. She set out to serve real bubble tea – the kind found in big cities around the world – at a fair price, made with premium ingredients and honest care. She leads Hooba Boba as Founder and CEO.
Our startup journey
| When | Milestone |
|---|---|
| November 2024 | Shop space taken opposite VIT 3rd Gate, Vellore |
| 24 April 2025 | Hooba Boba opens its first shop |
| Since opening | Swiggy and Zomato orders; own WhatsApp delivery to VIT |
| 2026 | Live bubble tea counter at the VIT Gravitas college fest, and other events |
| 2026 | R&D finalises 23 base flavours and a sugar-free formulation |
| 2026 | Agreed opportunities for 2 new branches: Fundera Bird’s Park, Vellore, and Yelagiri |
| 23 Oct 2026 | MSME ZED pledge taken |
Registrations and recognition
- StartupTN recognised startup (SmartCard No. STN99946)
- Udyam registered Micro enterprise (Manufacturing)
- GST registered
- MSME ZED pledge taken
- Rated 4.9★ on Google by customers
What makes Hooba Boba different
- Own formulations: in-house R&D with 23 base flavours finalised
- Premium ingredients: imported from Taiwan, China and Japan
- Real taro: processed in our own kitchen
- Sugar-free formulation: developed in-house
- Famous for Taro, Hazelnut and Kyoto Matcha
A food startup from India, built for the world
Bubble tea is growing fast in India and across the world. Most bubble tea shops still depend on imported premixes, which brings quality, price and shipping problems. Hooba Boba is working towards making bubble tea bases in its own manufacturing unit – more value made in India, and a reliable ingredient source for bubble tea businesses everywhere. See the numbers in our bubble tea market in India 2026 report.
Business partnership with Hooba Boba
Looking for a business for partnership? Hooba Boba works with partners in India and around the world – from Dubai and the Middle East to Southeast Asia and beyond. If you are exploring business opportunities in Dubai or want to bring bubble tea to Dubai and other cities abroad, we would love to talk.
Six growth lines, one manufacturing unit
| Growth line | How it works | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Premium hotels & restaurants | Brand partner counters | hotels · restaurants & cafés |
| IT & corporate canteens | Permanent counters | corporate cafeterias |
| Malls & multiplexes | Food-court counters | malls & multiplexes |
| Events | College, corporate and premium weddings | corporate events · weddings |
| Partner training | New entrepreneurs opening their own bubble tea shop | training & startup support |
| B2B ingredient supply | Bubble tea premix and bases for other businesses | our premixes |
Every growth line buys its premixes from the Hooba Boba manufacturing unit, so each new counter or partner also grows manufacturing. As the unit grows, we aim to become a bubble tea wholesale supplier of boba tea premix and bases for businesses in India and abroad.
Looking for a food franchise or cafe franchise? Consider a partnership
Many people searching for a food franchise, a cafe franchise or a coffee shop franchise want a proven product, training and support – without huge fees. Hooba Boba offers exactly that through partnership, not franchising:
| Typical food franchise | Hooba Boba partnership | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | Usually yes | No franchise fee |
| Royalty on sales | Usually yes | No royalty |
| Selling price | Fixed by the brand | Partners set their own prices |
| Menu | Fixed | Help picking the best-sellers for your location |
| Support | Varies | Hands-on training, quality checks and ingredient supply |
If you are researching the best franchise business in India or a small franchise business in India, or simply comparing franchise opportunities, looking for low cost franchise opportunities or exploring new franchise opportunities in the food franchise business in India, a bubble tea partnership is worth a look. Our menu even includes 7 Cappuccino Bubble Coffees, so a Hooba Boba counter also works for coffee lovers. Compare both routes in bubble tea franchise vs your own brand.
Read more on our partner with us page.
Have ₹10 lakh, ₹20 lakh or ₹50 lakh? The best business to start in India
One of the most common questions we hear is: “I have money to put into a business – what is the best business to invest in?” If you are searching for 10 lakh business ideas, a business under 20 lakhs or a business under 50 lakhs, bubble tea deserves a place on your list. It is a fast-growing drink category, young customers come back often, and you can start small and grow.
| Your budget | A format that can suit it | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller budget | A bubble tea kiosk or counter in a busy spot | kiosk guide |
| Medium budget | Your own bubble tea shop, or a brand partner counter at a premium venue | shop business plan |
| Larger budget | A bigger café, or several counters across a city | brand partner counter |
The real cost depends on your city, rent, space, equipment and staff, so we give each partner an honest estimate after understanding their location. See the equipment list and low investment business ideas to plan ahead.
Before you invest in any business: no business can guarantee profit. Visit a working shop, understand the costs, talk to your CA and choose a location carefully. We are happy to show you our own counter in Vellore so you can see the business for yourself.
