10-Minute Food Delivery Startup Swish Raises $2 Mn from Accel
10-Minute Food Delivery Startup Swish Raises $2 Mn from Accel

Bengaluru based rapid food-delivery startup Swish has bagged USD 2 million seed funding round led by Accel, with participation from angel investors such as Abhiraj Bhal and Varun Khaitan (founders of Urban Company), former Swiggy Instamart head Karthik Gurumurthy and others. 

This funding will enable Swish to expand its operations and scale its unique rapid-delivery model across most areas of Bengaluru, followed by other Tier-1 cities.

“We realized that quick commerce, initially seen as a convenience, has quickly become indispensable as people seek faster solutions to their everyday needs. Despite advancements in other categories, food delivery times still often range from 30-60 minutes, which falls short of meeting the urgency that customers now expect, especially for their craving needs. Swish was born from our desire to meet this demand—not just for ourselves, but for everyone who values that level of convenience. We are extremely happy to have Accel onboard as partners to support our vision,” shared Aniket Shah, CEO and Co-founder, Swish.

India's quick commerce market is booming and projected to reach USD 40 billion by 2030. Founded in 2024 by Aniket Shah , Ujjwal Sukheja, and Saran S, Swish addresses a crucial gap in the food delivery sector by providing a hyperlocal service that caters to spontaneous cravings. Operating optimized and modified cloud kitchens—or "delight centers"—Swish began in HSR Layout, Bengaluru, and has quickly expanded to parts of Bellandur, and is expanding every week to other parts of the city. 

The startup’s end-to-end control over food preparation, packaging, and delivery enables it to ensure hot, fresh, and hygienic food reaches customers within 10 minutes. Swish’s innovative full-stack model and optimized processes allow it to maintain quality and efficiency while safely meeting rapid delivery commitments within a compact 1.5-2 km radius. 

“Customer expectations around delivery times have shifted with the rise of quick commerce. Swish is tackling this challenge with a new approach, rethinking the supply chain to bring the same ultra-fast experience to food delivery through their delight centers. Aniket, Ujjwal, and Saran are set to create significant impact for their customers as they scale Swish to more cities,” added Abhinav Chaturvedi, Partner at Accel.

By March 2025, Swish plans to expand to about 150 delight centers across major areas in Bengaluru, with plans to expand to other Tier-1 cities soon. 

 
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Healthy-food startup Order For Health raises INR 1 Crore in Seed Series Round led by Inflection Point Ventures
Healthy-food startup Order For Health raises INR 1 Crore in Seed Series Round led by Inflection Point Ventures
 

In a seed round headed by Inflection Point Ventures, Order for Health (O4H) has raised INR 1 crore. In order to increase market presence, streamline operations, scale production, and create new stores, O4H intends to use its money for strategic expansion.

Order for Health is a mindful food company that offers sustainable, wholesome, and delicious meal options, redefining the way people consume food. With an emphasis on high-quality ingredients, O4H offers a range of healthful options, such as salads, bowls, wraps, and drinks, all of which are intended to promote a balanced way of living.

The Founding Team believes that “At O4H our mission is to make healthy eating both accessible and enjoyable by offering fresh, nutritious meals that support overall well-being. Our menu features nutrient-rich options, all made from real, preservative-free ingredients. With a strong reputation among the lifetime customer the brand takes pride on its 4.5-star rating and over 30,000 positive reviews on Swiggy and Zomato, we have become one of Bangalore’s top health food destinations. Our Mediterranean and Pan-Asian-inspired offerings are designed to meet key nutritional needs, providing 40-60% of daily protein and 35-50% of fiber intake. We are committed to redefining food consumption by making healthy eating an easy, satisfying lifestyle choice.”

O4H has reached a considerable operational size, processing over 13,500 orders each month and earning ₹6 Crore (about 0.7 million USD) annually. Over 30% of Bangalore's market is effectively served by O4H, which operates out of four cloud kitchens.

O4H is positioned as a major participant in the city's healthy food delivery market because to this strong operational structure.

 

 

 

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ChrysCapital Plans To Acquire Theobroma & Belgian Waffle For Rs 3,500 crore
ChrysCapital Plans To Acquire Theobroma & Belgian Waffle For Rs 3,500 crore
 

ChrysCapital is in the process of paying around Rs 3,200-3,500 crore to acquire Theobroma Foods and Belgian Waffle Co., two chains of bakeries and dessert shops. It is probable that the transaction will occur via a platform for investments established by the private equity company.

As per the sources, the PE player has 60 days to make a legally binding bid for Theobroma Foods and 30 days to settle the conditions with Bloombay Enterprises, the company that owns Belgian Waffle Co.

It was reported that the Mumbai-based waffle maker, which was started by Shrey and Alisha Aggarwal, will probably be purchased for Rs 1,000 crore.

At least four companies have made non-binding offers for a majority share in Theobroma, including the food giant Switz Group and the private equity firms Kedaara Capital, Carlyle, and ChrysCapital. With a roughly 42% ownership interest, ICICI Venture supports the patisserie business.

 

 

 

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Burma Burma Plans IPO by 2027; Targets Rs 300 Crore Revenue
Burma Burma Plans IPO by 2027; Targets Rs 300 Crore Revenue
 

Mumbai-based restaurant chain Burma Burma is planning to go public with an IPO by 2027, shared co-founders Ankit Gupta and Chirag Chhajer.

Known for its vegetarian Burmese delicacies and offerings, the group is aiming to triple its footprint before going public, and also penetrate deeper into cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and expand to locations such as Chennai, Chandigarh and Jaipur.

“We plan to take our company public in 2027, between April and December 2027,” shared Chhajer who is also aiming at taking the revenue to Rs 300 crore by then. “We are already at a run rate of about Rs 120 crore and we will end the year at a run rate of about Rs 150 crore,” he added.

Last month Burma Burma (Hunger Pangs Pvt Ltd) raised $2 million in equity investment and is looking to raise another $3 million. The round is expected to see participation from existing investors Negen Capital and family offices.

Also Read: [Funding Alert] Burma Burma Restaurant and Tea Room Bags $2 Mn to Triple Its Restaurant Count

Founded in 2014 by Ankit Gupta and Chirag Chhajer, Burma Burma specializes in Burmese cuisine. The chain currently operates 13 restaurants and delivery kitchens in key cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. 

The restaurant chain has doubled its footprint over the past year. 

“From last year’s 0.7% EBITDA, this year, we would close anywhere between 12-15% EBITDA. Rs 300 crore revenues with a 20% EBITDA is the level we intend to reach before we go public,” he added.

 

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Food-tech Startup Poshn Raises $4 mn in Pre-Series A from Prime Ventures Partner, Zephyr Peacock
Food-tech Startup Poshn Raises $4 mn in Pre-Series A from Prime Ventures Partner, Zephyr Peacock
 

Poshn, an innovative food-tech startup on a mission to simplify the unorganized food supply chain, has announced that it has raised USD 4 million in equity and USD 2 million in debt in a pre-series A funding round held recently. 

The funding led by Prime venture partners and Zephyr Peacock India will help Poshn create the largest distribution network in the food ecosystem.

With that, the company founded by Shashank Singh and Bhuvnesh Gupta has raised around $8 million in equity since its inception in 2020.  

“Poshn has already cemented its position in the wholesale segment over the last three years. With the trust of investing partners and infusion of fresh equity, we aggressively integrate forward and backward in the chain and open foreign/export markets over the next 12 months while growing profitably,” shared Singh.

Poshn is a full-stack food-tech supply chain company taking an integrated approach to solving effectiveness and efficiency in the entire food value chain in phases that include food processing units, wholesale buyers, institutions, general trade, and retailers.

Poshn plans to use the fresh funds to build further its innovative stack of solutions that address the gaps in the system. Besides, it will use the funds to expand the business to global markets with imports/ exports in profitable categories to Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

Over the past three years, Poshn has experienced remarkable growth while maintaining profitability. The company's revenue has skyrocketed six-fold from FY22 to FY24. Poshn is one of the few startups that have been EBITDA profitable while supporting the growth trajectory. Since its inception, the startup has marked a presence in more than 16 states in India. In 2022, the startup raised  USD 4 million in equity in a seed round with Prime Venture Partner and Zephyr Peacock. Additionally, it has partnered with Banks & NBFCs for its debt requirements. Some notable names include ICICI Bank, Alteria Capital, UCIC, Northern Arc, Blacksoil, and Capsave.

“Poshn has led by being a supply-first company and has meaningfully solved for the B2B food value chain. The company has always been bottom-line focused with a remarkable ROCE and wants to continue expanding that further by going deeper into the supply chain while also pursuing some full-stack vertical integrations. We believe Poshn will be a category-defining company in the coming years, and we are excited to be their partners from day zero,” added a spokesperson from Prime Ventures.

The food supply chain market is over USD 800 billion and is highly fragmented on the supply side. The chain experiences inefficiencies due to a slew of intermediaries or middlemen, poor capacity planning, a lack of predictable demand, and a lack of technology. Poshn is working on bridging these gaps with technology.

“Poshn is using technology to simplify and organize the fragmented food value chain in India. Both buyers and suppliers are adopting Poshn's platform for convenient access to quality products at competitive prices.  We are excited to partner with Shashank and Bhuvnesh,” said Mukul Gulati, Managing Partner, Zephyr Peacock India.
 

 

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Wow! Momo Secures $9 Million in Series D Funding Boost
Wow! Momo Secures $9 Million in Series D Funding Boost
 

Fast-food chain Wow! Momo has secured Rs 70 crore (around $9 million) in an expanded Series D funding round from Z3 Partners.

With this latest infusion, the company has amassed Rs 480 crore ($51 million) in its Series D funding, comprising Rs 270 crore in primary funding and Rs 210 crore in secondary funding.

According to a report from the media, Indian Angel Network and Lighthouse Funds took part in the secondary acquisition.

In January this year, Wow! Momo secured Rs 350 crore (roughly $42 million) in the initial installment of its Series D funding, spearheaded by Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

 According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, the company was valued at more than $300 million.

According to the company, the fresh funds will be allocated towards advancing and expanding the quick-service restaurant brand, enhancing distribution channels, and investing in research and development for its FMCG division.

Wow! Momo ventured into the FMCG sector in July 2021.

Founded by Sagar Daryani and Binod Homagai, the 16-year-old Wow! Momo Foods manages three quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands—Wow Momo, Wow China, and Wow Chicken.

The company asserts a presence of 630 outlets spanning across 38 cities and maintains a direct workforce of 6,000 individuals.

