1. Nykaa posted its strongest Q4 in three years, nearing the ₹10,000 crore milestone with strong beauty, fashion, and omnichannel growth.

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2. boAt’s Aman Gupta Raises 100 cr for OFF/BEAT, Backed by Bessemer Venture Partners for AI-Led Growth.

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3. Drools is investing ₹180 crore to enter fresh pet food, bringing innovative packaging and scaling its D2C pet care presence.

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4. Pluckk Raises ₹100 Cr to Power D2C Growth in India’s Fast-Evolving Farm-to-Fork Ecosystem.

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Business Boost:

1. Uppercase raises ₹20 crore from Accel and Volrado to drive expansion and strengthen its sustainable D2C travel gear play.

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2.KisaanSay has raised ₹34 crore in a Series A round led by NABVENTURES to scale its farm-to-consumer D2C model.

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3. ClayCo Raises 34.59 Cr Series A, Accelerating Growth in India’s D2C Beauty and Skincare Market.

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4. Ecoil Raises $2.5 Mn Series A to Scale Biofuel Innovation in India’s Clean-Tech D2C Ecosystem.

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Founders Funded:

1. Filli & Me Raises 1.5 Cr Pre-Seed Round, Led by D2C Insider Super Angels, Building Early-Years D2C Kids Accessories Brand.

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2. Dam Good Fish raised funding at a ₹30 crore valuation to expand its AI-led seafood D2C model across new metro markets.

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3. Helium Raises $2 Mn Seed Round to Build Smart, Affordable ACs for India’s D2C Appliance Market.

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Jaydeep Barman, Co-founder — Rebel Foods

“Company building isn’t fun. It’s pain management.”

After 15+ years of building,

Jaydeep breaks it down simply —

There are 3 types of pain in entrepreneurship.

And your job isn’t to avoid them.

It’s to manage them.

1) The Pain of Being Written Off

When no one believes in you.

Not investors. Not media. Not the market.

Strangely — this is freedom.

Because when expectations are zero,

you can take your boldest bets.

2) The Pain of Constraints

When cash is low.

Time is short.

And everything feels boxed in.

This is where most break.

But this is also where innovation is born.

Constraints don’t kill companies —

they force clarity.

3) The Pain of Endurance

The hardest one.

When you’re exhausted.

Burnt out.

And every part of you wants to stop.

But you keep going.

Because this is what builds

enduring companies.

Through all three, one thing matters most —

The team.

Because endurance is lonely.

But when people around you keep pushing,

your own strength lasts a little longer.

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📌 D2C INSIDER UPDATE — BHARAT EDITION 🚀

Jaipur set the tone.

Chandigarh carried the momentum.

Today, it’s Pune.

The Bharat Edition is moving city by city, bringing together high-signal rooms where real conversations happen.

Next up: Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai

750+ founders. 500+ brands. 150+ investors. 100+ enablers.

One ecosystem, building across India.

🎟 Register: https://d2ci.co/cxo-meets

1. Libas crosses ₹1,000 crore ARR with 30%+ growth, profitability, and omnichannel expansion, positioning itself for IPO-led scale in India’s D2C fashion market.

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2. Palmonas raised $40M in Series B, accelerating omnichannel D2C growth, retail expansion, and premium affordable jewellery positioning.

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3. ITC made Sproutlife Foods (Yoga Bar) its subsidiary, strengthening its D2C food and wellness presence with strong growth momentum.

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Business Boost:

1. Lahori Zeera Crosses ₹540 Cr Revenue, Accelerates D2C Growth with Strong Brand Momentum and Market Disruption.

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2. Amaha raises ₹50 crore at a ₹300 crore valuation, nearly doubling its value as it scales rapidly in India’s D2C mental health and wellness ecosystem.

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3. BlaBliBlu hits ₹100 crore ARR in six months with ₹8 crore monthly revenue, scaling fast through its affordable luxury fragrance D2C strategy.

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Founders Funded:

1. Solethreads has been acquired by Tauseef Mirza, accelerating its D2C growth with strong funding, ₹6 crore monthly run rate, and omnichannel expansion plans.

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2. Cropcoin secures ₹12 crore in pre-Series A funding to expand its D2C agritech platform, driving sustainable supply chains and farmer network growth.

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3.Lickcious raises ₹50 lakh from Anupam Mittal, turning an unaired Shark Tank pitch into a strong D2C growth and storytelling moment.

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Parul Gulati, Founder — Nish Hair

“Being different isn’t a choice. It’s the edge.”

When Parul Gulati entered the hair industry,
extensions were something people hid.

She saw something else -
a tool for expression.

So she didn’t just build a product.
She rewrote the narrative.

Hair became fashion.
Experimentation.
Identity - without permanence.

Because the real insight was simple:
People don’t always want to commit.
They want the freedom to change.

And that shift changed everything.

Today, Nish Hair isn’t just selling hair
- it’s selling confidence, flexibility, and control.

Because the best brands don’t follow demand.
They reshape how people think.

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D2C INSIDER UPDATE — ELEVATE 🚀

A 12-week, operator-led program to help D2C founders scale with clarity and execution.

100+ startups accelerated. 15+ funded.

Learn from those who’ve done it. Build with those who are doing it.

🚀 Apply: d2ci.co/elevate_register

_______

📍 Next: CXO Meet Bharat Edition — Pune, 11 April.

🎟 Register Now: cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

Cult.fit Raises Rs 440 Cr from Temasek, Strengthens D2C Growth Ahead of IPO

Cult.fit has secured Rs 440 crore ($47 million) from Temasek, reinforcing its status as one of the rapidly growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in India. This recent investment indicates rising investor interest in the D2C sector, particularly among wellness startups with significant growth potential.

The funds were invested through Temasek’s MacRitchie arm, increasing its stake to 11.88%. This move further strengthens Cult.fit’s position within the landscape of venture capital-backed and top-funded D2C companies. In this funding round, the company issued 9,098,052 Series G compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) at Rs 483.62 each, valuing the company at Rs 13,668 crore ($1.45 billion) post-money. This valuation underscores relative stability in the D2C startup space amid shifting market dynamics.

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Fullife Healthcare Raises ₹300 Cr to Accelerate D2C Growth, Global Expansion and Wellness Innovation

Fullife Healthcare, the parent company of Fast&Up and Chicnutrix, has raised ₹300 crore ($32 million) in a Series D funding round led by Elev8 Venture Partners. This funding round represents an important development in the D2C sector and demonstrates increasing investor interest in India’s Direct-to-Consumer market, especially within the expanding health and wellness segment.

This investment marks Elev8’s initial entry into the Indian D2C ecosystem, indicating both deep investor understanding of this space and a growing allocation of institutional capital toward consumer-focused, high-growth brands. With this funding, Fullife joins other VC-backed D2C companies aiming to grow through product innovation, a multi-channel approach, and international market expansion.

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Swish Raises $38 Mn to Scale Quick Commerce D2C Model, Strengthening Its Position in India’s Food Delivery Ecosystem

Swish, a Bengaluru-based startup specializing in ultra-fast food delivery, has secured $38 million in a funding round led by Hara Global and Bain Capital Ventures, with contributions from Accel and venture debt provided by Alteria Capital and Stride Ventures. This investment represents a notable development in D2C funding, signaling increased investor confidence in quick commerce models within India’s D2C sector.

As a result of this round, Swish’s valuation has increased by more than 2.4 times, reaching approximately ₹1,267 crore (about $140 million post-money). This positions the company among the top funded D2C brands and emerging leaders in India’s Direct-to-consumer market. The new capital will support Swish’s expansion efforts, particularly by enhancing its network of cloud kitchens and strengthening delivery infrastructure to reduce turnaround times.

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Business Boost:

Kidbea Raises ₹30 Cr Series A to Scale Sustainable D2C Kidswear Brand and Expand Omnichannel Footprint Across India

Noida-based kidswear company Kidbea has secured ₹30 crore ($3.2 million) in a Series A funding round led by Enrission India Capital. Other participants include Inflection Point Ventures, LetsVenture, FE Securities, Venture Catalysts, Lead Angels, along with several angel investors. This funding round underscores ongoing momentum within the D2C sector and reflects sustained investor confidence in sustainable D2C brands operating in India’s expanding direct-to-consumer market.

The round also attracted notable angel investors such as Ghazal Alagh, Roman Saini, Sumit Jalan, Ajay Aggarwal, Bahram N Vakil, Vinod Rustagi, Amit Rathi, and Sanjit Advani. Their involvement indicates increasing interest in venture-backed D2C companies and opportunities within India’s direct-to-consumer space. Kidbea intends to use this capital to accelerate its expansion plans, emphasizing offline retail growth, product innovation, and national distribution.

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Pee Safe Leads with Offline Expansion and Quick Commerce Push to Reach 50 Million Women, Powering Its Next Phase of D2C Growth

Pee Safe, a women’s hygiene and wellness brand, is intensifying its omnichannel approach by combining offline retail and quick commerce to advance its direct-to-consumer (D2C) growth. Amid a broader expansion of the D2C ecosystem in India, the brand aims to reach over 50 million women nationwide, representing a notable increase in its scale and market presence.

This strategic shift aligns with a trend where D2C brands in India are moving beyond digital-first models to develop omnichannel operations. Pee Safe’s growth reflects changing market dynamics anticipated by 2025, with brands prioritizing broader distribution, ease of access, and consumer convenience to achieve wider adoption. Currently, the brand is available in more than 50,000 retail locations and plans to expand to 200,000 outlets, enhancing its D2C footprint across both urban and emerging markets.

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Pep Technologies Narrows Losses by 81% as Hyphen Emerges as Key D2C Growth Engine

Pep Technologies, the parent company of mCaffeine and Hyphen, reported a notable financial improvement in FY25, combining steady growth in direct-to-consumer (D2C) revenue with an 81% reduction in losses. This development highlights a key shift in India’s D2C landscape, where profitability and efficient scaling are becoming increasingly important.

The company’s operating revenue increased by 23% year-on-year, reaching Rs 237.5 crore in FY25 compared to Rs 193 crore in FY24, demonstrating sustained momentum across its D2C brand portfolio. Total income, including Rs 1.5 crore from interest, amounted to Rs 239 crore, reflecting balanced financial management alongside operational expansion.

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Founders funded:

BeastLife Raises ₹20 Cr to Scale D2C Nutrition Brand, Eyes ₹500 Cr Revenue Milestone

In the latest D2C news India and D2C daily news, nutrition-focused D2C startup BeastLife has raised ₹20 crore in a pre-Series A round from GVFL and Equantis, marking a strong step forward in India’s rapidly evolving D2C ecosystem India. The round values the company at approximately ₹320 crore, highlighting rising investor confidence in VC-backed D2C brands and the booming health and wellness segment within Direct-to-consumer India.

Founded in 2024 by fitness influencer Gaurav Taneja and former mCaffeine executive Raj Vikram Gupta, BeastLife is part of the new wave of latest D2C startups leveraging creator-led distribution and digital-first strategies. This positions the brand among emerging creator-led D2C brands that are reshaping D2C business India through strong personal branding, community engagement, and direct consumer relationships.

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Canvaloop Secures $1.5 Mn to Scale Sustainable Materials, Powering Next Wave of D2C Innovation in India

Canvaloop, a biomaterials startup, has secured $1.5 million in a funding round led by Gujarat Venture Finance Limited (GVFL) and Rockstud Capital. This investment represents a notable step in the development of sustainable innovation within India’s D2C sector. In the context of recent D2C funding activities, the round signals growing investor interest in climate-focused, venture-backed D2C brands and next-generation material startups shaping India’s direct-to-consumer landscape.

Founded in 2020 by Shreyans Kokra, Canvaloop is developing a platform that converts agricultural waste into fibers suitable for textile production. This approach aligns with evolving D2C trends anticipated for 2025 and the rise of sustainable D2C brands. Based in Surat, the company employs a proprietary closed-loop technology designed to minimize water and chemical use, addressing increasing consumer demand in India for sustainability, transparency, and environmentally responsible products.

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RN Kids Raises ₹7.1 Cr to Build a Trusted Pediatric D2C Wellness Brand Focused on Clean, Clinically Backed Nutrition

Pediatric wellness startup RN Kids has secured ₹7.1 crore (approximately $760K) in a pre-seed funding round, marking its entry into India’s evolving direct-to-consumer healthcare and wellness market. The round included participation from Ashish Kacholia, Lashit Sanghvi, and prominent angel investors such as Mohit Sadaani, Hitesh Dhingra, Ajay Mehra, Samir Palod, alongside select family offices. This reflects growing investor interest and confidence in venture capital-backed D2C brands within the Indian ecosystem.

Founded in September 2025 by Rushabh Nandu and Nihar Parekh, RN Kids aims to establish a pediatric wellness brand focused on clean-label, clinically supported formulations addressing everyday health needs for children. This approach places the startup within both the D2C wellness and wider personal care sectors, where trust, transparency, and scientific innovation are increasingly influencing consumer choices.

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“Entrepreneurs need to be grounded and rooted — like plants.”

During a podcast, Sreejith was asked:

What can entrepreneurs learn from plants?

His answer was simple —

Stay grounded. Stay rooted.

But the meaning deepened over time.

Reflecting on early interactions in his journey, he realised something powerful:

People may forget what you said —

but they never forget how you made them feel.

Because in every interaction,

respect is never one-sided.

Sreejith believes —

Every person you meet is better than you in some way, and worse in another.

And when you truly understand this,

you start listening more.

Respecting more.

Learning more.

For founders, this isn’t optional.

It’s foundational.

Because only when you’re grounded —

you truly hear your customers, team, and partners.

But being grounded doesn’t mean being passive.

Like water lilies —

you can float with confidence,

yet stay deeply rooted.

In a world of “fake it till you make it,”

confidence is important.

But losing touch with reality is dangerous.

That’s when founders become disconnected,

overconfident,

and stuck in their own bubble.

And that’s where many startups fail.

The balance is everything —

Be visionary.

Be confident.

But always stay

grounded and rooted.

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📌 D2C INSIDER UPDATE — ELEVATE 🚀

Not every founder needs more information.

They need the right room, the right feedback, and the right push.

That’s what Elevate by D2C Insider is built for.

A 12-week, operator-led program where D2C founders get hands-on guidance, real playbooks, and direct access to people who’ve actually scaled brands.

No noise.

No guesswork.

Just clarity, execution, and momentum.

🚀 Cohort 6 applications are now open

👉 Apply: d2ci.co/elevate_apply

Akshayakalpa Organic is Raising ₹175 Cr to Scale D2C Dairy Expansion and Strengthen India’s Organic Food Ecosystem

Akshayakalpa Organic, an organic dairy brand, is securing ₹175 crore (about $19 million) in a Series D funding round led by ABC Impact Fund, supported by Temasek. This marks a notable milestone for D2C food and beverage companies within India’s direct-to-consumer ecosystem. Existing investors such as Rainmatter, Asha Ventures, Catamaran Ventures, Waterfield Fund, Pratithi Growth Fund, and A91 Partners also participated, reflecting sustained investor interest in D2C brands emphasizing sustainability and quality

.

This news stands out within the current D2C startup landscape in India, illustrating how consumer-focused brands in essential categories like dairy continue to attract substantial investment. Regulatory filings indicate the company will issue 36.81 lakh Series D Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares at ₹475 each. ABC Impact is leading with an investment of ₹101 crore, followed by Rainmatter contributing ₹21 crore, with the remaining funds coming from other investors. The post-money valuation is estimated between ₹1,600 and ₹1,700 crore, placing Akshayakalpa Organic among the highest-funded D2C players in India’s organic food sector.

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Pee Safe’s Growth Delivers 9.6X Exit for Venture Catalysts, Highlighting Strength of India’s D2C Wellness Brands

Hygiene and wellness brand Pee Safe has yielded significant returns for early investors, as Venture Catalysts concluded its investment with a 9.6X return and a 30.53% XIRR. This exit, occurring during Pee Safe’s $32 million Series C funding round, underscores the increasing maturity of D2C exits in India and the strength of direct-to-consumer brands within the personal care and wellness sector

Established in 2015, Pee Safe has become a well-known name among D2C personal care and wellness startups in India. Initially focused on toilet and menstrual hygiene solutions, the company has broadened its offerings to include intimate care, menstrual wellness, pain management, and hygiene essentials, distinguishing itself among premium D2C brands in the country.

The brand’s progression aligns with wider trends in India’s D2C ecosystem, where digital-first companies are expanding through robust omnichannel strategies. Pee Safe’s products are now available in over 50,000 retail outlets across 100 cities, alongside a strong online presence via their website, e-commerce platforms, and quick commerce channels.

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Burger Singh Raises ₹82 Crore Series B to Scale Franchise-Led Growth in India’s D2C Food Ecosystem

Burger Singh, a domestic quick-service restaurant brand, has secured ₹82 crore in a Series B funding round led by Artal Asia. This marks a key phase in the development of direct-to-consumer (D2C) food and beverage brands within India’s D2C sector. The investment underscores growing investor interest in franchise-driven consumer brands with scalable potential.

Other participants in this round include Negen Undiscovered Value Fund and Aurum Rising India Fund, reflecting increased venture capital interest in D2C brands that are establishing structured and scalable business frameworks. This funding aligns with a broader shift where Indian D2C brands are evolving from digital-first ventures into comprehensive consumer businesses.

Founded in 2014 by Kabir Jeet Singh, Burger Singh employs a hybrid expansion strategy combining company-managed outlets and franchise partnerships.

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Business Boost:

Zoomies Raises ₹5 Crore Pre-Seed Round Led by D2C Insider Super Angels to Build India’s Next Big D2C Pet Nutrition Brand

Pet food startup Zoomies has secured ₹5 crore in a Pre-Seed round led by D2C Insider Super Angels, marking a strong early signal in India’s rapidly evolving D2C ecosystem India. The round also saw participation from marquee angel investors including Gaurav Munjal, Roman Saini, Pallavi Mohadikar, Puneet Gupta, and others, reinforcing growing investor confidence in VC-backed D2C brands and D2C funding rounds in emerging categories.

Founded in September 2025 by Sumedh Battewar, former Co-founder & Chief Business Officer at EMotorad, along with co-founder Spriha Choubey, Zoomies is building a Direct-to-consumer India brand focused on solving one of the biggest gaps in the D2C pet care brands segment—clean, transparent, and nutritionally complete pet food. As part of the latest D2C startups shaping D2C business India, Zoomies is positioning itself at the intersection of D2C food and beverage brands and functional nutrition.

The brand’s core offering revolves around complete meals made from 100% real, human-grade meat, free from additives, preservatives, and synthetic supplements.

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Mave Health Raises $2.1M to Scale Neurotech Innovation and Build a Breakthrough D2C Wellness Brand

Neurotechnology startup Mave Health has secured $2.1 million (approximately ₹18 crore) in a seed funding round led by Blume Ventures, with additional investment from Inuka Capital, Stanford Angels, Aureolis Ventures, All In Capital, and several notable angel investors. This funding highlights the growing overlap between deep technology and the direct-to-consumer (D2C) market in India, signaling a new stage in the development of wellness-focused D2C startups.

Founded in 2023 by Dhawal Jain, Jai Sharma, and Aman Kumar, Mave Health is positioning itself uniquely in the Indian D2C landscape by offering non-invasive wearable headsets aimed at enhancing focus, mood, and stress management. The company combines neuroscience with consumer technology to introduce a novel segment within D2C electronics and wellness products.

The capital raised is intended to support the company’s plans for expanding its D2C presence, including launching its wearable headset across India and the United States, and scaling manufacturing operations.

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Betterhood Raises ₹5 Crore Seed Funding to Build India’s Preventive Pain Care D2C Ecosystem

Betterhood, a preventive health startup, has secured ₹5 crore in seed funding led by Kairon Capital, with additional participation from investors including Yogesh Kabra, Rishubh Satiya, Rohit Chawla, Sifat Khurana, and Shayamal Vallabhjee. This investment supports the company’s objective to develop a preventive musculoskeletal health ecosystem through scientifically validated products, digital tools, and expert-led interventions.

Established in October 2024 by Vikram Kadam and Neha Zade in Bengaluru, Betterhood operates at the intersection of healthcare and the growing Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) wellness market in India. The company addresses musculoskeletal health concerns by offering products such as posture supports, orthotic devices, recovery tools, educational resources, and digital assessment platforms that enable early identification and management of pain.

The raised funds will be allocated toward enhancing product development, expanding the core team in product, content, and growth areas, and broadening distribution across both online and offline channels.

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Founders funded:

Laani Raises ₹9.1 Cr Pre-Seed to Build Next-Gen D2C Personal Care Brand for Modern India

Personal care startup Laani has secured ₹9.1 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by V3 Ventures and Saama Capital. This marks an important early phase in the development of direct-to-consumer (D2C) personal care brands within India’s D2C ecosystem. The round also included contributions from notable angel investors such as Arjun Purkayastha, Manish Taneja, Kunal Bahl, and Dr. Aneesh Sheth, indicating increasing investor interest in Indian D2C ventures.

