(December 7, 2025) Kerala-based chocolatier and endurance cyclist Jacob Joy brings a mix of discipline and creativity to his work. As the founder of Jakobi Chocolatier, the brand he developed from the ground up, he has built an identity that reflects both his technical training abroad and his grounded Indian sensibilities.
A third-generation entrepreneur, Jacob grew up in the world of JJ Confectionery, the family business that manufactures candies, toffees, and eclairs for brands like Parrys Confectionery, Lotte India, and Parle Food Products. That early exposure shaped his understanding of consistency, craft, and the steady precision behind confectionery.
With Jakobi, he has shifted from mass production to fine chocolate, blending European techniques with distinctly Indian influences to create something personal and contemporary. Beyond the craft, he pushes human limits as an ultra-endurance cyclist, completing grueling expeditions such as the 4,176 km NorthCape 4000 across eight countries.
Inside a box of crafted indulgence
What does a chocolate box look like? You’d expect to open it and find a neat row of bars. But open the Jakobi Advent Calendar from Jakobi Chocolatier, and the experience is entirely different. Inside its tiny doors are handcrafted chocolates that count down to Christmas, each with flavours that are anything but ordinary with Marbles Milk Caramelised Almond, Milk Kunafa, Milk Honey Caramel, Chocolate Ganache, Milk Popping Candy, Milk Plum Cake, and more. It is a flavour explosion designed for indulgence, memory, and joy. Jacob tells Global Indian how his cycling trails inspire his flavour innovations in this exclusive tête-à-tête.
Roots, family legacy and global education
Jacob grew up in a family where business and community were daily rhythms, shaped early as a third-generation entrepreneur. He studied at Lawrence School, Lovedale, and St Peter’s College, Kolenchery, followed by an MBA at Pune University, an international agri-food programme at ESSEC Business School in Paris, and executive programmes at Wharton, ISB, and IIM Calcutta. He is currently pursuing the IECC Executive Coaching Certification from IMD Lausanne, viewing coaching as a natural extension to create reflective spaces for entrepreneurs and leaders to unlock clarity and confidence.
The making of a chocolatier
The entrepreneur pursued a Diploma in Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from ZDS Germany, a leading institute for chocolate science covering chemistry, precision, and structural consistency. “Later, stints in France taught me finesse and flavour in storytelling, while additional time in Germany reinforced discipline, engineering, and consistency. These built on training with masters like Kristen Tibballs in Australia and Martin Chiffers, formed the creative and technical backbone of chocolatier expertise. I hope to go to Ecuador or Costa Rica and spend some time at the cocoa plantations sometime soon,” he says talking about his future plans.
Navigating legacy
Entering the family business, JJ Confectionery, the manufacturers of candies, toffees, and eclairs for Parrys Confectionery, Lotte India, and Parle Food Products came with both anticipation and apprehension. “Carrying forward this legacy is a privilege with an invisible weight, unspoken expectations tied to the family surname, focused not on competing with the past but evolving, innovating, and staying relevant in a fast-changing market,” he mentions.
Jakobi Chocolatier
Jacob launched Jakobi Chocolatier after the pandemic, driven by a desire to create comfort and joy when the world needed small moments of connection. “Jakobi is built on the belief that luxury should feel warm, personal, and joyful, not intimidating, blending European technique with Indian soul. What sets it apart is we craft emotions through flavours that spark memories, smiles, or indulgence, with a focus on thoughtful corporate gifting that carries meaning beyond branding,” he explains.
Lessons, purpose and the entrepreneurial calling
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to start with purpose, stay curious, and treat failure as a teacher. “Entrepreneurship is about perseverance, not glamour. Build something meaningful that solves genuine problems or brings joy,” he says adding, “Seek mentors, remain adaptable, and prioritise integrity above all, as trust is hard to rebuild once broken. Money lost can be earned back.”
Jacob Joy draws strength from parents, family, friends, and mentors but is ultimately driven by purpose of creating value, inspiring people, and leaving things better. “A life lesson I want to share is growth begins where comfort ends; every meaningful shift in business decisions, endurance rides, or personal reflection comes from stepping into discomfort and trusting the process,” he remarks.
Cycling across countries
An ultra-endurance cyclist, Jacob recently rode 4,176 km across eight countries from Italy to Norway in the NorthCape 4000. It was a journey inward as much as outward. “Motivated by the purity of that experience, it teaches emotional resilience, strategic planning, and steadiness under discomfort. It has helped professionally with patience, navigating uncertainty, and clear decisions under pressure; personally, it brings humility, mindfulness, and gratitude,” he tells talking about his journey as a cyclist.
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Balance, mentorship and community
His favourite moments outside work and cycling are with family. He also enjoys mentoring young entrepreneurs, exploring global cuisines, travelling for inspiration, reading, long walks, reflective writing, and deep, meaningful conversations. As former National Chairman of Young Indians (YI) and President of TiE Kerala, he has championed youth-led action and community-building. With TiE Kerala, he has worked closely with entrepreneurs and investors to strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem, reinforcing his belief in mentorship and collective growth.
Looking ahead
Jacob hopes to elevate his brand Jakobi into a global Indian chocolate brand that showcases world-class craftsmanship rooted in Indian identity by leveraging India’s creativity, raw materials, and talent for the premium space.
“I also want to deepen the coaching journey via IMD’s IECC programme to support entrepreneurs, family business successors, and leaders navigating complexity with clarity. I hope to integrate entrepreneurial experience, an endurance mindset, and coaching to help unlock potential,” he signs off.
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