During the current fiscal year (FY25), the company plans to broaden its reach by adding another 200 outlets.

Wow! Momo targets achieving a revenue range of Rs 650-700 crore in the current fiscal year (FY24), compared to Rs 435 crore in FY23.

Although the company has not yet submitted its financial statements for FY23, its operational revenue surged twofold to Rs 220 crore in FY22 from Rs 106 crore in FY21.

 

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Dino Morea Led Juice Brand The Fresh Press Raises Fund from GCCF
Dino Morea Led Juice Brand The Fresh Press Raises Fund from GCCF
 

Cold-pressed juice start-up The Fresh Press has raised an undisclosed amount in pre-Series A funding round from Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF), a fund floated by Zerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamath and Abhijit Pai’s VC fund Gruhas in partnership with Collective Artists Network.

With this fundraise, the Mumbai-based startup is now a part of the first cohort of Gruhas Gusto, a six-month accelerator programme aimed at boosting early stage food-tech startups, shared the release.

The programme is backed by Gruhas, Jubilant Bhartia and DLF family offices as well as Anthill Ventures.

As per the release, the company will use the funds to expand into Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai, while also targeting key regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi. 

“With the support of GCCF and Gusto Accelerators, we envision expanding our footprint nationwide, revolutionising the way people perceive and consume nutritious beverages. We anticipate that the current funding will definitely help in building a little bigger team since expansion is a major part of this fundraise. We aim to utilise it as effectively as possible and maximise results for smoother operations,” shared Dino Morea, Co-founder & Investor.

Founded by Mithil Lodha and Rahul Jain in 2018, Dino Morea came on board as both an investor and co-founder later.

The startup sells four fruit juices (mango, avocado, strawberry and fresh lime) in 350 ml bottles out of 36 stores in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bhopal.

It is also available in stores of Nature’s Basket, PVR Cinemas, Carnival Cinemas, Grovel, Biz Bazaar, FreshPik, Jio World Mall and Reliance Retails.

The start-up also aims to establish 1,000 quick-service restaurants across all the Indian cities. 

In the fresh juice category, the startup competes against the likes of Foodaholics, MyGreens, SapFresh and Raw Pressery, among others. 

“Our commitment to The Fresh Press reflects our support for the growing health consciousness among Indian consumers. As people become more mindful about what they eat, I want to support innovative home-grown entrepreneurs who are leading the charge in the health and consumer sectors. It’s time we take control of our own well-being and pay attention to our nutrition intake,” Kamath added.

 

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Invesco Boosts Swiggy's Valuation to $8.3B in US Investment
Invesco Boosts Swiggy's Valuation to $8.3B in US Investment
 

Invesco, a US-based investment firm, elevates the valuation of Swiggy, the food delivery platform gearing up for an IPO, to approximately $8.3 billion.

According to regulatory filings, this marks the second consecutive occasion where the global asset management firm has raised Swiggy's valuation.

Last October, Invesco raised the valuation of the food delivery platform to approximately $7.85 billion.

In January 2022, Swiggy achieved a valuation of $10.7 billion following a round spearheaded by Invesco

In May last year, Invesco slashed Swiggy’s valuation in its holding to about $5.5 billion.

In November, Prosus, an investor in Swiggy, noted in its financial filing that Swiggy's primary food delivery segment experienced a 17% growth and generated a gross merchandise value (GMV) of $1.43 billion during the initial six months of FY24.

Prosus attributed this to an increase in active users, resulting in a double-digit surge in orders and a rise in average order value due to inflation.

Prosus, with a 32.7% stake in Swiggy, reported a decrease in trading losses to $208 million.

The company also stated that rapid progress was made in the quick-commerce business due to increased customer adoption, leading to significant growth in orders.

Basket sizes expanded significantly more than inflation. Over the past year, Swiggy facilitated the distribution of loans totaling Rs 102 crore, with Rs 10.1 crore disbursed just in November.

In FY23, Swiggy incurred losses totaling about $545 million, marking an 80% surge from approximately $300 million in FY22.

 

 

 

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Radiohead Brands Secures 12Cr, Closes 35Cr Pre-Series A Round
Radiohead Brands Secures 12Cr, Closes 35Cr Pre-Series A Round
 

Gurgaon based startup, Radiohead Brands is renowned for its flagship brand Jimmy’s®, has declared the conclusion of its Pre-Series A round, totaling 35 crore.

The funding was spearheaded by Prath Ventures, Capital Ventures, and Illeyrium Ventures, attracting notable participation from angel investors such as Neel Bahl and Sandeep Aggarwal from Droop (formerly associated with ShopClues).

This round also welcomed contributions from existing investors.

“The company’s products under Jimmy's brand have huge customer love and are well accepted by the trade. They have now entered the rapidly expanding market of Energy drinks through the introduction of Hustle Energy drink. We believe the company is set to emerge as a leading premium beverage player in a few years with a diversified portfolio of brands and products.” said Piyush Goenka, Founder, Prath Ventures.

The company recently revealed its evolution into a diversified beverage brand, extending its product range beyond Jimmy’s® Cocktails and Sparkling Mixers.

As a part of this initiative, the company introduced 'Hustle' Energy drink, aiming to revolutionize the rapidly growing Energy Drinks sector.

This strategic expansion of their portfolio mirrors the brand's aspiration to cultivate the premium beverage market in India.

Established in 2019 by Ankur Bhatia & Nitin Bhardwaj, the initial brand, Jimmy’s®, asserts its leadership among startups in its sector, having served more than 12 million drinks in FY’23.

“I want to welcome our new investors and thank our existing investors for their continued faith in us. For this round we had very high interest from prominent VCs ranging from $8M - $10M however we weren’t able to accept that as we do not believe in a high burn high growth business model. We have an eclectic mix of people on our cap table who like us, believe in a sustainable and profitable approach to building our brands.” said Ankur Bhatia, Founder and CEO Radiohead Brands.

In March 2022, Radiohead Brands secured 14 crore in a funding round led by Roots Ventures as an extension of their Pre-Series A funding.

To facilitate the launch of their new Energy Drink, the company expanded their Pre-Series A by an additional 20 crore, conducting this extension in two phases: the initial one occurring in June 2023, followed by the most recent one.

The company aims to venture into various untapped market segments within the beverage industry over the coming years.

The company's goal is to achieve a revenue run-rate of 100 crore by the next year, with a broader ambition of becoming a 1000 crore revenue enterprise within the decade.

 

 

 

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VRO Hospitality Raises $10 million in Bridge Round Led by Axis Bank, Others
VRO Hospitality Raises $10 million in Bridge Round Led by Axis Bank, Others
 

VRO Hospitality, India's one of the fast-growing F&B fine dining chain, has announced the successful closure of a $10 million bridge round in funding in a mix of Equity & Debt. 

This round was led by Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India & Nikhil Kamath backed Gruhas, UC Inclusive, showcasing the confidence and support of leading investors in VRO Hospitality's innovative vision and robust growth strategy.

Besides the lead investors, the others who participated in the bridge round were NB Ventures, Kunal Shah (Cred), Actress Mouni Roy to mention a few. 

“We are thrilled to have the continued support and trust of our investors as we embark on this transformative journey. This funding round marks a pivotal moment for VRO Hospitality, empowering us to amplify our efforts in redefining the hospitality experience through innovation and unwavering commitment to excellence,” shared Dawn Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO, VRO Hospitality.

This latest infusion of capital will fortify VRO Hospitality's mission to expand the brand across India and set new benchmarks in the fine dining ecosystem with unparalleled guest experiences. 

The investment will significantly fuel the expansion of its operations, accelerate product development, and further strengthen its position as a key player in the industry.

“Post-Covid the hospitality sector has witnessed an exponential growth and rightfully so VRO Hospitality has expanded across key markets in India. This successful bridge will help VRO Hospitality accelerate growth, expand its reach, and further solidify its position as a reputable brand & disruptor in the dining industry,” added Abhijeet Pai, Gruhas.

VRO Hospitality owns some upscale lounges and restaurants across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ooty. Some of their brands include Badmaash, Mirage, Plan B, Taki Taki, Los Cavos, Cafe Noir, One Night in Bangkok, Tycoons, Hangover & Nevermind. VRO is on an expansion drive nationally and internationally with brands such as Badmaash, Cafe Noir and Taki Taki being the pioneers in pitching the VRO flag in uncharted territories.

 

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Kitchens@ Secures $65M in Series C Funding for Cloud Kitchen Expansion
Kitchens@ Secures $65M in Series C Funding for Cloud Kitchen Expansion
 

Kitchens@ is a cloud kitchen startup, secured $65 million from Finnest, a London-based private equity firm, in its Series C funding round.

Kitchens@ announced in a press release that the raised funds will support the expansion of their hybrid model, Dinerium, which combines offline and online components.

Prior to this funding round, Kitchens@ had secured $17.5 million from investors such as Trifecta, Beenext, DG Ventures, and other contributors.

Kitchens@ is headquartered in Bengaluru, offers comprehensive solutions to F&B brands seeking expansion, providing a range of services from infrastructure and technology to operational support.

Collaborating with various food brands like Domino’s, Subway, Taco Bell, Nando’s, ChicKing, and national chains such as ITC, Mainland China, and Barbeque Nation, it facilitates their growth.

In May 2022, Kitchens@ revealed its integration with Kitchens Centre, a company based in Delhi.

Earlier this year, it completed an acquisition of Swiggy’s Access Kitchens business through a share swap agreement.

According to Kitchens@ CEO Junaiz Kizhakkayil, this acquisition will aid in the company's expansion across four cities, encompassing 52 locations and over 700 kitchens.

The company mentioned that the acquisition would result in a combined yearly Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of $65 million (approximately Rs 520 crore) for Kitchens@.

Additionally, Kitchens@ is striving to achieve a revenue target of $100 million (around Rs 800 crore) within the upcoming six months.

Although Kitchens@ hasn't submitted its annual financial report for the fiscal year 2022-2023, it documented a revenue of Rs 37.37 crore in the preceding fiscal year. However, it incurred a loss of Rs 43.15 crore during the same period.

This funding round marks a significant milestone for a cloud kitchen brand in 2023. In April, Curefoods secured $36.5 million, with primary backing from Three State Ventures, spearheaded by Binny Bansal. Notably, Rebel Foods emerged as the dominant contender in this sector, achieving unicorn status following a $175 million funding round in October 2021.

Finnest, the primary investor, is a growth investment firm led by Biswanath Patnaik, known for supporting early-stage investments.