This funding event highlights how D2C brands in India are attracting early-stage investment by addressing unmet needs in large consumer categories. Laani’s emphasis on functionality and innovation reflects current market trends, where brands focus on effectiveness, convenience, and unique product formats to differentiate themselves in a competitive environment.

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Pinq Polka Raises ₹4 Cr from IPV as D2C Innerwear Brand Clocks 19X Growth and Scales in India’s Booming Intimate Wear Market

Innerwear and shapewear brand Pinq Polka has secured ₹4 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). This investment marks a significant step in India’s D2C startup landscape and reflects ongoing momentum among D2C brands in the region, especially in niche segments like intimate wear.

The new funds will be used primarily to accelerate expansion plans focused on D2C channels, with emphasis on scaling marketing efforts for the shapewear line, enhancing internal team capabilities, and supporting working capital needs. This development aligns with broader trends, where VC-backed D2C companies are intensifying efforts to lead their categories while strengthening consumer-centric operations within India’s D2C ecosystem.

Since its founding in 2017 by Manveen Ssharma, Pinq Polka has become one of the fastest-growing D2C brands in intimate wear, achieving approximately 19 times growth over the past three years.

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MANNLICH Raises $294K Seed Round to Accelerate Growth in India’s D2C Men’s Grooming Market

Men’s grooming brand MANNLICH has raised $294,000 in a seed funding round led by BeyondSeed, marking a notable development in the growing D2C personal care sector in India. The round also included investments from Chandigarh Angels Network, Signal Ventures, Growth Sense, Growth91, and prominent angel investors such as Arjun Vaidya, Arush Chopra, Megha Sabhlok, and Gaurav Kumar. This reflects a growing interest among investors in Indian D2C startups.

This funding highlights how early-stage D2C brands in India are attracting capital by offering differentiated and quality products. MANNLICH positions itself as a German-quality grooming brand tailored to Indian consumers, aligning with trends forecasted for the broader D2C market by 2025, where brands blend global standards with local needs.

Founded in 2023 by Pritam Kudev, MANNLICH offers dermatologically tested, chemical-free grooming products without parabens or sulphates.

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Circato Secures ₹90 Lakh on Shark Tank India to Scale Sustainable Plastic Waste Construction Solutions

Circato, a sustainable construction startup based in Bengaluru, has secured an investment of ₹90 lakh for 10% equity on Shark Tank India Season 5, valuing the company at ₹9 crore. This investment marks a significant step as the company seeks to expand its innovative construction solutions aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting net-zero building systems.

Founded by T Paul Koshy, Sushma Joseph, and Praveen Crasta, Circato operates at the crossroads of sustainability, infrastructure innovation, and the growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem in India, with a focus on environmentally responsible materials. The startup is developing advanced wall and construction systems that incorporate recycled plastic waste, facilitating faster and more energy-efficient building processes while addressing the issue of plastic pollution.

Circato’s vision aligns with the ongoing transformation within India’s D2C ecosystem, where startups leverage technology, research, and material innovation to create scalable solutions for pressing environmental challenges.

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“Great brands don’t start in boardrooms. They start with a real problem.”

In 2017, Kruthika wasn’t building a brand.

She was solving her daughter’s skin concern.

So she went to her kitchen…

and made goat milk soap.

No funding. No strategy. Just intent.

What began as a personal solution soon found resonance —

moving from a kitchen to a small store in Coimbatore.

From homemaker to founder.

But Vilvah’s story isn’t just about where it started —

it’s about how it was built.

While the market chased trends,

Vilvah chose efficacy over noise.

While others chased virality,

they focused on product and trust.

From sustainable choices…

to early recycling initiatives…

to building a 40,000+ sq ft facility…

Every step was intentional.

Today, Vilvah isn’t just a brand —

it’s a community built on consistency.

Because in the end —

A brand isn’t built in moments.

It’s built in decisions.

Every single day.

And over time —

those decisions become trust.

5 TAKEAWAYS FOR FOUNDERS

1. Start With a Real Problem

The strongest brands begin with personal truth.

2. Don’t Chase Trends — Build Efficacy

Products outlast hype.

3. Intent > Perfection

Honest steps compound over time.

4. Sustainability Is a Mindset

Not a campaign.

5. Brands Are Built Collectively

People, systems, and discipline create scale.

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📌 D2C INSIDER UPDATE — CHANDIGARH, YOUR TURN 🚀

After Jaipur, the momentum moves forward.

Chandigarh is next.

On 28th March, a new room opens — filled with founders building, operators executing, and investors looking for what’s next.

Not just another event.

A space where ideas get sharper, conversations get real, and the right people find each other.

📍 Chandigarh | 3 PM – 8 PM

The Bharat Edition continues.

And every city is adding its own energy to it.

🎟 Register here:

d2ci.co/cxo-meets

Mosaic Wellness Raises ₹200 Crore from 360 ONE Asset to Accelerate Growth of Its Digital-First Consumer Health Brands

Mosaic Wellness, a consumer health platform, just got a fresh ₹200 crore (about $21 million) investment from 360 ONE Asset. This is a big step for the company, and it also lets Spring Marketing Capital, an early investor, sell some of its stake.

This deal is happening as more and more digital health and wellness brands in India are growing fast. They’re doing it with strong customer demand, tech-based health solutions, and different ways of getting their products to people. Mosaic Wellness will use the money to invest in new chances in the health and wellness area. They want to stay one of the fastest-growing brands in the Indian digital healthcare world.

Since starting in 2020, Mosaic Wellness has built up a group of digital brands like Man Matters and Be Bodywise. Together, these brands help over six million people each year with things like hair health, personal care, fitness, and kids’ health.

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Mia by Tanishq Opens Its 275th Store in Bengaluru, Accelerating Growth of India’s Premium D2C Jewellery Ecosystem

Mia by Tanishq, Titan Company’s modern jewelry brand, just opened its 275th store in Kammanahalli, Bengaluru. This is another step in the brand’s fast growth in India’s direct-to-consumer jewelry scene. This opening shows how premium direct-to-consumer brands in India are creating great store experiences and better engaging with their customers.

The store, which is about 1,200 square feet, offers a fresh shopping experience made for today’s fashion-forward shoppers. Shyamala Ramanan, the Business Head of Mia by Tanishq, and Ajay Dwivedi, Regional Business Head – South at Titan Company, opened the store. This opening shows Mia’s increasing presence in Bengaluru, a city that has really helped shape the brand and its customer base.

Opening the 275th store is a big deal for Mia, as it is one of the fastest-growing jewelry brands in India’s expanding direct-to-consumer world. To celebrate, the company gave away 275 gifts to customers who visited the store.

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DrinkPrime Secures ₹20 Crore Funding at 30% Valuation Premium as India’s D2C Appliance Subscription Market Expands

In the latest D2C news India and D2C startup news from the country’s rapidly evolving consumer technology landscape, DrinkPrime has raised ₹20 crore in fresh funding from Artha Venture Fund and Mirabilis Investment Trust. The round highlights continued investor confidence in technology-enabled Direct-to-consumer India platforms that combine hardware, software, and subscription-based services.

According to regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), DrinkPrime’s board approved the allotment of 21,718 Series A3 CCPS and 10 equity shares at an issue price of ₹9,205 per share, raising a total of ₹20 crore. Both Artha Venture Fund and Mirabilis Investment Trust contributed ₹10 crore each in the round. The proceeds will be used in line with the company’s approved business plan as it continues scaling within India’s expanding D2C ecosystem India.

Industry estimates indicate that the fresh funding has pushed DrinkPrime’s valuation to approximately ₹340 crore (around $37 million), representing a 30% valuation premium compared to its previous valuation of ₹261 crore.

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Business Boost :

Zoff Foods Raises $2 Million to Accelerate Omnichannel Expansion in India’s Fast-Growing D2C Spices Market

Zoff Foods just got $2 million (₹18.5 crore) in a pre-Series B funding led by JM Financial through its India Growth Fund III. Aman Gupta also joined in, showing investors are really believing in the growing Direct-to-consumer food and FMCG scene in India.

This funding is a big step for Zoff, showing how well D2C food and beverage brands are doing in India. Zoff Foods plans to use the money to get into more stores, both big chains and local shops, grow on fast delivery D2C platforms, and put more into its brand through marketing and sales.

Akash Agrawalla and Ashish Agrawal started Zoff Foods in 2018. They’re creating a modern spice brand that focuses on fresh, quality cooking stuff using tech in their production and delivery.

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Boba Bhai Raises $4.3 Million to Accelerate Expansion as India’s D2C Food and Beverage Ecosystem Grows

Boba Bhai, an India-based D2C startup, just got $4.3 million (about ₹40 crore) in a new funding round. Existing investors such as 8i Ventures, Titan Capital (through its Winners Fund), and Global Growth Capital put money in. Big Capital and some angel investors also joined in. This shows they really believe in Boba Bhai, which is one of the fastest-growing food and drink D2C brands in India.

This new money is a big step for the company and shows that people are getting more interested in D2C brands that have a strong identity and sell in many ways. The company plans to use the money to open more stores, get better leaders, and create new products as it grows across the Indian food scene.

Dhruv Kohli started Boba Bhai in 2023, and it quickly became a well-known name in the new group of Indian food and drink D2C startups.

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Healthtech Startup Cent, Raises $5 Million to Build India’s Next-Gen Direct-to-Consumer Healthcare Platform

Practo’s co-founder and CEO, Shashank ND, just launched a new preventive healthcare company called Cent. He’s already secured around $5 million in seed funding (about ₹45.8 crore). This move is a big deal for direct-to-consumer healthcare in India, where tech, data, and prevention are becoming more and more important.

Cent is a platform that wants to spot life-threatening diseases before you even feel sick. It uses fancy imaging, AI, and different diagnostic tests to find health risks early on. This fits into the larger trend of direct-to-consumer healthcare in India, which is moving toward more proactive and custom solutions.

Shashank ND started Cent with Anshul Khandelwal, who used to be the CMO at Ola, and Arpit Garg, who has tons of experience in sales.

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Basil Health Raises $1.5 Million Pre-Series A to Expand IoT-Powered Fresh Beverage Network in India

Basil Health, a new beverage brand, just got $1.5 million in funding to grow across India’s quickly growing beverage market. Whiteboard Capital led the round, with participation from Brigade REAP, Barbershop Fund, and some angel investors like Deep Bajaj and Siddharth Kothari.

This funding is a big deal for the Delhi startup. They want to expand their drink retail approach, which mixes small kiosks with automated machines. They’ll use the money to move into new cities, improve their supply setup, build their brand, and grow their team. Basil Health intends to be a major player in India’s D2C food and beverage scene.

Started in 2023 by Harshita Kejriwal, Akshay Chaudhari, and Karan Dwivedi, Basil Health is creating a modern drink retail setup that uses tech to serve fresh, cafe-quality drinks.

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AI-Powered Commerce Startup Ctruh Secures Shark Tank Deal to Transform Digital Commerce for D2C Brands

Ctruh, a startup from Bengaluru, just got a strategic investment after being on Shark Tank India Season 5. Vinay Agastya founded the company, which is creating what they call the world’s first AI-powered Unified XR Commerce Studio. It’s designed to help brands make cool, interactive online shopping experiences.

During his pitch, Vinay Agastya wanted ₹1 crore for 1.2% of his company, which he valued at over ₹83 crore. After talking with the Sharks, Anupam Mittal and Vineeta Singh made a counter-offer: ₹1 crore for 2.4% equity. Agastya took it, getting money and advice from two big investors from the show.

Ctruh, started in January 2023, wants to change how people find and check out products online. Because India’s direct-to-consumer scene is changing so fast, brands need new ways to connect with customers online.

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Pink Adrak Secures Strategic Backing from String Ventures’ Shivam Mishra, Targets ₹55 Crore Revenue by 2028

Pink Adrak, a new QSR platform from India, just got some backing from Shivam Mishra. This is a big deal for D2C news in India and the country’s growing direct-to-consumer food scene. The investment shows that people are believing more and more in tech-based, food brands that can grow, make money, and involve customers.

The funding includes ₹12.25 crore in a mix of stock and sales help. This will let the company grow in North India while making its QSR platform and tech better. Pink Adrak is now among the newest D2C companies creating platform-led food brands made for how India is changing what they eat.

Ankur Gakkhar started Pink Adrak because he wanted to create a food services company based on a platform. Right now, the brand has 12 locations in Gurugram and Jaipur. They’ve served over 1.5 lakh customers and filled over 5 lakh orders, with a good 4.6 rating on food delivery platforms.

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“Capital should amplify momentum — not replace clarity.”

When Littlebox started, many fashion startups launching at the same time had far more funding.

Most of them don’t exist today.

For the first three years, Rimjhim Deka built Littlebox without raising external capital. The brand crossed 1 million orders, built a 40,000 sq ft factory in Noida, and reached over 22 lakh customers — entirely customer-funded.

It wasn’t an ideological choice.

It was clarity.

After 14 years in the fashion industry, Rimjhim had seen what happens when brands raise money before understanding their business. Teams start optimizing for growth graphs instead of repeat customers, expand categories before mastering one, and build inventory before proving real demand.

In fashion, that distortion can be fatal.

Instead, Littlebox focused on what actually matters — supply chain discipline, inventory velocity, and real customer demand.

Their systems weren’t built in boardrooms.

They were built through real experimentation — and real losses.

A 25-day inventory cycle, a 7-day trend-to-website pipeline, and a strong CLV-to-CAC ratio came not from strategy decks but from figuring things out with their own money.

Only after the model proved itself did the company raise ₹17.5 crore from Huddle Ventures and Prath Ventures.

Not to discover the business.

But to scale what was already working.

For Rimjhim, funding is simple:

Capital should accelerate strength — not hide weakness.

📌 D2C INSIDER UPDATE — ELEVATE COHORT 6 🚀

Most founders don’t lack effort.

They lack the right room.

That’s exactly what Elevate by D2C Insider is built for — a 12-week accelerator where early-stage founders get direct access to operator-led insights, sharp feedback, and a community that pushes them to build what actually scales.

No vanity metrics.

No surface advice.

Just real conversations, real mentorship, and real growth.

Elevate Cohort 6 applications are now open.

🚀 Apply here: d2ci.co/elevate_register

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Forest Essentials Enters New Growth Phase as Estée Lauder Moves to Acquire Full Ownership

In a major moment for D2C news India and the country’s premium beauty industry, luxury Ayurveda brand Forest Essentials is entering a new phase of global growth as The Estée Lauder Companies moves to acquire full ownership of the iconic Indian label. The acquisition, expected to close in the second half of calendar year 2026 subject to regulatory approvals, represents a significant milestone for one of the most successful premium D2C brands India has produced.

For India’s Direct-to-consumer India ecosystem, the development highlights how homegrown brands built on strong cultural identity, product quality and storytelling are gaining global attention. Forest Essentials has become a defining example of how Indian D2C brands India can successfully combine heritage, luxury positioning and a modern D2C business model India to build enduring consumer trust.

Founded in 2000 by Mira Kulkarni, Forest Essentials was created with a clear vision: to bring the science and philosophy of Ayurveda into the world of modern luxury skincare and wellness.

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Indriya Jewels Crosses 50 Stores in Under Two Years, Accelerating Aditya Birla Group’s Organised Jewellery Retail Expansion

In a significant milestone for D2C news India and the evolving D2C ecosystem India, Aditya Birla Group’s jewellery retail brand Indriya has crossed the 50-store mark across 30 cities, less than two years after its launch on 27 July 2024 in Delhi. The latest outlet in Koramangala, Bengaluru, signals the brand’s growing confidence in competitive southern markets and reinforces its ambition to build a national presence within India’s organised jewellery segment.

Launched under Novel Jewels Ltd., the Group’s dedicated jewellery retail venture, Indriya marked Aditya Birla Group’s formal entry into one of India’s oldest yet fastest-transforming consumption categories. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, the brand’s swift expansion stands out in a sector historically dominated by legacy family-run jewellers and gradual scale-ups.

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RAS Luxury Skincare Raises $7.5 Mn in Series B as FMCG Giants Accelerate D2C Acquisitions Across Beauty and Wellness

In a significant development for D2C news India and the broader D2C ecosystem India, D2C skincare brand RAS Luxury Skincare has raised $7.5 million (approximately ₹68.7 crore) in its Series B funding round led by Dabur Ventures, with participation from existing investor Unilever Ventures. The latest D2C funding news underscores growing investor confidence in premium D2C beauty and skincare India brands amid accelerating consolidation and D2C acquisitions 2025 across high-growth niches.

Founded in 2021 by Shubhika Jain, along with Suramya Jain and Sangeeta Jain, RAS operates on a differentiated ‘farm-to-face’ model, sourcing botanicals from partner and family-owned farms in Raipur and managing formulation and manufacturing in-house. This vertically integrated D2C business model India approach enables supply chain control, quality assurance, and stronger brand storytelling—key pillars in D2C brand building stories shaping Direct-to-consumer India.

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Rozana Raises ₹290 Crore in Series B to Scale Rural Retail and Power India’s Omnichannel D2C Ecosystem

In a major development in D2C news India and the evolving Direct-to-consumer India landscape, rural-focused omnichannel retail platform Rozana has raised ₹290 crore in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII). The round also saw participation from Fireside Ventures, US-based Spark Growth Ventures, Bikaji Family Office, FE Securities, and several prominent family offices, highlighting strong investor confidence in the company’s growth trajectory and the broader D2C ecosystem India.

The funding marks one of the significant D2C funding rounds in the country’s rural commerce segment and signals increasing interest from investors in D2C business India models that tap underserved markets. With this fresh capital infusion, Rozana plans to accelerate its expansion strategy, strengthen its technology infrastructure, and scale its omnichannel retail presence across northern India

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Karan Aujla Partners with Veeba to Launch Zyro, a Zero-Calorie Beverage Brand Targeting India’s Clean-Label D2C Market

In a notable update for D2C news India and the broader D2C ecosystem India, Karan Aujla has entered the fast-growing zero sugar beverage segment with the launch of Zyro India in partnership with Veeba (through VRB Consumer Products). The brand has also unveiled its first digital campaign, ‘Nothing Unnecessary’, marking a culture-led entry into India’s evolving Direct-to-consumer India landscape.

For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, Zyro India represents the growing momentum of celebrity-backed D2C startups and creator-led D2C brands tapping into high-frequency consumption categories. Positioned as a zero sugar and zero calorie beverage brand, Zyro aligns itself with clean-label demand and shifting D2C consumer behavior India, where simplicity, transparency, and mindful consumption are gaining importance.

The digital film supporting the launch features Karan Aujla and draws from his personal journey to highlight the brand’s philosophy of clarity and conscious choice. Using a pared-back narrative style, the campaign positions Zyro as a beverage built around minimalism and clean consumption, rather than traditional celebrity-driven storytelling.

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Moneyboxx Finance Raises ₹33.4 Crore to Expand Rural Lending, Strengthening India’s Growth-Focused D2C Ecosystem

In the latest D2C news India and D2C startup news highlighting India’s evolving financial ecosystem, Moneyboxx Finance has raised ₹33.4 crore through the allotment of equity shares to accelerate growth and strengthen its lending operations across rural and semi-urban markets. The development marks an important milestone in Indian D2C updates and the broader D2C ecosystem India, particularly as financial infrastructure becomes increasingly critical for enabling entrepreneurship and business expansion across the country.

The fundraise was completed through the preferential allotment of 44 lakh equity shares with a face value of ₹10 each at an issue price of ₹76 per share, including a premium of ₹66 per share. This latest round adds to Moneyboxx Finance’s cumulative equity capital raised since inception, which now stands at ₹303.9 crore. Notably, the entire equity raised in FY26 has come from promoters and existing shareholders, reflecting strong internal investor confidence and reinforcing positive D2C investor insights around the company’s business model and long-term growth potential.

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10on10 Foods Raises ₹2 Crore Pre-Seed to Reinvent India’s Staples Market with Fresh, Stone-Ground Atta

10on10 Foods, a Bengaluru-based fresh food tech startup, has raised ₹2 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by a group of angel investors, marking an exciting addition to the growing wave of D2C startup news emerging from India’s rapidly evolving Direct-to-consumer India ecosystem. The funding reflects rising investor confidence in D2C brands India that are innovating in everyday consumer categories and building scalable businesses within the expanding D2C ecosystem India.

The startup is building a new-age Direct-to-consumer India staples brand focused on delivering freshly milled, stone-ground flours that aim to bring better nutrition, freshness, and transparency to one of the most fundamental food categories in Indian households. As India’s D2C industry news increasingly highlights the rise of digitally native food brands, 10on10 Foods is positioning itself among the latest D2C startups transforming traditional categories with technology-driven distribution and product innovation.

Founded by Dr. Ashish Bajaj, Avinash Jain, and Mohsin Ali, the brand combines traditional stone-grinding techniques with modern D2C business model India strategies, leveraging digital distribution, community-led growth, and quick commerce partnerships to reach consumers directly.

