Retail India News: The House of Rare Expands Footprint with Third Store Opening in Raipur

Oncare, an oncology care platform focused on delivering standardized and affordable cancer treatment through a distributed, capital-efficient model, has secured USD 4 million in its Series A funding round. The round was led by Sky Impact Capital, with participation from Huddle Ventures, Lotus Herbal Group, SteerX, and Tremis Capital.

The investment aligns with Sky Impact Capital’s strategy of improving access to quality healthcare across India. The firm brings prior experience in scaling single-specialty healthcare platforms, notably through its partnership in the growth of ASG Eye Hospitals, which has become one of the country’s largest eyecare networks.

The fresh capital infusion will be directed toward expanding Oncare’s presence across new metro cities as well as Tier II and Tier III markets. The company also plans to strengthen its technology infrastructure to streamline clinical workflows, enhance care coordination, and deliver a more seamless and patient-centric treatment experience.

India’s oncology care market is projected to reach Rs 43,000 crore by FY28, expanding at an estimated CAGR of around 14 percent. Despite this growth, access to quality cancer treatment remains uneven, with much of the existing capacity dependent on asset-heavy hospital infrastructure that can be difficult and costly to scale.

Deepak Kumar, Co-founder, Oncare said, “A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming enough. Access to the right care should not make it harder. Our goal with Oncare is to make high-quality treatment more reachable, more transparent, and more humane for families across India. With this support, we are taking an important step toward building a nationwide network that delivers trusted oncology care closer to home.”

“India’s oncology challenge cannot be solved by infrastructure alone, it requires operating systems that scale quality, affordability and trust together. Oncare represents this next-generation approach, and we believe the platform has all the right ingredients. We look forward to partnering closely with Amar Sneh and Deepak Kumar, and to applying Sky’s proven single-specialty healthcare playbook to create meaningful impact for patients across India,” shared Aakash Sachdev, Founder, Sky Impact Capital.

Founded in 2023, Oncare has rapidly grown into a multi-centre oncology platform across Delhi NCR, building clinical credibility and steady patient trust within a short span.

With the latest funding round, the company aims to evolve into a nationally distributed oncology platform that combines clinical excellence, affordability, and operational efficiency. Its long-term vision is to reshape cancer care delivery across emerging healthcare markets in India by bringing quality treatment closer to patients’ homes.

Design-led D2C fashion brand MyDesignation has secured Rs 40 crore in its Series A funding round, marking a significant step in its growth journey. The round was led by RPSG Capital Ventures, with strong participation from existing investor Veltis Capital, which doubled its equity stake. Other existing backers, including Multiply Ventures and Dominor Investments, also participated in the round.

The company plans to channel the fresh capital into accelerating its offline retail expansion through exclusive brand outlets, strengthening its senior leadership bench, and entering new product categories as it moves into its next phase of expansion.

Known for merging culturally rooted storytelling with modern streetwear aesthetics, the brand operates primarily through its own website, serving customers nationwide. It currently runs five Exclusive Brand Outlets across Bengaluru, Kochi, Trivandrum, and Calicut.

By operating independently of third-party marketplaces, the company has maintained end-to-end control over pricing, brand experience, and distribution, enabling it to cultivate direct relationships with its consumers.

Since its inception, MyDesignation has reported nearly 100 percent year-on-year revenue growth. The brand has served close to one million customers to date and records strong monthly repeat purchases. Its team has expanded to 100 members, with plans underway to further bolster leadership across finance, supply chain, merchandising, and marketing functions.

As part of its structured offline expansion roadmap, the company aims to open eight new stores over the next year in markets including Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.

Swaroop Krishnan, Co-Founder, MyDesignation said, “This Series A fundraise marks an important milestone in our journey. The capital will enable us to scale our offline presence through own outlets, invest in senior talent and expand into new categories while building a disciplined and sustainable growth trajectory. Over the past five years, we have focused on building a strong product foundation and a loyal customer base. This round gives us the ability to accelerate our omnichannel strategy while maintaining operational rigour.”

Sambit Dash, Partner, RPSG Capital Ventures added, “MyDesignation stands out for its sharp design sensibility and authentic storytelling, which have helped it build a deeply engaged and loyal consumer community. The founders bring a rare mix of creativity, passion, and disciplined execution, and we are excited to partner with them as they scale the business and take this distinctive brand to a much larger set of consumers.”

Beyond design originality, the company places strong emphasis on quality and craftsmanship, offering premium, luxury-grade finishes at accessible price points. This commitment to value and detailing is reflected in customer metrics, with product return rates maintained below 5 percent.

Gopika B Raj, Chief Creative Officer, MyDesignation stated, “For every product or design we launch, originality is non-negotiable. Our work cannot resemble or replicate what already exists in the market. We invest significant time in research and creative development to ensure that every piece we release is distinctive, culturally rooted, and expressive in its own right.”

Unlike many fashion brands that introduce hundreds of new styles each week, MyDesignation follows a curated drop model, releasing a limited number of thoughtfully crafted designs. This measured approach enables the brand to safeguard creative integrity while fostering deeper engagement with its growing community.

DailyObjects, a homegrown Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) technology accessories and lifestyle brand, has surpassed the Rs 100 crore revenue mark for the financial year ending March 2025. While the company achieved strong top-line growth, its losses widened significantly during the same period as it pushed for scale. Revenue from operations rose 31 percent to Rs 110 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 84 crore in FY24.

The brand, known for its range of bags, wallets, charging accessories, stationery, and other lifestyle products, derived 99.6 percent of its total income from product sales. Revenue from product sales increased 30.5 percent to Rs 109.6 crore in FY25. The remaining income was generated through shipping and delivery charges.

On the cost front, procurement remained the largest expense component, accounting for 41 percent of total expenditure. Procurement costs rose 21 percent to Rs 51.5 crore in FY25, up from Rs 42.5 crore in FY24. Advertising and promotional spending grew sharply by 40.5 percent to Rs 26 crore.

As a result, DailyObjects’ net loss expanded 60 percent to Rs 16 crore in FY25, from Rs 10 crore in FY24. The company reported a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) of -16.89 percent and an EBITDA margin of -10.64 percent.

On a per-unit basis, the company spent Rs 1.13 to earn every rupee in FY25, marginally improving from Rs 1.14 in FY24. As of March 2025, it held cash and bank balances of Rs 8 crore, with current assets amounting to Rs 87 crore.

To date, DailyObjects has raised approximately $14.5 million in funding, with Seedfund and 360 One Ventures among its lead investors. Its most recent funding round was in May 2024, when it secured $10 million.

The current template of advertising costs at just under 30 percent, or employee costs at 15 percent, with procurement at over 40 percent, is not appreciably different from the template we see in many D2C firms. Now into its fourteenth year, the founders will also struggle to stay on top of shifting trends, unless they go for a significant shift in how the firm does it.

Indian fast-fashion brand Snitch has stepped onto the global stage with its official launch in the UAE, marking its first move beyond the domestic market. The expansion represents a significant milestone for the company, which began in 2019 as a digital-first Gen Z-focused venture founded by Siddharth Dungarwal and has since evolved into an omnichannel fashion player with more than 105 stores across India.

The Middle East entry has been executed through strategic collaborations with leading regional e-commerce platforms Noon and Namshi. The development was announced by Chief Business Officer Aniket Singh on LinkedIn.

“We built SNITCH with a simple premise: we will make in India, for the world. Seeing that become reality today is profoundly gratifying. Snitch is now officially live on Noon and Namshi in Dubai. Dubai and UAE hosts a true cross section of the global population, giving us immediate and highly diverse consumer feedback. Taking our brand global feels surreal. The initial foundation is laid, time to build in a new geo with its own new challenges – exciting times ahead,” Singh wrote.

He further indicated that the GCC expansion has been a calculated first step in the brand’s international roadmap, describing the region as an ideal testing ground to establish global product-market fit (PMF).

Echoing this sentiment, Chetan Siyal, Founding Member and CMO at Snitch, shared in a separate LinkedIn post:

“SNITCH is now live in the UAE. This is our first step outside India. And it’s not about planting a flag. It’s about testing a belief. That a brand built in India can compete anywhere on speed, design, and cultural sharpness. Made in India was never the ceiling. It was always the starting point. UAE felt like the right first chapter. Ambitious market. Style-forward consumer. No room to hide. This is step one.”

With this international debut, Snitch aims to gauge diverse consumer preferences in the UAE’s cosmopolitan market while laying the groundwork for broader global expansion.

Globally recognised Korean skincare label Medicube has formally entered the Indian market, marking its debut with a simultaneous launch across two of the country’s leading beauty retail platforms—Nykaa and Tira.

Known for its clinically tested, performance-driven formulations, Medicube positions itself around a ‘results-first’ approach. The brand combines advanced skincare technologies with dermatologist-validated ingredients to target fundamental concerns such as pore care, skin elasticity, hydration, and overall radiance.

For its India introduction, Medicube has rolled out some of its most popular and widely discussed global ranges, including Zero, PDRN, Collagen, and Deep Vita C. These collections are formulated to deliver professional-grade outcomes through structured, multi-step skincare routines designed for measurable improvements.

Medicube’s India expansion is anchored by partnerships with two of the country’s most prominent beauty retail ecosystems.

Nykaa: In collaboration with APR Corporation, Medicube’s portfolio is now accessible via Nykaa’s website, mobile app, and select brick-and-mortar outlets. The association further strengthens Nykaa’s established presence in the K-beauty segment, supported by its network of over 280 physical stores across India.

Tira: Operated by Reliance Retail, Tira has introduced Medicube as part of its curated selection of globally recognised, high-performance beauty brands. The addition aligns with Tira’s focus on bringing science-led and trend-forward beauty innovations to Indian shoppers through both its digital interface and premium offline retail formats.

With its dual-platform rollout, Medicube aims to tap into India’s rapidly growing demand for clinically backed skincare while leveraging a strong omnichannel presence to reach a wide and evolving consumer base.

Protein-focused snack brand The Whole Truth (TWT) has secured around $51 million in its Series D funding round, led by Sofina and Sauce.vc, the company announced on Wednesday.

The round comprises a mix of primary and secondary capital and comes as the company prepares for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO). Existing investors Peak XV Partners and Rainmatter Health also took part, along with new investor AYRA Ventures. Earlier backers include Z47, as well as angel investors such as Sriharsha Majety and Jaydeep Burman.

This follows the company’s Series C round in early 2025, when it raised nearly $15.8 million at a valuation exceeding $250 million.

The fresh capital comes at a time when India is witnessing a growing shift toward higher-protein diets. Industry estimates suggest that more than 70% of urban Indian consumers have protein-deficient diets, fuelling demand for protein-fortified everyday foods such as breads, batters, and snacks. TWT has responded by broadening its portfolio, including the launch of “super-light” protein powders aimed at segments such as women and senior consumers. Its offerings also span protein bars, nut butters, and chocolates.

According to the company, the new funds will be deployed to expand in-house manufacturing capabilities, strengthen working capital, and develop the corporate framework needed ahead of a public listing. The company identified profitability as its next key objective.

On the financial front, TWT reported strong growth momentum. Revenue for FY25 climbed 232% to ₹216 crore, up from ₹65 crore in the previous fiscal year. However, net losses widened marginally to ₹28 crore, attributed to higher spending on marketing and raw materials.

Founded by former Unilever marketer Shashank Mehta, the brand positions itself around clean-label products, claiming its snacks and supplements contain no hidden sugars or artificial additives. It also stated that growth has tripled since its last funding round in early 2025.

"The next question is, can we do all this profitably? While holding the highest possible bar on quality and honesty. If we can, our mission becomes unstoppable, and TWT becomes infinite. This round marks the start of that journey. Expect many new, category-defining launches. A few, strategic, long-term partnerships with like minded customers and vendors," Mehta said in a statement, adding that the brand aims to prove that a 100% clean food philosophy can scale profitably across categories.

The broader category continues to gain traction, supported in part by quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit and Zepto, where better-for-you offerings typically command a 15–25% premium. The competitive landscape includes brands such as SuperYou, MaxProtein, and YogaBar, among others.

Delhi-based EV startup Pluto Mobility has secured $2 million in a seed funding round led by Version One Ventures, with participation from Grad Capital.

The round also drew strategic participation from founders and senior leaders linked to companies including Delhivery, OfBusiness, Pixxel, and Boom Supersonic, reflecting strong cross-industry confidence in the startup’s last-mile mobility thesis.

The fresh capital will be channelled toward strengthening product development and engineering capabilities, expanding the core team, and initiating pilot deployments in select urban markets.

Founded in 2024 by Akshat Bhatia and Himanshu Panda, Pluto Mobility is building electric vehicles specifically designed for last-mile delivery use cases.

The company is developing compact, scooter-sized electric delivery vehicles that are fully enclosed to withstand extreme weather conditions. These vehicles are engineered to handle up to twice the order volume of a traditional two-wheeler. Rather than modifying existing platforms, Pluto is designing its EVs from the ground up to meet the demands of high-frequency delivery operations, with a focus on higher throughput, durability, and cost efficiency—while keeping operations seamless for fleet operators.

Pluto plans to commence pilot rollouts in late 2026, targeting e-commerce and quick-commerce players across major Indian cities. At present, the startup operates its own in-house fleet, offering delivery services to select brands as it continues to test and refine vehicle hardware and performance benchmarks.

In a significant development in India’s direct-to-consumer space, healthy snacking brand Happilo reported operating revenue of Rs 280 crore in FY25, down from Rs 329 crore in FY24, reflecting a 15 percent decline in topline performance. However, the sharper focus on profitability marked the bigger shift, with the Bengaluru-headquartered brand narrowing its losses by 93 percent to Rs 9.5 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 136.6 crore in the previous fiscal.

The company also recorded Rs  2.5 crore in non-operating income, taking its total income to Rs 282.5 crore in FY25. The numbers point to a broader recalibration underway across India’s maturing D2C ecosystem, where several venture-backed brands are pivoting from aggressive expansion to sustainable revenue growth.

Established in 2016, Happilo operates in the D2C food and beverage segment, offering dry fruits, trail mixes, nut-based protein bars, dates, and muesli through online platforms supported by an omnichannel distribution strategy. In FY25, product sales continued to be its sole source of operating revenue, underscoring its focused business model.

On the expenditure side, procurement remained the largest cost component, accounting for 73 percent of overall expenses. With a moderated scale, procurement costs fell 17 percent to Rs  212.4 crore in FY25 from Rs 257 crore in FY24. Employee benefit expenses declined 34 percent to Rs 15.5 crore. Advertising and promotional spends saw a steep 59 percent reduction to Rs 28.2 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 69.4 crore a year earlier, reflecting tighter capital allocation amid evolving market conditions.

Total expenses dropped 38 percent year-on-year to Rs 292 crore in FY25 from Rs 467.7 crore in FY24. Miscellaneous expenses were significantly rationalised to Rs 6.2 crore from Rs 46.2 crore, while transportation costs stood at Rs 7.6 crore. The improved cost discipline and operational efficiencies helped the company achieve EBITDA positivity at Rs 3 crore. EBITDA margin stood at 0.89 percent, while return on capital employed (ROCE) was recorded at -11.54 percent. On a unit level, Happilo spent Rs 1.04 to generate every rupee of operating revenue in FY25, indicating improved unit economics.

The company has raised approximately $38.5 million across two funding rounds, including $25 million from Motilal Oswal Private Equity in February 2022 and $13.5 million from A91 Partners in February 2021. As investor-backed D2C brands navigate a highly competitive category marked by low entry barriers and fluctuating procurement prices, Happilo’s reset mirrors the profitability-led correction visible across India’s D2C landscape.

The healthy snacking segment continues to grow within the broader ecosystem, even as margins remain under pressure due to intense competition and import-linked raw material costs. Any potential easing of key nut imports through trade agreements could further support scaling efforts for brands in 2025 and beyond.

In the latest development from India’s direct-to-consumer space, healthy snacking brand Happilo has reported a decline in revenue even as it sharply narrowed its losses, signalling a strategic reset focused on profitability.

The Bengaluru-based company posted operating revenue of Rs 280 crore in FY25, down from Rs 329 crore in FY24, reflecting a 15 percent contraction in topline. However, the sharper focus was on improving financial discipline, with losses reducing by 93 percent to  Rs 9.5 crore in FY25 from Rs 136.6 crore a year earlier.

The company also recorded Rs 2.5 crore as non-operating income, taking its total income to Rs 282.5 crore in FY25. The numbers indicate a broader shift within India’s maturing D2C ecosystem—from aggressive scale-driven growth to a more sustainable and profitability-led model.

Founded in 2016, Happilo operates in the D2C food and beverage segment, offering products such as dry fruits, trail mixes, nut-based protein bars, dates, and muesli. The brand sells primarily through online platforms, supported by an omnichannel distribution strategy. In FY25, product sales remained the sole contributor to operating revenue, underscoring its focused business approach.

On the expenditure side, procurement continued to form the largest share of overall costs, accounting for 73 percent of total spending. In line with moderated operations, procurement expenses declined 17 percent to Rs 212.4 crore in FY25 from  Rs 257 crore in FY24. Employee benefit costs were reduced by 34 percent to Rs 15.5 crore.

Marketing spending also saw a significant rationalisation. Advertising and promotional expenses fell 59 percent to  Rs 28.2 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 69.4 crore in the previous fiscal, reflecting tighter capital allocation amid evolving market conditions.

Overall, total expenditure dropped 38 percent year-on-year to Rs 292 crore in FY25, down from  Rs 467.7 crore in FY24. Miscellaneous expenses reduced substantially to  Rs 6.2 crore from Rs 46.2 crore, while transportation costs stood at Rs 7.6 crore. Improved operating efficiency helped the company turn EBITDA positive at Rs 3 crore. Its EBITDA margin improved to 0.89 percent, while Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) stood at -11.54 percent.

On a unit economics basis, Happilo spent Rs 1.04 to generate one rupee of operating revenue in FY25, marking a clear improvement compared to the previous year.

In terms of funding, Happilo has raised approximately $38.5 million across two rounds. These include $25 million from Motilal Oswal Private Equity in February 2022 and $13.5 million from A91 Partners in February 2021.

As venture-backed consumer brands navigate heightened competition, low entry barriers, and fluctuating input costs, Happilo’s recalibration reflects a broader profitability-first approach emerging across India’s D2C landscape.

While the healthy snacking category continues to expand, margins remain under pressure due to intense competition and import-linked raw material costs, particularly for nuts. Any potential easing of import duties through trade agreements could further support growth for brands in this segment in the coming years.

Bengaluru-based Yoga Bar has surpassed the Rs 200 crore revenue mark in FY25, marking a significant milestone in India’s fast-growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) health-food segment.

The company’s revenue from operations rose to Rs 201.66 crore in FY25, reflecting an 83 percent increase from Rs 110 crore in FY24. The strong topline performance underscores the brand’s rapid scale-up within India’s competitive D2C ecosystem. In addition to operational revenue, the company also reported other income during the fiscal year, further bolstering its financial momentum.

Founded in 2015 by sisters Anindita Sampath and Suhasini Sampath, Yoga Bar was built around the philosophy of balanced nutrition and “honest” labelling. Over the years, it has expanded its portfolio to include energy bars, protein bars, muesli, peanut butter, and oats.

A key turning point in the company’s journey came in May 2023, when FMCG major ITC Limited acquired a 39 percent stake for Rs 175 crore, reinforcing investor confidence in high-growth D2C brands. In January 2026, Yoga Bar appointed Anuj Bansal, an executive committee member at ITC Foods, as Chief Business Officer—signalling closer strategic alignment and a sharper focus on expansion.

On the expenditure front, total expenses increased to Rs 271 crore in FY25 from Rs 170 crore in FY24, in line with the company’s growth push. The cost of materials consumed stood at Rs 149 crore, accounting for 55 percent of overall expenses, compared to Rs 96 crore in the previous fiscal. Employee benefit expenses rose to Rs 33.5 crore from Rs 25.5 crore. Marketing investments saw a sharp 90 percent jump to Rs 49 crore from Rs 25.88 crore, highlighting the brand’s aggressive go-to-market and consumer acquisition strategy. Freight outward costs were reported at Rs 20.65 crore in FY25.