The firm directs its investments towards startups concentrated in banking, healthcare, consumer products, fintech, and renewable sectors.

 

 

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Spice Lounge, Master Franchisee of Buffalo Wild Wings Raises $1 Million
Spice Lounge, Master Franchisee of Buffalo Wild Wings Raises $1 Million
 

Spice Lounge, the master franchisee of Buffalo Wild Wings, renowned American Sports Bar franchise known for its delectable wings and vibrant sports atmosphere, announced today a successful fundraising of $1 million through Klub, India’s leading Revenue Based Financing platform. 

The funding infusion marks an exciting new chapter for Spice Lounge, as it has partnered with Klub to manage a mandate to raise another $10 million for its expansion plans in 2024.

"This infusion of funds comes at a pivotal moment for us as we continue our expansion journey in India. We are grateful for the partnership with Klub, which aligns with our vision and recognises the potential of our brand. Our new outlets aim to offer an unforgettable experience, bringing together great food, camaraderie, and the thrill of sports under one roof,” shared Mohan Karleja, Managing Director, Spice Lounge.

With its recent funding, Spice Lounge has swiftly inaugurated two new outlets, including its latest venture nestled in South Bangalore at the Falcon City Mall. These openings signify the brand's dedication to bringing its signature flavours and spirited ambiance to additional cities.

The utilisation of the raised funds primarily revolves around store financing, ensuring that each new outlet resonates with the brand's distinctive essence. The franchisee plans to open 25 outlets in India in 2024 in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR. Currently, there are 8 outlets of Buffalo Wild Wings in India across Hyderabad and Bangalore. 

Spice Lounge aims to expand to a quick service restaurant (QSR) model in 2024 and projects a revenue of INR 150 crores by the end of FY 25. The brand was also the official club partners for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL season 2022 and 2023. 

“Store financing plays a crucial role in the dynamic restaurant & hospitality sector especially after the pandemic has subsided with FY22 growth being 11% more than FY20, and Klub is dedicated to addressing this need. Our collaboration with Spice Lounge underscores our commitment to supporting visionary brands. We believe this partnership sets a significant precedent, highlighting the potential for sustainable growth through Revenue Based Financing,” added Anurakt Jain, co-founder and CEO at Klub.

Notably, this collaboration marks Klub as the pioneering Revenue Based Financing player in India to fund an American franchisee, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the financial technology landscape.

 

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Curefoods Invests 10 Crores into HOGR Food Discovery Platform
Curefoods Invests 10 Crores into HOGR Food Discovery Platform
 

Hogr, an innovative social platform facilitating restaurant and food exploration, secured Rs. 10 Crores in seed funding, spearheaded by Curefoods, a major player in India's food industry housing renowned brands like EatFit and Cakezone.

This investment will drive Hogr's growth, supporting its app expansion, feature enhancements, and the introduction of updates for an elevated user journey.

"We've noticed that HOGR addresses and streamlines the challenge of discovering new dishes and restaurants, as well as forms a food community via peer-to-peer recommendations. This aspect intrigued us and motivated our decision to invest in this app." said Ankit Nagori, Founder of Curefoods India.

Hogr allows users to explore fresh dining experiences by receiving personalized suggestions from their network comprising contacts, family, friends, and fellow food enthusiasts who share similar taste preferences.

The platform provides customized recommendations, empowering users to make informed dining decisions and expand their food network effortlessly through a user-friendly recommendation system.

"We see HOGR as more than just an app. We strive to create a community where food enthusiasts come together to share the joy of discovering new dishes and places to eat, fostering social connections through this platform.  We are elated to have found synergies with Curefood to partner with in our growth journey.” said Jugul Thachery, Founder and CEO, HOGR.

Bangalore based brand, HOGR seeks to revolutionize the conventional method of finding new restaurants and dishes.

The app streamlines the exploration of novel culinary experiences, making it easier for individuals to discover and share recommendations within a social circle of food enthusiasts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Burger Singh Secures Funding Led by Turner Morrison Ltd
Burger Singh Secures Funding Led by Turner Morrison Ltd
 

QSR burger chain ,Burger Singh has announced on Friday that it has secured an undisclosed sum in funding led by Turner Morrison Ltd.

The VC firm had previously invested in Swiggy during its early stages in food delivery. In this funding cycle, existing backers such as Ashish Dhavan and Sanjeev Bhikchandani also participated.

Additionally, new investors like the Salgaocar Family Office from Goa, Raghuvanshi Investments Pvt. Ltd., headed by Sona Groups' MD Sanjay Kapoor, and the Vikramaditya Mohan Thapar Family Trust joined in.

Thus far, the brand has amassed approximately $6 million in funds.

This infusion of funds will enable the Gurugram headquartered company to fuel its expansion strategy, intending to establish new restaurants, both owned by the company and through franchising.

The brand aims to expand its team by hiring an additional 400 individuals across its restaurant network within the upcoming 18 months, effectively doubling its current workforce.

Kabir Jeet Singh, Founder and CEO of Burger Singh, expressed confidence in the brand's expansion, noting the remarkable growth of the online burger delivery segment, trailing closely behind Biryanis.

He emphasized the brand's strong product, consistent quality, and service that have garnered high repeat rates from consumers. Singh aims to sustain a steady and comfortable pace of growth while capitalizing on early successes.

Presently, Burger Singh reports having catered to 18.6 million individuals through its network. The brand operates 23 restaurants in the Delhi-NCR region and an additional four outlets across Nagpur, Dehradun, and Jaipur combined.

Burger Singh has expanded globally via franchising and has established four outlets in London within the past year. Their latest addition includes a food truck stationed at the Excel exhibition centre in London.

 

 

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Scandalous Foods Secures Rs 1.6 Crore for Production Expansion
Scandalous Foods Secures Rs 1.6 Crore for Production Expansion
 

Scandalous Foods is an all-in-one destination focused on establishing a new market for post-meal impulse purchases of Indian sweets in the restaurant and catering sector, has secured Rs 1.6 Crore in its ongoing pre-seed funding phase.

The backing comes from Anthill Angel Fund, EvolveX, Value360, and Sapphireink Ventures, with angel investors like Sagar Daryani, the founder of Wow! Momo, Kamnaa Aggrawal, Vikas Aggarwal, the Co-founder of We Founder Circle and former executive of IndiaMart, and the renowned Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi.

The firm intends to allocate a substantial sum towards enlarging its Nasik production facility and implementing automation.

Additionally, the funding will support expanding its current 250 touchpoints to 2000 within a year.

Their strategy includes broadening institutional sales across more than five cities and intensifying operations in Mumbai, Thane, and Nasik. Moreover, they aim to invest in product innovation, creating additional Indian desserts with extended shelf life and delectable flavors.

As a B2B enterprise, Scandalous Foods aims to target the HoReCa industry.

Utilizing its range of classic Indian sweets, Scandalous Foods has entered a $20 Billion market niche focused on post-meal impulse purchases for traditional mithais.

Expanding further, the brand has introduced individual servings of mithais in restaurants and hotels. Their future direction involves venturing into ethnic bars, cookies, cupcakes, and ultimately, single-serve mithai sachets.

 “We have embarked on an exciting journey to revolutionize the culinary landscape. With a fresh infusion of funds, we will expand our production facility and embrace automation for efficiency. Our commitment to innovation is showcased in new product development, catering to diverse tastes. We're planning to break new ground by entering wedding and corporate catering channels, extending our reach to smaller QSRs. Fueled by B2B2C aspirations, we're piloting a 'wholesale sweet shop' under our brand. This funding empowers us to sweeten moments, one delectable venture at a time." said Sanket S, CEO & CPO, Scandalous Foods.

Within a year of establishment, Scandalous Foods accomplished an impressive feat by selling close to 1.4 million pieces of sweets.

They debunk the notion that frozen food compromises taste, highlighting that when handled properly, frozen items maintain 97% of their freshness, texture, and flavor, presenting a secure option. Catering to the HoReCa industry, the company tackles persistent issues of wastage and theft by offering sweets with an extensive shelf life of six months.

Acknowledging the untapped potential of desserts on restaurant menus hindered by the need for skilled labor, Scandalous Foods provides a seamless solution. Their sweets, designed for zero wastage, only require thawing and serving to customers, eliminating extra capital and operational costs.

With competitive pricing, restaurants can markup by 3x, ensuring substantial gross margins. The company's success unfolds through consistent month-over-month growth, witnessing a remarkable 10x surge in both customer base and monthly orders across three quarters.

 

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Makers of Jimmy's Cocktails Radiohead Brands Raises ?12Cr Led by Prath Ventures
Makers of Jimmy's Cocktails Radiohead Brands Raises ?12Cr Led by Prath Ventures
 

Gurgaon based startup, Radiohead Brands, makers of the category leading brand Jimmy’s®, announced closure of their Pre Series A round at 35cr, led by Prath Ventures, Capital Ventures and Illeyrium Ventures. 

The round also saw participation from prominent angel investors like Neel Bahl, Sandeep Aggarwal of Droop (ex Shop Clues). Existing investors also participated in the round.  

Recently the company had announced its transformation into a multi-beverage brands company, broadening its offerings beyond Jimmy’s® Cocktails and Sparkling Mixers. As part of this expansion, the company has recently introduced ‘Hustle’ Energy drink, conceived with a view to disrupt the fast growing Energy Drinks category. This strategic portfolio expansion reflects the brand's vision to build the premium beverage category in India and its commitment to deliver exceptional taste and unrivaled drinking experiences to a broader audience.

Founded by Ankur Bhatia & Nitin Bhardwaj in 2019, its first brand Jimmy’s® claims to have moved ahead of all other start-ups competing in the same space, having served over 12 million drinks in FY’23. It now plans to use its deep category experience, already established route to market and unique ability to build brands fast and frugal to dominate the premium energy drinks segment.

“I want to welcome our new investors and thank our existing investors for their continued faith in us. For this round we had very high interest from prominent VCs ranging from $8M - $10M however we weren’t able to accept that as we do not believe in a high burn high growth business model. We have an eclectic mix of people on our cap table who like us, believe in a sustainable and profitable approach to building our brands,” shared Bhatia.

Radiohead Brands had raised ₹14cr in March 2022 in a funding round led by Roots Ventures as part of their Pre Series A. To launch their new Energy Drink it extended its Pre Series A for another ₹20cr which it did in two parts the first one in June 2023 and the most recent now.

The company plans to enter several new categories in open white spaces still untapped by the beverage majors over the next few years and has an ambition to reach ₹100 crore revenue run-rate by next year building to a ₹1000 crore revenue company within the decade.