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EDINORA Secures ₹2 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 5, Strengthening India’s D2C Personal Care Ecosystem

In a significant moment for D2C news India and the broader D2C ecosystem India, Kerala-based EDINORA Personal Care has emerged as one of the most differentiated D2C brands India to feature on Shark Tank India Season 5. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, EDINORA’s funding milestone highlights how innovation-led D2C personal care brands are reshaping Direct-to-consumer India.

Founded in 2022, EDINORA positions itself as the world’s first edible oral care solution prepared using edible and natural ingredients. At a time when D2C industry news is dominated by D2C beauty and skincare India and D2C wellness startups, EDINORA stands out with its Ayurveda-inspired formulation rooted in ingredient transparency and microbiome balance. The brand eliminates added chemicals such as SLS, parabens, silica, calcium carbonate, and triclosan—aligning with rising D2C consumer behavior India that favors clean-label and Sustainable D2C brands.

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RehabVeda Secures ₹1 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 5, Accelerating Growth in India’s HealthTech and D2C Ecosystem

In a notable development for D2C news India and the broader D2C ecosystem India, Ahmedabad-based RehabVeda made a strong impact on Shark Tank India Season 5, securing fresh capital to scale its neurorehabilitation technology platform. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, RehabVeda’s funding milestone signals how deep-tech healthcare startups are increasingly becoming part of the evolving Direct-to-consumer India growth narrative.

Founded in 2019 by Shyam Parmar and Neel Patel, RehabVeda is transforming neurorehabilitation through advanced brain-computer interface systems that integrate EEG-based neurofeedback, assistive robotics, and digital therapeutics. Designed to accelerate motor recovery for stroke and paralysis patients, the platform is built for both clinical settings and home use, offering scalable, data-driven, and personalized therapy solutions. As D2C industry news continues to spotlight D2C wellness startups and digital health innovation, RehabVeda stands at the intersection of healthtech, AI-driven therapy, and patient-centric design.

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Bubble Me Raises ₹1.5 Cr Pre-Seed from AJVC to Scale Magnesium-Focused D2C Wellness Brand

In the latest D2C news India spotlighting emerging wellness brands, Chandigarh-based startup Bubble Me has raised ₹1.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by AJVC, the early-stage investment firm founded by Aviral Bhatnagar. The development marks a notable addition to Indian D2C updates and reinforces growing investor appetite for niche, science-led Direct-to-consumer India brands within the expanding D2C ecosystem India.

Founded by Akshina Jindal, Bubble Me is building a magnesium-focused D2C wellness startup targeting sleep support, stress relief, and muscle recovery — three high-demand categories aligned with evolving D2C consumer behavior India. The ₹1.5 crore pre-seed round, part of ongoing D2C funding rounds shaping the market, will be deployed toward deeper magnesium research, enhanced product testing, and improving formulation accuracy and consistency. The company also plans to strengthen its supply chain and quality control systems, highlighting a clear D2C supply chain innovation approach designed to support long-term D2C expansion plans.

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“Luxury doesn’t come from excess. It comes from authenticity.”

Long before Ayurveda became fashionable, Mira Kulkarni was quietly building something deeply rooted in India’s ancient traditions.

In the early 2000s, the beauty market in India was dominated by global brands promising modern science. Mira believed something different — that India already had centuries of beauty wisdom, and that Ayurveda could be reimagined as a global luxury category.

But she didn’t start with a grand business plan.

Forest Essentials began as a small passion project — crafting authentic Ayurvedic formulations in small batches using traditional recipes. Mira personally worked with Ayurvedic physicians, sourced pure ingredients, and insisted on uncompromising quality.

Her idea was simple yet radical:

Ayurveda didn’t need to compete with global luxury.

It could become luxury.

At a time when natural beauty was considered niche, Mira built a brand that combined ancient formulations with refined packaging, meticulous sourcing, and a deeply Indian philosophy of wellbeing.

The journey wasn’t overnight.

Years were spent perfecting formulations, building trust, and educating customers about the power of Ayurveda. Slowly, Forest Essentials grew from a niche brand into one of India’s most respected luxury beauty companies.

But what makes Mira’s journey remarkable isn’t just the business success.

It’s the conviction.

She built a brand rooted in heritage, patience, and craftsmanship — proving that global brands don’t always need Western ideas. Sometimes, the most powerful innovation comes from rediscovering what already exists.

That belief eventually caught global attention.

In a landmark moment for Indian luxury brands, global beauty giant Estée Lauder Companies partnered with Forest Essentials, recognizing the brand’s potential to take authentic Ayurvedic luxury to the world.

It was more than an investment.

It was validation — that a brand built on Indian heritage, authenticity, and patience could stand alongside the world’s most respected luxury names.

For Mira, entrepreneurship has never been about chasing trends.

It has been about building something timeless.

And that belief transformed Ayurveda from an old tradition into a modern luxury movement.

✨ This Women’s Day, we celebrate founders like Mira Kulkarni whose journey reminds us that the most enduring brands are built with courage, conviction, authenticity, and an unwavering belief in one’s roots — turning heritage into global influence.

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📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — JAIPUR, WE’RE LANDING 🚀

The Bharat Edition begins.

This week, Jaipur becomes the first stop for the D2C Insider CXO Meets — bringing together builders, backers, and operators shaping what India buys next.

New city.

New room.

Same high-signal conversations.

By the end of the evening, some ideas will evolve, some partnerships will begin, and a few brands will quietly take their next big step.

Jaipur, let’s make the first chapter count.

🎟 Register here: d2ci.co/cxo-meets

Home Essentials Raises ₹70 Crore Pre-Series B Led by 360 ONE Asset to Accelerate Omnichannel D2C Expansion

In a significant D2C news India development within the fast-growing home and kitchen segment, Home Essentials has raised ₹70 crore in a pre-Series B funding round led by 360 ONE Asset, with participation from existing investor India Quotient. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, this marks another strong signal of investor confidence in scalable, design-led Direct-to-consumer India brands.

Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain, the Gwalior-based startup has quickly emerged as one of the Latest D2C startups building a differentiated D2C business India in the home and kitchen essentials category. The brand had earlier raised $2.2 million in seed funding from India Quotient and other investors, laying the foundation for rapid D2C revenue growth and disciplined execution within the D2C ecosystem India.

Home Essentials currently offers more than 1,000 thoughtfully designed home and kitchen products across categories including storage solutions, cookware, furniture, and décor. Positioned around the philosophy of “smart living,” the company focuses on blending thoughtful design, smart functionality, and space optimization at accessible price points—an approach aligned with evolving D2C consumer behavior India trends.

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ZeroHarm Sciences Raises ₹65 Crore Series A to Scale Nano-Formulated Plant-Based Nutraceutical Platform

In a major D2C news India development within the rapidly expanding D2C wellness startups segment, ZeroHarm Sciences has raised ₹65 crore (approximately $7.15 million) in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited, through its Kotak Life Sciences Fund I, which invested ₹40 crore, while Alkemi Growth Capital invested ₹25 crore. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, this funding marks a strong validation of science-led Direct-to-consumer India brands operating at the intersection of Ayurveda and advanced technology.

Founded in 2020 by Sachin Darbarwar and Shweta Darbarwar, the Hyderabad-based company develops plant-based health supplements using proprietary nano formulation technology. Positioned among the Latest D2C startups redefining preventive healthcare, ZeroHarm Sciences aims to build India’s first “Trust over Promise” health platform—where supplement efficacy is backed by measurable consumer health outcomes rather than marketing claims.

ZeroHarm’s core differentiation lies in converting plant-based nutrients into nano-sized particles to enhance bioavailability and enable controlled release at lower dosages. By integrating Ayurveda with advanced nano-science, the company is building a differentiated D2C business model India in preventive wellness.

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Puresta Raises ₹34 Crore Pre-Seed to Build AI-Powered Full-Stack Dermatology Platform, Acquires SKINQ Ahead of Launch

In a major D2C news India development within the D2C beauty and skincare India and D2C wellness startups ecosystem, Puresta has raised ₹34 crore (approximately $3.7 million) in a pre-seed funding round led by Spring Marketing Capital to build an AI-powered, full-stack dermatology platform. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, this marks one of the most ambitious early-stage D2C funding rounds in the intersection of beauty, health, and technology.

Founded in 2025 by Ashish Mishra along with The Man Company cofounders Hitesh Dhingra and Bhisham Bhateja, Puresta is positioning itself at the convergence of Direct-to-consumer India, AI diagnostics, and clinically validated skincare. The startup aims to deliver end-to-end skincare solutions that combine AI-led diagnostics, dermatologist-formulated products, clinical validation, and real-time progress tracking—an integrated D2C business model India approach aligned with D2C market trends 2025.

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MyDesignation Raises ₹40 Cr Series A to Accelerate Omnichannel Expansion in India’s Fast-Growing D2C Fashion Ecosystem

In the latest D2C news India spotlighting momentum across Direct-to-consumer India, Kerala-based D2C fashion and lifestyle brand MyDesignation has raised ₹40 crore in a Series A funding round led by RPSG Capital Ventures, with participation from existing investors Veltis Capital, Multiply Ventures, and Dominor Investments. This D2C funding news marks a significant milestone in the journey of one of the fastest-growing D2C brands India in the fashion and lifestyle segment.

For those tracking D2C daily news and D2C startup news, this round comes shortly after the company secured $1.25 million in seed funding in February 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence and continued angel investment D2C interest in high-growth consumer brands. The fresh capital will be deployed to expand MyDesignation’s offline retail footprint through company-owned stores, strengthen its senior leadership team, and launch new product categories as it enters the next phase of D2C expansion plans.

Founded in 2020 by Swaroop Krishnan and Gopika B Raj, MyDesignation operates as a digital-first, design-led D2C fashion and lifestyle brand focused on building a community-driven apparel business.

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Nailinit Raises ₹2.5–3 Crore Pre-Seed Round to Build India’s Next Community-Led D2C Nail Care Brand

In a fresh D2C news India development within the fast-evolving beauty segment, nail care brand Nailinit has raised ₹2.5–3 crore in a pre-seed funding round co-led by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF) and Marsshot VC. The round also saw participation from prominent angel investors including Razorpay co-founder Shashank Kumar, Arjit Johri, Yash Jain, Karan Jindal, Jivraj Singh Sachar, Nishank Jain, Yashvardhan Kanoi, Ashwarya Garg, Phot.AI founder Venus Dhuria, and Amishi Parasrampuria. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, this round highlights continued investor confidence in emerging D2C beauty and skincare India brands.

Founded by Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal, Nailinit is building a modern Direct-to-consumer India brand in a category that remains high-frequency yet under-branded in the Indian market. Positioned at the intersection of beauty, self-expression, and community, the brand goes beyond functional products to create culture-led engagement and content-native experiences. This aligns with broader D2C market trends 2025, where D2C brands India are increasingly community-driven and creator-led rather than purely product-led.

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Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Crosses 60+ Stores with Visakhapatnam Launch, Accelerating South India Expansion

In a significant D2C news India update within the D2C fashion and lifestyle segment, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds has expanded its footprint in Southern India with the launch of its first store in Andhra Pradesh, located in Visakhapatnam. With this opening, the brand has crossed 60+ exclusive brand outlets nationwide, further strengthening its presence within the fast-growing Direct-to-consumer India jewellery landscape.

The Visakhapatnam store was inaugurated by Nirav Bhatt, Co-Founder of Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, along with Regional Partners Sridevi Budankailu and B. Vitalprasad, and members of the leadership team. The ceremony was also attended by Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation. For those tracking D2C daily news and Indian D2C updates, the launch signals strong momentum in the lab-grown diamond category, one of the most dynamic verticals in the evolving D2C ecosystem India.

With over 60 exclusive brand outlets and more than 40 shop-in-shops across 45+ cities, Limelight continues to scale its omnichannel D2C strategy while maintaining a focused D2C business model India approach.

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Basil Raises $2 Million Pre-Series A Led by Prime Venture Partners, Targets ₹100 Crore ARR by FY27

In a strong D2C news India update within the D2C fashion and lifestyle and kids essentials segment, YourBasil has raised $2 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Prime Venture Partners, with participation from existing investors Appreciate Capital and IIMA Ventures. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, this marks a significant milestone for one of the latest D2C startups scaling rapidly within the Direct-to-consumer India ecosystem.

This D2C funding news comes nearly two years after Basil raised ₹3.6 crore in a seed round co-led by IIMA Ventures and Appreciate Capital in February 2024. The latest pre-Series A round reflects growing D2C investor insights and confidence in the brand’s D2C revenue growth trajectory and capital-efficient D2C business model India strategy.

Founded in 2024 by Harini Rajagopalan and Mahesh Muraleedharan, Basil operates an online multi-category kids essentials platform. What began with bento lunch boxes and insulated food jars has evolved into a broader kids essentials brand serving over 1.5 lakh families across more than 20,000 pincodes in India.

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CURRYiT Secures ₹1.5 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 5, Accelerating Growth in India’s D2C Food Ecosystem

In a notable D2C news India update from Shark Tank India Season 5, Delhi-based CURRYiT has secured ₹1.5 crore in funding from Shark Mohit Yadav, marking a significant milestone for the fast-growing Direct-to-consumer India food brand. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, this deal highlights rising investor confidence in clean-label, convenience-driven D2C food and beverage brands.

Founded in 2020 by Nischal Kandula and Richa Sharma, CURRYiT is a New Delhi-based D2C food brand focused on clean, preservative-free Indian cooking pastes. The founders entered the tank seeking ₹60 lakh for 1% equity, valuing the company at ₹60 crore. After negotiations, Mohit Yadav made a counter-offer of ₹1.5 crore for 3.3% equity plus 1.2% advisory equity. The founders accepted the offer, securing both capital and strategic mentorship—an important moment within D2C funding news conversations.

CURRYiT operates within the expanding D2C ecosystem India by simplifying traditional Indian cooking for modern consumers. With over 20 products across curry, biryani, and vegetable categories, the brand enables customers to prepare authentic Indian meals in approximately 15 minutes without chopping, excessive prep, or artificial preservatives.

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Misfits Secures ₹1 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 5 to Scale India’s Offline Community Platform

In a notable D2C news India moment within the evolving social and community-driven Direct-to-consumer India landscape, Gurugram-based startup Misfits appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5 and secured a ₹1 crore investment for 3% equity. For those tracking D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, the deal highlights the growing investor appetite for platforms that build real-world engagement beyond pure ecommerce.

Founded by Shashwat Narhatiyar and Saurabh Chaitanya, Misfits is building hobby-based offline communities that help people connect through shared interests and activities. Positioned within the broader D2C ecosystem India, the startup enables users to discover, join, and host local clubs and hobby groups through its mobile platform. Activities span sports, music, art, game nights, and curated social meetups, reflecting emerging D2C consumer behavior India trends where community, belonging, and experiential engagement are becoming key value drivers.

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“₹500 crore didn’t make me happy. ₹2700 crore didn’t make me happy.”

Early on, Priyanka remembers telling her co-founder, “If we ever reach ₹100 crore, I’ll finally feel like we made it.”

They hit ₹100 crore.

The satisfaction lasted a few days.

By Monday morning, the question had changed:

“What does ₹500 crore look like?”

She’s spoken to enough founders to know this isn’t rare.

You chase a number. You hit it. And instead of joy, you feel a strange emptiness — as if the finish line was never really there.

At ₹1 crore, she thought ₹100 crore would mean freedom.

At ₹100 crore, she thought ₹500 crore would mean validation.

At ₹2700 crore, she still wakes up thinking about what’s not working.

The high from milestones fades quickly.

What stays is the gap between where you are and where your mind has already moved.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

That restlessness is what builds companies.

The inability to feel “done” is what took The Sleep Company from selling 3 mattresses a day to building a team of 1800+ people.

Even when everything is going right, the founder’s default setting is “not enough.”

Priyanka watches her son celebrate a football goal — fully, joyfully, without an asterisk. She can’t remember the last time she felt that way about a business milestone.

Maybe the founder brain isn’t wired for contentment.

She’s still figuring out whether that’s a superpower — or a cost.

📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — BHARAT MODE: ON 🇮🇳🚀

We’ve done metros.

Now we’re unlocking Bharat.

750+ founders. 500+ brands. 150+ investors. 100+ enablers.

Six cities. One powerful confluence.

Jaipur. Chandigarh. Pune. Ahmedabad. Chennai. Hyderabad.

Not just networking.

Not just panels.

But curated, high-conviction rooms where operators, capital, and brands collide.

If you’re building in India’s consumer space, this isn’t optional — it’s strategic.

Bharat is building.

We’re bringing the ecosystem to it.

🎟 Registrations are live: cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

Reliance Consumer Acquires Manna, Strengthening Its Play in India’s Fast-Growing Millet & Health Foods D2C Ecosystem

Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), which is the FMCG part of Reliance Industries, has bought Southern Health Foods. This company from Tamil Nadu owns Manna, a well-known health food brand. The price isn’t public, but it’s a move to grow in the quickly changing India Direct-to-consumer and packaged food market.

If you follow India’s D2C news, this deal shows that the D2C scene in India is getting more consolidated. This is especially true for health-focused foods like millet-based products. Southern Health Foods has been around for over 20 years and made Manna a well-known brand in Tamil Nadu and nearby southern states.

Manna sells millets, oats, multigrain items, breakfast cereals, health mixes, dry fruits, and baby food. These products fit well with what Indian D2C consumers want, like good nutrition, traditional grains, and ways to stay healthy. Their millet flour, multigrain drink mixes, and baby food are trusted in the health food world. That makes Manna a good addition to RCPL’s growing food section.

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GIVA Raises $12 Mn in Series C Extension, Valuation Climbs to ₹4,900 Cr Amid Strong D2C Growth Momentum

In the latest D2C news India spotlighting sustained investor confidence in high-growth consumer brands, omnichannel jewellery startup GIVA is set to raise ₹110 crore (approximately $12 million) in an extended Series C funding round. The round is led by HPV CC1 Ltd, with participation from Premji Invest, Kenro Capital, and Titan Capital—marking another significant milestone in D2C funding news and Indian D2C updates.

This fresh capital infusion comes just nine months after GIVA raised ₹530 crore ($61.5 million) in its Series C round in June last year. With this extension, GIVA’s D2C startup valuation is expected to rise to around ₹4,900 crore ($545 million), reflecting a 22% increase from its previous valuation of nearly ₹4,000 crore. The development stands out in D2C funding rounds and reinforces GIVA’s position among top funded D2C brands in the D2C ecosystem India.

According to regulatory filings, GIVA’s board has approved the issuance of 94,01,710 Series C1 compulsorily convertible preference shares at ₹117 per share to raise the ₹110 crore tranche. HPV CC1 Ltd is leading the round with an investment of ₹74.25 crore, followed by Kenro Capital with ₹13.75 crore in primary capital. Premji Invest (via PI Opportunities Fund II) and Titan Capital (via Winners Fund) are investing ₹11 crore each. The proceeds will be deployed toward operational expenses, hiring, marketing, and other general corporate purposes—fueling GIVA’s D2C expansion plans and omnichannel D2C strategy

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Pepperfry Raises $17.6 Mn in Fresh Funding Round, Reinforces Omnichannel D2C Expansion Strategy Amid Evolving Market Dynamics

In the latest D2C news India and D2C funding news update, omnichannel furniture brand Pepperfry is raising ₹158.4 crore (approximately $17.6 million) in a fresh funding round led by Morde Foods and SageOne Investments, with participation from Newage Global Ventures, F3 Advisors, and over 50 investors, including angel investor and Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer. This development adds to the ongoing momentum in D2C funding rounds and highlights how established D2C brands India are recalibrating for sustainable growth within the D2C ecosystem India.

The board approved the issuance of 40,51,174 equity shares at an issue price of ₹391 each to raise the capital, as per regulatory filings. Of the total ₹158.4 crore, Pepperfry has already received ₹105 crore (approximately $11.7 million), with the remaining capital expected shortly. Morde Foods is leading the round with ₹25 crore ($2.77 million), followed by SageOne Investments with ₹20 crore and Newage Global Ventures with ₹14.8 crore. Angel investors Sidharth Iyer and Vikas Arora are investing ₹15 crore and ₹8.25 crore respectively, alongside 49 other investors.

This round follows Pepperfry’s $5.1 million raise in June 2025 from existing investors including General Electric Pension Fund, Norwest Venture Partners, Goldman Sachs, and Panthera Growth Partners.

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Business Boost

Clayco Cosmetics Raises ₹29.99 Cr Series A to Accelerate Premium Skincare Growth in India’s Expanding D2C Beauty Ecosystem

In one of the latest D2C news India updates and a strong signal in D2C funding news, Clayco Cosmetics, a premium direct-to-consumer India skincare brand, has secured ₹29.99 crore ($3.3 million) in a Series A funding round led by London-based Twenty Nine Capital Partners. The round marks a significant milestone for the 2023-founded startup and reinforces investor confidence in India’s rapidly expanding D2C beauty and skincare India segment.