Yoga Bar’s FY25 performance highlights how nutrition-focused D2C brands in India are balancing rapid growth with long-term brand investments. Backed by strategic and venture capital investors, the company remains firmly positioned among the country’s well-funded and fast-scaling D2C players, reflecting sustained consumer demand and growing institutional confidence in the segment.

South Indian food brand Sweet Karam Coffee (SKC) is set to raise Rs 30 crore ($3.31 million) in a Series A extension round from its existing investors, Peak XV Partners and Fireside Ventures.

The company’s board has approved the issuance of 19,221 Series A1 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) at an issue price of Rs 15,609 per share to raise funds. Peak XV Partners will lead the round with an investment of Rs 20 crore, while Fireside Ventures will participate with Rs 10 crore, bringing the total fundraise in this tranche to Rs 30 crore.

The round is expected to boost SKC’s valuation by 85 percent to Rs 580 crore (approximately $64 million) post-money, up from Rs 313 crore ($36.7 million) in its previous $8 million round. Since both investors are existing stakeholders, the filing indicates that additional capital could follow soon.

The proceeds from the round will be utilised to expand SKC’s business operations, according to the filings.

Founded in 2015, SKC specialises in authentic South Indian sweets, snacks, and filter coffee made without palm oil, preservatives, or maida. The brand also offers condiments, pickles, masalas, and ghee. SKC operates via its website, e-commerce platforms, and quick commerce services, catering to customers across 32 countries.

In April 2025, SKC had raised $8 million in a Series round led by Peak XV Partners with participation from Fireside Ventures. Following the allotment of the latest tranche, Peak XV Partners and Fireside Ventures hold 24.89 percent and 29.10 percent stakes, respectively, in the company.

SKC’s revenue from operations grew more than fourfold to Rs 46 crore in FY25, up from Rs 11.26 crore in FY24, while losses increased roughly 3.3 times to Rs 24.78 crore from Rs 7.58 crore during the same period.

TechnoSport has launched its first Exclusive Brand Outlet (EBO) in Odisha at Plutone Mall. The new store marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing retail expansion as it deepens its offline presence across emerging Indian markets.

With the opening of the Rourkela outlet, TechnoSport’s nationwide network now exceeds 35 stores, underscoring its strategic focus on Tier II cities and industrial hubs. The company’s EBO-led model is designed to enhance brand visibility, improve the in-store consumer experience, and provide greater control over merchandising and margins—making it a central pillar of its offline growth strategy.

Reaffirming its long-term commitment to the state, TechnoSport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Odisha last year, outlining plans to invest Rs 100 crore in a new activewear manufacturing facility. The proposed unit, to be set up within a modern industrial estate, is expected to generate employment for over 1,000 workers, contributing to regional economic growth.

From a manufacturing standpoint, Odisha holds strategic importance due to its skilled stitching and sewing workforce, particularly in sportswear production. The availability of trained apparel workers, including a strong base of women professionals, coupled with supportive industrial infrastructure, aligns with TechnoSport’s long-term production and supply chain plans.

Puspen Maity, CEO, TechnoSport said, “The launch of our Exclusive Brand Outlet in Rourkela marks an important step in strengthening TechnoSport’s presence across high-potential Tier-2 and industrial markets. Odisha has consistently been one of our strongest regions, backed by high consumer brand recall and deep general trade strength. This store allows us to build closer engagement with the market while expanding our organized retail footprint in East India.”

The Rourkela outlet features the brand’s latest performance and athleisure collections tailored for daily training and extended comfort. Catering to the region’s warm and humid climate, the assortment includes lightweight quick-dry training T-shirts, breathable polos, stretch joggers, and shorts in seasonal colours. The range also incorporates upgraded fabric technologies such as anti-odour finishes and enhanced durability.

Looking ahead, TechnoSport aims to expand its EBO network to 50 stores nationwide by the end of the financial year. The company will continue its cluster-based rollout strategy across high-growth Tier II and Tier III cities. In Odisha, future expansion plans include strengthening its presence in Bhubaneswar, followed by Cuttack, Berhampur, and Sambalpur as part of its regional scale-up initiative.

Giva is preparing to raise Rs 110 crore (approximately $12 million) through an extension of its Series C round. The funding will be led by HPV CC1 Ltd, with participation from Premji Invest, Kenro Capital, and Titan Capital.

This latest infusion comes nine months after the omnichannel jewellery brand secured Rs 530 crore ($61.5 million) in its Series C round in June last year. That round was led by Creaegis and saw participation from Premji Invest, Epiq Capital, and Edelweiss Discovery Fund.

Giva’s board has approved the issuance of 94,01,710 Series C1 compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) at an issue price of Rs 117 each to raise the proposed capital.

HPV CC1 Ltd will anchor the extension round with an investment of Rs 74.25 crore (around $8.25 million). Kenro Capital will contribute Rs 13.75 crore in primary capital, while Premji Invest, through PI Opportunities Fund II, and Titan Capital, via its Winners Fund, will each invest Rs 11 crore.

The company intends to deploy the proceeds towards operational requirements, including hiring, marketing initiatives, and other general corporate purposes. Giva’s valuation is expected to climb to nearly Rs 4,900 crore ($545 million), marking a 22 percent increase from its earlier valuation of about Rs 4,000 crore when it raised Rs 530 crore.

To date, the company has raised over $146 million, including a Rs 255 crore Series B round that comprised both primary and secondary investments led by Premji Invest and Epiq Capital.

For the financial year ending March 2025, Giva reported an 89 percent year-on-year rise in operating revenue to Rs 518 crore, compared to Rs 274 crore in FY24. However, its net losses widened by 22 percent to Rs 72 crore during the same period.

In the broader new-age jewellery segment, competitor BlueStone went public in August 2025 and posted a 40 percent increase in revenue to Rs 1,770 crore in FY25, while losses expanded 56 percent to Rs 222 crore. The company operates more than 200 stores. Meanwhile, CaratLane, a subsidiary of Titan Company Limited, reported revenue of Rs 3,583 crore and runs over 350 stores nationwide.

Other emerging players in the segment include Palmonas, which recently raised Rs 55 crore in its Series A round, and Firefly Diamonds, which secured $3 million in a seed funding round led by WestBridge Capital in March last year.

GoBoult Audio has reported steady growth and a sharp rise in profitability for FY25, signalling a broader shift in India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) landscape. The homegrown electronics and gadget brand posted revenue of Rs 763 crore for the fiscal year, marking a 10 percent increase from Rs 697 crore in FY24. The growth comes at a time when the wearables segment has slowed compared to its earlier pace of expansion.

While the 10 percent rise may appear moderate when compared to the previous year’s surge, achieving double-digit growth in the current market environment stands out. Founded in 2017, GoBoult designs and markets wireless earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, and speakers. The company generates revenue entirely from product sales, underscoring its focus on building proprietary products and leveraging its own brand-led distribution model.

On the cost front, imported raw materials account for 53 percent of the company’s overall expenditure. Material costs declined by 2.7 percent to Rs 391 crore in FY25 from Rs 402 crore in FY24. Improved cost efficiencies significantly strengthened profitability. Net profit surged nearly tenfold to Rs 24 crore in FY25, up from Rs 2.5 crore in FY24. The company reported an EBITDA margin of 6.6 percent and spent Rs 0.96 to generate every rupee of revenue during the year, indicating stronger operational control and a more refined D2C supply chain strategy.

Notably, GoBoult has grown without external funding, a departure from the venture capital-backed trajectory common among many D2C brands.

The company’s FY25 results align with a larger trend emerging in India’s D2C market in 2025, where brands are increasingly prioritising sustainable growth over aggressive expansion. The earlier phase, characterised by heavy funding inflows and high startup valuations, is gradually giving way to a focus on strong unit economics, margin protection, and disciplined scaling.

Mumbai-based brand BabyWorks By Swapnil has secured a Rs 60 lakh investment on Shark Tank India Season 5, after striking a deal with Aman Gupta for 6 percent equity. The funding underscores growing investor confidence in India’s rapidly evolving direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem, particularly in niche, design-led categories.

Founded in 2021 by Swapnil and Shrey Khandelwal, BabyWorks By Swapnil specialises in premium jewellery for babies, children, and teenagers. The brand caters to rising demand for personalised, high-quality, and safe products designed specifically for young wearers. By combining detailed craftsmanship with comfort-focused design, the company has positioned itself within the premium gifting and occasion-based jewellery segment.

The founders initially sought Rs 60 lakhs in exchange for 4 percent equity, reflecting their belief in the brand’s distinct positioning and recall value. However, they ultimately agreed to dilute 6 percent equity, signalling a strategic choice to prioritise mentorship and brand-building support over maximising valuation.

BabyWorks differentiates itself with hallmark 14 Carat, 18 Carat, and 22 Carat gold collections, alongside 925 sterling silver pieces. Each product is handcrafted and thoughtfully designed to ensure comfort, durability, and child safety.

Within India’s broader D2C market, jewellery remains a trust-driven category. The company’s national exposure on Shark Tank and subsequent funding reflect strong consumer resonance and confidence in its specialised offering.

The investment also signals a shift in India’s D2C sector toward depth rather than breadth. Unlike mass-market fashion and lifestyle labels, BabyWorks operates in the specialised space of premium children’s jewellery — aligning with the rise of brands centred on certification, craftsmanship, and trust.

From an investor standpoint, the deal reflects a broader trend of measured, strategic capital deployment rather than aggressive spending-led expansion. It also highlights sustained interest in focused, quality-driven D2C startups.

As more Indian D2C ventures explore pathways to scale, acquisition, or public listing, early-stage brands that cultivate trust and community engagement — such as BabyWorks — represent a growing wave of carefully built, premium-focused businesses. The Shark Tank investment goes beyond capital infusion; it signals increasing market appetite for thoughtfully designed, safe and high-quality products for children.

Mumbai-based startup Mama Nourish has secured a Rs 2 crore investment on Shark Tank India Season 5, closing a deal with Aman Gupta for 20 percent equity. The funding marks a significant milestone for the young direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand and reflects rising investor confidence in India’s digital-first consumer market.

Founded in 2023 by Kunal Goel, Usha Shrotriya, and Yash Parashar, Mama Nourish operates as a D2C brand offering nutrition-focused energy bars sold primarily online. The company is tapping into the growing demand for convenient yet healthy snack alternatives, as consumers increasingly move away from conventional packaged snacks in favour of better-for-you options.

The founders initially sought Rs 60 lakhs for 1.5 percent equity, signalling an ambitious valuation. However, the final agreement of Rs 2 crore for 20 percent equity provides not only capital but also strategic backing at a time when investment momentum in the healthy snacking and wellness segment is accelerating.

Mama Nourish’s product portfolio includes energy bars made with ingredients such as millets, dry fruits, and kamarkas. The products are gluten-free and positioned as suitable for individuals managing diabetes.

Investor appetite for food innovation and natural product brands has grown steadily, with healthy snacking emerging as one of the fastest-expanding D2C categories. Consumers are increasingly seeking portable nutrition options that balance convenience with taste and health benefits.

With fresh capital in hand, Mama Nourish is expected to deepen its online footprint while exploring omnichannel opportunities, including offline retail and third-party marketplaces. The rapid rise of quick-commerce platforms, which have simplified access to health-oriented products, could further support the brand’s multi-platform expansion strategy.

The deal also highlights a broader funding trend: capital is increasingly flowing toward focused, innovation-led consumer brands rather than generalist product lines. Startups that combine cultural relevance, authentic ingredients, and clearly defined positioning are attracting the most investor interest.

As India’s D2C ecosystem continues to evolve, Mama Nourish’s Shark Tank success signals growing traction for nutrition-driven brands operating at the intersection of trust, health consciousness, and digital commerce.

Home décor and art-tech startup Artociti stepped into the spotlight on Shark Tank India, where founders Indrajeet Kumar and Swatiki Prakash presented their vision of transforming traditional relief mural art into a scalable, mass-market offering. The founders aim to make premium, hand-sculpted wall art accessible to households and commercial spaces across India.

During their pitch, the duo explained that Artociti combines artisanal craftsmanship with industrial production techniques. Each design begins with detailed hand-sculpting using Ganga clay, after which the artwork is converted into fiberglass moulds to enable large-scale manufacturing. This art-tech model allows the company to preserve the aesthetic richness of traditional murals while ensuring durability, faster production, and cost efficiency.

The founders entered the Tank seeking Rs 1 crore in exchange for 3 percent equity, placing the company’s valuation at Rs 33.33 crore.

Artociti operates as a bootstrapped venture with its own in-house manufacturing facility and a workforce of 78 employees. A major growth driver has been its strong direct-to-consumer (D2C) channel, with 90 percent of revenue generated through its website. The brand also maintains an efficient logistics structure, with shipping costs averaging between Rs 700 and Rs 800 per order.

The company’s revenue growth has been sharp. Sales rose from Rs 12,500 in FY21 to Rs 3.44 crore in FY25. In the current financial year, year-to-date revenue has already reached Rs 3 crore. The founders project sales between Rs 5.5 crore and Rs 6 crore in FY26, with a longer-term target of Rs 12 crore by FY27. Currently, the business operates at a 9 percent EBITDA on a year-to-date basis.

Artociti’s portfolio includes relief murals, canvas paintings, wall accents, and sculptures. However, relief murals remain the dominant category, accounting for 80 percent of overall sales. The brand reports a strong average order value (AOV) of Rs 8,500, supported by its premium positioning and product mix.

Following detailed negotiations around valuation and production scalability, the founders secured a deal with Vineeta Singh and Namita Thapar. The investors committed Rs 1 crore for 7.5 percent equity, along with a 2 percent royalty until Rs 1.5 crore is recovered, valuing the company at Rs 13.33 crore.

With more than 300 unique moulds and an expanding customer base in Tier II and Tier III cities — which contribute 40 percent of total sales — Artociti plans to deploy the fresh capital towards expanding its manufacturing capacity and strengthening its national footprint.

Kids lifestyle brand Rosada stepped into the spotlight on Shark Tank India, where founders Shalu Agarwal and Bhupesh Agarwal showcased their journey of building a design-driven label tailored for modern parents and children.

During the pitch, the founders explained that Rosada operates in the kids’ essentials and lifestyle space, offering products across backpacks, tote bags, bedding sets, travel kits, pouches, décor, and baby bedding. Among its standout offerings is the Lazy Zoo diaper backpack, crafted to be lightweight and water-resistant. The brand manages manufacturing in-house, allowing it to maintain tighter control over quality standards, pricing, and margins.

The entrepreneurs entered the Tank seeking Rs 1.25 crore in exchange for 4 percent equity, placing the company’s valuation at Rs 31.25 crore. They shared that Rosada was established in 2013, while its dedicated website went live in 2020. Bhupesh came on board full-time in January 2022, playing a pivotal role in scaling operations and driving accelerated growth.

Rosada caters to children between 0 and 12 years of age, with nearly 95 percent of revenue generated through its own website and the remaining sales coming from additional channels. The brand has built a strong digital presence, growing its Instagram community to 135K followers. This traction is supported by a monthly marketing investment of approximately Rs 16 lakh, delivering a return on ad spend (ROAS) exceeding 5x.

On the financial front, the company has demonstrated steady upward momentum. Revenue rose from Rs 48 lakh in FY21–22 to Rs 1.23 crore in FY22–23, followed by Rs 3.52 crore in FY23–24 and Rs 6.48 crore in FY24–25. Year-to-date sales currently stand at Rs 6.7 crore, with projected revenue expected to reach Rs 12.5–13 crore in FY25–26. The brand reports an average order value of Rs 1,990 and maintains a healthy six-month repeat purchase rate of 31 percent.

Rosada has also begun strengthening its offline footprint, debuting in Hamleys stores in June 2025. Each outlet is reportedly generating monthly sales in the range of Rs 1.5–1.75 lakh. In terms of revenue contribution, bags account for 60 percent of total sales, followed by pouches and travel sets at 20 percent, while bedding, accessories, décor, and baby bedding together contribute the remaining share.

After negotiations, the founders secured a deal with Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, and Ritesh Agarwal. The trio jointly invested Rs 1.25 crore for 5 percent equity, along with a 2 percent royalty until Rs 1.25 crore is recouped, valuing Rosada at Rs 25 crore.

Gaming peripherals brand Kreo stepped into the spotlight on Shark Tank India, where founder Ishan Sukul, along with Himanshu Gupta, presented their ambition to create an Indian-first gaming ecosystem. The founders outlined their goal of serving the country’s rapidly expanding base of gamers, content creators, designers, and coders through accessible yet high-performance products.

During the pitch, Ritesh explained that Kreo is positioned as a value-driven alternative to expensive international gaming brands. The company focuses on delivering high-performance gaming peripherals at accessible price points, targeting young Indian consumers who seek quality without premium pricing. Kreo began its journey with keyboards — a category that continues to drive the bulk of its revenue — and has since expanded into mice, monitors, webcams, and gaming chairs.

The startup entered the Tank seeking Rs 2 crore in exchange for 1 percent equity, implying a valuation of Rs 200 crore. The founders revealed that the company has clocked Rs 70 crore in lifetime sales, with operations gaining strong momentum since commercial sales commenced in November 2022.

At present, Kreo manages a portfolio of 64 SKUs. Keyboards and mouse form the core of its product mix, followed by gaming chairs, monitors, and webcams. The brand primarily caters to digitally native consumers, including gamers and creators, and relies heavily on community-led marketing strategies.

On the financial front, Kreo has demonstrated rapid revenue growth, even as it continues to invest in expansion. The company recorded Rs 33 lakh in revenue in FY22–23, which rose sharply to Rs 8 crore in FY23–24. For the current financial year, it has achieved Rs 25.5 crore in revenue so far and is targeting Rs 55 crore in annual sales, with an EBITDA break-even outlook on the horizon. Between 2022 and 2024, the brand secured funding across multiple rounds and currently holds Rs 2.8 crore in reserves, along with structured debt aimed at accelerating growth.

Following negotiations on the show, Ritesh Agarwal agreed to invest Rs 1 crore for 1 percent equity, alongside an additional Rs 1 crore as debt at 9 percent interest for a three-year tenure. The deal closed at a revised valuation of Rs 100 crore, marking a significant milestone in Kreo’s growth journey.

In a significant development within India’s direct-to-consumer landscape, Clayco Cosmetics has raised Rs 29.99 crore (approximately $3.3 million) in a Series A funding round led by London-based Twenty Nine Capital Partners. The investment marks a key milestone for the 2023-founded premium skincare startup and highlights continued investor interest in India’s growing D2C beauty segment.

Founded by Niharika Jhunjhunwala, Clayco Cosmetics operates as a premium D2C skincare brand catering to modern, ingredient-conscious consumers. As part of the transaction, the company’s board allotted 1,529 Series A non-cumulative Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) at a premium of Rs 1.96 lakh per share on December 23, 2025, mobilising Rs 29.99 crore in fresh capital.

The newly raised funds will be deployed to scale operations, enhance product development, and strengthen research and development capabilities. The company also intends to significantly increase its brand-building efforts.

Clayco’s growth roadmap reflects a focus on long-term brand building, backed by investments in R&D and supply chain capabilities rather than aggressive discount-led expansion. By positioning itself within the premium skincare segment, the company aims to tap into sustained demand across metro cities as well as emerging markets.

The funding round also underscores sustained global investor interest in India’s direct-to-consumer ecosystem, particularly within high-growth verticals such as beauty, personal care, and wellness. With fresh capital in place, Clayco Cosmetics is set to accelerate new product launches, deepen consumer engagement, and strengthen its presence in India’s evolving D2C landscape.