Speaking about the investment, Piyush Goenka, Founder, Prath Ventures said, “Radiohead Brands is our play on the high-growth premium beverages segment in India. Ankur and Nitin are the best team to build in this market with a strong understanding of brand building and distribution. The company’s products under Jimmy's brand have huge customer love and are well accepted by the trade. They have now entered the rapidly expanding market of Energy drinks through the introduction of Hustle Energy drink. We believe the company is set to emerge as a leading premium beverage player in a few years with a diversified portfolio of brands and products.” 

 

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Homemade Snacks startup, PatilKaki Raises Funds led by Cap70 Angels
Homemade Snacks startup, PatilKaki Raises Funds led by Cap70 Angels
 

Pioneering homemade snacks startup, PatilKaki announced today that it has raised a fresh round of funds led by Angel Investing Network, Cap70 Angels along with participation from serial entrepreneurs Agnelorajesh Athaide and Kailash Biyani.

PatilKaki plans to leverage the funds towards scaling operations, marketing optimization, sales & distribution expansion among others. 

On its part, Cap70 Angels brings on board its rich legacy in providing mentoring, networking and strategic advisory expertise to promising startups as PatilKaki. The latest deal witnessed Cap70 Angels complete the transaction in one of the quickest turnaround duration negating the otherwise apprehensive gestation period typically encountered by entrepreneurs. 

“We feel humbled by the faith bestowed upon us by our lead investors and this further strengthens our resolve of serving our customers homemade snacks with love. The latest milestone has opened up a new world of possibilities for us,” shared Vinit Patil, Co-founder, PatilKaki.

The rise of PatilKaki serves as an inspiration since its modest inception in 2020 by woman entrepreneur, Geeta Patil. The startup witnessed accelerated surge during the pandemic times and thereafter has attained fast-paced northward traction. The hallmark behind the startup has been its distinct proposition of offering only fresh and handmade food snacks without use of any preservatives or added flavours. Subsequent fame for the startup was when Geeta Patil along with Co-founders Vinit Patil and Darshil Savla, successfully pitched their venture as part of Shark Tank India, Season 2, envisaging interest from four of the Sharks.

Anil Goyal, Managing Director, Cap70 Angels added, “The rise and success of PatilKaki serves as an inspiration to all those fence-sitters who have an entrepreneurship blend but may be apprehensive of taking the plunge. Infact one can imagine the scale of economic acceleration if all those presently confined within their closed doors, take centre stage. We are ever-willing to assist and lend a helping hand to all such success stories of future.” 

Cap70 Angels has established itself as an angel investing network comprising of wide mix of industry leaders and veterans who in turn have a legacy of building successful entities. Some of the noteworthy aspects of Cap70 Angels include a 120+ strong angel network, over 10 associated funds, more than 10 credible advisors, 85+ evaluations made till date and a stable leadership with rich experience in critical domains of finance, strategy and marketing. Its active portfolio includes AnurTech, Chaatwich, Tajurba, HnH Café, Happy Soul and Pupil Diner. 

 

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Bakingo to Expand its Dark Kitchen Biz, Raises $16 mn from Faering Capital
Bakingo to Expand its Dark Kitchen Biz, Raises $16 mn from Faering Capital
 

Gurgaon-based cake delivery platform Bakingo has raised its first-ever round of growth capital of $16 million from private equity firm Faering Capital. 

With this investment, the company aims to become a leading national bakery brand.

Bakingo is looking to further strengthen its distribution footprint by expanding from 75 dark kitchens to 150 and entering 10 new cities. 

It is also planning to open exclusive brand stores for customers to experience the product. It would also invest in technology to enhance its production, supply chain, and forecasting capabilities.

"We are in a prime position to be the pioneering national bakery and gifting platform. This growth capital investment by Faering Capital will propel us in executing our vision and scaling up nationally,” shared Himanshu Chawla, Co-founder, Bakingo.

Over the last few years, Bakingo has delivered products across India, including in Gurgaon, Delhi, Noida, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. 

The company recently expanded its operations to Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and a few smaller cities such as Meerut, Panipat, Karnal, and Rohtak, with the goal of establishing a deeper, pan-India market presence.

"The Bakingo team have built a Rs 200 crore profitable brand that consistently delivers customer delight across the country,” said Sameer Shroff, Co-founder and MD, Faering Capital who will join the board of directors of the company after the transaction.

"Faering Capital has a track record in working with entrepreneurs and expertise in Consumer Brands," added Shrey Sehgal, Co-founder of Bakingo.

The company focuses on providing premium-quality cakes and desserts and has introduced international flavours. The brand offers a wide variety of cakes and desserts, including its signature cheesecake, gourmet cakes, jar cakes, and over 100 stock-keeping units. Moreover, the company also has the unique ability to customise more than 200 cake designs and deliver them within 2 hours in 13 cities.
 

 

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O' Be Cocktails to Raise an undisclosed Amount in Pre-Series A Round Led by Inflection Point Ventures
O' Be Cocktails to Raise an undisclosed Amount in Pre-Series A Round Led by Inflection Point Ventures
 

Ready to drink cocktail startup O’ Be Cocktails is raising an undisclosed amount in Pre-Series A Round led by Inflection Point Ventures. 

The funds will be utilized for enhancing capabilities, team building and expanding into new markets. 

“Indian market is witnessing a steady growth in alcoholic segment post pandemic years.  Ready to drink cocktails is an emerging category which is not much explored and has huge market potential.  With O' Be Cocktails’ phenomenal range of classic cocktails it promises to be a go to product for youngsters looking to socialize with premium cocktails.  IPV aims to extend their support and help the company expand geographically,” shared Mitesh Shah, Co-founder, Inflection Point Ventures.

O' Be Cocktails are high-quality ready to drink craft cocktails made with the best spirits and natural ingredients for social gatherings at home and house parties. Each cocktail is created using the finest spirits and all-natural ingredients, resulting in a consistently delightful taste. With a range of flavors such as Mojito, Cosmopolitan, Long Island Iced tea and Gin & Tonic, O' Be Cocktails blends the art of mixology and science of consistency, creating a cocktail category for social gatherings at home and house parties.

O' Be Cocktails is operational in 9 states in India and Bhutan. It is supported by a network of 22 private distributors and 2 government contracts, ensuring their products are readily accessible in over 1700 premium wine outlets. 

“Today consumers look for sustainable, premium, and convenient brands as part of their lifestyle and want to drink better and not more. Cocktails is a growing culture in India, O’ Be Ready to Drink Craft Cocktails targets GenZ and Millennial consumers for social gatherings at home and house parties. We want to lead the Ready to Drink (RTD) category growth in India and SE Asia with our range of O’ Be Cocktails. IPV has been a great partner in understanding the category and the market, along with the known and unknown challenges – they understand the DNA of the startup and provide the right support. We look forward to continually work and grow with them sustainably,” added Nitesh Prakash, Founder & CEO, O’ Be Cocktails.

In the Indian Alcoholic Beverage (Alcobev) market, which is valued at $35 billion, the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) category constitutes $200 million (0.6% of the market), with a projected annual growth rate of 10.29% in value and 12.15% in volume from 2021 to 2026, as per Triton Market Research. In comparison, the US Alcobev market, worth $313 billion, has a more significant RTD category at $22.5 billion (7.2% of the market), and it's expected to grow at a 12.42% annual rate from 2022 to 2027.

 

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FroGo Raises USD 1.15M in Seed Round led by Inflection Point Ventures
FroGo Raises USD 1.15M in Seed Round led by Inflection Point Ventures
 

FroGo, a Frozen Foods Tech Platform has raised USD 1.15M in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. 

The co-investors in the round are Ritesh Agarwal (Oyo), Ankit Nagori (Curefoods), Desai ventures, FAAD network and other active investors. 

FroGo is an end-to-end zero-temperature loss frozen foods platform – powering distribution and retail of the large $20Bn frozen food India industry. 

“While the demand for frozen food is growing and has a substantial market potential, what needs significant attention is the cold chain Industry. Forgo is disrupting the frozen food ecosystem by addressing the challenges faced by the industry with their temperature monitoring platform. It ensures temperature maintenance of products and assured quality of food products at their doorstep without compromising the nutritional value. We believe the vision of Forgo will change the perception of the frozen food taste in the Indian market and will re-define frozen food supply chain in India in the coming years,” shared Ivy Chin, Partner, Inflection Point Ventures.

FroGo started from Delhi-NCR with 15+ dark stores clocking over 7000+ orders per month for frozen foods. 

The raised funds will be utilised to accelerate the growth journey by expanding to 50 Dark Stores across 4 cities and to build technology with fully integrated temperature monitoring.

“The frozen food industry is a large and growing category, with significant market size and potential for further expansion. FroGo is focusing on building a strong distribution network with focus on enhanced customer experience while leveraging the right technology. With a strong passionate founder at the helm, who has proven execution capabilities, FroGo has the opportunity to become the category enabler for frozen foods,” added Ankit Nagori, Founder, Curefoods.

Mira Jhala is a highly accomplished entrepreneur in the foodtech industry. She has a successful track record with two foodtech startups and a notable exit from Cure.fit. With her education from Harvard Business School, she has a strong foundation in business and entrepreneurship. Through her experience, innovative vision, and leadership, she has been instrumental in guiding FroGo to its current success.

“Over years of running food tech businesses in both B2B and B2C domain, I have seen the frozen food category grow massively. Several frozen foods are becoming staples in Indian households. Consumers are moving rapidly to online, and manufacturers have a great bouquet of frozen food products which they want to deliver to the end consumer. But the supply chain is broken – with melted, destroyed, substandard food being delivered with limited choices available to consumers. I see both stress and an opportunity for the frozen foods category,” pointed Mira Jhala, Founder, FroGo.

Frozen food is expected to reach USD 43 Bn by 2027 with widespread consumer appeal. Ice cream, Kulfi, green peas and French fries are household favorites. The ice cream industry is growing at 17% and the e-commerce grocery business is set to rise from 5% to 20% of the market share. FroGo is well-positioned to benefit from increased adoption, customer convenience and reduced mobility. 

 

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Proost Beer Raises INR 25 Crore in Pre-Series A Funding
Proost Beer Raises INR 25 Crore in Pre-Series A Funding
 

Proost Beer, a rising star in India’s beer industry, has closed its Pre-Series A funding round securing a significant INR 25 crore in through a mix of Equity and Debt. 