Founded by Niharika Jhunjhunwala, Clayco Cosmetics operates as a premium D2C brand focused on building high-quality skincare solutions for modern consumers. The startup’s board allotted 1,529 Series A non-cumulative Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) at a premium of ₹1.96 lakh per share on December 23, 2025, raising ₹29.99 crore in fresh capital. This Series A funding India transaction positions Clayco among the latest D2C startups attracting global capital in India’s D2C ecosystem India.

The ₹29.99 crore ($3.3 million) Series A funding from Twenty Nine Capital Partners will enable Clayco Cosmetics to scale operations, invest in product innovation, strengthen R&D, and significantly ramp up brand marketing.

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Sweet Karam Coffee Raises ₹30 Cr in Series A Extension at 85% Valuation Premium, Strengthening India’s D2C Food Growth Story

In the latest D2C news India spotlighting strong investor conviction in regional food brands, South Indian food startup Sweet Karam Coffee (SKC) is set to raise ₹30 crore (approximately $3.31 million) in a Series A extension round from existing investors Peak XV Partners and Fireside Ventures. The fresh capital comes at an 85% valuation premium, marking a significant milestone in D2C funding rounds and reinforcing momentum in India’s fast-growing D2C food and beverage brands segment.

According to regulatory filings, the board of Sweet Karam Coffee has approved the issuance of 19,221 Series A1 compulsorily convertible preference shares at an issue price of ₹15,609 per share to raise ₹30 crore in this tranche. Peak XV Partners will lead the round with ₹20 crore, while Fireside Venture Investment will participate with ₹10 crore. With this extension, the company’s post-money valuation is expected to rise to approximately ₹580 crore (around $64 million), up from ₹313 crore (about $36.7 million) in its previous $8 million round.

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House of Biryani Secures Investment from Amol Parashar, Strengthening Celebrity-Led Growth in India’s D2C Food Ecosystem

Cloud kitchen brand House of Biryan got an investment from actor Amol Parashar. This is his first step into the food and beverage world as an investor, not just someone promoting the brand. This gives a boost to India’s quickly changing D2C scene, where famous people are buying stakes in growing consumer brands.

For those following D2C startup news, this shows a bigger change in the D2C landscape. Celebrities are doing more than just endorsing D2C startups; they’re investing and becoming long-term partners. Parashar is joining former Indian cricket captain M S Dhoni, who also backs House of Biryan, adding well-known and trusted figures to the brand’s investor group.

Parashar, known for his roles in Tripling, Sardar Udham, and Gram Chikitsalay, and as an IIT Delhi graduate, brings together creative charm and smart thinking—qualities that fit well with today’s D2C brand stories. He announced his involvement in a funny social media video, presenting himself as a long-term partner in House of Biryan’s business, not just a face for ads.

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Founders Funded

ROSADA Secures ₹1.25 Cr on Shark Tank at ₹31.25 Cr Valuation, Strengthening India’s Premium Kids D2C Ecosystem

In one of the notable moments in recent D2C news India and D2C startup news, Kolkata-based ROSADA – Tots Luxury Brand appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5 and secured a deal that reinforces growing investor confidence in India’s premium kids and gifting segment within the D2C ecosystem India.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Kolkata, Rosada Unicorn Pvt. Ltd. is a 100% Make in India luxury brand specializing in customized baby and kids’ products. The founders, Shalu Agarwal and Bhupesh Agarwal, entered the tank seeking ₹1.25 crore for 4% equity, implying a valuation of ₹31.25 crore. After deliberation, Sharks Ritesh, Aman, and Namita made a counter-offer of ₹1.25 crore for 5% equity along with a 2% royalty until ₹1.25 crore is recouped. The founders accepted the offer, marking a significant milestone in India’s fast-evolving Direct-to-consumer India landscape.

ROSADA operates in the premium kids’ lifestyle space, offering handcrafted, personalized products including school bags, name hangings, bedsheets, nursery décor, and curated gifting solutions.

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Kreo Secures Shark Tank Deal at ₹200 Cr Valuation, Powering India’s Fast-Growing D2C Electronics Ecosystem

In one of the standout moments in recent D2C news India and D2C startup news, Bengaluru-based Kreo appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5 and secured a strategic investment that reinforces investor confidence in India’s rapidly expanding gaming and creator economy within the D2C ecosystem India.

Founded in 2022 by Ishan Sukul and Himanshu Gupta, Kreo is an Indian Direct-to-consumer India consumer electronics brand focused on gaming and content creation. The founders entered the tank seeking ₹2 crore for 1% equity, implying a ₹200 crore valuation. After discussions, Shark Ritesh presented a counter-offer of ₹1 crore for 1% equity along with ₹1 crore in debt at 9% interest for three years. The founders accepted the deal, marking a key milestone in India’s evolving D2C funding news and early-stage angel investment D2C landscape.

Kreo operates in the high-growth D2C electronics and gadgets category, offering high-performance mice, mechanical keyboards, microphones, tripods, and lighting solutions tailored for gamers and content creators.

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Kelvin6K Secures ₹1 Crore Shark Tank Deal to Accelerate 3D-Printed Sustainable Construction in India

Kelvin6K, a construction company in Chennai, just got ₹1 crore in funding on Shark Tank India Season 5. This is a big deal for India’s tech and startup scene.

Dr. Pradeepkumar Sundarraj started Kelvin6K in 2020. They use concrete 3D printing to make houses faster, cheaper, and with way less pollution.

He went on Shark Tank asking for ₹1 crore for 1.3% of his company. Ritesh Agarwal made a different offer: ₹1 crore for 2.86% equity plus 2.14% advisory equity. The founder agreed, getting money and business advice.

Kelvin6K mixes robotics, sustainability, and construction tech. They use 3D concrete printers made in India to build homes right on-site. This cuts construction time by 50%, costs by 30%, and pollution by 90%. Their business is scalable and has a real impact.

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“25 years ago, that was me.”

As Umar Akhter celebrated the launch of Koskii’s new app and website with his young tech team, he found himself transported back in time.

Fresh graduates.

1–2 years of experience.

Big dreams. Quiet ambition.

He saw his younger self in them.

A broken second-hand Hero Winner.

A starter salary.

Working relentlessly.

Dreaming of “kabhi meri bhi gaadi hogi… kabhi apna ghar hoga.”

He wasn’t the smartest in the room.

Not an IIT. Not an IIM.

But a few principles never changed.

Do what aligns with who you are.

If you’re not sharp at what you do, maybe you’re in the wrong field. Find your calling.

Put in the extra effort.

Business-as-usual won’t separate you. The late nights will.

Believe.

That quiet faith — “hoga, bas time ki baat hai” — carries you when nothing seems to move.

And most importantly: ownership.

Own the outcome. The mistakes. The learning. No excuses.

Looking back, there are no regrets. Only gratitude.

Watching Koskii’s young tech team build the future reminded him of one simple truth:

Time rewards clarity, effort, belief, and ownership.

And their time will come too.

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📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — SOUTH GOES LIVE

No countdown now.

It’s happening.

Bangalore hosts the D2C Insider CXO Meet – South today — and the room is full of people who don’t just talk growth, they build it.

Founders walking in with ambition.
Investors walking in with intent.
Operators walking in with experience.

By evening, new conversations will have started — and some of them will turn into the next big moves in D2C.

Bangalore, let’s get to work. 🚀

USV Secures Majority Stake in Wellbeing Nutrition at ₹1,583 Cr, Marks Strategic Push Into D2C Nutraceuticals

In one of the most significant D2C acquisitions 2025 and major highlights in D2C news India, pharmaceutical major USV has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 79% stake in Nutritionalab Private Limited, the parent company of Wellbeing Nutrition. The transaction values the Direct-to-consumer India nutraceutical brand at approximately ₹1,583 crore, marking a strong moment in India’s D2C ecosystem India and reinforcing the growing momentum in D2C industry news.

Founded in 2019, Wellbeing Nutrition has emerged as one of the fastest-growing D2C wellness startups within India’s evolving Direct-to-consumer India landscape. Operating in the nutraceutical segment, the brand offers a diversified portfolio of vitamins, minerals, protein blends, collagen, omega supplements, and other wellness-focused formulations. The company follows a robust omnichannel D2C strategy, selling through its own digital platform, online marketplaces, and offline retail channels, while also maintaining an international presence across the US, UK, and UAE. This expansion reflects broader D2C expansion plans seen across the D2C ecosystem India.

According to company disclosures, Wellbeing Nutrition reported revenue of around ₹170 crore in FY25, with a reported loss of approximately ₹30 crore.

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Supertails Raises $30 Mn to Build India’s Full-Stack Petcare Ecosystem

Supertails, an Indian direct-to-consumer (D2C) pet care company, just got a big boost, snagging $30 million in funding led by Venturi Partners. Other investors like Nippon India Alternative Investments and Titan Capital also joined in, along with previous investors such as Fireside Ventures.

Varun Sadana, Aman Tekriwal, and Vineet Khanna, who used to work at Licious, started Supertails in 2021. It’s grown from a simple online store for pet food and toys into a complete pet care system. Now they offer vet services, grooming, food, and all sorts of everyday pet stuff. This funding comes as more Indian pet owners are looking for long-term care and a real relationship with their pets.

The new money will help Supertails grow its online and offline presence in cities all over India. They plan to quickly open more clinics and offer more services. They already have four clinics and grooming centers in Bangalore that are open 24/7 and have advanced equipment. They also provide at-home vet services like check-ups and shots. This mix of online and offline services helps build trust, which is key for any D2C business in India.

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Slurrp Farm, Backed by Anushka Sharma, Bags Funding at $90 Mn Valuation in India’s D2C Food Market

Slurrp Farm, a brand that makes snacks and meals for kids, just got ₹30 crore (about $3.3 million) in a Series C funding round from Scarlet Ventures. This is a big step for them as they grow in India’s fast-changing direct-to-consumer market. This new money comes almost two years after their last funding, which shows that investors are still interested in unique, healthy D2C brands in India that are building value over time in everyday food categories.

Before this, Slurrp Farm raised ₹60 crore ($7.2 million) in a Series C round in January 2024. Fireside Ventures, Raed Capital, and other current investors participated. According to official papers, Slurrp Farm’s parent company, Wholsum Food Private Limited, issued 1,04,457 Series C1 preference shares at ₹2,872 each to Scarlet Ventures, raising ₹30 crore.

After this round, Slurrp Farm is now worth about ₹810 crore (around $90 million), which is about 59% more than the previous round’s value of ₹510 crore. Scarlet Ventures now owns 3.7% of the company. The brand is still supported by institutional investors and strategic supporters. Slurrp Farm has raised close to $18 million in different D2C funding rounds, making it one of the more capital-efficient, VC-backed D2C brands in India’s food and beverage market.

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Business Boost:

Pilgrim Scales 24x to ₹400 Cr Revenue, Cracking the Offline Playbook in India’s D2C Beauty Market

Over the last few years, India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) scene has changed a lot, especially in the crowded beauty and personal care area. Some new brands have had a tough time with slower sales, rising costs to get customers, and trouble standing out. But Pilgrim has emerged as a standout story in D2C news India, scaling its revenue 24x to ₹400 crore in FY25 and setting a clear path toward ₹600 crore by FY26.

Pilgrim started in 2019 with a simple idea: create products inspired by global trends but made locally, price them fairly, and focus on millennial customers who care about ingredients, sustainability, and being ethical. This helped them stand out in the busy Indian beauty market, where big companies and international brands are common.

Pilgrim has grown against the trend in the Indian D2C market these past three years. While some beauty brands saw their sales drop or stay the same, Pilgrim went from ₹17 crore to ₹400 crore, helped by over $54 million in funding. Because of this, they’re one of the fastest-growing D2C brands in India and often come up in discussions about D2C startups and the industry.

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Blissclub Enters Menswear with ‘The Legendary Collection’, Expanding India’s Direct-to-Consumer Apparel Play

In a significant development for D2C news India and the broader D2C ecosystem India, Blissclub has officially entered the menswear category with the launch of The Legendary Collection, marking its first offering for men. Known as one of the most distinctive D2C brands India in the movement-first womenswear segment, Blissclub is now extending its comfort-led, performance-driven design philosophy into everyday menswear—signaling a major step in its D2C expansion plans.

For followers of D2C daily news, D2C startup news, and Indian D2C updates, this launch reflects how Direct-to-consumer India brands are evolving beyond single-gender positioning to build larger, more scalable consumer platforms. The Legendary Collection includes pants, jackets, polos, and crew necks designed for work, travel, and casual use, reinforcing Blissclub’s focus on movement, versatility, and everyday functionality within the D2C fashion and lifestyle category.

Founder and CEO Minu Margeret emphasized that the collection has been two years in the making. She highlighted a key consumer insight driving the expansion: in India’s hot and humid climate, traditional denim may not be the most practical staple for men. With The Legendary Collection, Blissclub aims to offer a noticeably better alternative.

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SteamPRO Raises ₹3.8 Cr Seed Round; D2C Insider Super Angels Backs India’s First Bath-Tech & Hydro Wellness Platform

In a major moment for D2C news India and D2C startup news, SteamPRO has raised ₹3.8 crore in a seed funding round co-led by Anicut Capital, Zeropearl VC, Atrium Ventures, and D2C Insider Super Angels. The investment reinforces rising conviction in India’s evolving Direct-to-Consumer India landscape, particularly within emerging D2C wellness startups and premium home innovation categories.

Positioned as India’s first bath-tech and hydro wellness platform, SteamPRO is building a category that sits at the intersection of home wellness, sustainable design, and technology-led experiences. For the broader D2C ecosystem India, this represents a shift toward platform-driven D2C brands India that aim to own daily consumer rituals rather than just sell standalone products.

The capital will be deployed to expand in-house manufacturing capacity, scale national service operations, and accelerate the development of a pipeline of hydro wellness products. As part of ongoing D2C funding rounds and evolving D2C funding news, SteamPRO’s full-stack model — from survey and installation to after-sales and AMCs — highlights a scalable D2C business model India built for long-term defensibility.

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Founders funded:

PadCare Labs Raises $3 Mn Led by Rainmatter to Scale Sanitary Waste Recycling Across India and APAC

PadCare Labs got $3 million in a pre-Series A funding round. Rainmatter led the round, and 3one4 Capital, Brigade REAP, and PKRBCV Shroff Trust also put money in. Some earlier investors, Lavni Ventures and 3i Partners, also participated. EXIM Bank and ICICI Bank offered debt support. This funding, which is a mix of equity and debt, shows that PadCare’s way of doing things—focusing on following the rules and being able to grow in India’s fast-growing sustainability scene—is a good one.

Ajinkya Dhariya started PadCare Labs in 2018. It works where environmental stuff, tech, and businesses that want to make a difference meet. As more and more Indian D2C companies talk about being sustainable, PadCare has become a key player in recycling used sanitary waste. This is something that hasn’t been given enough attention but is very important for public health, keeping cities clean, and making the economy circular. The company has created special tech to recycle used sanitary waste in a safe, compliant, and big way, which fits with both what the government wants and what companies want to achieve with sustainability.

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Panda’s Box Raises ₹1.2 Crore from Shark Tank India to Scale Screen-Free, Culturally Rooted Early Learning in India

Delhi-NCR–based Panda’s Box has raised ₹1.2 crore in funding from Shark Tank India, marking a key milestone in its growth journey within India’s rapidly evolving Direct-to-Consumer India ecosystem. The round saw joint participation from Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar, reinforcing growing investor confidence in purpose-led, culturally relevant D2C brands India

Founded in April 2022, Panda’s Box operates at the intersection of early childhood development, wellness, and mindful parenting. At a time when concerns around excessive screen time, digital overstimulation, and limited cultural engagement among young children are rising, the brand has positioned itself as a calm, thoughtful alternative within the D2C ecosystem India. Its focus on screen-free, culturally rooted early learning aligns closely with shifting D2C consumer behavior India, where parents increasingly seek meaningful, development-first products rather than passive digital engagement.

The ₹1.2 crore funding will be deployed to accelerate product innovation, expand distribution channels, strengthen Panda’s Box’s digital presence, and reach more families across India.

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Peyush Bansal, Co-founder — Lenskart

“We are not splitting TAM. We are creating it.”

As Lenskart announced its Q3 FY26 results, the numbers stood out —

Revenue up 37% YoY.

EBITDA crossing 20% for the first time.

PAT tripling.

NPS touching 81.

But for Peyush Bansal, the real milestone wasn’t financial.

This quarter alone, Lenskart conducted 6.3 million eye tests — nearly half for people accessing vision care for the first time.

Every eye test doesn’t just drive revenue.

It expands the market.

For years, Peyush has believed that when AI becomes the operating system of a company, growth and profitability stop being trade-offs — they begin compounding together.

At Lenskart, that belief is now visible:

AI enables remote optometry.

Predicts store performance before launch.

Personalizes frame recommendations in real time.

Learns with every transaction.

What looks like sudden acceleration is actually years of patient technology investment compounding at scale.

International markets are scaling ahead of India’s early trajectory.

Meller is unlocking digital-first global eyewear expansion.

And with smart glasses, Lenskart is stepping from eyewear into wearable intelligence.

For Peyush, this isn’t a peak.

It’s Day Zero toward Vision for Billion.

Because real scale isn’t about reporting strong quarters.

It’s about building decade-long moats.

📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — BUILD & CONNECT 🚀

Big week. Bigger momentum.

🚀 ELEVATE COHORT 6 — Applications Now Open

If you’re serious about building a breakout D2C brand, this is your room.

Elevate by D2C Insider returns with Cohort 6 — built for founders who want access to the top 1% of D2C operators, mentors, and growth experts.

No theory.

Real playbooks.

Hands-on guidance.

Founder-first growth.

🗓 Batch starts March 2026

👉 Apply Now : d2ci.co/elevate_apply

If you’re building — this is your unfair advantage.

🔥 CXO MEET – SOUTH | BANGALORE

The ecosystem gathers next in Bangalore.

The D2C Insider Regional CXO Meet – South brings together a curated room of builders, backers, and operators who actually move the consumer space forward.

🗓 21st February | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Bangalore

150+ founders

80+ brands

50+ investors

20+ enablers

High-signal conversations.

Real collaborations.

Zero fluff.

🎟 Register Now: cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

Want to be part of the action behind the scenes?

🤝 Volunteer with us: d2ci.co/Volunteer-Reg

South, let’s build what India buys next. 🚀

The Whole Truth Raises $51 Mn in Series D to Power Profitability and IPO Readiness

The Whole Truth, a brand known for its healthy, clean-label foods, has secured $51 million (around ₹416 crore) in Series D funding. This is a big step as they work toward making a profit and potentially going public. Sauce.vc and Sofina together led the funding round, which included both new and existing investments. Peak XV Partners, Rainmatter Health, AYRA Ventures, and Z47 also participated.

Sources say this funding values The Whole Truth between $350 million and $400 million, a good increase from the $230 million valuation in the previous round. This positions the brand as one of the most interesting direct-to-consumer (D2C) companies in India, showing that investors are confident in well-managed, purpose-driven D2C brands ready for long-term growth.

The company stated that this Series D round is the real beginning of their plan to go public, with making a profit as the next goal. They will use the money to grow their manufacturing, improve their cash flow, and set up the systems and management required for a public company.

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ZILO Raises $15.3 Mn Series A to Scale Fashion Quick Commerce Across India

Fashion quick commerce startup ZILO just got a big thumbs-up, raising $15.3 million (about ₹140 crore) in a Series A funding round. This shows people really believe in the growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion scene in India. Peak XV Partners led the round with an $8 million investment. Plus, InfoEdge Ventures and Chiratae Ventures, who were already investors, kicked in $2.5 million each. Others joining in include Alteria Capital and Stride Ventures, as well as some big-name angel investors like Lalit Keshre (Groww) and Kunal Shah (CRED).

This funding puts ZILO in the group of D2C startups making waves in the quick commerce world. This category is getting bigger, branching out from just groceries to include fashion and lifestyle items. ZILO plans to use the money to grow, put more into tech, get their supply chain in better shape, and move into new markets in the next year or so. Right now, they’re in Mumbai, but they’re planning to hit other major cities as they grow in the D2C fashion and lifestyle space.

ZILO was started by Padmakumar Pal and Bhavik Jhaveri, who used to work at Flipkart and Myntra. They’re bringing their experience in marketplaces and fashion-tech to the company. ZILO is a fashion quick commerce platform that lets customers get their clothes delivered in under an hour, making shopping easier in India. This speedy service reflects a wider change in how people shop in India, where they want things fast, easy, and with simple returns.

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BRND.ME Enters Europe, Targets Upgoing Run Rate by 2026 in Global D2C Expansion Push

BRND.ME (you might know them as Mensa Brands before) just said they’re moving into Europe in an organized way. It’s a big step for them as they want to be a bigger player in the international market. They’re starting in the UK, Germany, France, and Spain, and plan to add Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland next year. They’re hoping Europe will become a big driver of growth.