India’s home décor market is seeing a growing shift as digital-first brands expand into physical retail to boost growth and customer trust. Direct-to-consumer brand Revive Home has announced its entry into brick-and-mortar retail through partnerships with multi-brand chains, marking its first move beyond an online-only model.

The company’s phygital strategy is aimed at accelerating scale and targeting a Rs 100 crore revenue run rate by the end of FY26–27.

In the first phase of expansion, Revive Home will establish its presence in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru by June 2026. The rollout will begin with four flagship shop-in-shop formats, enabling customers to physically experience its handcrafted furniture and antique-inspired décor offerings.

Sangeeta Vasishta, Director, Revive Home, said, “Physical retail is the next frontier for scale; it bridges the trust gap for high-ticket artisanal products.”

The expansion comes as India’s home furnishing market is projected to grow significantly over the coming years. While the transition to offline retail involves higher inventory and operational costs, the company plans to rely on data-driven inventory management to align store offerings with regional preferences.

Revive Home, known for its handcrafted home décor rooted in traditional Indian craftsmanship, is positioning itself in the contemporary premium segment, targeting urban consumers seeking artisanal and design-led products.

India’s D2C ecosystem continues to attract investor interest, with fresh capital flowing into emerging consumer brands. In the latest development, Nat Habit is reportedly in discussions to raise Rs 130–150 crore from existing investor Bertelsmann India Investments (BII).

BII, which has backed the company in earlier rounds, is understood to be increasing its investment following strong revenue growth. 

The funding talks come as the brand’s revenue grew from Rs 72 crore in FY24 to Rs 106 crore in FY25. However, losses also widened during the same period, rising from Rs 18 crore to Rs 29 crore, reflecting higher investments in expansion.

The proposed funds are expected to be deployed toward business growth initiatives, including offline expansion. Over the past year, Nat Habit has strengthened its omnichannel presence, entering general trade stores across Delhi NCR and expanding partnerships with quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit and Instamart across major cities.

Founded in 2019, Nat Habit operates in the natural beauty and wellness segment, positioning itself around the concept of “Fresh Ayurveda.” The company claims to use natural ingredients and in-house manufacturing processes to deliver freshly prepared products.

To date, Nat Habit has raised over Rs 150 crore from investors including Bertelsmann India Investments, Fireside Ventures, Peak XV Partners, Amazon India Fund, Mirabilis Investment Trust, and Sharrp Ventures.

Army-inspired apparel label Warrior World stepped into the spotlight on Shark Tank India, where founders Keyur, Uday, Dharmin, Kapil, and Jigar outlined their vision of building a mass-market fashion brand rooted in military aesthetics and patriotic appeal.

During their pitch, the team highlighted their mission to make army-inspired streetwear accessible across India without compromising on quality. Unlike typical fast-fashion brands, Warrior World focuses on durability and scale, with 82 percent of its revenue driven by military-themed designs. The founders emphasised that their products are built to last, featuring high-density prints tested to withstand up to 50 washes.

The entrepreneurs entered the Tank seeking Rs 75 lakh in exchange for 1 percent equity, placing the company’s valuation at Rs 75 crore.

Sharing their journey, the founders revealed that Warrior World operates on a lean, bootstrapped model. Before launching the brand, they ran women’s ethnic wear ventures such as Bahuji from 2015 to 2023.

The brand has witnessed impressive growth. Revenue surged from Rs 92,000 in FY23–24 to Rs 6.4 crore in FY24–25, with projections of Rs 30 crore for FY25–26. Currently operating at a 15 percent EBITDA (YTD), Warrior World reports a 24 percent customer repeat rate. Its pricing remains competitive and accessible, with individual t-shirts priced at Rs 399, packs of three at Rs 999, and packs of five at Rs 1,499.

Operationally, the company relies on a proprietary tech-enabled order management system, with 98 percent of sales generated through its own website. Its made-to-order production model eliminates finished-goods inventory, enabling efficient fulfilment through a ready pick-list dispatch system.

Following negotiations, the founders secured a deal with Vineeta Singh, who agreed to invest Rs 75 lakh for 1 percent equity, along with a 1.5 percent royalty until  Rs 1.25 crore is recovered, maintaining the company’s Rs 75 crore valuation.

Prior to appearing on Shark Tank India, Warrior World had been entirely self-funded and achieved lifetime sales of Rs 20 crore. With fresh capital and strategic mentorship, the team now aims to accelerate growth by increasing its customer lifetime value of Rs 2,100 and average order value of Rs 940, as it works towards establishing military-style streetwear as a mainstream fashion category in India.

Omnichannel furniture marketplace Pepperfry is set to raise Rs 158.4 crore (around $17.6 million) in a fresh funding round spearheaded by Morde Foods and SageOne Investments. The round has also attracted participation from Newage Global Ventures, F3 Advisors, and nearly 50 additional investors, including prominent angel backers such as Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer.

This development comes shortly after the company secured $5.1 million in June 2025 from its existing investor base, which includes the General Electric Pension Fund, Norwest Venture Partners, Goldman Sachs, and Panthera Growth Partners.

Pepperfry’s board passed a resolution in January approving the issuance of 40,51,174 equity shares priced at Rs 391 each to mobilize the said capital.

Morde Foods will anchor the round with an investment of Rs 25 crore ($2.77 million). SageOne Investments and Newage Global Ventures will contribute Rs 20 crore and Rs 14.8 crore, respectively. Among individual investors, Sidharth Iyer has committed Rs 15 crore, while Vikas Arora will infuse Rs 8.25 crore. The remaining capital will be pooled in by 49 other investors, including Shreyas Iyer.

The documents further reveal that Pepperfry has already received Rs 105 crore (approximately $11.7 million) from the total committed amount, with the balance expected to be closed soon.

The company intends to deploy the fresh funds toward scaling its operations, supporting subsidiaries and group entities, meeting working capital requirements, and addressing general corporate needs.

Post-allotment, Pepperfry’s valuation is projected to decline by 44 percent to Rs 1,661 crore ($185 million), compared to Rs 2,979 crore ($330 million) following its previous $5.1 million raise in June last year.

Headquartered in Mumbai, the company has cumulatively raised over $275 million from investors, including Norwest Venture Partners, General Electric, Broad Street Investment, and Pidilite Industries, among others.

Financially, Pepperfry has faced headwinds in recent years. After witnessing a 30 percent drop in operating revenue earlier, the company’s revenue further declined by 14 percent in FY25 to Rs 163 crore from Rs 189 crore in FY24. On a positive note, it managed to narrow its losses by 27 percent, bringing them down to Rs 85 crore during the fiscal.

The Man Company, owned by Emami, reported a decline in revenue and slipped into losses in the financial year ended March 2025. 

The Gurugram-based men’s grooming and personal care brand recorded a 16 percent drop in revenue from operations to Rs 154 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 183 crore in FY24.

The company manufactures and sells skin and hair care products, which contributed 97 percent of its total operating revenue during the year. The remaining income was generated from shipping charges.

On the cost front, advertising and promotional expenses emerged as the largest outlay, surging more than threefold to Rs 43 crore in FY25 from Rs 14 crore in the previous year. Discounts rose to Rs 18 crore, employee benefit expenses increased to Rs 10.5 crore, and the cost of materials nearly doubled to Rs 29.3 crore. Depreciation expenses also climbed to Rs 6.2 crore during the year. However, other expenses declined significantly to Rs 70 crore in FY25.

Despite fluctuations across expense categories, total expenditure remained unchanged at Rs 177 crore in FY25, similar to the previous fiscal year.

The fall in revenue weighed on profitability, with the company posting a net loss of Rs 22 crore in FY25, compared to a profit of Rs 9 crore in FY24. Its EBITDA margin declined sharply to negative 9.74 percent, down from 6.78 percent a year earlier. On a per-unit basis, the company spent Rs 1.15 to earn every rupee of revenue during the fiscal year.

As of FY25, The Man Company reported cash and bank balances of Rs 0.3 crore, while current assets stood at Rs 68 crore.

Emami had acquired The Man Company for approximately Rs 400 crore, marking its first direct-to-consumer (D2C) acquisition.

Within the competitive landscape, peers showed mixed results. Beardo reported growth in operating revenue to Rs 214 crore in FY25 from Rs 173 crore in FY24, with profit after tax rising 258 percent to Rs 13 crore. In contrast, Ustraa saw its revenue decline 22 percent to Rs 73 crore in FY25, though it managed to reduce losses by 72 percent to Rs 14 crore during the year.

The latest performance highlights the broader challenges associated with scaling and integrating D2C acquisitions. Companies often face the task of balancing structured operational control with the agility and marketing intensity that fuelled early-stage growth. In many cases, advertising and promotional strategies become early focal points of change, which can create friction. For now, The Man Company’s FY25 results suggest that sustaining post-acquisition momentum in the D2C segment remains a complex undertaking.

Bengaluru-based jewellery startup GIVA sustained strong growth momentum in FY25, reporting an 89 percent year-on-year surge in revenue, following a 66 percent rise in FY24. However, the company’s aggressive expansion strategy also led to a 22 percent increase in losses during the same period.

GIVA’s revenue from operations rose to Rs 518 crore in FY25, up from Rs 274 crore in the previous fiscal. The company’s total income stood at Rs 523 crore for the year.

GIVA generates revenue through the sale of jewellery across its digital platforms and offline retail network. While it initially focused on silver jewellery, the brand has since diversified into gold and lab-grown diamond categories. During FY25, the company reported an almost equal contribution from online and offline channels, with each accounting for roughly 50 percent of total revenue.

The fiscal year also marked significant physical expansion. GIVA crossed the 200-store milestone and is now nearing 300 outlets nationwide. The company made its international debut with its first store in Sri Lanka, which contributed Rs 10.7 crore in revenue during FY25.

Marketing spends increased 55 percent to Rs 135 crore, while rental costs surged 135 percent to Rs 47 crore as the company scaled its offline footprint. Overall, total expenses grew 76 percent to Rs 596 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 338 crore in FY24.

As a result, the Ishendra Agarwal-led firm reported a net loss of Rs 72 crore in FY25, up 22 percent from Rs 59 crore a year earlier. Despite widening losses, key operating metrics showed improvement, with return on capital employed (ROCE) and EBITDA margin improving to -21.52 percent and -10.81 percent, respectively. On a per-unit basis, GIVA spent Rs 1.15 to earn a rupee in FY25, an improvement from Rs 1.23 in FY24.

The company reported current assets worth Rs 291 crore at the end of FY25, including cash and bank balances of Rs 37 crore, down from Rs 83 crore in the previous year.

GIVA has raised approximately $122 million in funding, with IQ Capital as its lead investor. This includes a $61.5 million Series C round led by growth-stage investor Creaegis. The company is preparing for a public listing, with plans to target an IPO once it achieves an annual revenue run rate of Rs 1,800–2,000 crore, which is expected over the next two to three years.

Within the broader new-age jewellery space, competitor BlueStone went public in August 2025 and reported a 40 percent increase in revenue to Rs 1,770 crore in FY25, though its losses widened 56 percent to Rs 222 crore. The company operates over 200 stores. Meanwhile, CaratLane, backed by Titan Company Limited, recorded revenue of Rs 3,583 crore in FY25 and runs more than 350 offline outlets across India.

EverBrands, the master franchise operator of Subway and Lavazza in India, has secured $15 million in a fresh funding round led by Playbook Partners.

The newly raised capital will be deployed to strengthen EverBrands’ multi-brand food and beverage platform and accelerate its expansion strategy across key Indian markets. The funding comes at a time when Subway India has surpassed the 1,000-store milestone, marking a significant scale-up for the quick service restaurant chain. Over the past three years, the brand has expanded at an average pace of nearly two new outlets per week, reflecting sustained growth momentum.

EverBrands operates Subway in the country through Culinary Brands India Private Limited. In addition to its QSR footprint, the company manages Lavazza Coffee and F&H Coffee, and oversees the distribution of Dilmah Tea in India through Fresh and Honest Café Private Limited. Its portfolio spans both quick service restaurant and café formats, with a strong focus on urban consumers.

Playbook Partners, which led the round, is a mid-market investment firm focused on backing businesses that leverage technology-enabled growth. The firm was founded by former Reliance Jio executive Vikas Choudhury and targets scalable companies across multiple sectors.

The EverBrands deal marks Playbook Partners’ third investment in India since the first close of its $250 million fund, underscoring the firm’s growing presence in the country’s consumer and growth-stage ecosystem.

Skinvest has unveiled MVP, a stabilized hypochlorous acid (HOCL) face and body spray designed to cleanse, calm, and hydrate the skin in a single step. Positioned as a solution for active, on-the-go lifestyles, the product blends mineral-based science with skin-barrier support to address concerns ranging from post-workout sweat to daily environmental exposure.

Hypochlorous acid is a compound naturally produced by the body to help fight harmful bacteria and reduce inflammation, playing a key role in the skin’s defense mechanism. However, many HOCL-based formulations tend to lose stability quickly. According to the brand, MVP is developed with a lab-optimized pH and concentration to ensure consistent stability, safety, and performance with each use.

The formulation is further strengthened with Zinc PCA, known for regulating oil production and targeting acne-causing bacteria, and Pentavitin, which delivers hydration lasting up to 24 hours. Together, these ingredients aim to keep the skin balanced, soothed, and refreshed without leaving behind residue or stickiness.

Divya Malpani Maheshwari, Founder & CEO of Skinvest shared, "Our goal with MVP was to create a daily skin defender that works in sync with the skin’s natural biology. “It’s multi-functional, pH-balanced, and gentle enough for sensitive or post-procedure skin, yet powerful enough to support recovery and protection in real-life scenarios after workouts, sun exposure, or even on-the-go.”

Designed as a no-rinse, lightweight mist, MVP can be used across multiple areas, including the face, chest, back, and hands. The spray is also suitable for personal items such as phones, masks, and yoga mats, offering added versatility for everyday use.

The HOCL spray works across several skin concerns by helping to combat acne-causing bacteria, ease redness and irritation, and support conditions such as eczema and flare-ups. At the same time, it delivers long-lasting hydration and gentle antimicrobial protection, helping maintain skin resilience against sun exposure, sweat, and environmental stressors.

India-based restaurant technology startup Digitory has raised $500,000 in a Pre-Series A funding round after years of bootstrapped growth. The company plans to use the fresh capital to expand its market presence, strengthen enterprise onboarding, and enhance operational support for its existing clients.

Founded by Shivaprakash S Mogali, Digitory develops tech solutions designed and tested in live restaurant environments. The platform focuses on improving restaurant profitability by streamlining multi-location operations through data-backed systems and cloud-based intelligence.

Several leading restaurant and brewery chains, including Toit, Bier Library, Biergarten, Pumphouse, BlrBrewing, 1522, BygBrewski, Zero40, and Effingut Breweries, currently use Digitory’s platform to manage complex operations across outlets.

Tejas Paresh Lodaya, Angel Investor said, “Digitory is solving a real problem in the hospitality sector — optimising complex restaurant operations at scale using tech. The product has been at the forefront in handling complex, volume-filled situations while being bootstrapped, which is quite rare to find at this stage. Seeing it from an investing viewpoint, Digitory has been a firm which deserved the investment given their mindful approach in building a quality, tested platform first, and moving to scale up second.”

Shivaprakash S Mogali, Founder & CEO, Digitory shared, “We are elated for having raised the $500k funding in Series A funding round. While our product has already been operating across restaurant for years, the funding round will aid boost distribution and scale up our operations at an enterprise level.”

DUSQ, a sleep science and recovery-focused company, has raised Rs 24 crore in a seed funding round led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from Antler India, Climber Capital, Startup Sherpas, Vaishav Investments, Avnish Anand, Founder of CaratLane, and Shivam Puri, CEO of Cipla Health. The funding marks a significant milestone for the company as it prepares to scale what it describes as the world’s first sleep regulation platform.

The fresh capital will be deployed to expand DUSQ’s neuroscience and hardware teams, accelerate intellectual property development, strengthen its fully equipped in-house sleep laboratory, and support its planned entry into the United States as part of a broader push into the fast-growing global sleep economy.

The company’s origins trace back to InnerGize, a stress-focused wearable that gained national attention on Shark Tank India. While early traction validated strong consumer interest, the founding team’s research indicated that stress was often a downstream symptom, with sleep emerging as the underlying issue. Over a two-year period, the team analyzed more than 50 million physiological data points to develop a regulation framework linking autonomic signaling and neural downshifting to fragmented recovery cycles.

In the past year, DUSQ has conducted structured trials within its proprietary sleep laboratory, evaluating autonomic recovery pathways under controlled conditions. According to the company, early findings demonstrate the system’s ability to promote sustained recovery cycles and stabilize uninterrupted sleep patterns, representing a shift from monitoring rest to facilitating it.

Siddhant Bhargava, Co-founder, DUSQ stated, "InnerGize gave us proof of consumer trust, but DUSQ is what happens when you build for the long term. We believe the next frontier of health-tech is not more data—it’s restored biological function. We’re not building another tracker; we’re building infrastructure for human recovery. This funding allows us to take an India-built deep-science product into global markets with confidence.”

Ankur Khaitan, Principal, Fireside Ventures commented, “Sleep is emerging as one of the most important health frontiers globally. What stood out for us about DUSQ was the team’s willingness to rethink the problem and build with genuine scientific depth and clear differentiation from day one. With a launch-ready product and strong IP foundation, we believe it can define the global sleep solutions category.”

The seed round also represents a notable development for India’s med-tech ecosystem. The global sleep technology market has traditionally been led by companies based in the United States and Europe.

Elixiir Foods has secured $9 million in seed funding in a round led by 3one4 Capital, with participation from Incubate Fund Asia. The newly launched venture aims to create an omnichannel, technology-driven food platform focused on becoming a trusted destination for fresh, wholesome, and gourmet food products in urban India.

The company plans to offer a comprehensive portfolio spanning Fresh Produce, Dairy, Meat, Poultry, Seafood, and everyday essentials such as Flours, Rice, Spices, Ancient Grains, Condiments, Snacks, Beverages, Ready-to-Eat, and Frozen Foods. Its proposition centers on organic, natural, pesticide- and antibiotic-free, and minimally processed offerings tailored to evolving urban consumption patterns.

Founded by industry veterans Arvind Mediratta and Ambuj Narayan, Elixiir Foods integrates farm-led sourcing with a private label engine and a centralized wholesale and supply platform. Positioned as an “affordable premium” brand, the company aims to deliver high-quality products at competitive prices, with a focus on dense urban micro-markets through flexible, partner-enabled, and platform-led distribution models.

Arvind Mediratta, Founder and CEO, Elixiir Foods shared, “India is no longer looking only for basics. It wants healthier food choices along with authentic gourmet cuisines: not just from different regions of India, but from around the world. Elixiir Foods is being built as a tech-native destination, positioned as the most trusted platform for fresh, healthy, and gourmet food products. We also recognize that Indian customers across all SECs are highly value-conscious, making pricing the X-factor right at the wholesale and distribution level as part of our customer proposition. This represents a massive opportunity, with the total addressable market easily exceeding $100 billion and continuing to grow.”

Mediratta brings 34 years of experience across FMCG and retail, having held senior leadership roles at Walmart, Metro AG, Procter & Gamble, and Yum! Brands, and Marico. His exposure spans emerging markets, including India, China, and ASEAN, as well as developed markets such as the US, Australia, and Singapore.

Anand Batra, Investments Team at 3one4 Capital commented, "The most scalable and resilient customer platforms emerge when format innovation and operational discipline are integrated from the very start. Our work with Elixiir Foods began at the concept stage, rooted in the structural shift of urban India toward high-trust, destination-led consumption. Arvind and Ambuj bring a rare calibre of operating depth to this mission. Elixiir reflects a first-principles approach, utilizing a tech-enabled wholesale foundation, to building a business designed for long-term growth."