This substantial investment, backed by a blend of existing and new investors including Chimes Group, Dev Punj, The Chennai Angels, Finvolve, India Accelerator, Hyderabad Angels, Mumbai Angels, Angel List India, and Agility Venture, positions the company for robust growth.

The fresh infusion of funds will play a pivotal role in Proost Beer's strategic expansion plans. Operating under the umbrella of Grano69 Beverages Pvt. Ltd in Delhi, the startup enjoys a strong presence in Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala retail outlets selling an impressive 9 units of beer every minute.

“The successful conclusion of this funding round empowers us to enhance our production capabilities and venture into new markets. We are highly optimistic about the industry's growth potential, driven by the increasing consumer appetite for innovative, high-quality products. With this funding, we anticipate achieving a remarkable 300% growth,” shared Vijay P. Sharma, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Proost Beer.

Established in 2017, Proost Beer is on a mission to capture a substantial 5%+ share of the rapidly expanding Indian Beer Market by the end of this decade. In an ever-evolving beer landscape, Proost has emerged as a distinguished player committed to revolutionizing the consumer experience with its range of mass premium and affordable beers.

“We are thrilled to see the strong vote of confidence from both our existing and new investors. This endorsement underscores the strength of our business and sets the stage for the next phase of growth for Proost Beer,” added Tarun Bhargava, Co-Founder & CEO of Proost Beer.

Known for its unwavering commitment to quality and a deep passion for the art of brewing, Proost Beer offers a curated selection of beers, with its flagship product, Proost Strong beer, leading the way. Brewed with precision and care, Proost Beer proudly sources most of its raw materials locally and is proudly 100% made in India.

With this substantial pre-Series A funding, Proost Beer is primed to disrupt the Indian beer market and achieve a dominant position by the end of the decade. Cheers to Proost's journey towards industry dominance.

 

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Banyan Tree Growth Capital Invests in Angels in my Kitchen
Banyan Tree Growth Capital Invests in Angels in my Kitchen
 

BanyanTree Growth Capital, the renowned private equity fund behind the iconic Nirula’s brand, has further solidified its presence in the Food & Beverage industry with a strategic investment in the beloved North Indian bakery and confectionery chain, "Angels in my Kitchen" (Angels).

The partnership with "Angels in my Kitchen" marks an exciting expansion of Nirula’s offerings, introducing a delectable assortment of pastries, cakes, and desserts to complement its renowned all-butter bakery, promising to tantalize the Indian palate.

“Our investment in Angels transcends business; it represents the fusion of two culinary legacies. We're thrilled to deliver the best of both worlds to our customers, redefining the dining experience while remaining faithful to our core values of offering high-quality, artisanal, and fresh ingredients in every dish,” shared Sumedha Singhal, Director of Nirula’s and a member at BanyanTree Growth Capital.

Founded in 2003 by two culinary enthusiasts turned entrepreneurs, Bijoy Majhi and Bhupesh Kumar Jain, Angels has carved an inspiring success story. From its modest beginnings in Delhi’s New Friends Colony, Angels has blossomed into a network of 20 outlets across Delhi-NCR. 

The infusion of capital from BanyanTree Growth Capital is poised to propel Angels into a new era, leveraging Nirula's national presence boasting 175+ outlets, thus ensuring that more locations across the country will soon be "touched by an Angel."

Anticipated revenue synergies will emerge from co-branded outlets, as both Angels and Nirula’s plan to introduce Shop-in-Shop concepts at their respective locations. The first co-branded outlets are now open in M Block (GK-II) and Qutub Plaza, with Defence Colony and Moti Bagh locations set to follow.

 

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Third Wave Coffee Secures $35M in Series C Round Led by Creaegis and Joined by WestBridge Capital
Third Wave Coffee Secures $35M in Series C Round Led by Creaegis and Joined by WestBridge Capital
 

Third Wave Coffee, a fast-casual coffee and dining chain, has successfully secured $35 million in a Series C funding round, with Creaegis taking the lead and existing investors also contributing.

The company plans to utilize this capital for nationwide expansion, strengthening its supply chain, improving its operational capabilities, and making strategic investments in technology.

"We are thrilled to have Creaegis lead our Series C fundraise with participation from our existing investor Westbridge Capital and angel investors like SujeetKumar . We believe that the coffee-first QSR industry is one of the fastest growing consumer categories in the country. We have grown 5x through the last year and strategically expanded our footprint across the nation. Going forward, we will continue to double down on technology and product innovation to deliver a superior cafe experience across the country.” said, SushantGoel, Co-founder, and CEO.

Incorporated in 2017 by Ayush Bathwal, Anirudh Sharma, and Sushant Goel, the company has seen substantial growth, now operating a network of over 100 stores in tandem with India's booming coffee and food sector.

“Third Wave Coffee is emerging as one of India’s most loved brands, answering to the country’s aspirations. We are excited to support the management team in their next phase of growth, using a digital first approach to build an iconic Indian company.” said, Prakash Parthasarathy, Managing Partner & CEO and NitishBandi, Partner, Creaegis.

In May 2022, WestBridge Capital took the lead in a $21 million Series B funding round for the company, with participation from prominent angel investors.

"We have been quite impressed with the tremendous traction and customer love that Third Wave Coffee has generated across major cities in India.  We are excited to strengthen our partnership with the company and work towards scaling both the footprint and customer experience manifold." said, Sandeep Singhal, Managing Partner, WestBridge Capital.

Third Wave Coffee has established its presence in numerous key Indian urban centers, encompassing Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, Noida, Coonoor, and Chandigarh.

The brand has a network of over 100 cafes and recently celebrated its seventh anniversary.

 

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abCoffee Raises $2M in Seed Round to democratize Specialty Coffee
abCoffee Raises $2M in Seed Round to democratize Specialty Coffee
 

India's specialty coffee chain, abCoffee, disclosed today that it has secured $2 million in seed funding. Leading the investment is Tanglin Venture Partners, with additional support from 100X.VC, Panthera Peak, OTP Venture Partners, and several angel investors.

“This investment will enable us to accelerate our growth and bring our unique coffee experience to more neighborhoods across India. In the coming, 8-12 months, we keep the same momentum of growth; ensuring people are at heart of everything and bring the abCoffee’s specialty coffees to India’s new neighborhoods.” said, Abhijeet Anand, Founder and CEO of abCoffee.

The capital infusion will enable abCoffee to bolster its technological infrastructure, diversify its product offerings, and extend the reach of its budget-friendly specialty coffee through its retail grab-and-go outlets across India.

In 2022, abCoffee was established with the goal of democratizing specialty coffee, aiming to increase its accessibility.

“As the first investors in abCoffee, we are delighted with the rapid growth that abCoffee has been able to achieve. In a burgeoning market, abCoffee has the perfect mix of the right product, strong team and proper positioning to propel them into becoming a leading coffee brand in India in the coming years”, said, Ninad Karpe, Founder & Partner, 100X.VC.

The company provides an extensive selection of freshly brewed coffee options, all reasonably priced, and sourced from top farms in Chikmagalur.

“The initial traction in Mumbai/Delhi across their numerous outlets has been phenomenal and the next 8-12 months promises to be extremely exciting. We are delighted to back abCoffee” said, Nikhil Bhandarkar, Founder & MD Panthera Peak Capital.

The company's main office is located in Mumbai.

 

 

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Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Bags Funding from Deepika Padukone
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Bags Funding from Deepika Padukone
 

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, India’s largest specialty coffee brand, today announced that global entertainment icon, Deepika Padukone, has joined hands with the company as its latest investor. 

This investment is part of the company’s Series B funding round, and adds Deepika Padukone’s investment entity Ka Enterprises to its portfolio alongside A91 Partners, Anicut Capital, 8i Ventures, DSP Blackrock, Negen Capital, Mauryan Capital and White Whale Ventures. 

“As someone who is immensely passionate about home-grown brands and deeply values authenticity and transparency, investing in Blue Tokai was an evident choice. We have followed the brand’s growth very closely over the past decade and observed their vision and commitment to quality and innovation and are therefore thrilled to partner with them on their journey of making Indian specialty coffee accessible, delivering unparalleled coffee experiences and putting it on the global map,” shared Padukone.

This investment comes at a time when Blue Tokai marks 10 years of helping kickstart the specialty coffee culture in India. With its unparalleled product portfolio and strong presence across the value chain, the brand has cemented its leadership position in the specialty coffee segment with continued growth, customer love and investor affinity. 

“We are glad to welcome Deepika and Ka Enterprises to the Blue Tokai family! Their thorough understanding of the D2C space and strategic investments are a testament to their strong business acumen and we are excited to have them join us on our next phase of growth. This year, we are taking experimentation, quality, accessibility and convenience a notch higher and the current growth metrics are a true indication of the success to follow,” added Matt Chitharanjan, Co-Founder and CEO, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters.

At present, the brand operates in India and Japan with 4 roasteries, over 80 physical outlets across major Indian cities and regions including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Mohali and Pune as well as regular pop-ups in Tokyo. With a varied range of offerings across roasted coffee beans, FMCG-friendly easy-to-brew & ready-to-drink products and gifting options, the brand is the preferred choice for coffee-lovers, no matter where they are. Blue Tokai also has strong B2B partnerships with the country's marquee retail outlets, luxury hotels & restaurants,  top corporates and co-working spaces amongst others. 
 

 

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JustMyRoots Acquires the State Plate to Expand Regional Food Delivery
JustMyRoots Acquires the State Plate to Expand Regional Food Delivery
 

JustMyRoots, the intercity food delivery startup, has completed its acquisition of The State Plate (TSP), a company specializing in non-perishable packaged food products.

This strategic move is a pivotal step in JustMyRoots' overarching strategy to broaden its footprint within the nationwide packaged intercity food market.

TSP made a notable appearance on the first season of Shark Tank India and secured investment from Peyush Bensal, the CEO of Lenskart.

Furthermore, it successfully raised pre-seed capital from Antler India, valuing the company at approximately $2 million.

As part of the agreement, Muskaan Sancheti and Raghav Jhawar, the founders of TSP, will seamlessly join the JustMyRoots team and retain their roles in overseeing the business.

Samiran Sengupta, CEO of JustMyRoots, expressed that this acquisition marks a substantial step in their ongoing commitment to revolutionize intercity food delivery in India.

Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly has recently acquired a minority share in JustMyRoots.

 

 

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Samhi Hotels & Motisons Jewellers Receive SEBI Approval for IPO
Samhi Hotels & Motisons Jewellers Receive SEBI Approval for IPO
 

Samhi Hotels and Motisons Jewellers, a retail jewelry company based in Jaipur, have received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise capital through an initial public offering (IPO).