Two of their brands that sell internationally—Botanic Hearth and Majestic Pure—are leading the charge in Europe. They’re selling haircare and aromatherapy items. People are really into these products, there’s a big market for them, and more and more folks are shopping online for beauty and wellness stuff. This is BRND.ME’s first real go at Europe. Before, they tried things out in West Asia, the US, and Canada.

Right now, the haircare and aromatherapy stuff they sell internationally brings in about 10 percent each month. Europe is key to keeping this going. Over the last year and a half, they tested the waters in Europe by selling online, using marketplaces, and selling directly to customers. This fits with how brands are doing things now. It’s better to start small, get feedback fast and find ways to get noticed without spending tons of money at first.

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Business Boost:

Marico Acquires Majority Stake in Cosmix to Deepen Its D2C Nutrition Play

Marico acquired a 60% stake in Cosmix, a nutrition startup that’s doing well online. The deal values Cosmix at ₹375 crore. This move shows Marico is serious about its plan to invest in direct-to-consumer businesses in India and grow its presence in the nutrition and wellness area.

Cosmix, which focuses on plant-based protein and wellness products, was founded in 2019 and has become a popular brand among health-conscious people in India. It’s a profitable brand that Marico is adding to its collection of new-age consumer brands.

Cosmix mainly sells its products through its website and online stores, which goes hand-in-hand with how people are shopping these days. The company has been profitable since it started. In FY25, Cosmix made around ₹50 crore in revenue, which is a big jump from the ₹24 crore it made in FY24. Now, its annual revenue is at ₹100 crore, which shows there’s a high demand for its products.

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Material Depot Raises $10 Mn Series A to Reimagine India’s Home Interiors D2C Ecosystem

Material Depot, a startup focused on home interiors, just got $10 million in Series A funding. This is a big deal as the direct-to-consumer home and lifestyle market in India is growing fast. Accel and Stellaris Venture Partners co-led the funding round, with Whiteboard Capital, DeVC, Soma Capital, MyAsiaVC, and some angel investors also participating. The angel investors included some well-known names like Ramakant Sharma (Livspace), Ankit Nagori (Curefoods), and Shashvat Nakrani (BharatPe).

This funding will help Material Depot strengthen its position as a platform that’s changing how Indian homeowners find, choose, and buy interior materials. The company plans to use the money to improve its tech, especially when it comes to managing the supply chain, planning inventory, and helping customers in their stores. They’ll also be adding to their product selection. A major goal is to open more of their Experience Centers in different cities to build out their omnichannel D2C approach.

Material Depot is trying to fix the issues of trust and transparency in the Indian home interiors market. They’re combining good design with a supply chain that can handle small orders. This means Indian homes can get materials inspired by global designs in weeks instead of months. At their Experience Centers, customers can see prices upfront, expect reliable deliveries, and get help making decisions. This lets them see, compare, and pick materials all in one place, which is similar to how many D2C consumers like to shop.

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Good Monk Raises ₹33 Cr Pre-Series A at ₹175 Cr Valuation to Scale Preventive Nutrition in India

Good Monk, a nutrition startup in Bengaluru, just got ₹33 crore in a pre-Series A funding round. This puts the company’s value at ₹175 crore, which is a big step for the growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) scene in India. RPSG Capital Ventures led the round, and Sharrp Ventures and Hyperscale Ventures (Dot & Key founder Suyash Saraf’s family fund) also participated. This funding puts Good Monk among the D2C startups that are getting a lot of investor interest, as more people are backing healthcare brands that focus on science and prevention.

Good Monk is the main brand of Superfoods Valley and it is in the D2C wellness startup, the preventive nutrition, and everyday eating habits spaces. Other supplements usually have to be taken separately, but Good Monk makes sprinkle-on nutrition products that can be easily added to everyday foods without changing how they taste or look. This shows that D2C consumers in India are caring more about convenience, habit integration, and pure ingredients.

The new funding will be used for many things to help the company grow. A good part of it will go to research and development to create new product types and nutrition solutions that are proven to work. The company also plans to grow its D2C business by expanding distribution in smaller cities, while also putting money into raising brand awareness and educating consumers. These plans fit into the bigger D2C market trends for 2025, where brands are growing beyond big cities to find more customers.

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ReGrip Raises ₹20.25 Cr to Scale

Circular Economy Operations, Signals Strong Investor Confidence in Clean-Tech

ReGrip, a company focused on recycling tires and promoting a circular economy, just got a big boost, raising ₹20.25 crore. This investment, which was called the biggest deal of its kind recently, shows that investors are really seeing the potential in sustainable businesses that can fix big problems in India.

The funding includes a mix of investments and loans. They raised ₹15.25 crore through investments, giving investors a 13.2% stake in the company, and ₹5 crore as a loan. Red Bricks Capital Partners put in the most money at ₹8.9 crore, with Auxano Capital following at ₹2.5 crore. Other investors also joined in, including Ankur Mittal and A. Velumani.

Tushar Suhalka started ReGrip to tackle the huge problem of discarded tires in India. Every year, millions of tires are thrown away, which causes harm to the environment and people’s health. ReGrip has created a system that figures out if old tires can be reused, fixed up, or recycled, getting the most out of them while reducing waste.

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Founders funded:

Invogue Shop Secures ₹2 Cr Deal on Shark Tank India, Accelerates D2C Shapewear Growth

Invogue Shop, a company from Delhi, had a big moment on Shark Tank India Season 5. They got an investment of ₹2 crore, which shows that investors have faith in the growing direct-to-consumer fashion scene in India. This deal shows that D2C brands in India, especially shapewear and innerwear, are getting more popular as customers want comfy, body-positive, and online fashion brands.

Maadhav Saxena and Ragini Saxena, who started Invogue Shop, asked for ₹50 lakh for 1.25% of their company, valuing it at ₹50 crore. After some talk about the brand’s potential, category, and how well it could grow, Aman Gupta offered ₹2 crore for 15% equity. The founders said yes, making it one of the biggest D2C funding moments on the show this season.

Invogue Shop is mostly an online shapewear and lingerie brand. They sell good shapewear for ladies that make them feel confident, comfy, and good about their bodies. They sell bodysuits, body shapers, mid-thigh shapers, and lingerie that fits Indian body types. As a direct-to-consumer brand in India, Invogue wants to get rid of the discomfort that usually comes with shapewear by using new materials, good fit, and sizes for everyone.

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Krvvy Secures ₹1.2 Cr Deal on Shark Tank India, Strengthens Its D2C Innerwear Growth Play

Krvvy, a D2C innerwear brand in Noida, appeared on Shark Tank India, they got a ₹1.2 crore investment, which is a big step for them. This deal shows that investors are trusting D2C brands in India more, especially in areas like women’s innerwear and shapewear. These categories are changing because of brands that focus on comfort, inclusivity, and being online.

Yash Goyal and Anant Bhardwaj, who started Krvvy, were looking for ₹1.2 crore for 2% of their company, which they valued at ₹60 crore. After talking about the chance in the category, what makes their products different, and how the brand can grow, Namita Thapar offered ₹1.2 crore for 3% of the company. The founders took the offer. This is a key moment for the brand as it works to grow its online business.

Krvvy sees itself as a modern Indian D2C brand that focuses on comfy and useful women’s innerwear. This includes bras, underwear, and shapewear designed for daily confidence and comfort. The brand believes in inclusive sizing, thoughtful design, and good quality manufacturing. They want to fix the problems in India’s innerwear market where comfort and fit have often been sacrificed for style.

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Arindam Paul, Co-founder — Atomberg

“Offline scale isn’t about where you start. It’s about how patiently you build.”

Back in 2018, while most brands chased metros, Atomberg chose Kerala — guided by e-commerce data, not instinct. Demand signals were clear, and their BLDC fans’ value proposition resonated strongly.

But growth didn’t start with noise.

First came distribution.

Then after-sales service — built even when sales were low.

Only after the foundation was strong did demand generation follow.

From TV campaigns to local partnerships and cultural relevance, demand compounded. Distribution widened. Even the smallest stores wanted to stock Atomberg.

Today, Atomberg is one of Kerala’s leading electrical brands — powered not just by market share, but by people. Early sales hires now lead large territories and national categories.

Kerala proves a simple truth:

Real offline dominance is built quietly — through patience, service, and trust

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D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — SUPER ANGELS IN MOTION 🚀

Super Angels isn’t an announcement.

It’s a shift in how early-stage D2C brands get built.

Born from India’s largest D2C founder community, Super Angels is an operator-led engine where founders back founders—with experience, access, and execution power.

No cold intros.

No passive capital.

Just people who’ve built before, helping the next wave build better.

For brands, it’s a chance to raise early capital from people who actually understand the grind—and bring more than money to the table.

For investors and operators, it’s front-row access to high-quality consumer deals and an opportunity to shape outcomes, not just observe them.

🚀 Some of the brands being backed through Super Angels:

Divine Hindu, GoAt Life, Samosa Party, Basil, Crest, Business on Bot, Solved skin, Futwork, Pikndel, steam pro, Dobra, Zoomies and Snackible.

This is the community investing in itself—and it’s only getting stronger.

👉 Explore / Pitch / Join:

Founders - d2ci.co/angels-deal-rfi

Investors - d2ci.co/super-angels-apply

And as this momentum grows, it moves offline—fast.

After an electric CXO Meet in Kolkata, the energy now heads South.

The D2C Insider Regional CXO Meet – South is coming to Bangalore, bringing another curated room of founders, operators, and investors who mean business.

🗓 21st February | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Bangalore

High-signal conversations. Real connections.

If you missed North, East, West, don’t miss this.

🎟 Registrations are live

👉 Register now: cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

South, let’s build what comes next.

Thyrocare, Backed by PharmEasy, Delivers Strong Q3 Performance as Profit Jumps 48% on Scale and Efficiency

Thyrocare, owned by PharmEasy, had a great third quarter in FY26! It’s becoming a top diagnostics brand in India’s direct-to-consumer healthcare scene. Their profit went up by 48.1% compared to last year, making ₹28.1 crore in Q3 FY26. Last year, it was ₹19 crore. This increase is because they made more money, managed things well, and kept costs down.

Sales revenue went up by 17.8% to ₹195.5 crore, from ₹165.9 crore last year. While it dipped by 9.7% from last quarter to ₹216.5 crore in Q2 FY26, the year-on-year increase shows people still want routine tests across India. They also made ₹5 crore from other sources, so their total income was ₹200.5 crore this quarter.

Thyrocare’s good at keeping costs low. They focus on prices people can pay, standard testing, and being available everywhere. Because people care more about their health, they’re getting more tests done, they like getting healthcare at home, and using online services.

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Marico Invests in 4700BC to Strengthen Its Digital-First Gourmet Snacking Play

Marico has announced a strategic investment in 4700BC, one of India’s most recognised premium gourmet snacking brands, marking a significant step in expanding its digital-first foods portfolio. The move brings 4700BC into the Marico Digital family, reinforcing the FMCG major’s focus on high-growth, value-added food categories within India’s rapidly evolving direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem

Founded with a vision to reimagine snacking in India, 4700BC has built a strong premium positioning across popcorn, corn chips, makhana, nachos, and other gourmet snack formats. What sets the brand apart is its ability to scale with agility across diverse consumption touchpoints—retail, e-commerce, cinemas, and even domestic and international airlines—while maintaining differentiated flavours and a premium product experience. This omnichannel execution has enabled 4700BC to emerge as a standout name in India’s D2C food and beverage brands landscape.

Marico’s leadership highlighted that the investment goes beyond category expansion. The brand’s execution strength, distribution agility, and digital-first DNA make it a strategic fit for Marico’s long-term ambition to build a scalable, sustainable, and profitable digital foods business. By integrating a premium gourmet snacking brand like 4700BC, Marico aims to expand its total addressable market in value-added foods while unlocking meaningful synergies across its broader food portfolio.

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Easy Home Finance Raises $30 Mn in Series C Led by Investcorp to Scale Affordable Housing Finance in India

Easy Home Finance, a housing finance startup in Mumbai, just got $30 million in a Series C funding round. Investcorp, a global investment firm, led the round, and Claypond Capital and SMBC Asia Fund, who’ve invested before, also chipped in. This brings Easy Home Finance’s total funding to about $130 million. This shows strong belief in India’s quickly changing housing finance scene, which is becoming more tech-driven.

This new funding puts Easy Home Finance in a good spot among housing finance companies that serve the affordable and middle-income markets in India. The company plans to use the money to grow into new areas, make its tech better, and grow its network since more people outside big cities want to own homes.

Easy Home Finance, started in 2017, uses a digital way to provide housing finance with fast loan approvals, simple paperwork, and easier access to loans. The company mainly helps middle-income borrowers, who are often not served well by normal banks, even though they’re a growing group of homebuyers. By using tech for things like assessing credit, Easy Home Finance has made getting a home loan easier while still being careful with risk.

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Business Boost

ScrapUncle Raises ₹22 Cr Pre-Series A to Scale India’s Digital-First Recycling Ecosystem

ScrapUncle, a clean-tech startup, just got ₹22 crore (about $2.4 million) in a pre-Series A funding round. Investors seem to really believe in the future of waste management and sustainability in India

Orios Venture Partners and Acumen Fund co-led the round. Others who participated include Upaya Social Ventures, Venture Catalysts, We Founder Circle, Soonicorn Ventures, and angel investor Bharat Jaisinghani. This funding is a big deal for the Delhi-based startup. It helps them move faster toward their goal of modernizing recycling with a tech-based, direct-to-consumer model in India.

Mukul Chhabra started ScrapUncle in 2019. It runs an on-demand recycling platform where people and businesses can schedule pickups for their trash right from their door. They take all sorts of stuff, from old electronics to paper, metal, cardboard, plastic, clothes, and even old cars. ScrapUncle sets itself apart by being convenient, open, and easy to track. People care more and more about sustainability, responsibility, and good online experiences.

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Babai Tiffins Secures ₹8 Cr Equity + ₹2.5 Cr Debt on BKSF to Scale Andhra QSR Ambitions

Andhra-based quick service restaurant (QSR) brand Babai Tiffins LLP has secured ₹8 crore for 10% equity along with ₹2.5 crore in venture debt after appearing on Bharat Ke Super Founders (BKSF), marking a strong validation moment for regional food brands in India’s fast-evolving D2C ecosystem India. The funding positions Babai Tiffins among the most notable names in recent D2C startup news and underlines growing investor interest in scalable, culture-first food businesses.

Founded in 2021 by Ravi Morampudi and Shriram Babai, Babai Tiffins is building an organised QSR chain centred on authentic vegetarian Andhra-style cuisine. The brand has positioned itself as “the Rameshwaram Cafe for Andhra food”—a comparison that reflects its ambition to standardise regional flavours while maintaining speed, affordability, and consistency. This approach resonates strongly with current D2C market trends 2025, where consumers increasingly favour familiar, everyday meals delivered through reliable, branded formats.

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The Stack Raises ₹5.5 Cr to Build a Science-Led, Trust-First Supplements Brand in India

The Indian direct-to-consumer health and wellness scene is still going strong, as people want products that are proven and honest. Adding to this, The Stack, a supplement brand that’s all about science and clear ingredients, just got ₹5.5 crore in its first funding round. OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures led the investment, with some angel investors joining in. It’s a big thumbs-up to their different way of doing things in the fast-growing Indian D2C world.

Shreya Jain and Kshitij Rihal started The Stack because they were annoyed with the Indian supplement market. When Rihal was training for long-distance running, he couldn’t find supplements that were as good as global brands. So, he teamed up with Jain, a chemical engineer who knew a lot about making medicines, and they decided to fix what they thought was a big problem in the Indian D2C world.

Instead of following trends or hype, The Stack has based its brand on strict formulas, ingredients from around the world, and clear results. Right now, they’re putting their energy into specific health areas like sleep and gut health, focusing on doing a few things really well. This smart plan fits with what’s happening in the D2C market, where people are getting smarter and don’t believe big claims and flashy ads as much.

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Founders Funded

Bonkers Corner Secures Shark Tank Backing as Gen Z Streetwear D2C Brand Scales Nationwide

Bonkers Corner, a fashion brand from Mumbai that sells directly to consumers, got a boost after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 5. Namita Thapar decided to invest, which is a big thumbs-up for the brand’s focus on Gen Z streetwear and its knack for growing as an online fashion brand in India.

Shubham Gupta started Bonkers Corner in 2020. It’s an Indian label that didn’t take outside before this investment. It mainly targets Gen Z and younger millennials. This brand has a number of fans to quality, affordable oversized t-shirts, joggers, hoodies, and casual wear. These wears are inspired by pop culture, 90s vibes, and Y2K looks. They get youth culture, price their stuff well, and keep up with trends, which makes them stand out in India’s competitive fashion scene.

On Shark Tank India Season 5, the founder asked for ₹1.5 crore for 0.5% of the company, which sets the brand’s value at ₹300 crore. After talking about the brand’s strength, community support, and how much it can grow, Namita Thapar made a deal. She is supporting Bonkers Corner’s idea and securing the deal. Besides money, the investment also brings business advice as the brand enters its next growth stage.

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UrbanWipe Secures ₹2 Cr Investment on Shark Tank India Season 5 to Scale Non-Toxic D2C Cleaning Brand

UrbanWipe, a startup from Noida that sells home and personal care stuff, just got a ₹2 crore investment on Shark Tank India Season 5. They’re one of the up-and-coming direct-to-consumer brands in India. Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal made the deal with the company, which is cool ‘cause they make cleaning stuff that’s not toxic or acidic.

Samradhi Mathur, Renu Mathur, and Apurva Mathur started UrbanWipe. They went on the show asking for ₹19 lakh for 2% of their company, which they said was worth ₹45 crore. After talking about how big they could get, what they could sell, and building their brand, they took Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal’s offer: ₹2 crore for 20% of the company. This gives the brand some solid support as they grow.

UrbanWipe is a direct-to-consumer Indian brand that sells a bunch of cleaning stuff online, like kitchen, bathroom, shoe, furniture, and floor cleaners. They’re different because they use non-toxic and acid-free stuff, which is getting more popular with people who care about their health and the environment.

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PureFlow Tape and GetSnappy Secure ₹2 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India Season 5 to Scale D2C Growth

PureFlow Tape and GetSnappy made a notable appearance on Shark Tank India Season 5, highlighting the growing depth and diversity of India’s D2C ecosystem. The two consumer-focused brands joined hands on the show, pitching their complementary offerings and shared growth ambitions, and successfully secured funding from Aman Gupta to accelerate their next phase of scale in India’s fast-evolving direct-to-consumer market.

PureFlow Tape, founded by Jashanjot Singh Bindra, entered the tank seeking ₹1 crore for 3.3% equity, positioning the brand as a functional, everyday-use D2C product with strong mass-market relevance. Alongside it, GetSnappy, founded by Harshita Joshi, pitched for ₹60 lakh in exchange for 5% equity, highlighting its consumer-first approach and digital-led brand building strategy. Together, the two brands represented a new-age D2C collaboration focused on efficiency, accessibility, and rapid customer adoption.

Following discussions around valuation, scalability, and long-term brand potential, Aman Gupta made a combined counter-offer of ₹2 crore for 20% equity. Recognising the strategic value of capital, mentorship, and ecosystem access, both founders accepted the offer, securing the deal and marking a significant milestone in their D2C startup journeys.

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Phitku Raises ₹1.88 Cr on Shark Tank India Season 5 to Scale Clean, Alum-Based D2C Personal Care Brand

Phitku, a company from West Bengal, is now a well-known name in Indian D2C news. They got funding on Shark Tank India Season 5, which shows that investors are really interested in D2C personal care brands that use clean ingredients. This deal is a big step for Phitku as they try to create a safe, eco-friendly, and culturally relevant Indian brand in the quickly changing personal care market.

Neha Marda, who founded Phitku, went on Shark Tank India Season 5 asking for ₹1.8 crore for 1% of the company, which means they valued the company at ₹180 crore. Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal were interested and offered ₹1.88 crore for 1% equity, plus a 5% royalty until they got ₹5.4 crore back. Neha Marda, Pranav, and Sumit Marda, the founders, said yes to the offer, closing the deal and getting ready for their next growth phase.

Phitku is in the fast-growing D2C beauty and skincare market in India, focusing on clean, natural, and skin-safe products.

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Namita Thapar, Executive Director — Emcure Pharmaceuticals | Founder — Arth

“Sometimes, the teacher becomes the biggest student.”

Celebrating five years of Shark Tank India wasn’t just a milestone for Namita Thapar — it was a moment of deep reflection.

She walked into Season 1 believing she would teach founders.

Five years later, she walked away changed — humbled, curious, and still learning.

What surprised her most wasn’t the pitches or the valuations.

It was the founders themselves.

Their hunger.