Nao Murakami, Founder & Partner, Incubate Fund Asia, added, “Globally, we have seen category-defining food & grocery store chains emerge when consumer tastes shift toward quality, trust and differentiation. In such a shift, people start consuming “stories” behind the products and it demands a very different type of retail stores - like how Trader Joe’s emerged in the 1960's-1970's in the US. We believe that India is at this inflection point today, and this is a massive opportunity. Combined with Arvind and Ambuj’s deep operating experience, this positions the company to build a scalable, high-trust grocery store chain for urban India. We are excited to be part of this journey as Elixiir moves from vision to execution.” 

The funds raised will be deployed to establish the company’s initial presence, strengthen its tech-enabled fresh sourcing and private label supply chains, scale its wholesale and distribution infrastructure, and develop the technology stack required for a density-led rollout across key urban markets.

Libas has expanded beyond apparel with the introduction of its first fragrance line, marking its entry into the perfume segment. The ultrafast fashion brand has launched two scents—Chase and Fling—as part of a broader strategy to evolve into a lifestyle-focused label catering to the modern Indian woman.

The diversification into fragrances reflects Libas’ intent to participate more actively in lifestyle categories that drive frequent engagement and everyday relevance. By moving into perfumes, the brand aims to deepen emotional connections with consumers and extend its presence beyond fashion into personal expression and daily rituals.

Inspired by the Lover Archetype, the two fragrances present contrasting yet complementary facets of femininity. Chase is positioned as a soft, romantic scent with floral notes of mandarin and peony layered with caramel and vanilla. Fling, on the other hand, embraces a bold, carefree spirit through a spiced oriental composition with earthy undertones, offering a sensual and confident profile. Both perfumes are designed to blend seamlessly with the wearer, developing gradually and leaving a refined, lingering trail.

Priced at Rs 999, the collection is targeted at consumers looking for a premium-like fragrance experience at an accessible price point. The range is available through Libas’ retail outlets, its official website, and the Libas app, ensuring omnichannel accessibility.

Sidhant Keshwani, the Founder and CEO, Libas said, “Foraying into the fragrance category is a natural next step in Libas’ evolution from a fashion brand to a lifestyle companion for the modern Indian woman. This launch is the first step in building a scalable, lifestyle-led portfolio that goes beyond apparel. With the perfume line, we want to create a confident, feminine aesthetic. By democratizing premium design and crafting emotionally resonant perfumes that feel personal and accessible, we are celebrating  modern Indian women so that they feel seen and are empowered to always be true to themselves.”

With this launch, Libas seeks to build on its understanding of Indian women’s evolving preferences. While rooted in cultural themes of emotion, ritual, and femininity, the fragrances are presented through a contemporary, minimalist lens aligned with global aesthetics. The introduction is further supported by the #NotYourValentine campaign, which reinforces the brand’s positioning around individuality and modern self-expression while introducing consumers to its new fragrance category.

Evolve, described as the country’s first women-only wellness club, has officially opened its doors at Dhanmill Compound in New Delhi. Founded by entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and art curator Anu Bajaj, along with young entrepreneur Shivam Bajaj, the club is positioned as a dedicated space focused exclusively on advancing women’s health and wellbeing.

Conceived as a purpose-built environment, Evolve seeks to address what its founders identify as a longstanding gap in the wellness industry. 

The launch comes at a time when women-focused wellbeing is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments within the global wellness sector, with India playing an increasingly active role in that expansion.

The 6,000-square-foot club has been designed by Amith Chhabra of Studio LCD as a calm, urban sanctuary inspired by the fluidity and quiet strength of water. The space unfolds as a seamless journey across interconnected zones, including a members’ lounge, gym, Pilates and yoga studios, meditation and recovery areas, and a spa.

Evolve brings together movement, recovery, modern therapeutic practices, nutrition, and community experiences under one roof. Its offerings include Pilates, yoga, strength training, physiotherapy, infrared sauna, red light therapy, sound healing, women-specific recovery protocols, massage therapies, personalised nutrition plans, and curated workshops.

Anu Bajaj said, “Evolve is a space where women can pause, breathe, and return to themselves. Our intention was to create a home-like haven built with empathy and understanding; a place where women truly feel cared for. At Evolve, we want women to experience the same depth of care they so naturally extend to others.”

Shivam Bajaj, Co-founder, Evolve added, “With Evolve, we want to move beyond conventional wellness offerings and create a model that meaningfully addresses women’s health. Our goal is to build a space backed by expertise, data, and real behavioural insight, so women receive care that is intentional, structured, and truly transformative.”

Designed as a sanctuary for learning, unwinding, and reconnection, Evolve aims to help women prioritise their wellbeing through personalised, expert-led care in a thoughtfully curated environment.

Nester, a premium design-first and tech-driven homeware brand, has secured INR 19 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures and OTP Ventures. The round also saw participation from Sadev Ventures and Titan Capital. The company’s cap table continues to include early-stage angel investors Shezan Bhojani, Co-founder & CEO of Design Café, and Himanshu Chandra, Co-founder of Progcap.

Founded with the vision of elevating everyday living through thoughtfully designed homeware, Nester develops appliances tailored to modern Indian households. The brand positions itself around minimalistic aesthetics, high-quality construction, intuitive functionality, and tech-enabled engineering.

Abhinav Singh, Founder and CEO, Nester said, “We launched Nester with the goal of making everyday life better, and early consumer feedback has been affirming our belief in this approach. This capital infusion will allow us to invest further in understanding consumer pain points and innovate products with high functionality that simplify routines, chores, and homes.”

Suhail Sameer, Founder and Managing Partner, OTP Ventures said, “When we met Abhinav, we were intuitively drawn to what he was building, as it felt like something missing in our own homes. Nester is uniquely positioned at the intersection of India’s premiumization trend and genuine product superiority, delivering better functionality, design, and authentic provenance at accessible price points. We believe Nester has the potential to meaningfully reshape the category.”

Nester’s operating philosophy revolves around durability, ease of use, and restrained design, addressing the increasing consumer preference for purposeful and long-lasting homeware. Rather than adding excessive features, the brand focuses on practical innovation powered by nuanced functional and tech engineering.

Prayag Mohanty, Principal at Fireside Ventures shared, “We believe premiumization is a mega trend playing out across consumer segments, and there is a huge opportunity to build an iconic consumer appliances brand driven by deep consumer insights and strong product fundamentals. Nester stands out for its clear design philosophy and focus on multi-functionality products. We believe the founding team comes with deep domain expertise across supply chain, product development and sales & marketi,ng making them ideally placed to address this segment. As consumers increasingly seek quality and innovation across categories such as small home appliances, we believe Nester is well-positioned to build trust and long-term loyalty.”

Dhruv Dhanraj Bahl, Managing Partner, Sadev Ventures commented, “We look for founders who are passionate, purposeful, and deeply clear about the problems they are solving. When Abhinav shared his vision for Nester, we felt confident in partnering with him. Homeware is a category that has long needed disruption, and Nester is addressing this with a disciplined approach, strong functionality, and product superiority. We are excited to be part of this journey.”

Spokesperson from Titan Capital added, “At Titan Capital, we evaluate companies on execution capabilities, governance, and the founding team’s commitment to vision. Nester stood out strongly across these parameters. The brand is addressing a clear market gap through a deep understanding of product functionality and design aesthetics. We invest with a long-term perspective and believe this partnership will be both enduring and impactful.”

With its focus on simplifying homes and enabling more intentional living, Nester plans to deploy the newly raised capital to strengthen product development, deepen consumer insight capabilities, and expand its portfolio. The brand aims to maintain consistency in design philosophy and long-term usability as it scales within India’s evolving premium homeware segment.

Indian wearables and audio brand GOBOULT has unveiled a multi-year growth strategy centred on premiumisation, profitability, and long-term brand building, as it charts an ambitious expansion over the next few years. After closing FY25 with revenues of approximately Rs 800 crore, the company is now targeting Rs 3,000 crore in revenue by FY27–FY28, signalling a decisive shift away from discount-led growth toward a more premium-focused portfolio.

The strategy reflects GOBOULT’s move to strengthen its brand positioning by building a carefully curated range of mid-premium and premium products, rather than competing solely on price. A key contributor to this momentum has been the company’s long-standing partnership with Mustang, which has now entered its third year and evolved into a central pillar of GOBOULT’s premiumisation roadmap.

Unlike conventional licensing collaborations, GOBOULT’s association with Mustang goes beyond branding. The Indian brand is currently the only company in the country to integrate a global automotive performance icon like Mustang into a cohesive audio and wearables ecosystem.

As part of this expanding collaboration, GOBOULT has announced the launch of a new Mustang-led product range, including three smartwatches—Stallion, Racer, and Muscle—along with the Mustang Sprint TWS. The new lineup marks a further extension of GOBOULT’s premium offerings and outlines how the brand is shaping its future product roadmap. Mustang-led products, which currently generate around Rs 2 crore in revenue, are expected to scale to Rs 12 crore in the next phase.

Varun Gupta, Co-founder, GOBOULT said, “We are building toward a Rs 3,000 crore wearables and audio business by FY27 / FY28 after closing FY25 at roughly Rs 800 crore. What sets this next phase apart is how we’re doing it. We are the first Indian wearables brand to build a deep, design-led partnership with a global automotive performance icon like Mustang. This experience and ecosystem is thoughtfully designed to reflect the DNA of a Mustang, with the intent to bring the confidence and character associated with Mustang into the everyday lives of consumers.”

Currently, audio products contribute around 70 percent of GOBOULT’s revenue, while wearables account for the remaining 30 percent. Going forward, the company expects wearables to form a significantly larger share as it deepens its presence in the mid-premium and premium segments. By FY26, premium and mid-premium products are expected to contribute nearly 70 percent of overall revenue, supporting improved margins and reinforcing the brand’s premium positioning. Offline sales are also set to rise from 20 percent to 40 percent, driven by growing demand and retail expansion in Tier-II and Tier III cities.

Tarun Gupta, Co-founder, GOBOULT said, “At this stage of our journey, we’re focused on creating products that people genuinely aspire to own. As premium and mid-premium products become a larger part of our portfolio, the Mustang collection reflects the standard we’re setting for ourselves and the industry. Every design and technical choice is made to create products that feel considered, confident, and built for everyday use.”

Tyler Hill, Ford Global Brand Licensing Manager stated, “Rooted in American performance and celebrated around the world, Mustang remains one of the most iconic automotive brands on the planet. This new line draws inspiration from Mustang’s iconic design, giving fans new ways to share the spirit of Mustang. It’s a fun extension of the Mustang story as we continue to grow its role as a global lifestyle brand that extends beyond the vehicle itself.”

Looking ahead to 2030, GOBOULT has outlined plans for global expansion across the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. In the near term, the focus will remain on disciplined growth, premium positioning, and building a sustainable product portfolio without heavy reliance on discounting.

Early learning startup Panda’s Box has raised Rs 1.2 crore in funding following its appearance on Shark Tank India, with the round jointly backed by Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar. The investment marks a key milestone for the young brand as it looks to scale its presence in India’s growing early childhood education and learning products market.

The fresh capital will be utilised to accelerate product development, broaden distribution channels, strengthen the company’s digital presence, and expand its reach to families across both metro and non-metro regions in India. Panda’s Box aims to deepen engagement with parents who are increasingly seeking meaningful, screen-free learning experiences for young children.

Founded in 2022 by Sukriti Mendiratta and Rajat Mendiratta, Panda’s Box operates in the screen-free early learning segment, focusing on culturally rooted, tactile, and hands-on educational tools designed for children aged 0 to 6 years. The startup positions itself as an alternative to digital-first learning platforms by offering products that encourage creativity, imagination, and real-world interaction at an early age.

The company’s product portfolio includes interactive musical books, storytelling-based learning tools, and mantra-inspired plush toys, all designed to support early cognitive, emotional, and sensory development. These offerings draw on familiar cultural elements while aligning with modern parenting preferences around mindful and balanced learning.

Panda’s Box claims to have achieved a monthly run rate of approximately Rs 1.5 crore, supported by a steadily growing base of parents who prefer non-screen educational solutions for their children. The brand has seen traction through direct-to-consumer channels as well as curated retail partnerships.

Operating in a competitive landscape, Panda’s Box competes with established and emerging players such as FirstCry, Smartivity, PlayShifu, Skillmatics, and KLAY Preschools, which offer a mix of learning toys, activity kits, and early education services. Despite the competition, the startup believes its focus on screen-free, culturally grounded learning products helps it stand out in the category.

Children-focused snacking and meal brand Slurrp Farm has raised Rs 30 crore (approximately $3.3 million) in its extended Series C funding round from Scarlet Ventures, marking its first capital infusion in nearly two years. The Gurugram-based startup operates under Wholsum Food Private Limited, its parent entity.

The latest fundraise follows the company’s previous Rs 60 crore ($7.2 million) Series C round secured in January 2024 from investors including Fireside Ventures and Raed Capital, a development that was exclusively reported earlier.

Wholsum Food Private Limited has allotted 1,04,457 Series C1 preference shares to Scarlet Ventures at an issue price of Rs 2,872 per share, aggregating to Rs 30 crore. The filing further states that the newly raised capital will be utilised to strengthen the company’s long-term financial resources.

Post this round, Slurrp Farm’s valuation has reportedly increased by 59 percent to Rs 810 crore (around $90 million) on a post-money basis, compared to Rs 510 crore during its previous funding round. Following the allotment, Scarlet Ventures holds a 3.7 percent stake in the company.

To date, Slurrp Farm has raised close to $18 million across multiple funding rounds, including a $7 million Series B round led by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. That round also saw Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma join the company as both an investor and brand ambassador.

Founded in 2016, Slurrp Farm specialises in millet-based snacks and meals for young children. Its product portfolio includes porridges and cereals, puffed snacks, millet pancakes, millet dosa mixes, cake mixes, and other child-focused food offerings.

Financially, Wholsum Food Private Limited reported over 30 percent year-on-year growth in operating revenue, which rose to Rs 95.6 crore in FY25 from Rs 72.5 crore in FY24. However, the company’s losses also widened during the same period, increasing 29 percent year-on-year to Rs 32.7 crore.

Pet nutrition brand Benny’s Bowl has raised $1.4 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Atomic Capital, as the company looks to accelerate innovation and scale its presence across India’s growing pet care market.

The fresh capital will be deployed to drive product innovation and research and development, with a focus on launching new functional nutrition product lines. These include cat food, protein supplements, and meal toppers, aimed at improving formulation quality and enhancing the overall nutritional efficacy of pet diets. In addition, Benny’s Bowl plans to significantly expand its offline and online distribution footprint, making quality pet nutrition more accessible to pet parents across metro, Tier I, and Tier II cities.

Part of the funding will also support consumer education initiatives centred on pet nutrition, balanced diets, and the importance of functional nutrition, as the brand works to build greater awareness and trust among pet owners.

Akshay Gupta, Founder, Benny’s Bowl shared, “Pet nutrition today is broken and filled with poor-quality ingredients, and little to no transparency. At Benny’s Bowl, we are on a mission to build a trusted ecosystem and take active ownership of fixing the pet nutrition market. This funding allows us to double down on innovation, clinical nutrition, and accessibility, so pet parents don’t have to choose between convenience and quality. Our goal is simple: build nutrition that actually works. We are on a strong growth trajectory. Over the last 12 months, we have recorded 2x revenue growth with 85 percent of revenue coming from repeat customers, reflecting strong product acceptance and brand loyalty. As we scale, our focus continues to  build nutrition that works, with a clear roadmap to Rs 100 crore ARR by next financial year.”

Apoorv Gautam, Managing Partner, Atomic Capital stated, “Pet nutrition is a large and under-served opportunity in India. While pet-focused marketplaces have expanded choice across food segments, very few brands are addressing the broader, everyday concerns of pet parents. Raising a pet is a full-time commitment, and Benny’s Bowl is building a support system that goes beyond just products, which stood out to us. The timing couldn't be better, especially given the surge in pet adoption post COVID and the team’s ability to move quickly across categories, including their upcoming expansion into cat nutrition. As a consumer-focused fund that works closely with founders, we believe Benny’s Bowl is well-positioned to build long-term leadership in pet nutrition.”

Looking ahead, the company aims to strengthen its presence across major metro markets while laying the foundation for deeper clinical and functional nutrition partnerships. Benny’s Bowl has recently launched a clinical nutrition range addressing areas such as gut health, allergies, renal health, skin and coat care, and weight management. These products are designed to support digestion, reduce allergy risks, improve kidney function, promote healthier skin and shinier coats, and assist with healthy weight management.

Benny’s Bowl also has several new product launches in the pipeline, including protein supplements for pets and fresh cat food, further expanding its portfolio. These upcoming offerings are designed to address existing nutritional gaps in the market, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to delivering diversified, high-quality pet nutrition.

The Sleep Company has announced the appointment of Hemal Jain as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), marking a key addition to the company’s leadership team as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

Hemal brings with her over two decades of experience spanning FMCG, food tech, quick commerce, B2B enterprises, and startup consulting. Over the course of her career, she has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Eternal, where she partnered closely with founders and senior leadership teams. Her experience includes building and leading large, high-performing teams while helping businesses navigate complex growth cycles.

She has also played a pivotal role in steering companies from high cash burn environments to sustainable profitability, while contributing meaningfully to IPO preparations and acquisition journeys. Her background combines strategic thinking with strong operational execution, enabling organisations to scale with financial discipline.

Hemal is known for her belief that finance should function as a strategic partner from the outset, rather than as a backend function. She advocates for finance teams to be embedded early in decision-making processes to support stronger systems, better judgment, and long-term value creation.

Priyanka Salot, co- founder,  The Sleep Company shared, "We are thrilled to welcome Hemal into The Sleep Company family. As the company continues to grow, strong financial discipline and clear decision-making are essential. Hemal's experience in building finance teams across large consumer and digital organisations, along with his ability to balance growth and control, will support The Sleep Company.”

As The Sleep Company enters its next stage of expansion, Hemal Jain’s leadership is expected to play a critical role in strengthening the company’s financial architecture, enabling scalable innovation, and ensuring that the brand’s growth ambitions are supported by robust governance and fiscal discipline.

CURAPOD, a Made-in-India, non-invasive and personalised pain management device backed by Litemed, has raised Rs 20 crore in its Pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by V3 Ventures, 3i Partners, and Ideaspring Capital, signalling growing investor confidence in CURAPOD’s clinically driven wearable technology aimed at addressing the widespread challenge of musculoskeletal pain.

The fresh capital will be utilised to accelerate product innovation and app upgrades, strengthen branding and marketing efforts, and expand direct-to-consumer sales through new marketplace launches. CURAPOD also plans to deepen partnerships across gyms, physiotherapy centres, and sports medicine networks, while scaling its manufacturing capacity and go-to-market operations.

A portion of the funding will also be directed towards international expansion, with preparations underway for entry into European markets. These efforts will be supported by regulatory readiness, expanded clinical validation, and local market development initiatives.

CURAPOD offers a clinically proven pain relief solution that delivers non-invasive, personalised therapy through photobiomodulation technology, including targeted red light wavelengths. The device works at a cellular level to help reduce inflammation, enhance blood circulation, and support tissue repair, enabling pain relief for many users with 30 to 60 minutes of consistent daily use. 

Arjun Vaidya, Co-founder and Managing Partner, V3 Ventures, said, “Pain is a chronic problem across age groups and demographics that people don’t do much about. CURAPOD is building a differentiated solution in this massive category. What we liked best is that it’s world-class, evidence-based technology from India. The ability to deliver measurable pain relief with strong clinical validation positions the company well for scale in India and even across international markets. I see this as the Whoop/Ultrahuman for pain, and that’s what excites me.”

Subodh Toprani, Partner, 3I Partners, said, “CURAPOD’s wearable device brings clinically proven photobiomodulation therapy to customers in a simple, accessible format. Its strong evidence base, regulatory readiness, and measurable results set it apart, and the recent funding provides the resources to expand clinical reach and deepen adoption.”

Surya Maguluri, Founder & Chief Technology Officer, CURAPOD, backed by Litemed India Private Limited, said, “CURAPOD was developed to bridge the gap between conventional pain management and modern, non-invasive care. This funding supports the next phase of growth by enabling deeper clinical engagement, continued innovation, and broader access to personalised pain management solutions.”