The two companies resubmitted their initial documents to SEBI in March of this year and received observation letters from SEBI between August 28 and August 31, according to an update from SEBI on Tuesday.

In the terminology used by SEBI, when it issues an observation, it signifies its approval for the commencement of the initial share offering.

According to the preliminary documents, Samhi Hotels has outlined its IPO plan, which includes raising Rs 1,000 crore through the issuance of new equity shares and offering 90 lakh equity shares held by current shareholders for sale.

The Offer For Sale (OFS) comprises the following share sales: Blue Chandra Pte Ltd plans to sell 42.36 lakh equity shares, Goldman Sachs Investments Holdings (Asia) Ltd intends to sell up to 24.78 lakh equity shares, GTI Capital Alpha Pvt Ltd plans to sell up to 15.47 lakh equity shares, and the International Finance Corporation aims to sell up to 7.39 lakh equity shares.

This represents a partial withdrawal by current shareholders in order to comply with listing regulations.

Previously, the company submitted its IPO documents to SEBI in September 2019 and received approval from the market regulator in November 2019 for the initial share offering, but the company chose not to proceed with the launch at that time.

The Gurugram-based firm intends to use the net proceeds from the new equity shares, totaling Rs 750 crore, to repay debt and for general corporate needs.

As of February 28, 2023, Samhi Hotels possesses a portfolio of 25 operational hotels, with a total of 3,839 rooms, strategically located in 12 major urban centers in India, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, the National Capital Region (NCR), Pune, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

By February 2023, Samhi Hotels holds the distinction of being the biggest owner of Fairfield by Marriott and Holiday Inn Express brands in India.

The company operates under extended management agreements with renowned global hotel operators such as Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG.

Regarding the Motisons Jewellers IPO, it entails the issuance of 3.34 crore new equity shares and does not include any Offer For Sale (OFS) component.

 

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QSR Chain Burgrill To Raise Funds for Expansion; Targets 40 CoCo stores Pan India
QSR Chain Burgrill To Raise Funds for Expansion; Targets 40 CoCo stores Pan India
 

Delhi-based Burgrill has announced that it is seeking its first external fundraise to accelerate its growth and expansion plans. 

The bootstrapped brand has created a niche for itself in the mass-premium category through a focus on innovation & customization. 

"We're thrilled to embark on this exciting journey as we seek to funding to fuel our expansion and enhance the Burgrill experience for our customers. This funding will enable us to introduce Burgrill to new markets, enhance our menu offerings, and invest in technology to further elevate our customer interactions. Client Associates Investment Banking team is advising us on this transaction,” shared Ankur Madan, CEO & Co-Founder, Burgrill.

Burgrill has quickly risen to prominence by introducing a novel dining concept that fuses the traditional charm of a classic burger joint with modern culinary techniques and an emphasis on a personalized dining experience. With its mouth-watering gourmet burgers, handcrafted with premium ingredients and innovative flavours at affordable pricing, Burgrill has gained a loyal following of food enthusiasts and gastronomes. The brand offers a unique menu with equal vegetarian & non-vegetarian options across burgers, wraps, subs & salads. 
The funding will be used to support key initiatives, including; expansion as it plans to open new flagship locations in high-traffic areas to attract a wider audience, menu innovation, and technology integration.

It is also planning to expand its team of culinary experts, marketing professionals, and operations specialists to support its growth trajectory.

Launched in 2016, Burgrill was conceptualized by three food fanatics to venture into an untapped segment of fast-food with healthier alternatives and became its pioneer in India. It operates over 49 outlets in more than 22 cities in India in the last eight years and intends to launch another 40 CoCo stores Pan India. The brand is rapidly growing in the northern states of the nation and aims to capture t- key metros in the next 4-5 years. So far the business crossed 45 Crores in Brand Revenue whilst remaining completely bootstrapped. It has registered double digit EBITDA Margins and is growing at 50% Y-o-Y. 

 

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Guilt-free ice cream Brand Go Zero Bags USD 1 Mn in Pre-Series A funding from DSG Consumer Partners, V3 Ventures, Saama
Guilt-free ice cream Brand Go Zero Bags USD 1 Mn in Pre-Series A funding from DSG Consumer Partners, V3 Ventures, Saama
 

Guilt-free Ice Cream brand Go Zero has secured USD 1 Million in its pre-Series A funding round. 

The round was led by DSG Consumer Partners, Saama, and V3 Ventures, with participation from angel investors Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of the Bombay Shaving Company; Arjun Purkayastha, Regional – Head Greater China, Reckitt Benckiser; Nikhil Vora, Founder & CEO, Sixth Sense Ventures; Krishi Fagwani, CEO, Thrive; and many other notable founders and CEOs. 

Founded by Kiran Shah, the brand’s diverse product portfolio comprises zero-sugar, high-protein, and low-calorie ice creams.

“Post the pandemic, people have become conscious of what they are consuming. More and more consumers are switching to healthier snacking options. With Go Zero, we aim to make the ice cream and dessert eating experience a healthy and guilt-free one for all. All our products are completely zero sugar, sweetened with plant-based sweeteners, which are completely safe and low in calories,” shared Shah.

Go Zero possesses the potential to establish itself as the pioneering brand in its category, with its distinct product portfolio, taste profiles, and vast domain expertise. 

“With this fundraise, we will look at expanding our presence in all major cities and on all e-commerce and q-commerce channels such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto. The funds will also be used for marketing and creating awareness about the brand,” added Kiran. 

According to reports, the Indian ice cream market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a twofold increase by 2026 and a quadruple surge by 2039, reaching a substantial value of INR 410,398 million (USD 5.1 billion) with a CAGR of 15%. New-age brands that are sharply positioned and have high-quality ingredients are increasingly being preferred by the evolving consumer.

Considering that the better-for-you ice cream market is expected to be worth USD 500 million in 2030, there is a vast total addressable market for Go Zero to tap into. Given Go Zero’s significant market share in the first 12 months of its operations, Go Zero has the opportunity to be a leading brand in this category.

 

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EvolveX Accelerator Backed UcliQ Raises INR 7 Million in Angel Round
EvolveX Accelerator Backed UcliQ Raises INR 7 Million in Angel Round
 

EvolveX Accelerator, a startup accelerator spearheaded by a global community of successful founders & strategic angels, We Founder Circle (WFC), has announced its recent investment in the innovative startup, UcliQ –B2B Marketplace for Chicken & Seafood. 

UcliQ emerged as a notable startup from EvolveX’s Cohort 2.

This angel investment round, led by EvolveX, also saw participation from Vamsi Udayagiri, Founder of HESA. 

“Having closely evaluated UcliQ’s potential, we are confident by their unique approach to reshaping the B2B meat supply chain in India. The dedication and vision of the UcliQ team have been evident throughout our interactions, and I have no doubt that UcliQ will thrive and leave a lasting impression on the meat industry, benefiting both buyers and sellers alike. I look forward to seeing UcliQ’s continued growth and success in the market,” shared Bhawna Bhatnagar, Co-Founder of EvolveX.

With a total fund raise of approximately INR 7 Million, UcliQ is geared to expand its reach and impact. Having initially targeted around 1200-1400 HoReCa businesses in Delhi/NCR, UcliQ now sets its sights on reaching 20,000-25,000 businesses across Delhi/NCR, Bangalore, and Hyderabad in the next 12 months, aiming to achieve an estimated revenue of INR 150 Million.

UcliQ aims to revolutionize India’s meat supply chains by providing an easy, transparent, and secure digital platform that connects buyers and sellers, including HoReCa, manufacturers, wholesalers, brands, and other businesses. The platform offers seamless logistics and leaves digital footprints, paving the way for reliable, standardized, and high-speed supply chains while addressing inefficiencies and reducing food wastage in the poultry, mutton, fish, seafood, live chicken birds, and ready-to-eat categories.

UcliQ’s Founder, Sameer Malik, brings a wealth of experience to the table, having completed his B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University followed by an MBA in Finance and Marketing. His familiarity with the B2B industry and the hospitality sector, along with his experience in startups and social work, adds value to UcliQ’s mission.

“With this capital infusion, we are poised to accelerate our growth and elevate our innovative ideas to the next level. We are committed to revolutionizing the B2B meat supply chain, bridging gaps, and fostering transparency through a standardized marketplace. Our vision is to create a seamless and sustainable platform that positively impacts the meat industry while empowering businesses,” added Malik.

 

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Dil Foods Closes $2 Million Pre-Series A Funding to Revolutionize Small Independent Restaurants
Dil Foods Closes $2 Million Pre-Series A Funding to Revolutionize Small Independent Restaurants
 

Bengaluru based virtual restaurant operator Dil Foods has secured a Pre-Series A funding round of $2Mn. 

The objective of the brand is to partner with small to medium independent food businesses and restaurants, to curate a profitable brand that disrupts the meal market leveraging a unique asset-light model for food delivery to drive efficiency and maximize profitability.

The funding was obtained through a round led by V3 Ventures and Mount Judi Ventures. In addition, Revant Bhate (former Rebel and founder of Mosaic Wellness) and Arjun Vaidya (Founder of Dr. Vaidyas) are prominent investors whose invaluable expertise will help strengthen Dil Foods' position in the sector of business for virtual restaurant operators. 

“This investment is a testament to the tremendous potential of Dil Foods and our commitment to strengthen the business of small independent restaurants and other F&B players, who often struggle to achieve sustainability and financial viability. Limited resources, financial constraints and a shortage of specialized personnel, hinders their ability to utilize the potential of new-age business models to enhance their revenues. We aim to address the challenges independent restaurants face by providing a platform that helps them realize their additional revenue potential and increase their asset and resource utilization significantly,” shared Arpita Aditi, CEO and Founder of Dil Foods.

With the goal of diversifying its brand portfolio, the company aims to provide customers with a diverse range of authentic cuisines. 

The recent funding secured will support geographical expansion into new cities and empower emerging partner restaurants to flourish. Strategic investments will be made in data analytics and supply chain optimization to drive efficiency and enhance operations.

“Smaller restaurants have faced difficulties in leveraging the potential of the cloud to grow their business, despite the rapid expansion of the online food delivery market. We are excited to partner with Dil Foods team- who are dedicated to developing virtual brands and empowering small restaurants to tap into the online food delivery industry. By utilizing Dil Foods’ central kitchen, these restaurants can maintain the exceptional taste and quality of their food,” added Rahul Maheshwari, partner at V3 ventures.