Their humility.

Their resilience.

And their ability to laugh through chaos.

Over time, roles quietly reversed.

The mentor became the disciple.

As she built her own startup, Arth, it was these founders who guided her — sharpening her intuition, grounding her decisions, and reminding her that real learning doesn’t come from cleverness, but from openness.

Quoting Rumi, Namita reflects on letting go of “cleverness” and choosing “bewilderment” — intuition over opinion, wisdom over certainty.

Five years in, she doesn’t claim to have all the answers.

What she has instead is curiosity, gratitude, and a deeper respect for the founder journey.

Because entrepreneurship doesn’t just build companies.

It builds people.

📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — FROM EAST TO SOUTH 🚀

Kolkata showed up. Big time. 🔥

An incredible day of conversations, connections, and real ecosystem energy — the East CXO Meet was a reminder of how powerful the community truly is.

And now, we move South.

Next stop: Bengaluru — a city that lives and breathes building.

The D2C Insider Regional CXO Meet – South is officially next, and the momentum is already rolling.

🗓 21st February | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Bangalore

Another curated room.

Another high-signal audience.

Another chance to be where real conversations happen before they go mainstream.

If you missed Kolkata — don’t miss Bangalore.

And if you were there — you already know why this matters.

🎟 Registrations are live

👉 Register now: cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

South, we’re coming. 🚀

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Kapiva Launches ₹50 Cr Innovation Fund to Power Evidence-Based Ayurveda Research

Direct-to-consumer ayurveda brand Kapiva has announced the launch of the Kapiva Innovation Fund (KIF), committing up to ₹50 crore to accelerate research, innovation, and product development across India’s ayurveda ecosystem. The move marks a significant step in strengthening science-backed, future-ready Ayurveda and positions Kapiva as a key enabler in India’s evolving D2C ecosystem India.

The ₹50 crore innovation fund is now open for applications and will support projects from research institutions, PhD scholars, hospitals, laboratories, startups, and incubators working in ayurveda, plant-based therapeutics, and integrative health. Through KIF, Kapiva aims to bridge the long-standing gap between traditional ayurvedic knowledge and modern, clinically validated healthcare solutions—an area gaining increasing attention in D2C news India and D2C industry news.

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Snitch Enters Corporate Gifting, Reimagines a ₹Multi-Crore Category With Style-Led D2C Innovation

India’s direct-to-consumer fashion ecosystem is witnessing a new inflection point as Snitch, one of the fastest-growing D2C brands India, officially forays into the corporate gifting category. Known for building a sharp, trend-driven men’s fashion brand in record time, Snitch is now extending its design-first philosophy into a space traditionally dominated by utility-led, impersonal products—marking a notable shift in D2C industry news and Indian D2C updates.

With this move, Snitch aims to redefine how brands engage with employees, partners, and stakeholders by placing style, individuality, and experience at the center of corporate gifting. The entry reflects a broader evolution in Direct-to-consumer India, where D2C fashion and lifestyle brands are expanding beyond core consumer sales into B2B and enterprise-led use cases as part of long-term D2C expansion plans.

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Escape Plan Raises $25 Mn in Series A to Scale India’s Travel Products D2C Platform

Escape Plan, a travel gear platform, just got $25 million in Series A funding. Jungle Ventures led the round, and Fireside Ventures and IndiGo Ventures also chipped in. This cash injection is a big deal for the D2C scene in India, showing that investors are really confident in brands that are making travel stuff people use every day.

Abhinav Pathak started Escape Plan, which is in the quickly changing travel goods market. They sell luggage, accessories, and other stuff for getting around, all designed for Indian buyers. They’ve built a modern D2C brand with a solid presence both online and in stores. Escape Plan has grown super fast on online marketplaces, its own website, and in physical stores, making it a standout story in the D2C world.

This Series A funding comes as Escape Plan is already pulling in over ₹300 crore annually. People all over are buying their stuff, whether they’re frequent flyers, business travelers, families, or students.

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Business Boost:

Optimist Raises $12 Mn to Build Future-Ready, Energy-Efficient Cooling for India

Technology-led cooling startup Optimist just got $12 million in funding from Accel, Arkam Ventures, and some angel investors. This shows that investors are really interested in Indian D2C brands that are making energy-saving tech for everyone.

Ashish Goel (the old CEO of Urban Ladder) and Pranav Chopra started Optimist in 2024. They’re designing and building air conditioners that can handle India’s crazy heat, power problems, and how people live now. They’re going to use the money to make more stuff, do more research, and get their product out there faster.

Optimist did a bunch of customer research. Summers are getting hotter, and the power grid is struggling. Regular air conditioners aren’t cutting it in terms of being cheap, reliable, or energy-saving. Optimist wants to make cooling systems that work well even when it’s super hot, use less power, and don’t overload the grid.

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Gully Labs Raises ₹30 Cr in Series A Funding Led by Saama Capital to Scale India’s Homegrown D2C Sneaker Brand

India’s direct-to-consumer footwear space continues to gain momentum as Gully Labs, a fast-growing D2C sneaker brand rooted in Indian street culture, has raised ₹30 crore in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Saama Capital, with strong follow-on participation from Zeropearl VC, marking a significant milestone in D2C news India and D2C startup news.

According to confirmed details, the Series A round totals ₹30 crore, with Saama Capital investing ₹23 crore and Zeropearl VC contributing ₹7 crore, reinforcing its conviction by doubling down on the brand. The round was completed in December 2025, reflecting sustained investor confidence in one of India’s most promising D2C brands India operating in the premium sneaker and lifestyle segment.

This latest raise follows an earlier seed round in March 2025, where Gully Labs raised ₹8 crore, of which Zeropearl VC invested ₹5 crore, emerging early as a high-conviction backer. The continued participation across funding cycles positions Zeropearl as a key long-term partner in the brand’s journey—an increasingly important signal in Indian D2C updates and D2C funding news.

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WanderOn Raises ₹54 Cr Series A to Scale Experiential D2C Travel for India’s New-Age Explorers

WanderOn just got ₹54 crore in a Series A funding round, with DSG Consumer Partners and CAAF leading the investment. This is a big deal for the India’s fast-growing travel and direct-to-consumer scene. This funding puts WanderOn in the D2C news as investors are really backing platforms that create communities and put experiences first.

They’re going to use this money to up their destinations, create cooler and easier travel, and power up growing areas like trips for sports lovers, and wellness trips. They’re also putting money into tech to make the whole trip better, from finding it and booking to what happens and keeping in touch afterward. It fits with what’s going on in the D2C market in 2025, where it’s all about the experience, keeping customers happy, and building a community.

Started in 2017 by Chirag Jain, Sandeep Kumar, Ravi Khokher, Madhusudan Jaju, and Govind Gaur, WanderOn is a travel platform that connects people directly with trips. They create group travel experiences built around the community. They focus on millennials and Gen Z, planning road trips, treks, and custom tours in India and other countries.

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Founders Funded:

D2C Accessories Brand Salty Raises ₹30.1 Cr to Scale Omnichannel Expansion Across India

Salty, an up-and-coming D2C brand for affordable jewelry and accessories, just got ₹30.1 crore in a new funding round.

MG Investment led the round, and Anicut Capital, All In Capital, and JK Group came back for another round. A few new angel investors hopped on board too. This shows that investors really believe in brands that are well-designed and sell in multiple places.

Salty will use the money to beef up its team, grow its presence on e-commerce and quick commerce platforms, and get deliveries out faster. Fast shipping is super important these days, so Salty is putting money into its delivery game to make sure things arrive quickly in big cities and smaller towns.

Kanishka Garg, Sonaal Goel, and Twisha Gupta started Salty. They focus on trendy jewelry that you can wear every day. They’re a digital-first brand and are pretty popular with young, stylish people who want cool stuff that doesn’t cost a fortune.

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Troovy Raises $5 Mn Series A to Scale India’s Clean-Label Family Snacking Market

India’s clean-label snacking space continues to attract strong investor interest as Troovy, a fast-growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) food brand, has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures and Sharrp Ventures. The round also saw participation from existing investors Spring Marketing Capital and Veltis Capital, reinforcing confidence in Troovy’s brand-led growth journey.

This latest raise adds momentum to D2C news India and D2C funding news, highlighting how food and wellness-focused startups are emerging as some of the fastest-growing D2C brands in the country. The fresh capital will be used to expand Troovy’s distribution across e-commerce, quick commerce, and its own direct-to-consumer India channels, launch new clean-snacking products, and scale the business toward ₹100 crore in revenue over the coming years.

Founded in 2021 by Mansi Baranwal and Aditya Mukherjee, Gurugram-based Troovy has carved out a strong position in the D2C ecosystem India by focusing on kid-friendly and family-first snacks made without refined sugar, maida, palm oil, preservatives, or artificial additives. The brand’s portfolio spans chips, puffs, cookies, sauces, spreads, and multi-millet milk mixes—products designed to fit seamlessly into everyday consumption rather than being positioned as niche “health foods.”

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33&Brew Raises ₹20 Cr Series A as Optimistic Capital Bets Big on India’s Craft Beer & Experiential D2C Consumption

It looks like more and more Indian consumers want cool experiences, and the latest news from the D2C world shows it. 33&Brew, a brewery that mixes craft beer with old-school music, just scored ₹20 crore ($2.2 million) in funding led by Optimistic Capital. This is big not just for 33&Brew, but for the whole craft beer scene in India, where people want experiences and cool brands.

Optimistic Capital just said they’ve got a ₹200 crore fund just for Indian breweries, That’s rare! They already spent ₹30 crore and plan to invest the other ₹170 crore in the next 3 years. They’re not just putting money into brands, they’re also backing the stuff that breweries need, like bottling and supply chains.

Karthik Chandrasekaran kicked off 33&Brew in 2024, making it all about vinyl records.

33&Brew will use the cash to build more stuff, grow bigger, and get ready to expand from its current home in Bengaluru. Even though breweries usually focus on their physical locations, brands like 33&Brew are starting to think like D2C companies, where telling a good story, building a community, and getting people to come back are as important as just selling beer.

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“Moments get applause. Foundations create endurance.”

Walking into Shark Tank India Season 4 in 2025 wasn’t a beginning for Abhinav Ahluwalia.

It was a moment when years of invisible work finally became visible.

The real journey started much earlier.

In 2016, Abhinav wasn’t pitching investors — he was travelling. Asking one simple question across countries, systems, and shelves:

Why can’t food from Bharat compete confidently on global markets?

He studied international food standards, retail ecosystems, and how other nations support their farmers. And everywhere he went, one insight stayed consistent.

Quality was never the problem.

Trust was.

In 2017, that insight became KIWI Kisan Window.

The years that followed weren’t glamorous. From 2017 to 2019, Abhinav spent time in villages, on long drives, and in conversations that never made it into decks or presentations. The work wasn’t about visibility — it was about building reliability. Systems that actually worked for Indian farmers, on Indian soil.

No spotlight.

Just consistency.

By 2026, what began as an idea is now a growing network — connecting farmers to wider markets with dignity, transparency, and trust at its core.

For Abhinav, the lesson is clear:

Moments may bring applause.

But foundations are what create endurance.

And to founders building through invisible years — keep going.

It matters.

📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — EAST, IT’S HAPPENING (KOLKATA)

The D2C wave moves East.

On 30th January, Kolkata hosts the D2C Insider Regional CXO Meet – East—bringing together founders, operators, investors, and enablers for an afternoon of real conversations and meaningful connections.

🗓 30 Jan | 2–8 PM

📍 Kolkata

No noise. No fluff.

Just the ecosystem, in one room.

🎟 Registrations are live

👉 d2ci.co/Regional-CXO-Meets

Kolkata, let’s build. 🚀

Subscribe now

Myntra Introduces Zero-Commission Model to Accelerate Growth of New D2C Brands in India’s Digital Commerce Ecosystem

Myntra is shaking things up for D2C brands in India. They’ve just launched a zero-commission plan for new brands joining their Myntra Rising Stars (MRS) thing. This is all about giving smaller direct-to-consumer brands in fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle a leg up

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Basically, if you’re a D2C startup that gets in, you won’t pay any commission to get your stuff in front of Myntra’s huge audience of 75 million monthly users. This could really help these new Indian brands get noticed and grow. It also looks like Myntra wants to be seen as a helper for these D2C businesses, which is a trend we’re seeing with other platforms too.

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Wint Wealth Raises ₹250 Cr Series B Led by Vertex Ventures to Scale India’s Retail Debt Investment Ecosystem

India’s alternative investment and wealthtech landscape continues to mature as Wint Wealth, a leading debt investment platform, raised ₹250 crore (approximately $28 million) in a Series B funding round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India. The round also saw strong participation from existing backers including Eight Roads Ventures, 3one4 Capital, Arkham Ventures, and Rainmatter

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The latest raise positions Wint Wealth among the most well-capitalised platforms in India’s fast-evolving wealthtech and retail fixed-income space. Prior to this Series B, the Bengaluru-based startup had raised close to $22 million (₹173 crore) from investors such as Eight Roads Ventures, Zerodha, 3one4 Capital, and Unitary Fund. Its last major fundraise was a $17 million Series A round, completed in tranches, which laid the foundation for platform scale and regulatory readiness.

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Pee Safe Secures $32 Mn From OrbiMed to Accelerate Offline, Quick Commerce and D2C Expansion in India

Pee Safe, a brand that focuses on women’s hygiene and wellness, just got $32 million in funding led by OrbiMed. This is a big deal for direct-to-consumer funding in the Indian sexual health and wellness scene lately. The funding includes new capital and lets some early investors cash out. It shows that investors are feeling good about purpose-driven direct-to-consumer brands in India that mix healthcare, regular consumer goods, and getting people aware

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Vikas Bagaria and his wife Srijana started Pee Safe in 2013. They kicked things off with a toilet seat sanitizer, trying to fix a common but overlooked hygiene issue for women. Over the last ten years, the brand has turned into a full-fledged direct-to-consumer platform in India, with stuff like toilet hygiene, feminine and intimate hygiene, personal care, grooming, and wellness items. Rithish Kumar, who was there early on, got bumped up to co-founder as the company grew its operations and product line.

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Truva Raises ₹78 Cr in Funding Led by Stellaris and Orios to Scale India’s Resale Housing Market

Truva, a resale homes platform that’s growing fast, just got ₹78 crore ($8.6 million) in a new funding round, showing that investors are still pretty sure about India’s property tech and consumer scene. Stellaris Venture Partners and Orios Venture Partners, who already invested before, led the round with a mix of equity and debt. They seem to really believe in Truva’s way of doing things with a full-service, brand-focused approach to reselling homes

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About $7.3 million (₹61 crore) of the money is equity, and $1.7 million is venture debt from Stride Ventures. This kind of setup is becoming more common in India’s D2C startup world, where founders are trying to balance getting money for growth with being smart about finances.

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Business Boost:

Neeman’s Raises ₹35.5 Cr in Series B2 Funding to Accelerate Omnichannel D2C Growth and Scale Profitably

India’s D2C ecosystem continues to attract strong investor confidence as comfort-led, sustainability-first consumer brands move into their next phase of scale. In a key development within D2C news India, footwear brand Neeman’s has raised ₹35.5 crore ($4 million) as part of its Series B2 funding round, led by SNAM Solutions, the investment arm of the SNAM Group of Companies

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The round saw SNAM Group invest ₹16 crore, with participation from existing investors Anicut Capital, ENAM Investments, and Harsh Mariwala’s Sharrp Ventures. This latest raise marks an important milestone in Indian D2C updates, positioning Neeman’s to accelerate its omnichannel expansion while maintaining a clear focus on profitability—an increasingly critical theme across the D2C ecosystem India.

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Good Farmer Food Concepts Raises $1.5 Mn Pre-Series A to Scale Farm-to-Cup D2C Brands Across India

India’s D2C ecosystem continues to see strong investor confidence in premium, experience-led food and beverage brands. In a fresh update from D2C news India, Good Farmer Food Concepts has raised $1.5 million (approx. ₹12.5 crore) in an ongoing pre-Series A funding round led by CreedCap, with participation from Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna, former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid, and Meraki Sport & Entertainment

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This latest round adds momentum to India’s fast-growing Direct-to-Consumer India food and beverage landscape, reinforcing investor appetite for brands that combine strong sourcing, differentiated products, and omnichannel scale.

Founded in 2024 by Ashish D’abreo, Sreeram Gangadharan, and Tej Thammaiah, Good Farmer Food Concepts is building a brand-first, vertically integrated food platform spanning farming, product innovation, retail, and hospitality.

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Secret Alchemist Raises $3 Mn Led by Unilever Ventures to Scale Clean, Celebrity-Backed D2C Fragrance Brand in India

Secret Alchemist, the fragrance and aromatherapy brand backed by a celebrity, just got $3 million in funding led by Unilever Ventures, with DSG Consumer Partners also chipping in.

This funding, which includes both new and existing money, is a big deal for the Mumbai-based startup. They’re planning to use it to build their brand, add more products, and grow their team as they try to find their foot in India’s quickly changing direct-to-consumer market.

Around $2.5 million of the total was new funding, with the rest giving some early investors a chance to cash out a bit. This comes after their $898,000 seed funding, which shows investors are liking what they see in India’s clean beauty and wellness D2C brands.

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Dazzl Raises $3.2 Mn Seed Round to Scale On-Demand Beauty Services Across India

Dazzl, a beauty and wellness startup here in Bengaluru, just got $3.2 million in seed money. Stellaris Venture Partners led the round, which is a good sign for D2C services in India. Big names like Ritesh Agarwal and others also chipped in

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This money puts Dazzl in a good spot with other new D2C startups that are changing how we get services in India. They’re all about fast service, local focus, and those personal care things we need all the time. Dazzl’s way of doing things shows that D2C in India is moving toward being fast, easy, and something you use again and again.

Komal Solanki and Ashish Bajpai started Dazzl to bring beauty and wellness services right to your door, usually in about 10 minutes. They’re not like your typical salon-at-home thing. Dazzl focuses on quick stuff like blow-dries, head massages, and fast pedicures – the things people in India want often.

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Founders Funded:

Emomee Raises ₹2 Crore on Shark Tank India Season 5 to Scale D2C Edutainment for Children

In India, more and more companies selling directly to you are getting into content, learning stuff, and cool online experiences.

Emomee, a startup that makes fun learning stuff for kids, just got about $240,000 in funding on Shark Tank India Season 5. This is a big thumbs up for their way of doing business, where they focus on content first and sell straight to you

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The company, which is located in Mumbai, got the money for 4% of the company, which means the whole company is worth about $6 million. Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar made the deal after everyone on the show wanted to invest. Now, Emomee is one of the D2C startups that people are talking about in India because they’re making content that people love.

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Emori Raises ₹3 Crore on Shark Tank India Season 5 to Scale D2C Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery Brand

The D2C jewelry scene in India is really picking up steam, mainly because people care more about fancy stuff made in a nice way. Emori, a jewelry brand from near Delhi that makes diamonds in a lab, just got about 3cr for 6% of their company on Shark Tank India. That means the company is worth around 50cr

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Anupam Mittal put in about 1.5cr for 3% of the company, and Amit Jain, Namita Thapar, and Ritesh Agarwal pitched in the same amount together for another 3%. This shows that investors are starting to believe in Indian D2C brands that are good to the earth, make good money, and sell online.

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Drickle Raises ₹6 Cr Seed Round to Scale Coffee-First Compact QSR Model in India

Drickle, a coffee-focused drink shop in Bangalore (used to be BONOMI), just got almost ₹6 crore in seed money. This shows people are really liking their simple business plan in the quickly changing food and drink scene in India. Investors are starting to believe in these kinds of brands that are making money and getting customers to come back

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A bunch of angel investors and business people pitched in, including Param Kandhari, Naresh Krishnaswamy, Abhinav Mathur, Hemanshu Jain, Vinay Bhopatkar, Vaibhav Sisinty, Dalvir Suri, and Rishit Jhunjhunwala. Shaili Chopra, who works in media, also invested. Back in April 2025, Drickle got ₹5.3 crore, and then another ₹50 lakh from Ideabaaz, bringing the total to almost ₹6 crore.

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Truth & Hair Secures Strategic Investment to Scale Skinification-Led D2C Haircare in India

India’s D2C beauty and personal care landscape continues to evolve as Truth & Hair, a science-backed direct-to-consumer haircare brand, takes a significant step forward in its growth journey. Built around the fast-emerging concept of the skinification of hair, Truth & Hair is redefining how Indian consumers approach scalp health—treating it with the same rigour, ingredients, and discipline as skincare

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Founded in 2023–2024 by Shailesh Singh and Saumya Alagh, Truth & Hair was created to address a clear gap in India’s D2C ecosystem: the lack of clinically thoughtful, texture-specific haircare solutions that go beyond surface-level results. The brand focuses on solving hair concerns at the root, starting with the scalp, rather than temporarily managing visible symptoms like frizz, dryness, or hair fall.