Sri Velliyur, Co-founder & CEO, CURAPOD, backed by Litemed India Private Limited, said, “This funding marks a significant milestone in CURAPOD’s journey. Building on the strong momentum of the last 12 months, we are now focused on scaling pan-India and establishing CURAPOD as the go-to solution for everyday pain management. The capital will power expansion across manufacturing, supply chain, branding and marketing, key talent acquisition, and accelerated growth through D2C and marketplace channels.”

Naganand Doraswamy, Managing Partner, Ideaspring Capital, said, “CURAPOD is redefining how musculoskeletal pain is treated by bringing clinically proven photobiomodulation therapy into a wearable, user-friendly device. Ideaspring has been a proud backer of Litemed from its inception, and we believe the journey has just started as the company builds a wide portfolio of light-therapy–based pain relief devices for the future.”

Founded in 2022, CURAPOD focuses on developing clinically validated wearable medical devices for musculoskeletal pain management. With a strong emphasis on scientific evidence, regulatory compliance, and clinician-led adoption, the company continues to expand its footprint in India while laying the groundwork for global growth.

Pet care startup Supertails has raised $30 million in a funding round led by Venturi Partners, with participation from Nippon India Alternative Investments, Titan Capital Winners Fund, and existing backers Fireside Ventures, RPSG Capital Ventures, Sauce VC, and Saama Capital.

The newly secured capital will be deployed to expand Supertails’ veterinary clinic network, scale its at-home pet care services, strengthen fulfilment and logistics infrastructure, and deepen personalisation capabilities across its platform as the company accelerates its presence in urban markets across India.

The funding round values Supertails at approximately $130 million on a post-money basis.

Founded in 2021 by Varun Sadana, Aman Tekriwal, and Vineet Khanna, Supertails addresses the growing and evolving needs of modern pet parents through a range of customised offerings. Its mobile application provides access to a broad selection of pet food, treats, accessories, pharmacy items, and everyday essentials, positioning the company as a full-stack digital platform for pet care and parenting solutions.

In addition to its e-commerce operations, Supertails has rolled out at-home veterinary services, including consultations, vaccinations, and preventive care. The startup also operates quick commerce delivery services in Bengaluru, offering over 30,000 pet care products, and plans to extend its rapid delivery model to other key cities.

The company has further diversified into categories such as fresh pet meals and daily essentials, while onboarding more than 500 brands onto its platform. Supertails has also built a pan-India network of over 100 veterinarians, comprising specialists and tele-vets, to support its expanding service portfolio.

To date, Supertails has raised a total of around $51 million, including a $15 million Series B round, a $10 million Series A round, and $2.6 million in seed funding.

On the financial front, Supertails reported revenue of Rs 108.26 crore in FY25, up from Rs 64.63 crore in FY24. The company posted a loss of Rs 52.47 crore in FY25, compared to a loss of Rs 41.13 crore in the previous fiscal year.

Bengaluru-based laboratory-grown diamond jewellery brand Ethera has raised Rs 25 crore in funding from BlueStone, which has doubled down on its investment to back the brand’s next phase of growth and expansion. The latest infusion underscores BlueStone’s continued commitment to scaling Ethera’s presence in India’s fast-evolving jewellery market.

The development comes at a time when India’s lab-grown diamond (LGD) jewellery segment is witnessing strong momentum, driven by shifting consumer preferences, increased demand for everyday jewellery, and a growing inclination towards ethical and transparent luxury.

Ethera is positioned to tap into this shift with a robust design-led approach, introducing over 200 new designs every month, each backed by a 40-point quality assurance process to ensure consistency and craftsmanship across its collections. Founded in 2024 by Nitesh Jain and Sharad Arora, Ethera is a design-first contemporary jewellery brand created for the modern, confident woman. Its portfolio spans categories including earrings, bracelets, solitaires, pendants, and necklaces, with collections designed to transition seamlessly from daily wear to personal milestones.

The fresh capital will be primarily utilised to expand Ethera’s physical retail footprint. Within a year of operations, the brand has already scaled to five retail stores across Bengaluru and Delhi, with several new locations set to launch in the coming weeks and additional stores in the pipeline.

Sharad Arora, Co-Founder, Ethera said, “Everything we’re building at Ethera starts from first principles: understanding the customer, the category, and the long-term opportunity. That clarity is shaping Ethera into a brand defined by strong design, transparent values, and a consistent experience across channels. BlueStone’s strategic backing strengthens our ability to expand our retail presence, deepen our supply-chain capabilitie,s and build the operational backbone needed for the scale ahead.”

Nitesh Jain, Co-Founder, Ethera added, “Jewellery today is a powerful form of self-expression, and women are increasingly choosing pieces that reflect their individuality and life journeys. At Ethera, our focus has always been on design, quality, craftsmanship, and consistency. This capital enables us to expand our retail reach while continuing to invest in systems that deliver consistency and trust at every touchpoint.”

As Ethera enters its next phase of growth, the brand remains committed to its core philosophy of jewellery as a form of self-expression, designed for everyday wear and meant to become an integral part of lived experiences.

Healthcare startup Preventify has secured Rs 2 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by PedalStart, with participation from a group of angel investors that includes Viren Shetty of Narayana Health, Jatin Kakrani of Dezy, founders of Supertails, founders of Agrizy, and senior healthcare industry executives.

The company said the capital raised will be utilised to set up its first cluster of 10 clinics, scale chronic and lifestyle disease management programmes, and further strengthen its technology platform, along with integrating diagnostics and pharmacy services. Preventify follows a cluster-based expansion approach aimed at standardising care delivery while keeping operating costs in check.

Founded by Nirmal NR and Dr. Rakesh, Preventify runs a clinic-led healthcare model focused on preventive and chronic care, primarily catering to tier-II and tier-III markets. The startup currently operates three clinics in Kerala and, according to the company, has treated more than 40,000 patients to date.

Preventify’s care model centres on the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory disorders through protocol-driven treatment pathways. The offering blends in-clinic consultations with digital monitoring tools and structured follow-up care.

Looking ahead over the next 12–18 months, the startup plans to expand its clinic network across Kerala and invest in strengthening its medical workforce, including clinicians, nurses, care coordinators, and central medical teams. It is also working on subscription-based managed care programmes aimed at improving continuity and long-term patient outcomes.

As part of the partnership, PedalStart will collaborate closely with Preventify as an accelerator partner, providing support across growth strategy, operational frameworks, and expansion planning.

Wellness startup WellWith has secured Rs 1.25 crore in a seed funding round led by BeyondSeed, with additional participation from Winner Ventures. The capital raised will be utilised to further clinical research efforts and enhance supply chain infrastructure in Ladakh. 

Founded in 2021 by Udit Chawla, Bhupendra Pal, Arun Solanki, and Nikhil Pratap Singh, WellWith develops wellness solutions derived from sea buckthorn, drawing on traditional knowledge and backed by modern scientific research. The brand’s product range spans immunity, skin health, digestion, energy, and preventive wellness, with a strong focus on transparency, minimal processing, and ethically sourced ingredients.

Headquartered in Noida, the startup is working towards building a scalable, impact-led wellness business centred on responsible growth, ethical sourcing, and sustainable long-term value creation.

WellWith stated that it has recorded steady revenue growth, supported by repeat customers and strong organic demand. The company has also established a pan-India direct-selling network aimed at livelihood creation and community empowerment through initiatives such as its Studentpreneur and Mompreneur programmes.

Going ahead, WellWith plans to invest in structured clinical studies to assess the efficacy and safety of its sea buckthorn–based formulations. Simultaneously, it will strengthen its sourcing, processing, and logistics capabilities in the Himalayan region to support quality control, scalability, and sustained community engagement.

DSLR Technologies, the company behind ethnic wear brand Aramya, has secured Rs 80 crore (approximately $9 million) in a Series A funding round from its existing investors, Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners India) and Accel India.

The board of DSLR Technologies approved a special resolution to issue 10,928 Series A compulsorily convertible preference shares at a price of Rs 73,207 per share to raise capital. Both Z47 and Accel India contributed Rs 40 crore each as part of the round.

As outlined in the filings, the company intends to deploy the funds towards business expansion, working capital needs, strengthening its balance sheet, and creating headroom for future growth initiatives.

Founded by Ankush Goyal, DSLR Technologies operates Aramya, a direct-to-consumer ethnic wear brand focused on women’s apparel. The label is known for combining traditional handcrafted techniques such as block printing, bandhani, and ajrakh with premium fabrics, including pure cotton and linen-cotton blends.

Post-investment, Z47 and Accel India will each hold a 20.77 percent stake in DSLR Technologies.

The company’s post-allotment valuation is around Rs 1,438 crore (approximately $161 million).

Z47 and Accel India have been long-standing investors in Aramya and its parent entity, marking their third capital infusion into the startup. The investors had earlier co-led Aramya’s $7 million seed round and subsequently participated in a $2.24 million pre-Series A round in December 2024.

The parent company has witnessed sharp growth since its launch. Its operating revenue surged over 13 times to Rs 41 crore in the financial year ended March 2025, up from Rs 3 crore in FY24. Losses during the same period increased slightly to Rs 10.7 crore.

Clean-label meat marinade brand Kilrr made a notable appearance on Shark Tank India, where founder Hitesh Bhagia, an engineer and IIM Kozhikode alumnus, presented his vision of simplifying meat cooking with preservative-free, ready-to-use spice mixes.

Positioned as an “unapologetically non-vegetarian” brand, Kilrr targets fitness-focused consumers, modern home cooks, and convenience seekers. Its tagline, “Slay the mess, savour the taste,” reflects its promise of ease without compromising on flavour.

During the pitch, Bhagia sought Rs 1 crore for 1 percent equity, valuing the company at Rs 100 crore. He shared that Kilrr’s current portfolio includes 11 powdered marinade variants and three gravy mixes, each priced at Rs 70, with an average order value of Rs 660. While designed for meat preparation, all products use 100 percent vegetarian ingredients, with dehydrated vegetables blended directly into the masalas.

Kilrr follows a strict clean-label approach, with no preservatives, artificial flavours, additives, or added sugar. This results in a six-month shelf life, lower than industry norms but aligned with the brand’s natural positioning.

Operationally, the company set up its manufacturing unit in March 2024 and began scaling sales shortly after. Financials disclosed on the show showed Rs 2.6 crore in net sales in FY24–25, with strong momentum in FY25–26, recording Rs 2.5 crore each in Q1 and Q2. For the current fiscal year, Kilrr is projecting Rs 13 crore in net sales, while operating at a -25 percent EBITDA as it continues to invest aggressively in growth.

Sales are currently driven primarily through direct-to-consumer channels, with 55 percent of revenue coming from Kilrr’s own website and 35 percent via quick commerce platforms.

Following negotiations, Anupam Mittal closed the deal by investing Rs 1 crore for 1.06 percent equity, bringing Kilrr’s valuation to approximately Rs 94.3 crore, subject to customer-love and legal diligence.

Zappfresh (DSM Fresh Foods Ltd.), a fresh and frozen food brand known for its emphasis on quality and hygiene, has announced the launch of Meevaa Foods, a new frozen vegetarian snacks brand. The move marks Zappfresh’s entry into the ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food segment, aimed at meeting rising urban demand for safe, hygienic, and convenient food options.

The company has introduced Meevaa Foods with a pilot portfolio of 12 frozen products and plans to expand the range every quarter based on consumer response and category growth. Over the next two to three years, Zappfresh intends to invest approximately Rs 10 crore to scale its frozen food operations, enhance processing infrastructure, and broaden its product offerings.

The frozen food range will debut in Delhi NCR starting February 9, followed by launches in Mumbai and Bengaluru from March 1. Designed to deliver restaurant-quality taste while adhering to modern food safety standards, the initial lineup includes vegetarian frozen ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook items such as samosas, momos, kebabs, patties, tikkis, spring rolls, gravies, and more. All products are manufactured at an export-certified facility and follow stringent hygiene and quality protocols. The food is prepared fresh and blast-frozen at minus 18 degrees in three stages, a process that helps retain taste, texture, and freshness while preventing bacterial growth.

Deepanshu, Managing Director, Zappfresh said, “Consumers today want convenience, but not at the cost of taste or quality. With Meevaa Foods, our objective was to create frozen products that consumers can trust and enjoy at home. Our recent acquisition in the frozen and processed foods segment enabled us to fast-track this vision, allowing us to bring our frozen food range to market within just a few weeks, while significantly strengthening our manufacturing and processing capabilities. Curated by Ambrozia, the recipes bring strong product expertise and consistency to our frozen food portfolio. Throughout the process, our focus has remained on maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, without compromising on taste, quality, or portion integrity.

Prreya Aggarwal, Director, Zappfresh shared,“The frozen food category in India is evolving rapidly, supported by better cold-chain infrastructure and changing consumer habits. We believe frozen foods can offer consistency, safety, and great taste when done right. Meevaa Foods fits well into our long-term vision of expanding into value-added foods and building capabilities that support both domestic consumption and exports.”

With the launch of Meevaa Foods, Zappfresh continues to strengthen its presence in value-added food categories while expanding its footprint across domestic and international markets. The company remains focused on building scalable food brands supported by robust processing capabilities, stringent safety standards, and reliable supply chains, as it looks to cater to evolving consumption patterns and growing demand for high-quality convenience foods.

Authentic lifestyle label Taasha Craft featured on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founders Anjali Wadiwala, Anjali Jandel, Khushbu Jandel, and Ankita Jandel traced the brand’s evolution from a passion-driven idea to a growing business built on traditional artistry and customisable design.

What began as a modest Instagram-led venture has since developed into a scalable operation, with the brand gaining strong traction after the launch of its 2022 Navratri collection. During their pitch, the founders sought an investment of Rs 75 lakh in exchange for 5 percent equity, valuing the company at Rs 15 crore.

A key highlight of the presentation was the brand’s focus on artisan empowerment. The founders shared that Taasha Craft currently supports 120 artisans within its 140-member workforce, underscoring its commitment to ethical and community-driven production.

Operating in the premium lifestyle segment, the brand is rooted in traditional craftsmanship, with a strong emphasis on cotton thread work. Taasha Craft offers a catalogue of over 500 designs and holds a 4.2 rating on Amazon.

The company follows a multi-channel distribution model, with 67 percent of its revenue generated through online marketplaces such as Amazon, Myntra, and Ajio, while the remaining 33 percent comes from other sales channels. Within marketplace sales, Amazon contributes 48 percent of revenue, closely followed by Myntra at 45 percent.

From a financial standpoint, the founders presented a clear growth story supported by consistent profitability. The brand posted net sales of Rs 69 lakh with a 10.8 percent EBITDA margin in FY 22–23, which increased to Rs 1.15 crore with a 19.3 percent EBITDA in FY 23–24. In FY 24–25, net sales rose further to Rs 2.25 crore at an 11.9 percent EBITDA margin, with Year-to-Date sales already exceeding Rs 2.05 crore. Looking ahead, Taasha Craft is targeting gross sales between Rs 4.2 crore and Rs 4.5 crore in FY 25–26, while aiming to maintain a 10 percent EBITDA margin.

On the unit economics front, the brand operates at a 65 percent gross margin, with labour and marketplace commissions accounting for 30 percent each of total costs. The company also reported liquid cash reserves of Rs 86 lakh.

The pitch concluded with Taasha Craft successfully securing Rs 75 lakh for 5 percent equity, retaining its original valuation of Rs 15 crore. The deal was jointly backed by Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar and includes a 1 percent royalty until the investment amount of Rs 75 lakh is fully recovered.

Cannabis wellness brand Wholeleaf made a notable pitch on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founder Shivraj Sharma walked the Sharks through the process of building a government-licensed wellness business centred on Cannabidiol (CBD) as its core ingredient.

Driven by the need to offer effective relief for chronic health conditions, the brand presented its “hero products,” including Orthodexil, designed for arthritis and inflammation, and Migroheal, which targets migraines and recurring headaches.

During the pitch, Sharma sought an investment of Rs 50 lakh in exchange for 2.1 percent equity, placing the company’s valuation at Rs 23.8 crore. He highlighted Wholeleaf’s strong medical and regulatory foundation, explaining that the brand sources cannabis leaves exclusively from state government-authorised suppliers and holds all required manufacturing and free sales licences.

To reinforce its scientific credibility, Wholeleaf has undertaken 13 clinical trials to date. Two of these have been completed, with another nearing completion. Each trial involved 50–75 participants and delivered encouraging outcomes, with over 76 percent of patients reporting meaningful pain relief. This emphasis on clinical validation positioned the brand as a serious player in the medicinal cannabis segment.

On the operations front, Sharma shared that Wholeleaf follows a diversified, multi-channel distribution approach, supported by a strong offline footprint spanning 600 retail stores nationwide.

Currently, 60 percent of the brand’s revenue comes from online channels, with 85 percent driven by its direct-to-consumer website and 15 percent via Amazon, while offline channels account for the remaining 40 percent. Apollo Pharmacy plays a pivotal role in offline sales, contributing 90 percent of that segment and operating on a 30-day credit cycle.

Financially, the brand showcased rapid growth, with its annual run rate rising sharply from Rs 50 lakh in April 2024 to Rs 9 crore by October 2025. Although Wholeleaf is operating at a -17 percent EBITDA margin, it maintains strong unit economics, including a 75 percent gross margin and a cost of goods sold at 25 percent. The current cash burn is largely attributed to logistics and commissions at 13 percent, aggressive marketing spends at 49 percent, and overhead costs accounting for 30 percent.

Sharma also noted early signs of customer loyalty, with an 18 percent repeat purchase rate, signalling growing trust in the brand’s offerings. This combination of strong revenue growth and retention underscored the company’s market potential.

The pitch concluded successfully, with Wholeleaf securing Rs 1.5 crore in funding for 7.5 percent equity, valuing the company at Rs 20 crore. The investment was a joint deal led by Aman Gupta, Kanika Tekriwal, and Namita Thapar, who cited the brand’s clinical approach and scalable business model as key factors behind their decision.

Premium shapewear brand Invogue featured on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founders Maadhav and Ragini Saxena detailed their journey of building a functional yet fashion-forward intimate wear brand. Operating under the tagline “Own Your Inner Bold,” the company presented a business model focused on profitability while pursuing rapid scale.

During their pitch, the founders sought Rs 50 lakh in exchange for 1.25 percent equity, valuing the company at Rs 40 crore. Maadhav Saxena, a serial entrepreneur who launched his first venture at the age of 14, highlighted that Invogue has differentiated itself by designing shapewear suitable for extended daily wear of up to 8–9 hours.

Invogue operates in the premium intimate wear category with a structured product portfolio. The range includes Invogue Essentials, priced at Rs 1,599, Invogue Intense, a higher-compression offering priced at Rs 2,599, and a Shapewear Bralette priced at Rs 999. To strengthen brand visibility and appeal among consumers aged 18–34, the company recently onboarded actor Malaika Arora as its brand ambassador.

The founders also shared operational details, revealing that 96 percent of the brand’s sales are driven through its own website. This direct-to-consumer approach enables Invogue to maintain an inventory valued at Rs 55 lakh at cost, while reporting zero dead stock across a catalogue of 200 SKUs. The brand sees heightened demand during the October to February period.

Financially, Invogue demonstrated profitable growth. The company reported Rs 5 crore in revenue in FY24 with an EBITDA margin of 22 percent. In FY25, it has already generated Rs 5.3 crore in revenue with a 17 percent EBITDA margin, including Rs 3 crore in year-to-date sales, and is projecting a full-year close of Rs 5.3 crore. The founders shared a long-term ambition to scale the business to Rs 100 crore in revenue within the next five years.

Despite allocating 39 percent of its expenditure towards marketing, the brand maintains a disciplined cost structure, a factor that attracted strong interest from the Sharks. Invogue’s pitch resulted in a competitive bidding scenario, particularly as it appeared in a face-off against rival shapewear brand Krvvy.