Mohammed Ali Shariff, partner at Mount Judi Ventures said, “In a short span of 1 year and with minimal investment, Dil Foods has seen explosive growth with 6 brands and 40+ partner kitchens in one city alone. With its hugely disruptive asset-light model, we believe that Dil Foods is poised to become a category defining player in the virtual cloud kitchen space. We are excited to partner with Arpita and support her vision of making the restaurant business viable and a win-win for all.”

Under the umbrella of Dil Foods, each type of cuisine is offered by a unique but complementary brand. It caters to the varied palates of India by utilizing the underutilized infrastructure of small independent restaurants to provide an authentic culinary experience. 
 

 

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Radiohead Brands Raises $1.3 MN from Prath Ventures, Vijay Shekhar Sharma & Others
Radiohead Brands Raises $1.3 MN from Prath Ventures, Vijay Shekhar Sharma & Others
 

Gurgaon based startup, Radiohead Brands, makers of the category leading brand Jimmy’s® has announced its transformation into a multi-beverage brands company, broadening its offerings beyond Jimmy’s® Cocktails and Sparkling Mixers. 

As part of this expansion, the company introduces ‘Hustle’ Energy drink, conceived with a view to disrupt the Energy Drinks category. 

To fund this expansion Radiohead also announced its recent fundraise, an extension of its earlier Pre-Series A round. 

The company’s valuation grew 3x over last year and 20x over last three years since it started its operations. 

The round was led by Prath Ventures which also saw participation from prominent angels like Vijay Shekhar Sharma of (PayTM) and Neel Bahl. Existing investors Keki Mistry (HDFC), Vishesh Khurana (Shiprocket), 7Square Ventures, Vidur Talwar (T&T Motors) and Anirudh Somani (CLSA). 

The company had raised ₹14 crore last year March in an investment round led by Roots Ventures.

“Almost all categories in India have seen consumers’ willingness to upgrade to better quality products and pay a premium for it, be it in technology, real estate, fashion, automobiles or spirits. Packaged beverage as a category, however, is stuck at lower end of the price segment which is unique to the Indian sub-continent. We are disrupting this and building a multi beverage brands company at the premium end with better quality products built on the back of sharp positioning and clutter breaking packaging,” shared Ankur Bhatia, Founder and CEO Radiohead Brands.

The company plans to enter several new categories in open white spaces still untapped by the beverage majors over the next few years and has an ambition to reach ₹100 crore revenue run-rate by next year building to a ₹1000 crore revenue company within the decade. 
In FY23, Radiohead Brands revenues grew over 75% and the brand Jimmy’s is now available at over 20,000 retail outlets, wine shops and prominent bars in over 50 cities, as well as all leading ecommerce platforms. 

The brand also operates a D2C business delivering from their website DrinkJimmys.com, to over 400 cities in India.

“We have a ready platform to launch Hustle with route to market already built on the back of Jimmy’s. We see immense potential in the Energy Drinks segment, with our sharp brand positioning and teams with deep category experience, we are confident we will fast be a dominant player in this category as well,” added Nitin Bhardwaj, Co-founder and COO Radiohead Brands.

As per Piyush Goenka, founder of Prath Ventures, “Radiohead Brands is our play on the high-growth premium beverages segment in India. Ankur and Nitin are the best team to build in this market with a strong understanding of brand building and distribution. The company’s products have huge customer love and are well accepted by the trade. We believe the company is set to emerge as a leading premium beverage player in a few years with a diversified portfolio of brands and products.” 

Founded by Ankur Bhatia & Nitin Bhardwaj in 2019, its first brand Jimmy’s® claims to have moved ahead of all other start-ups competing in the same space, having served over 12 million drinks in FY’23. It now plans to use its deep category experience, already established route to market and unique ability to build brands fast and frugal to dominate the premium energy drinks segment.

 

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Supply Chain Tech Company Adcount Technologies Raises USD 2.25 Mn in Series A Led by Venture Catalysts, Artesian
Supply Chain Tech Company Adcount Technologies Raises USD 2.25 Mn in Series A Led by Venture Catalysts, Artesian
 

Noida-based Adcount Technologies has raised USD 2.25 million in its latest series A funding round.

The parent company of SupplyNote, and a host of innovative supply chain tech solutions, saw participation from Venture Catalysts and Artesian, with notable participation from Sattva Family Office, WFC, LetsVenture, Soonicorn Ventures, Cogniphy, SucSEED Indovation, SOSV, and DSP family office.

This latest round brings Adcount Technologies’ total capital raised to a significant USD 5 Mn.

“We feel SupplyNote is a prudent investment due to its innovative approach to streamlining inventory management, order placement, and sales analytics. Its cloud-based suite is revolutionizing inventory management and improving overall performance of businesses. Investing in this powder-keg of potential was almost a no-brainer for us,” said CA Vijay Singh Rathore, Co-founder of Soonicorn Ventures.

SupplyNote's client list includes, brands such as Naturals Ice Cream, Biryani By Kilo, Bikkgane Biryani, Caterspoint, Burgrill, and Ironhill Brewery.

“SupplyNote’s all-encompassing suite of products empowers businesses with robust, digitized supply chain management solutions in the post-COVID era. The remarkable traction they’ve received from renowned clients like CureFoods, Biryani By Kilo, Swiggy Kitchen underscores their market credibility and readiness for exponential growth,” stated Apoorva Sharma, Co-founder and President, Venture Catalysts.

The fresh fundraise will primarily fuel the first phase of brand’s international expansion, as it aims to widen its footprints globally.

Adcount Technologies, currently active in six countries, is strategically focused on expanding its presence, particularly in the MENA and Southeast Asia regions in Phase 1.

Reflecting on the company's achievements, Kushang, the CEO and Co-Founder of Adcount Technologies, stated, “Our growth trajectory is truly remarkable. Through SupplyNote, we facilitate annual purchases worth $100 million in India alone. Vyap empowers procurement worth $2.25 million in Noida & Gr. Noida, while SupplyLink efficiently manages goods worth $5 million across 42 cities in India. These figures are set to skyrocket in the upcoming months. Looking ahead, our ambitious 18-month targets include facilitating $1.2 billion worth of purchases via SupplyNote, achieving $25 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) with Vyap, and distributing goods worth $150 million through SupplyLink.”

 

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Curefoods Expands Healthy Food Offerings with Investment in Millet Express
Curefoods Expands Healthy Food Offerings with Investment in Millet Express
 

Bengaluru-based Curefoods has made its strategic investment in Millet Express, a fast-growing brand focused on promoting healthy millet-based food products to users. 

The investment was done by Curefoods in May 2023, and it enables Millet Express to become a part of Curefoods' diverse food offerings while aligning with Curefoods’ vision of providing nutritious and delicious food options to its customers for a healthy India.

Millet Express was born with the vision to fill the gap of healthy Indian cuisine in the food industry. 

This investment by Curefoods will primarily be utilized for the expansion of Millet Express, allowing the brand to reach a wider audience and meet the growing demand for millet-based products. 

The collaboration will also allow the brands to utilise their respective strengths and expertise to benefit both businesses. Millet Express aims to leverage Curefoods' operational excellence and industry experience to enhance its operations and expand its market presence.

“The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) and this sector is expected to gain significant traction and support that will further enhance the growth potential of Millet Express. The brand also shares our vision of providing healthy and wholesome food choices, and we are excited to support their growth and contribute to their success,” shared Gokul Kandhi, Chief Operating officer, Curefoods. 

This collaboration between Curefoods and Millet Express allows both brands to capitalize on their respective strengths, creating a mutually beneficial partnership. 

With this strategic investment, Curefoods also plans to expand the Millet Express offerings to both its online and offline fronts, thereby introducing a wide range of millet-based products that cater to the evolving tastes and preferences of consumers.

Curefoods is a leading house of F&B brands in India. It was founded by Ankit Nagori in 2020. It houses brands like EatFit, CakeZone, Nomad Pizza, Sharief Bhai Biryani and Frozen Bottle among others. It has over 200 cloud kitchens and offline stores that cater to over 10 cuisines, across 15 cities in India. Curefoods is the second-largest cloud kitchen player in India in terms of footprint with the largest manufacturing capability in the fresh food space.

 

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Ronin Wines Raises USD 675K from Rainmatter Capital, Grip Invest in pre-Series A Funding
Ronin Wines Raises USD 675K from Rainmatter Capital, Grip Invest in pre-Series A Funding
 

Pune-based Ronin Wines Private Limited has raised USD 675k from Rainmatter Capital and Grip Invest as a part of their larger pre-Series A funding.

The makers of Moonshine Meads, Ronin Wines also witnessed participation from Auxano Capital, Supermorpheus, Anthill Capital and a clutch of existing and new angel investors.

The capital will be used to increase the brand’s depth in existing markets while helping the business expand the honey and bee-keeping focussed brand, Moonshine Honey Project.

“We are very excited to have the two investors join us as we build Moonshine. Rainmatter's commitment to tackling climate change and supporting sustainability ties well with our mission to support the dwindling bee population in the country. With Grip Invest joining our team, we now have access to numerous alternate financing solutions that we will need as we scale our alcobev business,” shared Nitin Vishwas, Co-founder, Ronin Wines.

Started in 2021, MHP has focussed on sale of honey via both B2C and B2B routes and has recently taken up Bee conservation as a key focus area by launching their one-of-a-kind initiative, ‘Bee Hotels’ in May this year.

Ronin Wines Launched in 2018, by ISB Hyderabad alum, Nitin Vishwas and his childhood friend, Rohan Rehani, Moonshine is India’s first mead brand. Made by fermenting 100% pure honey with various fruits and spices, Moonshine’s meads are low alc., carbonated and part of the fast growing Ready To Drink segment (beyond beers category) in India.

Moonshine is currently available in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, UAE, Australia and New Zealand.

 

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Good Flippin' Burgers Raises $ 4 Million in Series A Round
Good Flippin' Burgers Raises $ 4 Million in Series A Round
 

Mumbai-based Good Flippin' Burgers has raised $ 4 million in its latest Series A round of funding via Tanglin Venture Partners.

This cash infusion not only bolsters the company's financial resources for growth but also solidifies its ambitions as it continues its journey of becoming the most loved burger brand in India.

Good Flippin’ Burgers raised $1 million in last year and have grown 3X this past year.

Founded by Viren Dsilva, Sijo Mathew, and Sid Marchant, who left their corporate careers to pursue their dream of serving the perfect burger.

The burger brand is planning geographical expansion, reinforcing its supply chain, and further refining its dining and quick service models in the next 12 months.