A business opportunity in India and beyond
- A fast-growing drink category with a young customer base
- A brand with its own formulations and proven customer love
- Partner models with no franchise fee or royalty
- Training and quality support from a team that runs its own shop
- A clear vision for growth
Is bubble tea a profitable business in India?
Anyone looking for a profitable business in India should look at the numbers honestly. At Hooba Boba’s suggested selling prices, the ingredient cost is about half the selling price of each cup. Your final profit depends on rent, staff, location and how many cups you sell every day – so no one can promise a fixed profit. What makes bubble tea a good profitable business in India is the combination of:
- a young customer base that comes back often
- strong demand near colleges, offices, malls and tourist spots
- flexible formats, from a small counter to a full café
- extra income from events, delivery apps and bulk orders
Read the full picture in our bubble tea shop business plan and small business ideas in India.
How to become a Hooba Boba business partner: 6 steps
Business partner required? Here is how a partnership with Hooba Boba works, from first call to launch:
- Enquire: call or WhatsApp our founder and tell us your city, venue or plan.
- Visit and taste: see our working shop in Vellore and try the full menu.
- Location check: we study your location, footfall and customer type together.
- Clear proposal: you get an honest estimate and a written agreement covering the model, payments, equipment, term and exit.
- Training and setup: hands-on training for you and your staff, with recipes and premixes.
- Launch and support: menu support, quality checks and steady ingredient supply.
The vision: 100 branches in 10 years
- 100 Hooba Boba branches in 10 years
- A leading supplier of bubble tea ingredients, in India and globally
- Business partners welcome from anywhere in the world
- 15 direct jobs from day one of the manufacturing unit
- A goal of 1,000 direct and indirect jobs as the brand and its supply chain grow
Why women entrepreneurship matters
Women entrepreneurs across India and the world are building strong businesses in every field, and each success inspires the next woman to start. Hooba Boba hopes to be one of those startup success stories in India – proof that a woman-led food startup from a small town can grow into a brand trusted anywhere. Looking for the best business in India for women? Bubble tea is one to consider: it can start small, it is creative, and it grows with you. Read home business ideas for women to get started.
We started with one shop and a lot of belief. Every cup we serve is a step towards building a global brand, proudly made in Tamil Nadu.
Sathiya Panneer Selvam, Founder & CEO – Hooba Boba
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Hooba Boba?
Hooba Boba was founded by Sathiya Panneer Selvam, a woman entrepreneur from Ranipet district, India. She leads the company as Founder and CEO.
Is Hooba Boba a registered startup?
Yes. Hooba Boba is recognised by StartupTN, registered as a Micro enterprise under Udyam, GST-registered, and has taken the MSME ZED pledge.
Is Hooba Boba a franchise?
No. Hooba Boba is not a franchise. There is no franchise fee or royalty; partners work with us through brand partner counters, training and startup support, and ingredient supply.
Can business partners from outside India work with Hooba Boba?
Yes. Hooba Boba is based in Tamil Nadu, India, and welcomes business partnership enquiries from anywhere in the world, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
What is the best business to start in India with ₹10 to ₹50 lakhs?
There is no single best business for everyone, and no business can guarantee profit. Bubble tea is worth considering because it is a fast-growing drink category with loyal young customers and flexible formats, from a small kiosk to a full shop or several counters. The right choice depends on your location, budget and how involved you want to be.
Is bubble tea a profitable business in India?
It can be. At Hooba Boba’s suggested selling prices, ingredient cost is about half the selling price per cup, but final profit depends on rent, staff, location and daily sales, so no business can promise a fixed profit.
How do I become a Hooba Boba business partner?
Enquire with our founder, visit our Vellore shop, check your location with us, receive a clear proposal and written agreement, complete hands-on training, and launch with ongoing support.
Is a Hooba Boba partnership better than a food franchise?
For many partners, yes. Unlike a typical food franchise or cafe franchise, a Hooba Boba partnership has no franchise fee and no royalty, and partners set their own prices, while still getting training, quality checks and ingredient supply.
What kind of business for partnership does Hooba Boba offer?
Six growth lines: brand partner counters at premium hotels and restaurants, permanent counters in IT and corporate canteens, food-court counters in malls and multiplexes, live event counters, partner training for new bubble tea shops, and B2B ingredient supply of bubble tea premix.
What is Hooba Boba’s vision?
Hooba Boba’s vision is 100 branches in 10 years and to become a leading supplier of bubble tea ingredients, in India and globally.
How do I contact Hooba Boba for a business partnership?
Contact Sathiya Panneer Selvam, Founder, on +91 95664 18423.
Business partnership enquiries
Hooba Boba is based in Tamil Nadu, India, and welcomes business partners from anywhere in the world. For business partnership enquiries, please contact Sathiya Panneer Selvam, Founder – 📞 +91 95664 18423.
Visit our shop opposite VIT 3rd Gate, Chennai Salai, Katpadi, Vellore (open daily 11 AM – 10 PM), or contact us.