The brand ultimately secured an investment of Rs 2 crore for 15 percent equity, valuing Invogue at Rs 13.33 crore, with Aman Gupta coming on board as an investor.

Shapewear startup Krvvy has raised Rs 1.2 crore in exchange for a 3 percent equity stake on Shark Tank India Season 5, pegging the company’s valuation at Rs 40 crore.

Launched in 2023 by Yash Goyal and Anant Bhardwaj, Krvvy operates in the women’s innerwear and shapewear segment, focusing on function-driven design, fit, and inclusivity. The founders positioned the brand as a response to everyday comfort and fit gaps that are often overlooked in the Indian market.

During the pitch, the company disclosed that it had clocked Rs 6 crore in revenue within seven months of starting operations and was projecting an annual run rate (ARR) of Rs 15 crore. Addressing the brand’s rapid growth, Namita Thapar questioned the scale-up, asking, “1 crore se 15 crore kaise?” (“From Rs 1 crore to Rs 15 crore—how?”), as the founders detailed their execution-led growth strategy.

Krvvy also highlighted strong demand from Tier II and Tier III cities, backed by extensive focus-group research. Its product range includes innerwear, shapewear, bodysuits, and accessories, designed for Indian body types and positioned at accessible price points. The products use a 65 percent polyamide and 35 percent spandex composition, which the Sharks acknowledged for its premium quality and finish.

Following the funding, Krvvy plans to speed up product launches, deepen its distribution footprint, and roll out experience-led offline stores over the coming year, as it looks to scale in India’s expanding shapewear and innerwear market.

Jain Cord, a Gurugram-based manufacturer of cotton and linen fabrics, has raised its first institutional capital, securing Rs 200 crore in a Series A funding round from the Lohia Family Office, operated under Indorama Capital Holdings Pte. Ltd. The investment marks a key milestone in the company’s growth journey as it looks to strengthen operations and expand its business.

Jain Cord Industries’ board has approved the issuance of 31,79,550 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) along with 100 equity shares, priced at Rs 629 per share, to raise the total funding amount. 

The transaction values the company at approximately Rs 829 crore ($94.75 million) on a post-money basis.

The company plans to utilise the fresh capital towards working capital requirements, repayment of unsecured borrowings, capital expenditure, and business expansion, in addition to meeting general operating expenses.

Founded in 1960, Jain Cord Industries is a vertically integrated textile manufacturer with end-to-end capabilities spanning weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing, and garment manufacturing. The company is particularly known for its woven fabrics, such as corduroy and velveteen, catering to both domestic and international apparel brands. It operates manufacturing facilities in Gurugram and Kosi near Mathura, with a strong focus on quality and compliance.

Post-allotment, Indorama Capital Holdings Pte. Ltd will hold a 24.13 percent stake in Jain Cord Industries, while promoter shareholding will reduce to 75.87 percent on a fully diluted basis.

On the financial front, Jain Cord reported revenue of Rs 783.33 crore in FY25, a significant increase from Rs 537.37 crore in FY24. The company’s profit rose to Rs 19.97 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 12.52 crore in the previous fiscal year.

BRND.ME (formerly Mensa Brands), a global consumer brands company focused on building market-leading brands in India for global audiences, has announced its formal entry into Europe, marking a significant milestone in its international growth strategy. The company is now present across seven European markets, with operations live in the UK, Germany, France, and Spain, and plans to expand into Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland over the next year.

The European expansion is being spearheaded by BRND.ME’s haircare and aromatherapy brands, Botanic Hearth and Majestic Pure, represent the company’s first structured push into the region. This move builds on BRND.ME’s growing momentum in international markets such as the Middle East, the US, and Canada.

Europe offers a $4 billion-plus total addressable market across the beauty category, particularly in haircare and aromatherapy, driven by high digital adoption and strong demand for effective, accessible products. Over the past 18 months, BRND.ME has already established early traction in the region through a digital-first distribution model. The haircare and aromatherapy business currently operates at an approximate $6 million run rate, with Botanic Hearth and Majestic Pure delivering nearly 10 percent month-on-month growth, supported by geographic expansion and increasing repeat purchases.

Early consumer response has been encouraging. Within weeks of launch, Botanic Hearth’s Rosemary Hair Oil ranked among the top five hair oils in Germany, one of Europe’s most competitive beauty markets.

Ananth Narayanan, Founder and CEO, BRND.ME, said, “Europe is a natural next chapter in our international expansion. Our European haircare and aromatherapy business today operates at around $6M in run rate and is poised to reach $ 10M in run rate by the end of 2026. With Botanic Hearth and Majestic Pure, we see a clear opportunity to build scale through disciplined expansion, digital discovery, and strong unit economics.”

To support regional growth, BRND.ME has appointed a General Manager based in Germany and is evaluating investments in a new warehouse and team expansion. Its Europe strategy centres on repeat demand, efficient scaling, and long-term brand building, with a strong focus on TikTok-led discovery and D2C expansion to drive engagement, strengthen brand equity, and improve margins.

Pet healthcare startup Dr. Doodley has secured $3.3 million (Rs 30 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round, comprising Rs 20 crore in equity and Rs 10 crore in debt. The equity component of the round was led by V3 Ventures, with participation from Campus Fund and Thackersey Family Office. The round also saw backing from angel investors, including Yatin Shah and Karan Bhagat, founders of 360 ONE Wealth, and Gautam Dalmia, managing director of Dalmia Bharat Group.

The company plans to utilise the fresh capital to scale its hospital infrastructure, strengthen clinical capabilities, and lay the groundwork for expansion into additional tier I cities.

Founded in 2023 by Utsav Bisaria and Yash Jayprakash Ladda, Dr. Doodley operates a hybrid pet healthcare model combining vet-at-home services with 24/7 multispecialty pet hospitals. Currently, the startup runs three hospitals in Bengaluru—located in Jayanagar, Yelahanka, and Whitefield—and employs a team of approximately 35 veterinarians.

Over the next year, Dr. Doodley aims to expand its footprint to seven hospitals, with four new centres planned in Bellandur, Indiranagar, Rajajinagar, and North Bengaluru. The company expects to treat over 1,00,000 pets during this period and grow its veterinary team to more than 100 doctors.

In addition to physical expansion, the startup is set to introduce 30-minute vet-at-home services, further strengthening its on-demand care offering. It also plans to roll out a flat Rs 10,000 pricing model for surgeries, applicable across procedures, in an effort to bring greater transparency and affordability to pet healthcare.

Dr. Doodley claims it has already treated over 30,000 pets and conducted more than 1,000 surgeries in the past year, highlighting the growing demand for organised, accessible, and high-quality pet healthcare services in India.

Material Depot, a curated home interiors materials platform catering to modern Indian homes, has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Accel and Stellaris Venture Partners. The round also saw participation from Whiteboard Capital, DeVC, Soma Capital, MyAsiaVC, along with a group of angel investors including Ramakant Sharma (Founder & CEO, Livspace), Ankit Nagori (Founder & CEO, Curefoods), Shashvat Nakrani (Founder, Bharatpe), Abhiroop Jayanthi (MD & Partner, Carlyle India), Niraj Singh (Founder & CEO, Spinny), Saurabh Jain (CEO, Livspace India), Abhishek Goyal (Founder & CEO, Tracxn), and Vineet Khanna (Co-Founder, Supertails).

The company plans to utilise the fresh capital to strengthen its technology infrastructure across supply chain management, inventory planning, and in-store assisted selling. It also aims to expand its curated product portfolio and exclusive collections, while scaling its offline footprint across multiple cities.

By combining design intelligence with a responsive, low minimum order quantity supply chain, the company brings globally inspired materials to Indian homes within weeks. Its Experience Centres offer transparent pricing, reliable delivery timelines, and guided decision-making, allowing customers to visualise, compare, and select materials in a single location.

Manish Reddy, Co-founder, Material Depot shared, "Building and renovating a home in India is still a high-stress, low-trust experience. As consumers aspire for better homes and designs, they feel extremely limited by the choices offered in the market, and make expensive, irreversible decisions with little clarity on pricing or outcomes. With our design-first approach and agile, low-MoQ supply chain, we’re bringing confidence to decision-making, transparency to pricing, and reliability to delivery, so homeowners can focus on creating homes they truly love.”

Since its inception, Material Depot has served more than 15,000 customers and currently operates three Experience Centres in Bengaluru. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the company plans to expand to more than 30 Experience Centres across multiple cities and reach over 50,000 customers.

Pratik Agarwal, Partner, Accel said, “At Accel, we back founders who rebuild broken categories rather than optimise around them. Home materials in India remain a low-trust, supplier-led market, even as homeowners have evolved into informed, design-driven decision makers. Material Depot is flipping this model by anchoring the category in design intelligence, supply chain control, and a trusted physical experience. We believe this is how large, fragmented markets get formalised and how enduring consumer platforms are built. We’re excited to partner with Manish and Sarthak as they set a new default for how Indians build their homes.”

Material Depot is part of Accel Atoms, Accel’s pre-seed and seed platform supporting early-stage founders building companies for the next decade.

Fashion-focused quick commerce start-up ZILO has raised $15.3 million (approximately Rs 140 crore) in a Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners, which contributed $8 million to the round. Existing backers InfoEdge Ventures and Chiratae Ventures also participated, investing $2.5 million each.

The funding round additionally saw participation from Alteria Capital and Stride Ventures, along with a group of angel investors including Lalit Keshre of Groww, Kunal Shah of CRED, Sachin Oswal, Ayyappan R, Abhishek Bansal, Sreevathsa Prabhakar, and Preeta Sukhtankar.

ZILO had previously raised $4.5 million in seed funding in June last year, with the round led by Info Edge Ventures and Chiratae Ventures. The newly secured capital will be utilised to scale business operations, deepen technology capabilities, expand into new markets, and strengthen the company’s supply chain infrastructure. Currently operational in Mumbai, the company plans to enter additional cities over the next 12 to 14 months.

Co-founded by former Flipkart and Myntra executives Padmakumar Pal and Bhavik Jhaveri, ZILO runs a quick commerce fashion platform that enables apparel delivery within 60 minutes. The platform collaborates with over 200 brands and offers services such as home trials and instant returns. ZILO follows a vertically integrated operating model that combines dark stores with brand outlets to optimise inventory management and delivery speed.

The competitive landscape in fashion quick commerce continues to heat up, with Mumbai-based platform KNOT recently raising $5 million in a funding round led by 12 Flags. ZILO also competes with players such as Slikk and Myntra, which have been expanding their quick fashion delivery services to more cities.

Varaha, Asia’s largest developer of high-integrity carbon removal projects, has announced its Series B funding round of approximately $45 million, with the initial tranche of $20 million led by WestBridge Capital. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the company’s geographic expansion, strengthen its scientific and Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV) capabilities, and scale a new industrial partnership model globally.

Founded in India, Varaha develops carbon removal projects across four key pathways—Biochar, Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR), Regenerative Agriculture, and Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW). The company has established strong commercial traction through long-term carbon offtake agreements with global technology leaders Google and Microsoft, as well as a major U.S.-based aviation company.

This investment marks WestBridge Capital’s first foray into climate technology.

Sandeep Singhal, Co-founder and Managing Partner, WestBridge Capital said, “Varaha has built what very few companies globally have: deep scientific credibility in a nascent industry alongside a commercially viable business model. We believe Varaha is uniquely positioned to build a global carbon-removal platform from India, combining integrity, scale, and impact. This investment reflects our conviction in the team and their potential to shape the next phase of climate infrastructure worldwide.”

As part of its next phase of growth, Varaha is launching the Varaha Industrial Partners Program (VIPP), a biochar-focused partnership model for industrial operators worldwide. Through VIPP, partners with gasification capabilities and access to sustainable biomass can leverage Varaha’s digital MRV systems and carbon credit origination expertise. Varaha supports partners by training staff, installing sensors, implementing MRV systems, and bringing verified credits to market as offsets or insetting credits.

Madhur Jain, CEO and Co-Founder, Varaha shared, “This round reflects the continued confidence of investors and customers in Varaha’s science-led carbon removal solutions and our ability to scale them globally. Climate solutions only matter if they scale with integrity. With VIPP, we’re opening our platform to industrial partners worldwide. If you have biomass and gasification capabilities, we can help you generate verified carbon removal credits. We invite operators globally to join us in scaling climate impact.”

The VIPP is already operational, with projects underway alongside a large cashew company in West Africa, multiple agribusiness partners in India, and a major Indian steel company pursuing decarbonization goals.

Galina Chifina, CEO & Partner, RTP Global added, "From the very first meeting, Madhur’s vision and the Varaha team’s dedication to execution stood out. It’s rare to see business potential and real impact come so naturally aligned — and it’s a privilege for us to support Varaha at every step of this journey. We genuinely believe this team has what it takes to build a game-changing climate solution, and we’re proud to be part of that story."

Mark Kahn, Managing Partner, Omnivore added, “Our decision to double down reflects strong confidence in the team’s long-term vision and their potential to build a leading global carbon removal company. The strength of this fundraise, along with long-term offtake agreements with companies like Google and Microsoft, reinforces Varaha’s credibility and the momentum behind its trajectory.”

The round also saw participation from Omnivore, an early-stage investor in Varaha.

Bengaluru-based nutrition start-up Good Monk, the flagship brand of SuperFoods Valley, has raised Rs 33 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round at a valuation of Rs 175 crore. The round was led by RPSG Capital Ventures, with participation from Sharrp Ventures and Hyperscale Ventures, the family fund of Suyash Saraf, founder of Dot & Key. The families of founders Amarpreet Singh Anand and Sahiba Kaur also participated in the round.

Founded with the mission of making nutrition a seamless part of daily meals without altering taste, Good Monk has built a portfolio of research-led, science-backed sprinkle-on nutrition products. The brand has witnessed rapid adoption among urban and semi-urban consumers looking for convenient nutritional solutions. Under the mentorship of investors including Sanjay Ramakrishnan, Multiply Ventures, Rishabh Mariwala, Sharrp Ventures, and Abhishek Goenka of RPSG Capital Ventures, the company has recorded a 25X growth over the last 18 months and has turned CM3 positive, reflecting strong operational efficiency.

Amarpreet Singh Anand, Founder & CEO, Good Monk (SuperFoods Valley Pvt. Ltd.) said, “The fundraise marks a significant milestone for Good Monk, as the brand is not just another supplement brand but a nutrition movement in preventive health care. Good Monk is changing the landscape by fortifying regular home foods, making easy, effective & clean nutrition affordable & accessible. This capital infusion will allow us to build a stronger, research backed, product pipeline along with consumer education.”

The newly raised capital will be deployed towards research and development, exploring new formats to fortify everyday foods with clean, clinically proven nutrition. The company also plans to strengthen its distribution in Tier II and Tier III online markets and scale brand awareness in a focused manner.

Sahiba Kaur, Co-founder, Good Monk (SuperFoods Valley Pvt. Ltd.) said, “India is at an inflection point when it comes to health and wellness, especially preventive health. It is a growing category and as people become more aware of the importance of preventive health, the higher the adoption of brands that are providing solutions for this. That's where Good Monk has its distinctive product format advantage. The brand is uniquely positioned to lead this shift by fortifying daily Indian meals without any additional steps or change in routines. The brand has seen significant growth on the back of great consumer love & the ability to transform lives of elderly consumers with improved energy, immunity & gut health. We are committed to continuing our quest to make preventive healthcare easy and accessible to Indian consumers. “

“Good Monk is redefining the nutritional supplements category with a focus on preventive nutrition that falls within current consumer habits and lifestyle, which has positioned them uniquely in the current wellness ecosystem. The team has built a strong portfolio of clean formulations that have attained early traction and strong repeat usage, and falls strongly within our focused thesis on health and wellness. We are excited to extend our support to the brand and help them make proactive healthcare available to millions of Indians," shared Abhishek Goenka, Managing Partner, RPSG Capital Venture.

Rishabh Mariwala, Founder & Managing Partner, Sharrp Ventures said, “Good Monk’s innovative format shows strong product–market fit by making nutrition habitual. This is in line with Sharrp’s philosophy of backing operators with a health-first proposition for a targeted consumer cohort while building a category-defining brand.”

Good Monk currently retails through its direct-to-consumer website, www.goodmonk.in, and leading e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart. The brand continues to expand its digital footprint to make its products easily accessible across preferred online purchase channels.

Astrology usage in India is seeing a significant behavioural shift, moving away from periodic horoscope checks toward real-time, personalised digital consultations. The trend has become particularly visible at the start of the year, with new data from Astrotalk showing a 50 percent rise in overall query volumes in January 2026 compared to the same month last year.

The data indicates that more than half of the questions raised during the month were situational and forward-looking, centred on how the year ahead would unfold across relationships, careers, finances, and health. Users are increasingly seeking context-specific guidance rather than general zodiac-based predictions.

Love and relationships emerged as the most prominent category, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all queries. A large number of users sought clarity on personal relationships, including marriage timelines and emotional uncertainty. Frequently asked questions included “When will I get married?” and “Will I have a love or arranged marriage?”, reflecting the emotional drivers behind astrology engagement.

Career- and finance-related queries together made up around 28 percent of the total volume. Employment concerns were especially pronounced, with “When will I get a job?” ranking among the most commonly asked questions, highlighting rising anxiety around job security, income stability, and professional direction at the start of the year.

Puneet Gupta, Founder and CEO, Astrotalk stated, "What we’re seeing is a fundamental shift in how people engage with astrology. Users are no longer treating astrology as something they check occasionally. They’re turning to it in real time, during moments of uncertainty, decision-making and emotional need. The rise in relationship-led and situational queries shows that astrology today is being used less as a prediction tool and more as a source of perspective and reassurance in everyday life.”

The shift aligns with broader behavioural patterns observed on the platform. During 2025, Astrotalk recorded a 50 percent year-on-year increase in job-related anxiety, driven in part by concerns around artificial intelligence and potential career disruption. Queries such as “Is AI going to take my job?” featured frequently, signalling deeper worries about long-term employment prospects.

Overall, the findings point to a broader cultural change in the way astrology is consumed in India. Rather than serving only as a predictive practice, astrology is increasingly being used as a real-time support tool to help individuals navigate uncertainty and make sense of change.

Gamepoint, a technology-enabled sports startup focused on integrating sports into everyday life, has raised Rs 7 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round to accelerate its growth and expansion plans. The round was led by Dr Raj P Narayanam, Founder of Zaggle, and Aditya Vuchi, General Partner at VCMint, with participation from Praveen Raju, Founder of Suchitra Academy, along with other investors.

Founded with the objective of making sports more accessible and convenient, Gamepoint operates professionally managed multi-sport centres catering to individuals across age groups.

The newly raised capital will be deployed to expand Gamepoint’s network of multi-sport centres while strengthening its technology backbone and operational capabilities. Over the next five years, the company plans to scale to more than 300 centres across metropolitan cities as well as Tier I and Tier II markets. Through this expansion, Gamepoint aims to enable nearly one crore people across India to actively participate in sports.

Aditya Reddy and Siddharth Reddy, Founders, Gamepoint shared, "This funding marks an important milestone in our mission to transform India from a sports-loving nation into a sports-playing nation. Over the years, we have consistently delivered high-quality sports services to people of all ages across Hyderabad through conveniently located centres. The capital raised will enable us to strengthen our presence in the city while accelerating expansion into other markets.”

Dr Raj P Narayanam, Founder, Zaggle stated, “Gamepoint has built a strong operating model, earning the trust of customers and partners across its markets. I strongly believe in the positive impact sports can have in strengthening communities, and the team has demonstrated a clear understanding of what it takes to build and grow high quality sport centres in India. We see Gamepoint as well placed to expand its footprint across the country.”

Aditya Vuchi, General Partner, VCMint added, “What stood out for us was Gamepoint’s ability to scale its multi-sport centre model in a disciplined and consistent manner. As a tennis player myself, I deeply believe in the power of sports to transform individuals and contribute to a healthier way of life. With growing interest in fitness and sports across all sections of society, Gamepoint is well-positioned to meet this demand, and we are pleased to support the founders in the next phase of growth.”