Ashika Capital was a financial advisor to this round.

"We are thrilled to have secured this funding and garnered the support of respected investors. This investment is a significant milestone for us and will empower us to expand our operations, fortify our supply chain, and bring our delicious burgers to an even wider customer base,” shared Viren DSilva, Co-founder, Good Flippin' Burgers.

“Viren, Sid and Sijo are exceptional founders with extreme customer obsession and process orientation. They have built a strong brand in Good Flippin’ Burgers with extraordinary customer love. We are really impressed with their focus on supply chain capabilities which has enabled them to maintain highest level of quality as well as consistency across their store footprint. At Tanglin, we are extremely excited to be partnering with the team and look forward to working with them towards building an enduring business,” added Sankalp Gupta, Partner at Tanglin Venture Partners.

GOOD FLIPPIN’ BURGERS® was launched in 2019 in Mumbai and currently has a total of 23 outlets and rising across Mumbai and Delhi with a headcount of more than 295+ employees. With 16 stores across Mumbai, the brand has also made inroads in Delhi with 7 outlets.

 

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Sanjay Dutt Invests in Alcobev Startup Cartel & Bros
Sanjay Dutt Invests in Alcobev Startup Cartel & Bros
 

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has made an investment in Cartel & Bros, a startup in the alcoholic beverage (alcobev) industry.

The company aims to bring a range of liquor brands into India through imports and retail. Executives of the recently established venture confirmed the actor's involvement in the project.

One of the partners of the startup, Mokksh Sani, who is also the promoter of liquor retail chain Living Liquidz, revealed that the initial offering from Cartel & Bros is Glenwalk, a blended Scotch whisky brand imported from Scotland.

Following the launch of Glenwalk, the company has plans to introduce a range of other liquor brands including vodka, tequila, and single malt into the Indian market.

Additional investors involved in Cartel & Bros include Manesh Sani, who represents Living Liquidz, Jittin Merani from Drinq bar academy, and Rohan Nihalani, the promoter of Morgan Beverages.

According to Sani, Cartel & Bros has secured a factory lease in Scotland and intends to set competitive prices for its products, making them affordable for a wider demographic of young consumers. He acknowledged the challenges of operating in the alcobev industry, which involves navigating complex regulations, varying state-level taxation, and price controls. However, Sani expressed confidence in the venture, emphasizing that regulations exist in every business and highlighting India's youthful population, which he believes is open to experimentation and new experiences.

In recent times, India has emerged as a rapidly expanding market for alcohol, and this development coincides with that trend.

According to data from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), India surpassed France to become the largest market for Scotch whisky in terms of volume, with a notable 60% increase in imports in 2022 compared to the preceding year.

This highlights the growing demand for alcoholic beverages in India.

 

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Ice-cream brand NIC Bags $11M in Growth Funding Led by Jungle Ventures
Ice-cream brand NIC Bags $11M in Growth Funding Led by Jungle Ventures
 

Pune-based Walko Food’s NIC ice cream brand and QSR company has raised $11M in a growth funding round led by Jungle Ventures.

The fresh funds will be deployed to expand Walko’s production capabilities, enhance its product offerings, and broaden its distribution reach, with the aim of capturing a larger share of the rapidly growing ice cream market.

The company also plans to invest in efficiency management systems, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to strengthen their business operation and support its projected growth.

At Walko, we are devoted to spreading cheer and happiness to our customers through our delicious and innovative Honestly Crafted Ice Creams. With this new investment, we will continue to expand our reach, enhance our product portfolio, and earn a position as one of the market leaders in the ice cream industry,” shared Sanjiv Shah, Director, Walko Food.

Co-founded in 2012 by Jeetendra Bhandari, Sanjiv Shah, and Raj Bhandari, Walko’s brand, NIC has emerged as the most popular ice cream brand on food tech platforms and has established itself as a top brand in the ice cream category. Boasting a team of experienced industry professionals with international experience in Walmart, Coca Cola and other leading companies, Walko has achieved an impressive CAGR of 90% in the last five years and has extensive presence in over 100 cities across India.

“We see enormous potential in Walko to revolutionize the Indian ice cream and desserts industry. Through disruptive innovation across the entire value chain, from supply chain optimization to pioneering modes of preparation, Walko is poised to become a major food company. We had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of Walko consumers, and we were truly impressed by the unwavering consumer loyalty and remarkable brand recall they expressed. We are excited to invest in a company that is boldly reshaping a very traditional industry,” added Arpit Beri, Principal, India Investments at Jungle Ventures.

Earlier in 2021, Walko Food secured $4.8 million in funding from JM Financials.

 

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Speed Kitchen Raises Seed Funding Led by Inflection Point Ventures
Speed Kitchen Raises Seed Funding Led by Inflection Point Ventures
 

KAAS startup Speed Kitchen raises Seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures with participation from other HNIs & angel investors.

The funds will be used for expansion and increasing the footprint pan-India and hiring a team that could accelerate the expansion.

Speed Kitchen's vision is to expand the value chain and become an infrastructure service provider for all F&B needs.

“Over the years cloud kitchen has witnessed a significant rise especially post-COVID. While the brand's cost is significantly reduced with the cloud kitchen concept it still has to consider multiple factors like kitchen setup, maintenance services, location and much more. Keeping this in mind Speed Kitchen has developed a unique commercial shared kitchen concept which will further reduce the cost to run a kitchen,” shared Madhukar Bhardwaj, Senior Vice President, Inflection Point Ventures.

Speed Kitchen was founded in 2021 by Paurav Rastogi (CEO) and founding partner Shamin Kapoor.

“One of the most enlightening experiences, got to learn a lot about the start-up world, processes and network with some great minds. We at Speed Kitchen are aiming to become the leading Cloud Kitchen infrastructure in the Indian market, the first step of which is to expand to 20+ locations and cross 200+ operational kitchens by the end of FY 23-24,” added Rastogi.

Speed Kitchen is a one-stop solution to all cloud kitchen needs from finding the ideal location for the culinary operation to building an F&B brand. It also provides brands with low capital expenditure and operating expenses and an easy expansion into new geographies.

In the last 18+ months, the company has expanded across Delhi-NCR, Jaipur, Pune, Bangalore and Mumbai. They have a strong pipeline of brands and kitchen partners and will be focusing on expanding their presence to other Tier 1 and Tier 2 Cities.

At a CAGR of 39%, the Cloud Kitchen industry has been valued at $800 million in FY 22 which is expected to reach $1.9Bn by 2026.

 

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Proost Beer Raises INR 8.5 Cr from Mumbai Angels, Hyderabad Angels, Others
Proost Beer Raises INR 8.5 Cr from Mumbai Angels, Hyderabad Angels, Others
 

Delhi based Proost Beer has raised a whopping INR 8.5 crores in the round, which was spearheaded by Mumbai Angels, Hyderabad Angels, Speed Fund, GetVantage, Finnvolve, and other prominent angel investors.

Proost Beer's existing investors Dauble PTE and Dev Punj also participated in the round, highlighting their continued support and belief in the company's growth potential.

“The recent investment from existing and new investors indicates their trust and confidence in our business approach and strategy. This latest investment is part of a larger fundraising plan and will enable us to expand our production capacity and penetrate new states. We are optimistic about the industry's growth potential, especially considering consumers' increasing willingness to try out new, high-quality products. With this funding, we anticipate achieving 300% growth in the current financial year, FY 23-24,” said Mr Vijay P Sharma, MD & Co-founder of Proost Beer.

The brand that got featured in Shark Tank India will use the funds to expand its production capacity, venture into new markets, and fulfil its working capital requirements.

The company is optimistic about utilising these funds to drive its growth trajectory and strengthen its position as a leading beer brewing company in India.

This fundraising success also underscores the investors' trust and confidence in Proost Beer's innovative brewing process and recipe, which delivers a premium quality beer with a unique flavour profile at an affordable price point.

“We are delighted to have secured this funding round and this comes as a validation from our investors on our business model, this will allow us to ramp up our production and expand our reach in the market. We look forward to bringing our beer to even more consumers across India,” shared Tarun Bhargava, CEO & Co-founder of Proost Beer.

Started in 2017 Proost Beer has gained a reputation for brewing top-tier beer(s) with a smooth and distinctive flavour at an unparalleled pricing. The company sources its raw materials from both local and international suppliers, ensuring the highest quality standards for its brews.

 

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Curefoods Raises INR 300 Cr Led by Three State Capital; Targets Offline Space
Curefoods Raises INR 300 Cr Led by Three State Capital; Targets Offline Space
 

Bengaluru-based cloud kitchen brand Curefoods has announced the closure of a funding round where the company raised INR 300 crore last week.

The round consisted of primary and secondary equity and debt and was led by Binny Bansal’s fund Three State Capital with an investment of INR 240 crore along with other participant companies IronPillar, Chiratae Ventures, ASK Finance and Winter Capital.

Curefoods aims to use this fundraise to expand its geographical reach and diversify its brands into offline formats, from the current online-only cloud kitchen presence.

"I am very delighted to have the continued support of all our existing investors, who have a major role to play as we continue to grow and expand our brands and geographical presence. Our investors understand our brand vision very well and are aligned to our long-term goal of creating multiple 500 crore brands," said Ankit Nagori, Founder of Curefoods.

In the last financial year of FY 2022-23 Curefoods grew over 300% year-on-year. This year Curefoods aims to expand in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in the North and West of India.

With 200+ locations in 15 cities serviced by a backend operation of over 7 food factories, and 150+ multi-brand cloud kitchens, its Nomad Pizza and the biryani brand Sharief Bhai are the fastest-growing brands, growing at over 50% Quarter-on-Quarter.

In December 2022, Curefoods recorded a milestone of crossing 1.1 million orders per month, resulting in an annual recurring revenue of INR 550 crore.

"This funding will allow us to reach new customers and markets while also targeting our offline model expansion. We are excited about the future of consumer brands and look forward to innovating and leading brands in this space for India, while delivering authentic and nutritious food to many Indians, according to the Indian taste palette,” added Nagori.

Previously, before the current funding round, Curefoods had raised over INR 800 crores in 2022 from Iron Pillar, Chiratae Ventures, Sixteenth Street Capital, Accel Partners, Binny Bansal, Alteria Capital, BlackSoil Capital, Winter Capital and Trifecta Capital in January 2022.

Looking forward, Curefoods is poised to target an even greater success, with an objective ARR of INR 1000 crores by the end of 2023. In the same period, Curefoods also plans to open 50 more locations with an aim of managing 2 million orders a month.

 

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