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“Every idea doesn’t need to reach the finish line.”

Akash Agrawalla learned this the hard way — twice.

His first startup, CheckedIn, started in 2015 as a social networking platform. The idea felt right. The timing felt right. But as he went deeper, reality set in. It would need heavy tech, serious funding, and a level of execution he wasn’t ready for then.

So he did the harder thing. He shut it down.

Not because he didn’t love the idea — but because the business didn’t love him back.

That clarity stayed with him.

Years later, while building ZOFF, another tough moment arrived. In 2018, when ZOFF entered general trade, growth didn’t go as planned. The model wasn’t scaling the way they envisioned. This time too, the signs were clear.

But instead of quitting, Akash and his co-founder Ashish Agrawal chose to pivot — moving ZOFF to e-commerce, even without knowing the basics of the channel.

That decision changed everything.

Today, ZOFF is a ₹100+ crore brand — built not by stubbornly sticking to a plan, but by knowing when to change direction.

For Akash, the lesson is simple: Starting is easy. Knowing when to pivot is the real skill.

Some ideas succeed. Some exist only to teach you how to think better the next time.

And that, too, is progress.

D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — SUPER ANGELS

Super Angels isn’t a fund.

It’s builders backing builders.

An operator-led collective where experience, execution, and access matter as much as belief. No noise. No passive capital. Just people who’ve scaled consumer brands helping the next wave do it better.

For founders who want real support.

For operators who want real impact.

🔗 Explore / Pitch / Join:

👉 d2ci.co/super-angels-apply

Built by the ecosystem.

Built for the ecosystem. 🚀

Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Raises ₹250 Cr, Enters In-House Manufacturing to Build End-to-End D2C Jewellery Platform

Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds is making a big change by starting to grow and make its own diamonds. This means they’re becoming a fully in-house jewelry brand that sells directly to you. They’ve also gotten about ₹250 crore to help them grow, open more stores, and be a leader in India’s fast-growing lab-grown diamond market.

This move means Limelight will now handle everything from growing the diamonds to making, designing, and selling the jewelry. They want to have more control over quality, make things faster, and save money. With more competition in the lab-grown diamond world, doing everything themselves is a way to stand out as a brand that sells straight to customers in India.

The company says that making their own diamonds will cut down on relying on other suppliers, speed up product creation, and keep standards high across all their jewelry. In a market where people care about being open, eco-friendly, and getting good value, having a tight grip on the process puts Limelight in a strong position in the Indian market.

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iD Fresh Secures Strategic Investment From Apax Partners to Accelerate Product Expansion and Global Growth

Big news for the D2C scene in India: iD Fresh Food, a food brand based in Bengaluru, just got a chunk of money from Apax Partners, a private equity firm in London. This investment is a big deal for iD Fresh as they want to get their products into more stores, areas, and sales channels, both in India and other countries.

Apax Partners is buying some of the shares from the original investors, Premji Invest and TPG NewQuest, and putting money directly into the company. Though the exact amount isn’t public, sources say Apax is investing around INR 1,300 Cr for a 25% stake, which values iD Fresh at about INR 4,500 Cr. If this is true, it’s one of the biggest D2C funding and private equity deals lately.

iD Fresh was started in 2005 by PC Musthafa and his cousins with a simple goal: to bring fresh, ready-to-cook food without preservatives to homes in India. Since then, they’ve become a well-known food and beverage brand, especially for their idli and dosa batter. Now, they’ve expanded to include frozen flatbreads, pancake and coffee mixes, and dairy items like curd and paneer.

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Even Healthcare Raises $20 Mn, Total Funding Touches $70 Mn as It Scales Managed-Care Hospital Model

Even Healthcare, a managed care provider in Bengaluru, just got $20 million in new funding, which helps it stay near the top of India’s fast-growing healthcare platforms that put consumers first. The funding was led by current investors Lachy Groom and Alpha Wave, plus Sharrp Ventures also put money in. This brings Even Healthcare’s total funding to $70 million, and their company is worth double what it was last year, which shows investors trust their approach to healthcare.

This funding comes only a little over a year after Even Healthcare got $30 million in Series A funding back in October 2024. The company says they’ll use this new money to grow their hospital presence in Bengaluru and expand their managed-care hospital model, which combines primary care, tests, hospital stays, and recovery after leaving the hospital.

Even Healthcare, started in 2020, uses a membership-based healthcare model that focuses on keeping up with patient care instead of just trying to do a high volume of patients. Unlike regular hospitals that usually want more admissions and longer stays, Even focuses on results, recovery, and working together during the patient’s plan. From the very first appointment to tests, hospital stuff, and watching recovery at home, care teams are responsible for the whole process. This goes with what people in India want from healthcare.

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Business Boost:

FreshToHome Raises ₹75 Cr via NCDs Led by Trifecta Venture to Power D2C Expansion and Quick Commerce Growth

FreshToHome, a big player in India’s online meat and seafood market, is getting ready to raise ₹75 crore through a debt round led by Trifecta Venture. The company’s board gave the thumbs up to issue 750 non-convertible debentures (NCDs) worth ₹10 lakh each. This move is all about making the business stronger and growing it more.

The money from these NCDs will go towards everyday expenses and other company needs. FreshToHome wants to keep its finances solid while still growing its online business in India. Lately, more and more online brands in India are using venture debt to get more time to grow without having to sell off pieces of the company right away.

Shan Kadavil and Matthew Joseph started FreshToHome back in 2015. Since then, they’ve built a huge supply chain for fresh fish, meat, and seafood. Now, they’re in almost 160 cities in India and have a good foothold in the UAE. Their goal? To be a well-known Indian online food brand worldwide.

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SkinInspired Raises $2.9 Mn in Series A Led by Spring Marketing Capital to Accelerate D2C Skincare Growth

SkinInspired, a skincare brand based in Udaipur, just got $2.9 million (₹24 crore) in a Series A funding round! This is a big step for them in the growing direct-to-consumer market in India. Spring Marketing Capital led the round, and Lotus Herbals Beauty Innovation Fund and Arihant Patni also joined in. Unilever Ventures, who already invested before, put in money again.

This new funding comes less than a year after SkinInspired got ₹12.25 crore in a seed round in July 2024, which Unilever Ventures also led. With this Series A, SkinInspired can now grow even faster in the quickly growing skincare market in India. It’s a very competitive area right now.

Piyush Jain, who used to work in FMCG, and Dr. Prashant Agrawal, a skin doctor, started SkinInspired in 2022. They want to make products that are both clinically tested and good for customers. Instead of just following trends, they work with skin doctors to make skincare products that work. This focus on product quality has helped them get noticed in the crowded beauty and skincare space.

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Antinorm Raises ₹28 Cr Seed Round to Accelerate D2C Growth and Product Innovation in India’s Beauty Market

Antinorm, a cool new beauty startup, just got ₹28 crore in seed money led by Fireside Ventures. V3 Ventures and Rukam Capital, who invested before, are also kicking in more cash because they really believe in Antinorm’s vision. This funding is a big deal for the brand as it grows its reach in India’s quickly growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) world.

Antinorm started out focusing on beauty solutions that really work and do a lot at once. People who want things to be easy but still work well are really into it. Instead of long, hard skincare routines, Antinorm makes it simple with smart products. Because people like it and keep buying it again, the company is getting cash to grow even more.

The beauty and personal care business in India should hit $30 billion by 2027. That means it is super competitive. Antinorm wants to be a different D2C brand that is all about working well, caring about the climate, and saving time.

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Be Clinical Raises ₹6 Cr Seed Funding to Scale Science-Led D2C Skincare for Indian Consumers

Be Clinical, an Indian skincare startup that’s all about science-backed stuff for aging skin, just got ₹6 crore in seed funding. V3 Ventures (started by Arjun Vaidya) led the round, and Titan Capital (backed by Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal) also chipped in, showing they really believe in the brand.

Hemangi Dhir started Be Clinical in May 2025 because she saw a hole in the Indian skincare scene. There weren’t many real, science-based products made for Indian skin and conditions. Most stuff out there is just based on trends or super expensive treatments at clinics. Be Clinical wants to be a D2C brand that puts the product first, using testing and its own research and manufacturing. It seems like this approach is working because Indian shoppers are getting smarter, reading ingredient lists, and wanting products that actually do something.

Even though they’re pretty new, Be Clinical is doing well. By the end of 2025, they had over 25,000 customers, which shows that people are catching on and start to trust their India-specific products. This early success says the company and its products fills a gap in the market.

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Flent Raises $2.5 Mn in Pre-Series A Round to Expand Full-Stack Rental Platform

Flent, a property tech startup based in Bengaluru, just got ₹21 crore (around $2.5 million) in a Pre-Series A funding round. They’re planning to use the money to grow outside of their home city and improve what they offer. The round included ₹17 crore in investments and ₹4 crore in debt, which shows that investors really believe in how Flent works and the progress they’ve already made.

Incubate Fund Asia led the funding round, with others like WEH Ventures, Twin & Bull Family Office, Stride Ventures, 91Ventures, Untitled VC, and some angel investors also kicking in, including Rajesh Yabaji, who co-founded BlackBuck. What’s cool is that over 40 landlords and renters who use Flent invested a total of ₹1 crore. This shows people really trust and like the brand.

Mayank Lalwani, Rishabh Agnihotri, and Shail Daswani started Flent in October of last year. It’s a rental platform that handles everything. They offer fully furnished places that are ready to move into, with flexible contracts. Flent takes care of the whole rental process, from designing the property to finding renters, keeping things maintained, and making sure rent is paid. They get rid of annoying things like brokerage fees and huge security deposits.

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&Done Raises $3 Mn Series A to Build India-First, Salon-Led Professional Haircare Brand

Premium professional haircare brand &Done has raised $3 million in a Series A funding round led by RTP Global, with participation from All-in Capital, Suashish, and prominent angel investors including Kitty Agarwal (Info Edge Ventures) and Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal of Titan Capital. The funding marks a significant milestone for the young brand as it accelerates its ambition to build a global-quality, India-first professional haircare business rooted in salon trust and science-backed formulation.

Founded in 2023 by Saumya Yadav and Atit Jain, &Done operates on a salon-first distribution model, a strategic departure from the influencer-led or marketplace-first playbooks common across India’s D2C beauty landscape. The brand is currently present in over 500 premium salons across Delhi NCR, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, and select metro markets, positioning itself firmly within the professional haircare ecosystem.

The newly raised capital will be deployed across research and product development, team expansion, salon network growth, and brand building, as &Done scales both its professional and retail footprint. The company is also expanding across direct-to-consumer India channels, combining salon credibility with omnichannel D2C distribution to reach end consumers without diluting professional trust.

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Founders Funded:

GOAT Life Bags ₹2 Cr on Shark Tank India 5, Scales Spoon-Free High-Protein Oats Brand

India’s direct-to-consumer ecosystem continues to witness strong momentum as GOAT Life, a fast-growing D2C food and nutrition brand, secured ₹2 crore in funding on Shark Tank India Season 5 at a valuation of ₹25 crore. The investment came from Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal, who invested ₹1 crore each after being impressed by the brand’s clarity of mission, product innovation, and early traction. The episode aired yesterday evening, marking a major milestone for the brand and adding another win to the D2C Insider portfolio.

Founded by Yash Kalra, GOAT Life was born from a deeply personal problem. Kalra reportedly consumed over 2,100 bowls of oats and lost 20 kg, only to realise that while healthy eating works, consistency is often broken by friction—time, taste, and effort. GOAT Life was built with a simple yet powerful mission: reduce the friction for anyone who wants to eat better.

The brand entered the market with India’s first spoon-free, drinkable oatmeal—ready in just 30 seconds. The preparation is intentionally simple: mix, shake, sip, and move on with your day. Each serving packs up to 24g of protein, high fibre, chia and flax seeds, and zero refined sugar, positioning GOAT Life strongly within the fast-growing D2C food and beverage brands segment.

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Capture A Trip Secures INR 75 Lakh Investment on Shark Tank India to Fuel Youth Travel Expansion

Capture A Trip Gets INR 75 Lakh on Shark Tank India to Grow Youth Travel

Capture A Trip (CAT), a travel startup in Delhi, landed INR 75 lakh from the Shark Tank India judges, an event that will help them grow. The investment values the company at INR 15 crore and should help CAT grow its international trips and also reinforce its presence in India’s unique travel spots.

The deal happened on a recent Shark Tank India Season 5 episode. The founders, Nitin Khanna and Anurag Singhal, shared the brand’s community-led travel idea. They wanted INR 75 lakh for 5% of their company, which got the panel interested fast.

Kunal Bahl and Mohit Yadav invested together at the valuation asked. The sharks liked the brand’s fast growth, clear position in the youth travel area, and its focus on safety, trust, and first-time travelers.

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The Croffle Guys Raise ₹2.5 Cr on Shark Tank India Season 5 at ₹50 Cr Valuation to Fuel D2C Dessert Expansion

Mumbai-based dessert startup The Croffle Guys has raised ₹2.5 crore for 5 percent equity on Shark Tank India Season 5, valuing the fast-growing brand at ₹50 crore. The investment was led by Sharks Kunal Bahl and Mohit Yadav, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s journey within India’s rapidly evolving D2C food and beverage ecosystem.

The fresh capital will be used to accelerate outlet expansion across high-footfall urban locations while strengthening the brand’s digital-first and delivery-led presence. As D2C brands India increasingly blend physical retail with online discovery and food delivery platforms, The Croffle Guys is positioning itself as a modern, scalable quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand built for today’s convenience-driven consumers.

Founded by Annanya Agarwal, Veer Pinto, Amay Thakkar, and Rahul Vohra, The Croffle Guys is built around a single hero product—croffles, a hybrid dessert that combines the flaky richness of a croissant with the crisp texture of a waffle. The concept was discovered during a trip to Thailand and thoughtfully adapted for Indian tastes, quickly resonating with young, urban audiences seeking novelty, indulgence, and shareable food experiences. This focused-menu approach aligns with emerging D2C market trends 2025, where sharp product positioning and strong recall are key drivers of scale.

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(D2C Insider Super Angels Portfolio Brand)

“We grew 20x from ’24 to ’25.

And honestly — 2025 had no chills.”

That line sums up the year at GOAT Life.

What started as a focused oatmeal brand quickly turned into something bigger — a modern-day breakfast brand for India. But the growth didn’t come quietly. It came with pressure, uncertainty, and decisions made in real time.

The year began with GOAT Life raising its first round, backed by operators and founders who brought more than capital — they brought belief. With that came responsibility. And the first real focus wasn’t ads or scale, but building the right team. Somewhere along the way, GOAT Life stopped feeling like “my brand” and became our brand.

Then came experimentation.

A limited-edition Tiramisu drop sold 10,000 boxes in 10 days, proving this wasn’t about one product — it was about demand, community, and brand pull. What followed was momentum: Blinkit onboarding, organic campaigns, and a ₹25K marketing budget turned into a 30-day Blinkit challenge.

The results were telling: 1.7M+ impressions

8,000 new followers

700+ inbound leads

And one day of selling 1,000 packets on Blinkit

Visibility grew. Validation followed — including a moment on Pitch Please that pushed the brand into a new consumer conversation.

Behind the scenes, it wasn’t easy.

Production scaled from 4,000 to 12,000 units/day.

The team grew from 15 to 40.

Operations stretched. Delivery timelines slipped. Disclaimers went live.

But demand didn’t slow.

GOAT Life crossed its entire previous month’s website revenue in just 2 days. October’s cash stress turned into November profitability. By year-end, the brand had served 2 lakh+ packets, closed a $200K addon round, and entered 2026 with momentum — and healthy fear.

Because real growth doesn’t feel comfortable.

GOAT Life’s journey is a reminder that breakout D2C brands aren’t built in calm phases.

They’re built when conviction meets speed, pressure, and relentless execution.

Sometimes, the year with no chills is the one that changes everything.

📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — EAST, THIS IS YOUR MOMENT (KOLKATA)

The D2C wave is moving East — and Kolkata is about to take centre stage.

On 31st January 2026, D2C Insider Regional CXO Meet – East lands in Kolkata, bringing together some of the sharpest builders, backers, and operators in the Indian consumer ecosystem.

This isn’t just another meetup.

This is India’s largest D2C founders’ confluence, happening in the East.

🗓 31st January 2026 | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Kolkata

Here’s what the room will look like:

• 600+ founders building across categories

• 350+ consumer brands at different stages of scale

• 150+ investors actively tracking the next breakout brands

• 100+ enablers powering growth behind the scenes

• 30+ startup pitches with real traction and real ambition

This is where:

• Founders meet people who actually understand the grind

• Investors discover companies before they become obvious

• Operators exchange playbooks that don’t live on LinkedIn No noise.

No surface-level networking.

Just high-signal conversations and serious momentum.

If you’re building, backing, or enabling consumer brands in the East — this is your room.

🎟 Register now:

👉 cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

Kolkata, it’s time to show how the East builds. 🚀

National Disruptors:

Titan Launches beYon, Marking Its Entry into India’s Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery Space

India’s direct-to-consumer market is changing fast, with older consumer brands paying attention to new categories that suit what people want. Titan Company Limited, in India’s jewelry and lifestyle area, is starting a lab-grown diamond jewelry brand called beYon. It’s a way to grow their consumer products.

The company, backed by Tata Group, will first open a beYon store in Mumbai on December 29, 2025. It’s now in the quickly growing lab-grown diamond business. beYon is different from Titan’s other jewelry.

The brand wants to meet the needs of modern women with lab-grown diamond jewelry. It’s for buyers that want modern, sustainable options instead of mined diamonds—popular with people in cities. As people want sustainable options, lab-grown diamonds are becoming a good deal.

Titan plans to grow beYon with more stores in Mumbai and Delhi soon. This slow growth lets them test what people want. It also lets them improve how they sell and make people aware of the brand in cities. This fits as people want an experience in stores.

Read more →

FITTR and Rainmatter Announce peakst8, India’s Biggest Health & Wellness Festival, Marking a New Chapter in D2C-Led Community Growth

India’s D2C ecosystem is steadily evolving from pure product-led plays to community-driven platforms, and the announcement of peakst8 reflects this shift clearly. Backed by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha, and fitness-focused D2C brand FITTR, peakst8 has been unveiled as India’s largest health and wellness festival. The one-day event is scheduled for January 10, 2026, in Bengaluru and is positioned at the intersection of fitness, movement, education, and community-led experiences

For FITTR, peakst8 represents a natural extension of its direct-to-consumer India journey. What began as a digital-first fitness and nutrition platform has steadily grown into a full-fledged D2C wellness brand with a strong community backbone. This move aligns with broader Indian D2C updates, where leading D2C brands India are increasingly investing in offline experiences to deepen trust, retention, and long-term brand equity. Rather than focusing only on D2C product launches, brands like FITTR are building ecosystems that blend content, coaching, commerce, and now large-scale experiential formats.

Read more →

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Livspace Acquires Abby Lighting for ₹204 Cr, Enters Specialised Lighting Category

Livspace is solidifying its position in the rapidly consolidating Indian D2C home improvement space by acquiring a majority stake in Abby Lighting, a Mumbai-based LED lighting maker, for roughly ₹204 crore (around $23 million)

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This acquisition, structured as a mix of cash (₹173 crore) and stock, gives Livspace more control over the direct-to-consumer home solutions value chain in India. Abby Lighting’s co-founders, Sanjay Bajaj and Suresh Bajaj, will get 4,11,274 Livspace equity shares, about 0.31 percent ownership. They will keep running Abby Lighting, using Livspace’s reach, distribution, and D2C platform.

Abby Lighting, founded in 2000, focuses on energy-efficient lighting systems and switchgear solutions for homes, businesses, and industrial clients. They have a design and manufacturing plant in Palghar, Maharashtra. This deal brings lighting design, production, and supply chain abilities in-house for Livspace, helping them improve quality, timelines, and the customer experience.

Read more →

Business Boost:

Wow! Momo Raises ₹75 Cr in Third Funding Round of 2025, Strengthens Expansion Plans and Brand Scale

Wow! Momo continues to gain investor attention, raising ₹75 crore ($8.4 million) in its Series D funding round, led by Singularity AMC.

This is their third funding round in 2025. Earlier this year, they raised ₹150 crore with support from Haldiram’s Kamal Agrawal, Khazanah, and 360 One. The company’s valuation is now around ₹2,838 crore ($316 million).

The board has approved the issuance of 7,838 Series D6 shares at ₹95,699 each to Singularity AMC, who will then hold a 2.64% stake. The funds will support expansion and operations.

Founded in 2008, Wow! Momo has grown to over 700 outlets in 17 cities, with brands like Wow! China, Wow! Chicken, and Wow! Kulfi.

Read more →

Comet’s Revenue Explodes 4X in FY25 as the D2C Sneaker Brand Shares Growth Playbook

Comet, a sneaker startup, has seen impressive growth during its first year. The India-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand almost quadrupled its revenue in the financial year 2024-25 (FY25). This jump shows big revenue growth, strong customer interest, and a successful digital business approach.