The funding comes at a time when the role of sports in India’s socio-economic development is gaining renewed emphasis. Sustained policy support, including initiatives such as the Khelo India Mission highlighted in the recent Union Budget 2026, has underscored the government’s focus on improving sports participation and infrastructure.

India’s watch and lifestyle space is witnessing a landmark development with the official website launch of Rotoris, a new-age Indian watch brand that aims to redefine modern horology through a blend of exclusivity, craftsmanship, and cultural relevance. Even ahead of its formal launch, Rotoris has generated considerable buzz across press and social media platforms, positioning itself as one of the most anticipated Indian watch brands to debut this year.

At the core of Rotoris’ watchmaking philosophy is Harman Wadhwa, India’s only Indian-trained watchmaker with formal education in Switzerland. His rare technical expertise and deep understanding of traditional Swiss horology bring a level of authenticity and credibility that sets Rotoris apart in a rapidly evolving premium and luxury watch market.

The brand’s vision has also attracted strong investor confidence, with backing from more than 40 prominent investors, including Nikhil Kamath, Tanmay Bhat, and Vivek Anand Oberoi. Their involvement reinforces Rotoris’ positioning as a brand that successfully combines fine watchmaking with storytelling rooted in modern Indian identity and aspiration.

Each timepiece is individually numbered, ensuring that no two ownership experiences are alike. This approach transforms the watch into a personal artifact—irreplaceable and permanently tied to its owner—while reinforcing the brand’s commitment to scarcity and exclusivity.

Rotoris’ design language is most clearly expressed through its Elevator Series, which introduces the idea of the “Rotoris Man”—a persona shaped by ambition, discipline, and continuous personal evolution. The watches are designed not as fleeting fashion statements but as companions meant to be lived with, symbolising progress, growth, and stature over time.

The brand currently offers five distinct collections, each aligned with a specific philosophy and mindset. Monarch is crafted for those who lead, while Astonia caters to individuals who value precision and measurement. Auriqua is designed for those who navigate change, whereas Arvion focuses on simplicity and clarity. Manifesta, the most expressive of the collections, features rare Aventurine and Mother of Pearl dials, symbolising infinite possibility and intentional growth.

Beyond watch ownership, Rotoris is building a wider cultural ecosystem through its “Friends and Partners” community. This curated network brings together entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and cultural influencers who shape narratives and drive change rather than follow trends, further reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on identity and purpose.

Aakash Anand, Founder, Rotoris shared, "The intent behind Rotoris is to build something visually and emotionally powerful, something that inspires belief in conscious creation and moment-to-moment manifestation. We see time as something actively shaped, not passively spent.”

With only 2,100 numbered watches available, Rotoris positions itself firmly at the intersection of luxury, individuality, and modern Indian aspiration. The brand is now live and invites collectors, creators, and visionaries to request access through its official website.

1.5 Degree, India’s alternative dairy platform operated by Natturz Bio Kontrol Pvt Ltd, has closed a $1.0 million Pre-Series A funding round, led by 35North Venture’s India Discovery Fund-II. The fresh capital will be used to scale manufacturing operations, strengthen institutional partnerships, and support geographic expansion across Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, markets that together account for nearly 60 percent of India’s institutional food service opportunity.

Through a B2B-first strategy, 1.5 Degree is building a new category within India’s Rs 18.9 trillion dairy market by focusing on institutional food service rather than direct consumer adoption. The company has forged strategic partnerships with global food service leaders Compass Group and Sodexo, enabling it to supply a wide portfolio of plant-based products directly to corporate cafeterias, hotel chains, educational institutions, and large-scale dining operations, including through its own in-institution QSR formats.

The company’s portfolio spans gelatos, frozen desserts, milk, yogurt, tofu, cooking cream, smoothie yogurt bowls, and oat-milk refresher beverages, positioning 1.5 Degree as a full-stack alternative protein and nutrition replacement platform designed for scale.

Targeting institutional decision-makers who prioritise health, sustainability, and operational efficiency, 1.5 Degree has developed proprietary AI-aided processing technology that deactivates lipoxygenase enzymes, addressing the long-standing off-flavour challenge associated with plant-based dairy in Indian markets. The resulting oat-milk-based products are tailored to Indian taste preferences while offering 72 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions, 80 percent lower water consumption, and zero cholesterol, without compromising on taste.

India’s institutional food service market is estimated to exceed Rs 50,000 crore annually, with growing ESG commitments and employee wellness programmes driving demand for sustainable food options.

Currently, nearly 80 percent of the company’s revenue comes from long-term institutional contracts, delivering predictable recurring revenue and high switching costs driven by menu integration and operational dependencies. Volume-based contracts, API-enabled ordering systems, and cold-chain partnerships support seamless distribution across India.

Alongside its institutional focus, 1.5 Degree is also entering the direct-to-consumer (D2C) segment through premium retail parlours and experience centres, as well as cloud kitchen expansion across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad via Zomato and Swiggy.

Vedansh Goyal, Co-Founder & CEO, 1.5 Degree shared, “We are thrilled to announce the closing of our funding round. We founded 1.5 Degree to bring intentionality and sustainability to India’s institutional food service. The current dairy landscape is broken—67 percent of milk is adulterated, 60 percent of Indians are lactose intolerant, yet alternatives cost 3–10x more and taste terrible. Our platform solves real institutional pain points: ESG compliance, employee wellness, cost optimization, and supply reliability. We’re not just offering plant-based alternatives—we’re enabling India’s institutions to lead the sustainable food transition while delivering guilt-free indulgence people genuinely enjoy.”

“1.5 Degree was created to solve a systemic market failure. With 35North Ventures coming on board early, we’re building with partners who share our long-term vision and conviction in the problem we’re solving. India today faces an impossible choice: compromise on sustainability, pay premium prices, or serve products customers reject. After three years of R&D, our patent-pending enzyme deactivation process delivers plant-based dairy tailored for Indian taste preferences," Anagh Goyal, 20-year-old Co-Founder & CTO of 1.5 Degree and BITS Pilani Entrepreneur of the Year.

Sunil Gurbaxani, Managing Partner at 35North Venture’s India Discovery Fund-II stated, "We are thrilled to invest in 1.5 Degree.co as they are pioneers institutional plant-based dairy in India. The founders bring exceptional execution discipline with bold vision—exactly what this nascent category needs. 1.5 Degree's B2B-first approach addresses this reality head-on, targeting rational decision-makers who prioritize ESG compliance, employee wellness, and cost efficiency over cultural inertia. With proprietary technology solving taste challenges, strategic partnerships with dominant food service providers, and an asset-light scaling model, 1.5 Degree is positioned to become the category leader in India's institutional plant-based transition. We are confident that they will set the new standard for sustainable institutional food service across India and beyond."

Alongside its institutional focus, 1.5 Degree is also entering the direct-to-consumer (D2C) segment through premium retail parlours and experience centres, as well as cloud kitchen expansion across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad via Zomato and Swiggy.

Premium dessert brand Cookie Cartel recently featured on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founder Hisham Sunehra detailed the brand’s journey of building a New York–style cookie business adapted for Indian consumers, while positioning cookies as an everyday treat rather than an occasional indulgence.

During the pitch, Sunehra sought Rs 75 lakh for 5 percent equity, placing a Rs 15 crore valuation on the company. He shared that Cookie Cartel began as a small, bootstrapped initiative and has since evolved into a scalable dessert venture.

Operating in the premium cookie segment, Cookie Cartel places strong emphasis on product quality and consistency. The brand uses nitrogen-flushed, oxygen-barrier packaging, enabling a 30-day shelf life and allowing deliveries beyond immediate consumption windows. Its cookies are priced between Rs 190 and Rs 330 and are currently available through the brand’s direct-to-consumer website as well as six cloud kitchens across Mumbai.

Elaborating on its operations, the founder highlighted Cookie Cartel’s central kitchen model, under which a facility set up at a cost of approximately Rs 15 lakh can service 15 to 20 cloud kitchens. This asset-light approach has supported efficient scaling, with the brand processing close to one lakh orders annually.

From a financial standpoint, Cookie Cartel reported Rs 30 lakh in revenue in FY24, which increased to Rs 1 crore in FY25. The brand has already crossed Rs 1.5 crore in year-to-date revenue and is aiming for  Rs 3.5 crore in gross sales in FY26. While the business is currently operating at a loss, this has been attributed to higher investments in performance marketing to drive brand visibility and customer retention.

The founder also noted that Cookie Cartel records a 35 percent repeat purchase rate on its website, while repeat orders range between 32 percent and 42 percent on Swiggy and Zomato. The brand maintains gross margins of around 65 percent, with product write-offs kept below 10 percent, reflecting disciplined cost management amid expansion.

The pitch concluded with a deal on the show, with Cookie Cartel securing Rs 80 lakh for 12 percent equity, translating to a valuation of Rs 6.67 crore. The investment was backed by Anupam Mittal, Kanika Tekriwal, and Vineeta Singh.

Clean-label health food brand The Whole Truth has raised approximately $51 million in a Series D funding round led by Sofina and Sauce.vc, as the company gears up for its next phase of growth and long-term public market ambitions. The round includes a combination of primary and secondary capital, with continued participation from existing investors Peak XV Partners, Rainmatter Health, and Ayra Ventures.

The newly secured capital will be channelled towards scaling in-house manufacturing capabilities, bolstering working capital, and building internal systems and governance frameworks necessary for future public listing preparedness.

The latest fundraise marks the formal beginning of The Whole Truth’s IPO journey, with achieving profitability identified as the next critical milestone in its roadmap.

Founded by former Unilever executive Shashank Mehta, The Whole Truth operates in the clean-label packaged foods space, offering products such as protein bars, protein powders, nut butters, and dark chocolates. Co-founder Rachna Aggarwal heads product development, playing a key role in shaping the brand’s formulation-first approach.

The company had earlier raised $15 million in a Series C round in February last year, also led by Sofina, with participation from Z47, Peak XV Partners, and Sauce.vc. Since that round, the startup claims to have tripled its scale.

On the financial front, The Whole Truth reported a 232 percent jump in revenue from operations, which rose to Rs 216 crore in FY25 from Rs 65 crore in FY24. During the same period, the company’s losses widened 17 percent to Rs 28 crore, compared to Rs 24 crore in the previous fiscal year.

Zero-sugar beverage startup CHINI KUM has made its entry into the Indian market with the launch of its low-calorie drink range, debuting through its direct-to-consumer platform and an exclusive quick-commerce rollout on Swiggy Instamart across select metro cities. Designed for daily consumption, the brand’s initial portfolio includes both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages in Lemon and Mango flavours.

The drinks are naturally sweetened using stevia and monk fruit extract, contain gut-friendly pre.biotic fibre, and deliver approximately 7 calories per 100 ml, positioning them as a lighter alternative to conventional sugar-laden beverages. The launch follows a Rs 1 crore pre-seed funding round supported by angel investors, along with participation from the founders, aimed at building and scaling CHINI KUM’s zero-sugar beverage platform in India.

The funding round includes backing from Shobhit Gupta (Promoter, One8 Commune Restaurants), Varun Sachdeva (Head of eCommerce, boAt), Eiti Singhal (Eiti Ventures), along with other strategic angel investors. The capital will be utilised to drive product innovation, expand flavour options, and accelerate distribution across the country.

Priyank Jain, Founder, CHINI KUM said, “Indian Consumers' eating habits are undergoing a structural shift, driven by rising awareness of ingredients & harmful effects of sugar consumption leading to obesity & diabetes. The Indian Beverage category is filled with sugary & synthetic drinks across Carbonated & Non-Carbonated formats. CHINI KUM is being built to address this gap with a zero-sugar, clean-label beverage platform designed for everyday consumption. The capital raised will support our next phase of growth, including deeper investment in product innovation, expansion across flavours and formats, and scaling distribution across priority urban markets. We are encouraged by the confidence shown by our incoming investors and look forward to building a trusted, healthy & modern beverage brand for India.”

Traditional wellness brand Shesha Ayurveda recently appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founders Anooj Sreedharan and Renji R Balachandran presented their vision of scaling authentic Ayurvedic hair and skincare solutions from Kerala to consumers in India and beyond.

Established in 2017 and headquartered in Hyderabad, Shesha Ayurveda is positioned as a 100 percent natural and cruelty-free personal care brand inspired by classical Ayurvedic formulations. The company is widely recognised for its flagship offering, Nilini Ayurvedic Hair Colour, which the founders highlighted as India’s first hair colour developed without the use of hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or bleach.

During their pitch, the founders showcased the brand’s key product range, including Nilini Hair Colour, Neeli Bringadi Hair Oil, and Red Sandalwood Skin Brightening Cream.

The team also shared insights into the brand’s business traction, pointing to a strong multi-channel distribution strategy with a significant portion of sales driven through digital platforms. High customer satisfaction was another highlight, with the founders noting that Nilini Hair Colour alone has garnered more than 1,200 customer reviews.

Financial disclosures during the episode revealed that Shesha Ayurveda’s annual revenue currently falls within the Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore range as of early 2025.

The pitch struck a chord with the Sharks, culminating in a deal with Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar, who jointly invested Rs 2 crore for an 8 percent equity stake, along with a 1 percent royalty until the invested capital is recovered. The investment values Shesha Ayurveda at Rs 25 crore.

Mumbai-based fashion and streetwear brand Bonkers Corner made a high-profile appearance on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founder Shubham Gupta detailed the company’s journey, growth trajectory, and financial performance. Founded in early 2020, the bootstrapped brand focuses on casual, unisex apparel targeted at Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

During the pitch, Gupta shared that Bonkers Corner began its journey as a white-label manufacturer, producing apparel for other direct-to-consumer brands. While its early clients built consumer-facing visibility, Bonkers Corner remained behind the scenes, using the phase to gain hands-on expertise in sourcing, manufacturing, and scaling operations.

Gupta revealed that Bonkers Corner closed FY 2024–25 with Rs 125 crore in revenue, up from Rs 99 crore in the previous year. Looking ahead, the brand is targeting Rs 170–180 crore in revenue for FY 2025–26, signalling continued growth momentum.

On profitability, Gupta stated that EBITDA margins stood at 11 percent in FY 2024–25 and improved to 18 percent by Q2 of FY 2025–26. For the full year, the company expects EBITDA margins to settle at around 20 percent, translating to Rs 30–35 crore in EBITDA. Net margins, currently at 7 percent, are projected to rise to 14–15 percent.

The founder also highlighted Bonkers Corner’s operational capabilities, noting that the brand manufactures entirely in-house with a production capacity of 3 lakh units per month. Inventory cycles are maintained at under 45 days, while customer metrics include return-to-origin rates of 6–8 percent, post-delivery returns of 10–12 percent, and a 45 percent customer retention rate.

In terms of revenue mix, Gupta shared that 55 percent of sales come from the brand’s own website, 40 percent from offline retail, and 5 percent from marketplaces. Streetwear accounts for nearly 90 percent of total sales, driven primarily by T-shirts priced at an average of Rs 799.

Healthy Master, India’s fastest-growing nutritious snacking brand, has expanded its footprint across leading quick-commerce platforms as part of its mission to replace junk snacking with healthier, everyday nourishment. The move is aimed at making nutritious snacks available within minutes, addressing the rising demand for convenient yet mindful food choices among Indian households.

The brand is now live on Flipkart Minutes, Swiggy Instamart, Amazon Now, Blinkit, BigBasket, FirstClub, and Zepto. The rollout, which began in January 2025, is being executed as a pan-India expansion, with a strong focus on scaling availability across metro and Tier II cities in the coming months.

On quick-commerce platforms, Healthy Master currently offers products across chips and tea-time snack categories. Bestsellers such as Baked Flax Seed Mathri and Beetroot Chips have witnessed strong early traction. Within the chips segment, the brand has also introduced a 30-gram small pouch, positioned as an affordable and portion-controlled alternative to conventional junk snacks, catering to rising impulse snacking habits while keeping nutrition at the forefront.

The expansion is already delivering measurable results. Healthy Master currently records around 75,000 monthly orders across quick-commerce platforms and is witnessing 20 percent month-on-month growth. The company expects quick commerce to contribute nearly 60 percent of its overall sales in the next three months, with this share projected to rise to 75 percent over the next 12 months.

Tarun Agrawal, Co-founder & CEO, Healthy Master shared, "Quick commerce is a critical channel for us because it meets consumers exactly where snacking decisions happen spontaneously and at home. Our larger vision is to replace junk snacking with healthy snacking and build India’s most loved health-first snack brand. We are working towards a Rs 500 crore turnover over the next 3-5 years through e-commerce, while ensuring that nutritious food is accessible, affordable, and easy to choose.”

The expansion comes at a time when demand for healthier impulse-buy snacks is increasing, even as consumption of oily and highly processed foods continues to grow. Healthy Master aims to bridge this gap by enabling access to clean-label, nutritious snacks within 10–15 minutes, particularly for families seeking better everyday food options.

The brand’s core quick-commerce audience comprises families and household buyers, who are increasingly turning to instant delivery platforms for convenient, nutritious snacking solutions across age groups. Early consumer feedback and repeat purchase behaviour indicate growing acceptance of healthier alternatives within traditionally indulgent snack categories.

Looking ahead, Healthy Master plans to expand its quick-commerce portfolio with new categories such as millet-based noodle pasta and millet cookies made without baking powder. The company is also exploring offline touchpoints through Healthy Snack Stations for its direct-to-consumer audience, beginning with metro stations, while simultaneously evaluating international expansion opportunities.

Good Monk, the flagship brand of Superfoods Valley, is set to raise an additional Rs 25 crore ($2.7 million) as part of an extension to its pre-Series A funding round. The round is being led by existing investor RPSG Capital Ventures, with participation from Sharrp Ventures and other investors.

This infusion follows the company’s $2 million pre-Series A raise in April last year, which was led by RPSG Ventures and saw participation from Multiply Ventures, Sharrp Ventures, and ThinKuvate.

Good Monk’s board has approved the issuance of 3,334 pre-Series A4 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) at an issue price of Rs 74,652.86 per share to raise the proposed capital.

RPSG Capital Ventures will anchor the round with an investment of Rs 15.8 crore, while Sharrp Ventures is set to contribute Rs 4.5 crore. The remaining capital will be infused by Aashray Family Trust along with angel investors Manmohan Singh, Srivar Harlalka, and Narinder Sawhney.

The funding will push Good Monk’s valuation up by more than 2.7 times to Rs 175 crore, compared to Rs 64 crore in the previous round. The fresh capital will be utilised to scale operations and support business expansion.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Amarpreet Singh Anand and Sahiba Kaur, Good Monk offers a range of nutrition products, including multivitamin blends, probiotic mixes, and fibre supplements designed for both children and adults. The brand sells through its direct-to-consumer website as well as major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, and Zepto.

The Bengaluru-based startup had raised close to $3 million prior to this round. It also recently appeared on Shark Tank India Season 4, where it secured an investment deal from Vineeta Singh, co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics.

Post-funding, RPSG Capital Ventures will hold a 19.78 percent stake in the company, while Sharrp Ventures will own 6.81 percent. The founders will collectively retain approximately 40.18 percent equity.

RPSG Capital Ventures is an active investor in the health and wellness sector, with portfolio companies including Nutrabay, Plix, and True Elements.

New-age beauty and personal care brand Antinorm made a striking appearance on Shark Tank India, presenting itself as a data- and AI-driven brand rather than one reliant on conventional trial-and-error product development.

Founded in October 2024 by Aparna Narain Saxena, a Binghamton University (USA) alumna, Antinorm is an online-first personal care brand that leverages an in-house data model and AI-generated formulations to identify emerging consumer trends and speed up product development. Saxena explained that the brand monitors real-time consumer search behavior to spot upcoming demands before they hit the mainstream.

The brand’s flagship product, “Bye Bye Blow Dry,” is a 2-in-1 dry shampoo and hair serum, designed for consumers seeking quick, styling-friendly haircare solutions. According to Saxena, this data-led strategy allows Antinorm to move faster than traditional FMCG players while staying closely aligned with evolving consumer preferences.

Despite its early stage, Antinorm demonstrated strong initial traction on the show. Sales, which began in July 2025, have already reached 6,000 customers, including 200 repeat buyers, which Saxena highlighted as an early signal of customer retention.

On the financial front, Antinorm reported consistent month-on-month growth, with Rs 25 lakh in net sales in July 2025, followed by Rs 31 lakh in August and September. Riding on increasing demand and wider visibility, the brand projected sales of Rs 60 lakh in October, reflecting an accelerating growth trajectory.

During discussions, the Sharks rated the business’s market readiness at 7.1 out of 10, acknowledging the potential of the personal care sector while noting its highly competitive and crowded nature.

For the deal, Saxena sought Rs 1.03 crore for 1 percent equity, valuing Antinorm at Rs 103 crore.  After deliberation, Anupam Mittal agreed to invest at the asked valuation, endorsing the brand’s tech-first strategy and early growth momentum.

Specialised cleaning brand urbanWipe made a strong impression on Shark Tank India, as founders Samradhi Mathur, Dr. Renu Mathur, and Aapurva Mathur presented a focused vision of creating cleaning solutions that effectively tackle dirt while remaining gentle on surfaces.

The bootstrapped brand offers furniture and bathroom cleaners engineered to be tough on grime yet safe for delicate finishes like wood, tiles, and other sensitive surfaces.

During their pitch, the founders highlighted the formulation strategy behind urbanWipe products, explaining that they use widely accepted cleaning agents such as Aqua (water), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB), and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), while avoiding harsh chemicals that could damage surfaces.

urbanWipe currently sells through its own website and major online marketplaces, operating with a lean cost structure. The founders noted that COGS stands at 27 percent, with logistics and marketplace commissions accounting for 35 percent, reflecting a carefully managed model focused on efficiency and scalability.

Entering the Tank, the founders requested Rs 90 lakh for 2 percent equity, which valued the company at Rs 45 crore. While the Sharks praised the product’s performance, clear use case, and clean formulations, they felt the valuation was high for the brand’s current stage.

After several rounds of discussion and a revised offer from Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal, the founders made a bold counteroffer, which ultimately proved successful.

The final deal closed at Rs 2 crore for 10 percent equity, valuing urbanWipe at Rs 20 crore, with Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal joining the brand as investors.

The pitch stood out for its focus on product safety, transparent formulations, and practical unit economics, demonstrating that even in a competitive home-care market, a well-defined problem-solution fit can help a brand secure a meaningful deal in the Tank.

Feminine hygiene brand Plush has sustained strong momentum, reporting more than a twofold jump in revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2025, even as losses widened during the period.

Plush’s operating revenue surged 2.3 times to Rs 66 crore in FY25, up from Rs 29 crore in FY24. Despite the sharp top-line growth, the company recorded a loss of Rs 7 crore during the year. The bulk of Plush’s revenue continues to come from the sale of personal care and hygiene products. Including Rs 1 crore earned through interest and other income, the company’s total income reached Rs 67 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 29 crore in the previous fiscal year.

On the expenditure front, material costs remained the largest cost component, contributing 34 percent of overall expenses. As the company scaled operations, this expense rose 127 percent year-on-year to Rs 25 crore in FY25 from Rs 11 crore in FY24. Advertising and marketing spends also saw a sharp rise of 96 percent, reaching Rs 21.5 crore during the year.

With higher operating costs accompanying rapid expansion, the company’s losses widened by 75 percent to Rs 7 crore in FY25, up from Rs 4 crore a year earlier. Plush reported a return on capital employed (ROCE) of -93.75 percent and an EBITDA margin of -11.23 percent.

From a unit economics perspective, Plush spent Rs 1.12 to generate every rupee of operating revenue in FY25, showing an improvement from Rs 1.17 in FY24. As of March 2025, the company held cash and bank balances worth Rs 3 crore, while its current assets stood at Rs 29.5 crore.

The company stated that it is progressing toward achieving a Rs 200 crore revenue run rate within the current calendar year.

Plush has raised $8 million in funding so far, including a recent Rs 40 crore Series B round led by angel investor Rahul Garg (Managing Partner, Ignite Growth), with participation from Ajay Kumar Aggarwal, Careernet Technologies, OTP Ventures, Blume Founders Fund, and other investors.

Global fine jewellery brand Angara, known for its expertise in coloured gemstones and craftsmanship, has expanded its India offering by introducing silver metal customisation across its jewellery design portfolio. With one of the country’s largest selections of silver gemstone jewellery, the brand now allows customers to choose silver across eligible designs on its India website, enhancing choice and personalisation for consumers.

The development comes amid ongoing price volatility in precious metals, which is influencing how consumers engage with fine jewellery. Silver is increasingly emerging as a preferred entry point into the category, especially among Gen Z and millennial buyers seeking everyday wear and gifting options. By offering silver alongside its existing gold formats, Angara is responding to evolving consumer preferences that prioritise design, versatility, and individual style over metal exclusivity.

Angara’s silver jewellery collection combines contemporary aesthetics with the brand’s established craftsmanship standards. Each piece is BIS hallmarked and is backed by free 15-day returns and a lifetime exchange, reinforcing Angara India’s emphasis on trust, transparency, and long-term value.

With a strong presence across 9K, 14K, and 18K gold jewellery, the addition of silver marks a strategic expansion for the brand in India. The move reflects insights into changing market behaviour while maintaining the same quality benchmarks associated with Angara globally.

Designed to suit both minimal and statement styling, the silver offerings cater to both men and women and span categories including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Available exclusively online via Angara India with nationwide delivery, the launch further strengthens the brand’s consumer-first approach by expanding metal choices aligned with contemporary jewellery needs.

Cava Athleisure, a fast-growing Indian everyday-wear brand built on a function-first philosophy, has raised Rs 40 crore in its Series A funding round. The round was led by Sharrp Ventures, the consumer-focused investment firm, which invested Rs 21 crore, with participation from V3 Ventures, founded by Arjun Vaidya—an early customer of the brand—and existing investor Spring Marketing Capital. Following the fundraiser, Cava Athleisure is valued at Rs 2,150 million (Rs 2.15 billion).

Founded in 2022 by Ria Mittal and Shreya Mittal, Cava Athleisure has been carving out a distinct space in India’s competitive athleisure market by prioritising India-specific fits, fabric-led product innovation, and consistent product quality. Designed for movement and modern lifestyles, the brand has gained strong traction among Gen Z and Millennial consumers, building high brand recall and loyalty in a crowded category.

In a relatively short period, Cava has positioned itself as a youth-first athleisure brand that seamlessly blends comfort, performance, and style, catering to India’s rapidly expanding base of health- and wellness-conscious consumers.

The fresh capital will be utilised to accelerate new product development, strengthen brand-building initiatives, expand omni-channel distribution, and deepen the leadership team, as the brand moves into its next phase of growth and scale.

Ria Mittal and Shreya Mittal, Co-founders, Cava Athleisure said, “We founded Cava to build an athleisure brand rooted in the needs of Indian consumers, with a strong focus on comfort, quality, and everyday usability. The response from our customers has reinforced our belief in this category. Partnering with Sharrp Ventures gives us a long-term partner with deep consumer expertise as we scale responsibly.”

Shreya Mittal added, “At Cava we believe in making clothes that make you feel young and confident while keeping movement and activity at the forefront. The rise of health and wellness is here to stay, and our products are built for the fast-paced lifestyle of the modern Indian consumer.”

Rishabh Mariwala, Managing Director, Sharrp Ventures shared, “Cava has demonstrated strong consumer pull and disciplined execution in a competitive category. The founders have shown immense grit and strategic thinking at a young age to carve out a distinctive brand. We are very excited about Cava’s future, and we believe the company is well-positioned to create a large outcome in India’s athleisure segment.”

Health-tech startup Biopeak has raised $2.7 million in a follow-on funding round led by NKSquared, the investment vehicle of Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. This marks Kamath’s second investment in the company, following his earlier infusion of $1.43 million into the health optimisation startup in August 2024.

The fresh capital will be deployed to scale operations, including the launch of a new clinic, and to strengthen its diagnostics capabilities, proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) tools, research initiatives, and clinical programmes.

Founded in 2025 by Rishi Pardal and Shiva Subramanian, Biopeak operates at the intersection of AI-driven molecular diagnostics, advanced imaging, and expert-led health programmes to optimise healthspan. The startup follows a longevity-focused model built around a “family health office” approach, offering personalised and long-term plans aimed at extending and improving healthspan outcomes.

Biopeak’s platform integrates a wide range of diagnostics, including organic acid profiling, microbiome mapping, whole-exome functional genomics, salivary cortisol rhythm analysis, and imaging technologies such as MRI, CT, DXA, and ECHO. Its in-house clinics deliver specialised care based on data-backed insights covering nutrition, sleep, stress, and overall metabolic health.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, the startup primarily caters to high achievers, senior executives, and women. Its programmes combine advanced diagnostics, specialist-led interventions, wearable data, and AI-powered insights tailored to Indian biology and disease patterns.

Natural personal care brand Phitku drew significant attention on Shark Tank India Season 5, where its founders presented a toxin-free alternative to conventional deodorants, supported by robust sales performance and strong digital traction.

Founded by Rahul Dokania, Neha Marda Agrawal—popularly known for her role in Balika Vadhu—and Sumit Marda, Phitku focuses on alum-based (fitkari), fragrance-free deodorants that promise 24-hour odour protection without the use of chemicals. The brand’s flagship offering is positioned at a premium price point of Rs 999 and is designed to last between five and six months per unit.

During the pitch, the founders sought Rs 1.8 crore for 1 percent equity, valuing the company at Rs 180 crore. While the valuation sparked intense questioning from the Sharks, particularly around pricing and transparency, Phitku’s market traction ensured continued interest and negotiations.

The brand shared strong growth figures during the episode, reporting a current monthly recurring revenue (MRR) of Rs 2 crore and year-to-date sales of Rs 14 crore for FY25–26. Monthly revenues showed consistent growth, increasing from Rs 1.4 crore in September 2025 to Rs 1.98 crore in November 2025, with net sales projected to touch Rs 25 crore by the end of the financial year.

Digital platforms have played a crucial role in Phitku’s expansion. The brand recorded 24.5 million organic views on Instagram within a single month, further boosted by Neha Marda Agrawal’s personal social media following of over 1.2 million users.

After multiple rounds of offers and counteroffers, Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal jointly closed the deal. The final agreement was sealed at Rs 1.8 crore for 1 percent equity, along with a 5 percent royalty until Rs 5.4 crore is recovered, maintaining the company’s valuation at Rs 180 crore.

With two marquee Sharks on board and growing consumer demand, Phitku is now gearing up to scale its footprint in India’s premium personal care segment, leveraging clean formulations, product longevity, and increasing awareness around chemical-free alternatives.

Better-for-you bakery brand Awsum recently drew attention on Shark Tank India, where founders Pranav Sharma and Kritik Thakur presented their mission to redefine indulgent desserts with a healthier, guilt-free approach.

During their pitch, the founders sought an investment of Rs 1 crore for 1 percent equity, placing the company’s valuation at Rs 100 crore. 

Launched in 2021, Awsum operates on its core “Better Bakes” philosophy, eliminating maida, refined sugar, palm oil, and eggs from its products. Instead, the brand relies on wheat flour, jaggery, honey, real fruits, and functional Ayurvedic ingredients such as Brahmi, Ginseng, Ashwagandha, and Wellmune, designed to support benefits including immunity, focus, stress management, and gut health.

The brand’s portfolio spans tea cakes, muffins, brownies, cream rolls, zero-sugar chocolates, and functional chocolate bars such as Goodbye Stress, Restful Sleep, and Daily Energy. Among its best-performing flavours are Lemon Blueberry, Orange Pistachio, Carrot Walnut, and Banana Walnut, with the Walnut Brownie and Banana Walnut Cake emerging as consistent top sellers.

Sharing financial details, the founders revealed that Awsum closed FY24–25 with revenues of Rs 4.9 crore and a PAT of Rs 3 lakh. In FY25–26, the brand has already clocked Rs 8.5 crore in year-to-date revenue and is aiming for Rs 16–17 crore by the end of the fiscal year. Marketing accounts for approximately 30 percent of total sales, while the company currently holds Rs 35 lakh in cash and Rs 2.1 crore in receivables.

The negotiations on the show saw Anupam Mittal initially offer Rs 2 crore for 5 percent equity, later revising it to 4 percent. He subsequently partnered with Aman Gupta to propose a joint deal of Rs 4 crore for 8 percent equity, valuing the business at Rs 50 crore. Meanwhile, Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal countered with an offer of Rs 1 crore for 2.5 percent equity, which was later reworked into the final agreement.

Following detailed deliberations, the founders accepted a deal with Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal, securing Rs 1 crore for 1.33 percent equity, resulting in a final valuation of Rs 75 crore for Awsum.

Prior to its Shark Tank India appearance, Awsum had raised Rs 3.26 crore from external investors. After the show, the brand reportedly secured additional seed funding in October 2025. As of early 2026, Awsum continues to operate with modest profitability, with its products available across Zepto, Blinkit, BigBasket, and the brand’s own D2C platform.

The Stack, a supplements brand built around clinically studied ingredients and transparent formulations, has raised Rs 5.5 crore in its first institutional pre-seed funding round. The investment was co-led by OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures, with additional participation from a group of angel investors.

“This is a category where the long-term winners will be defined by products that solve real problems. We believe brands that will endure are the ones that don’t chase trends or fads but deliver long-term outcomes. The founding team has spent years deeply focused on research and development with a core pillar to create products that drive genuine, long-term benefits,” said Sanil Sachar from Huddle Ventures.

The Stack was founded by Shreya Jain and Kshitij Rihal, who were motivated by their own experiences as consumers navigating India’s supplements market. While training for long-distance running, Rihal found it difficult to access supplements in India that matched the quality and efficacy of global offerings. He partnered with Jain, a chemical engineer with hands-on experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, including work on antibiotics such as penicillins, to assess whether the gaps in the category were structural and addressable.

“Our goal was simple, to build supplements with the same standards of formulation and sourcing that we saw globally, but designed and made for Indian consumers who are becoming more informed and questioning what they buy,” said Shreya Jain, Co-founder, The Stack.

Currently, the company is focused on targeted health areas such as sleep and gut health. Rather than expanding aggressively across categories, The Stack is taking a deliberate approach by developing a limited portfolio of well-researched products with clearly defined benefits. The brand emphasises the use of globally sourced, high-quality ingredients supported by an end-to-end transparent supply chain.

Kshitij Rihal, Co-founder, The Stack stated, "We’re not trying to sell magic pills or overpromise results. A lot of consumers today are tired of flashy marketing and vague claims. We want to be clear about what our products do, how they’re made, and who they’re for."

“The Stack first came to me through a friend’s recommendation, and I absolutely loved their Deep Rest product. When I met the founders, it was clear they were thinking about this category with a deep focus on efficacy and an unusually transparent supply chain. That level of openness is going to be a key driver of trust in consumer health, and we’re excited to partner with them,” added Suhail Sameer, who is one of the partners at OTP Ventures.

Over the past year, The Stack has built a multi-category consumer health brand supported by strong unit economics and a long-term customer value approach. Select products have scaled over 40× within 12 months, with 35–50 percent SKU-wise repeat rates in mature cohorts, indicating sustained repeat behaviour and portfolio-level customer progression.

“Shreya and Kshitij are exceptional founders who don’t just sell their products but are neck deep in the science, formulation and testing of supplements. Stack is probably the only Indian supplement company I’d trust for my body," commented Mohit Kumar, Founder, Ultrahuman.

The fresh capital will be deployed toward research and development, expansion of the product pipeline, early team building, and enhancements in brand identity and packaging. Having grown steadily while bootstrapped until now, the founders view this fundraising as a key milestone in building a high-quality, science-led supplements brand from India with a long-term vision.

Astrotalk reported a robust financial performance in FY25, driven by rising user engagement, an increase in paid consultations, and improved monetisation across its app-led services in India’s key urban markets.

The company’s total income surged 85 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,214 crores in FY25, up from Rs 656 crores in FY24. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,176 crores, reflecting sustained demand for its core astrology consultation offerings. Tier I cities continued to contribute the bulk of platform activity, supported by higher usage frequency, stronger conversion rates, and improved repeat customer behaviour.

To support growing volumes while maintaining service quality, Astrotalk continued to invest across marketing, technology infrastructure, operations, and customer experience. Total expenses rose to Rs 1,129 crores in FY25, compared with Rs 542 crores in FY24.

FY25 expenses also included a one-time exceptional employee-related cost of approximately Rs 120 crores, most of which was non-cash. In addition, reported profitability was impacted by a non-cash mark-to-market technical adjustment of around Rs 80 crores on CCPS instruments, with no associated cash outflow.

Anmol Jain, Co-founder & CBO, Astrotalk, said, “FY25 represented a year of steady and consistent revenue momentum for Astrotalk, underpinned by deeper engagement, higher repeat usage, and enhanced monetisation across our app-led services, particularly in urban markets. As volumes increased, we made measured investments in our technology platform and team expansion to ensure service reliability, quicker turnaround times, and a seamless customer experience. These investments were undertaken with a long-term perspective and position us well to improve operating efficiencies and support sustainable growth.”

User engagement on the platform increased 27 percent year-on-year, with higher repeat usage and deeper interactions across services, reinforcing the strength of Astrotalk’s app-first model in major Indian cities.

As part of its diversification efforts, Astrotalk Store, the company’s e-commerce vertical, generated over Rs 140 crores in FY25, within a year of launch, supported by growing demand for astrology-linked products.

Astrotalk is backed by Left Lane Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm, and Indian growth-stage investor Elev8 Venture Partners. The company last raised approximately Rs 117 crores in June 2024 at a pre-money valuation of Rs 2,400 crores, through a combination of primary and secondary transactions.

4baseCare, a precision oncology company focused on building population-relevant clinico-genomic intelligence, has announced the first close of its Series B funding round, raising Rs 90 crore. The round is co-led by investors Ashish Kacholia and Lashit Sanghvi, with continued participation from existing investor Yali Capital.

The company had previously secured Rs 50 crore in Series A funding, led by Yali Capital with participation from Infosys.

Proceeds from the first close of the Series B round will be deployed to expand 4baseCare’s hospital-linked genomics laboratory network across multiple regions, including India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Central Asia. The expansion aligns with the company’s broader goal of making precision oncology more inclusive and accessible to cancer patients across diverse geographies.

In parallel, 4baseCare plans to accelerate the development and rollout of its AI-powered clinical decision support solutions, including OncoTwin Insights. The platform is designed to help oncologists generate actionable treatment insights by leveraging real-world clinico-genomic data linked with patient outcomes. Notably, OncoTwin was recently selected for the MSK iHub program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, underscoring its clinical and technological relevance.

Ashish Kacholia and Lashit Sanghvi, Co-leads for the round, said, “4baseCare is building a powerful genomics and AI-driven clinical intelligence platform for inclusive precision oncology. With strong hospital partnerships enabling access to world-class diagnostics for patients in clinical settings, the company is well positioned to scale across emerging markets and expand its delivery model for maximum patient benefit."

Hitesh Goswami, CEO, 4baseCare shared, “We are grateful for the trust and backing from Mr. Ashish Kacholia and Lashit Sanghvi as we enter our next phase of growth. This funding will help us scale globally while building OncoTwin as an AI-driven decision support platform that learns from real-world clinico-genomic outcomes and supports oncologists with faster, more confident insights.”

With fresh capital and strategic investor backing, 4baseCare is set to strengthen its global footprint while advancing data-driven, equitable precision oncology solutions for clinicians and patients worldwide.