Founded in July 2023 by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani, Comet entered the competitive Indian footwear market with a clear D2C brand plan. The company’s revenue rose to ₹29.1 crore in FY25, a big jump from ₹7.3 crore in FY24. This is a 303.6% increase year-over-year, driven by strong product demand, more sales channels, and growing brand recognition among sneaker fans in India.

This financial success places Comet among the fastest-growing D2C brands coming out of India, emphasizing the potential of D2C startups that mix digital interaction with real-world experiences. Comet’s story is also featured in D2C news, the brand launches with a specific focus and expands quickly.

Read more →

Founders Funded:

Neeman’s to Raise ₹35.5 Cr in Series B2 to Deepen D2C Growth and Operations

Neeman’s, an India-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand for sustainable footwear, is about to get new funds, showing that investors are still interested in eco-friendly consumer businesses.

The business, located in Hyderabad, plans to get ₹35.5 crore in a Series B2 funding round. This adds to its earlier Series B raise from June 2022. This new funding shows that investors still trust brands that focus on being eco-friendly and selling online, especially in India’s growing D2C market.

According to official papers, Neeman’s board gave the okay to issue 54,915 Series B2 preference shares at ₹6,465 each, to raise ₹35.50 crore. The business also plans to give 5,414 partly paid shares to its co-founders, Taranjeet Singh Chhabra and Amar Preet Singh, who will both invest the same amount. The founders’ involvement shows they are confident in the brand’s plans.

Read more →

Proptech Startup Truva Raises $6.3 Mn at Over $30 Mn Valuation, Signals Strong Investor Confidence

India’s startup ecosystem continues to witness steady capital inflows across emerging digital platforms, and proptech startup Truva has joined the list of young companies attracting strong investor backing. The Bengaluru-based proptech platform has raised $6.32 million (approximately ₹56.7 crore) in its Series A funding round, valuing the company at over $30 million on a post-money basis. The round was backed entirely by existing investors, underscoring continued conviction in Truva’s long-term vision and growth trajectory.

According to regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies, Truva’s board approved the issuance of 54,628 Series A Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) at an issue price of ₹10,383 per share. The round was led by Stellaris Venture Partners, which invested ₹30.5 crore, followed by Orios Venture Partners, which infused ₹26.22 crore. The fresh capital will be deployed towards working capital requirements and business expansion, as the company looks to deepen its platform capabilities and accelerate go-to-market efforts.

Founded in 2023 by Puneet Arora, Monil Singhal, and Ankit Gupta, Truva is building a differentiated, insight-led property discovery platform aimed at simplifying home buying for Indian consumers. The startup offers detailed property listings enriched with data points such as natural light scores, noise ratings, 3D walkthroughs, and high-quality visual content. Beyond discovery, Truva supports buyers across the transaction lifecycle, including financing assistance, documentation, and property registration—positioning itself as a full-stack solution rather than a traditional listings portal.

Read more →

“I don’t need updates. I need closure.”

It’s a sentence Sourabh Jain repeats often as a founder.

In the early days of building The EleFant, he believed good leadership meant staying constantly updated — tracking every delivery, bug, and campaign across 18 cities. Being informed felt like being in control.

But experience taught him a different lesson:

Updates are often just noise.

What founders really need is closure.

An update says, “We’re working on it.”

Closure says, “It’s done.”

Updates keep mental tabs open.

Closure shuts the loop — freeing up bandwidth for the next decision.

Sourabh realised that chasing updates wasn’t leadership — it was a signal that ownership wasn’t clearly defined. Scale required systems where outcomes were owned end-to-end.

As he puts it, founders don’t want the “typing…” bubble.

They want the “Task Completed” notification.

At The EleFant, this has meant shifting from a status-update culture to an ownership culture — where teams deliver results, not just progress.

Because growth doesn’t come from knowing everything.

It comes from trust, systems, and closure — not noise

📌 D2C INSIDER Weekly Upadate —

DELHI, THIS ONE’S BIG

Delhi is about to witness one of the most high-energy afternoons in India’s D2C ecosystem.

This week, D2C Insider Regional CXO Meets – North comes together with Elevate Cohort 5 Demo Day—bringing founders, operators, and investors into one room for conversations that actually move businesses forward.

🗓 10th January | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Collative, Co-working Space, South Delhi

What makes this special?

• 150+ founders building across categories

• 80+ consumer brands in the room

• 50+ investors actively scouting

• 20+ enablers supporting scale

And at the heart of it all—Elevate Cohort 5 Demo Day.

A carefully curated set of consumer startups will take the stage to pitch, share their journeys, and open doors to meaningful feedback, partnerships, and capital. No fluff. No theatrics. Just real brands, real traction, and real conversations.

This isn’t just networking.

It’s discovery.

It’s momentum.

It’s the ecosystem showing up.

If you’re building, backing, or enabling consumer brands—this is where you want to be.

🎟 Register now:

👉d2ci.co/Regional-CXO-Meets

Delhi, let’s build the next wave—together. 🚀

Atomberg Crosses nearly ₹1,000 Cr Income Mark in FY25, Sharpens Path to Profitability Ahead of IPO

Atomberg, a Mumbai-based consumer durables brand, has become a strong player in India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) appliance market.

In the year ending March 2025, Atomberg’s total income exceeded ₹1,000 crore. At the same time, they have also reduced their losses as they prepare to go public. Operating revenue grew 20% to ₹958.4 crore in FY25, from ₹796.9 crore in FY24,which was due to increased product sales through D2C and retail channels.

Atomberg sells energy-efficient BLDC and smart fans, mixer grinders, smart locks, water purifiers, and juicers. These products are in demand due to consumers wanting efficiency, tech, and sustainability. In addition to operating revenue, Atomberg made ₹42.45 crore from interest, investments, and other sources, bringing the company’s total income to ₹1,000.9 crore in FY25.

Read more →

SNITCH Hits 100 Stores, Reinforcing the Power of Consistent D2C Brand Building in India

SNITCH, a fashion brand for men, has passed a big mark by opening its 100th store. This is a key point in the company’s move from being mostly online to a brand with both online and physical stores.

This achievement is important because it shows that staying consistent, being sure of your goals, and putting in the work can lead to real growth in the direct-to-consumer market in India. SNITCH’s story is like how the direct-to-consumer market in India has changed. Brands are now focused on building lasting businesses based on customer trust, not just short-term hype. Even though some people didn’t understand the brand at first, SNITCH has grown by paying attention to Indian men, who are often forgotten in the fashion world. Because of this, it’s now a well-known name in the fashion and lifestyle direct-to-consumer market in India.

The opening of the 100th store shows something bigger: physical stores are becoming very important for online brands to grow. SNITCH’s growth shows how having both online and physical stores is changing the direct-to-consumer market in India.

Read more →

Oben Electric Raises ₹85 Cr to Accelerate D2C EV Expansion and Build a Pan-India Motorcycle Network

Oben Electric, an Indian electric motorcycle startup, has secured ₹85 crore (about $10 million) in a pre-Series B funding round. This is a key step for India’s quickly growing D2C scene.

The funding came from Indian-American family offices in the U.S. with backgrounds in manufacturing, plus angel investors like Raj K Soin, Musa Dakri, and Ramesh Bhutada.

Oben Electric will use the money to grow its distribution, strengthen its direct retail, and launch products. The goal is to build a strong EV brand in India that focuses on service. This funding shows that investors have confidence in the D2C business model in India, especially for electric vehicles.

Madhumita Agrawal, Dinkar Agrawal, and Sagar Thakkar founded Oben Electric in 2020. The company currently sells three versions of its Rorr electric motorcycle. Oben is focused on motorcycles, unlike other companies that lead with scooters. Their plan centers around motorcycles as main vehicles, which influences their choices about expansion, service, and manufacturing.

Read more →

Business Boost:

Heads Up For Tails Set to Raise $25 Mn Series B Led by Apparel Group, Signals Next Phase of D2C Pet Care Growth

Heads Up For Tails, a well-known pet care brand in India, is close to securing $25 million in Series B funding

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Apparel Group (AGI), the Indian branch of a Dubai company, is leading the funding round, with Malinea Pte Care Limited also participating. This investment shows growing interest in top consumer brands. The deal is expected to close soon, with funds arriving in the coming weeks.

Heads Up For Tails has reached ₹400 crore in annual revenue, making it a leading D2C brand in India’s pet care market.

Founded by Samarth Narang, the company has grown by offering premium products, using its knowledge of the pet care market, and building a strong physical presence. It sells a variety of items, including food, accessories, grooming products, and wellness products, aiming to be a complete pet care provider.

The company now lists over 13,000 products from over 250 brands and runs a large pet retail network with 115 stores and 95 pet spas in over 18 cities. It also sells its products online. This mix of online and offline sales has helped the brand grow while building customer trust.

Read more →

Wint Wealth Raises ₹120 Cr in Series B at ~₹700 Cr Valuation, Led by Vertex Ventures

The wealth management platform, from Bengaluru, is getting ready to raise ₹120 crore (about $13.3 million) in a Series B funding round led by Vertex Ventures. This is its first big fundraising in over three and a half years. The round values Wint Wealth at around ₹700 crore ($80 million) after the money is added, which shows that investors are increasingly confident in D2C wealth platforms.

According to filings with the Registrar of Companies, Wint Wealth’s board has agreed to issue 94,047 Series B compulsory convertible preference shares at ₹12,804 each, allowing the company to raise ₹120 crore. Vertex Ventures will be the main investor with ₹77.52 crore, while Unitary Fund, Eight Roads Ventures, and 3one4 Capital will also participate with ₹18.7 crore, ₹13 crore, and ₹8.16 crore, respectively. Rainmatter, Zerodha’s incubation section, is also joining with a ₹3 crore investment.

After the funding, Vertex Ventures is expected to own 10.96% of Wint Wealth, while 3one4 Capital, Unitary Fund, Rainmatter, and ERVI Technology (part of Eight Roads Ventures) will own 8.54%, 8.32%, 2.55%, and 1.84%, respectively. The company might raise more money as part of the Series B, which could change its valuation and share distribution even more.

Read more →

Cura Care to Raise ₹27 Cr to Redefine Urban Dental Wellness in India with At-Home Care Model

India’s D2C ecosystem continues to witness strong momentum in early-stage funding, and Bengaluru-based wellness startup Cura Care is emerging as a notable name in the urban healthcare space. The D2C dental wellness brand is reportedly in advanced discussions to raise nearly ₹27 crore (around $3 million), marking an important milestone in its journey to make professional dental care more accessible, convenient, and consumer-friendly.

Sources familiar with the development indicate that the upcoming round will see participation from existing investor Zeropearl as a follow-on investor, along with interest from new investors. The round is not being led by any existing investor, according to people close to the matter. If completed, this fundraise would further strengthen Cura Care’s position among the latest D2C startup news stories in India, highlighting growing investor interest in service-led, tech-enabled wellness brands.

Founded in January 2025 by IIT Delhi alumni Abhinav Kumar and Chinmay Mittal, along with oral surgeon Dr. Paminder Singh, Cura Care is building a differentiated direct-to-consumer healthcare brand within India’s rapidly expanding $60 billion wellness industry. The startup focuses on a traditionally underserved category—preventive and routine dental care—by bringing clinical-grade services directly to consumers’ homes.

Read more →

Founders funded :

Blinq Mobility Secures ₹4.3 Cr in Pre-Seed Funding to Accelerate Battery-Swapping EVs for Urban Transport

Electric vehicles are becoming more popular in India, and Blinq Mobility is a startup that’s helping to shape the future of city transportation. Founded by IIT Delhi alumni, the company has secured ₹4.3 crore in a pre-seed funding round. This money will help them develop battery-swapping electric vehicles designed for city fleets that are used a lot.

The funding was led by 8i Ventures, a venture capital firm for early-stage businesses. Other participants included IIMA Ventures, AIC Banasthali Vidyapith, and several angel investors. This funding puts Blinq Mobility on the list of new D2C startups in India, showing that investors are increasingly confident in hardware and tech-focused mobility startups that solve real operational problems.

Blinq Mobility was started by a team of engineers with lots of experience in electric vehicle systems. They are creating EVs for intensive city uses like ride-hailing, fleet logistics, and shared mobility. The founders have experience with Formula Student electric race cars and EV component , giving the startup a solid technical base. Ankit, the CTO, previously worked on Tesla’s Cybertruck and Robotaxi programs, while co-founder Abhilasha has expertise in battery technology and EV systems.

Read more →

Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor Invested in Luxury Jewellery Startup QWEEN, Signalling a New Era in Experiential D2C Fine Jewellery

Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor have put money into QWEEN, a new luxury jewelry business. The brand wants to change how Indian customers find, try, and buy nice jewelry.

This D2C brand, backed by celebrities, calls itself India’s first fine jewelry platform focused on experience and self-. This marks a change in India’s growing Direct-to-Consumer market.

Along with Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor’s investments, Rosy Blue and Kashikey Co. Ltd. from Japan have made a big commitment of ₹1,000 crore. This support gives QWEEN strong financial backing and good supply-chain abilities. It shows that investors are more confident in high-end D2C brands in India that mix good work with retail focused on customer experience. People in the Indian D2C scene are watching this as one of the most noticeable celebrity-backed D2C businesses recently.

Read more →

“It’s actually easier to build a D2C brand today than it was when we started.”

It’s a statement many founders resist — but Arjun Vaidya speaks from lived experience.

Seven years ago, D2C had no playbook. Warehouses were drawn on paper, logistics partners were educated on COD, India Post handled deliveries, and RTOs often crossed 50%, breaking unit economics and brand trust. Everything ran on jugaad.

What founders now take for granted — courier intelligence, pin-code optimisation, routing engines — simply didn’t exist.

The shift came when early logistics platforms brought structure to chaos. Founders could finally focus on product, marketing, and scale, while systems handled the backend. Over time, these tools evolved into full-stack operating layers powered by data, not guesswork.

India is still complex — 19,000+ pin codes and uneven infrastructure — but today, the rails are stronger and the tools are smarter.

There are more brands now.

But the odds of success are higher — if execution is right.

₹100 crore is no longer the finish line.

It’s the starting point.

The journey isn’t easy —

but it is scalable.

🚀 D2C Insider Weekly Update

CXO Meet – North × Elevate Cohort 5 Demo Day

North India’s D2C ecosystem is coming together for a high-impact evening of ideas, execution, and real conversations.

This edition of CXO Meet – North, in collaboration with Elevate Cohort 5 Demo Day, brings founders, operators, investors, and ecosystem leaders into one room — to exchange scale-ready insights, explore partnerships, and witness emerging D2C brands pitch their journeys.

📍 Delhi

🗓 10th January

⏰ 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Expect sharp discussions, founder-led learnings, and live demos from the next wave of consumer brands — all focused on growth beyond decks and theory.

If you’re building, investing, or enabling D2C, this is a room you want to be in.

👉 Register now and join the conversation.

• Honasa Enters Men’s Grooming with Reginald Men Acquisition, Strengthening Its D2C Growth Play

• Crompton Bets Big on Tier II & III India, Targets ₹15,000 Cr Turnover with Omnichannel D2C Push

• CaratLane Launches Shaya Diamonds, Entering the Silver Diamond Jewellery Segment

• Rotoris Raises $3M Seed Round to Build a Global Premium D2C Watch Brand from India

• SuperYou Raises $7 Mn Series B Led by V3 Ventures, Accelerates India’s Protein-First D2C Nutrition Play

• Lucira Targets ₹100 Cr Revenue, Accelerates Offline Expansion to Build a Profitable Omnichannel D2C Jewellery Brand
  

👇 Scroll down for:

National Disruptors | Business Boost | Founders Funded | Founder’s Corner

National disrupters

Honasa Enters Men’s Grooming with Reginald Men Acquisition, Strengthening Its D2C Growth Play

Honasa Consumer Limited, known for brands like Mamaearth and The Derma Co, is moving into men’s personal care by buying Reginald Men. The deal, worth ₹195 crore and announced on December 11, marks Honasa’s first big step into the men’s grooming space. This supports their plan to shape the future of India’s direct-to-consumer market.

In what might be remembered as a key direct-to-consumer deal of 2025, Honasa will acquire 95% of BTM Ventures Pvt Ltd, which owns Reginald Men, through a secondary sale. After a year, they’ll buy the remaining 5% at a price agreed upon by both parties. This action fits with the trend of established Indian direct-to-consumer companies growing their business by buying other brands instead of developing everything themselves.

Reginald Men, started in August 2022 by Trisha Reddy Talasani, quickly became a popular premium direct-to-consumer personal care brand for men. In just over two years, the brand made over ₹70 crore in revenue between November 2024 and October 2025, with profit margins close to 25%. Their Helios Moisturizing Sunscreen has become the most searched sunscreen for men on Google in India, showing how a focused approach can drive fast direct-to-consumer revenue.

For Honasa, this purchase gives them quick entry to a growing consumer group. Men’s grooming and skincare is expanding fast within the Indian direct-to-consumer beauty market, driven by changing consumer habits and online trends. Reginald Men’s success in South India also strengthens Honasa’s reach, supporting their plans to grow beyond major cities.

Varun Alagh, Co-Founder and CEO of Honasa Consumer Limited, mentioned that Reginald Men’s grasp of the modern male consumer and their quick actions align with Honasa’s goals. This shows a move toward buying brands with good performance, strong profit margins, and clear leadership in their category, instead of just focusing on size.

Read more →

River Mobility Marks 20,000 Indie Scooter Production Milestone, Accelerating Its D2C EV Growth Journey

River Mobility just hit a big milestone, delivering its 20,000th Indie electric scooter from its Hoskote plant in Karnataka. This comes just two years after the Indie launched and six months after hitting the 10,000-unit mark. This shows they’re ramping up production, demand is up, and their direct-to-consumer strategy in India is working.

Looking at D2C trends in India, River Mobility’s progress shows how a good product and careful growth can create momentum in capital-heavy areas like EVs. Unlike some startups, EV brands in India need to handle manufacturing, retail growth, and customer experience all at once. River doubling production in six months suggests growing trust in their brand and readiness to scale.

Aravind Mani and Vipin George started River Mobility in March 2021. They’ve carved out a place as a premium, city-focused electric scooter brand for daily commutes. The Indie scooter has gained popularity among city riders looking for durability, storage, and practicality. This has allowed River to expand from Bengaluru to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra, strengthening its market presence.

As part of their D2C plans, River opened a store in Delhi and launched the Indie Gen 3, their latest scooter. These upgrades prove River focuses on D2C product releases based on real-world feedback, not just cosmetic changes. Right now, they have almost 40 stores across India, with a good footprint in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Coimbatore. They plan to enter Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, signaling an aggressive but measured omnichannel D2C approach.

Read more →

Business boost

Crompton Bets Big on Tier II & III India, Targets ₹15,000 Cr Turnover with Omnichannel D2C Push

Crompton, with 85 years in the business, is now targeting Tier II and Tier III markets. It’s working to build a stronger, modern shopping experience for customers in India, both online and in stores.

Known for its reliable fans and pumps, Crompton is now a well-known brand for electrical and home appliances in India. It’s the world’s biggest ceiling fan company, a long-time leader in residential pumps, a top online seller of water heaters, and the biggest name in mixer grinders. The company holds about 10% of the market in these areas. Over time, Crompton has moved into water heaters, air coolers, kitchen appliances, and new areas like solar pumps and rooftop solutions, growing its potential market.

A major step for Crompton was buying Butterfly, which improved its kitchen appliance selection and boosted its mixer grinder sales. This fits with the trend of big companies using purchases to strengthen their hold on certain product categories and increase online sales. Today, Crompton wants to not just sell products, but provide solutions for daily household needs through good design, energy efficiency, and lasting value.

This change, called “Crompton 2.0” internally, means the company is focusing more on being relevant, quick, and understanding what consumers want. Crompton is paying attention to changing lifestyles, the desire for higher-end products, and the need for convenience. Research and development investments are driving new products, with a focus on premium and high-performing items.

Crompton’s plan to sell both online and in stores is key to its growth. It has a strong network of over 6,000 distributors and almost 300,000 stores in both cities and rural areas, providing a reach that many online-only businesses can’t match. At the same time, its online sales, including e-commerce platforms and its own website, have grown fast. While physical stores still bring in about 80–85% of revenue, Crompton’s online business has reached ₹1,000 crore and is growing by more than 20% each year.

Read more →

CaratLane Launches Shaya Diamonds, Entering the Silver Diamond Jewellery Segment

CaratLane, the Tata Group-backed jewelry seller, is changing the Indian jewelry market with its new Shaya Diamonds line. This line features real diamonds in 925 silver.

This move expands the product range for a well-known Indian brand, showing how established yet modern companies are adjusting to new customer behaviors, price concerns, and preferences for jewelry that can be worn daily. Shaya Diamonds is a timely answer to high gold prices and shifting demands. By offering real diamonds at reasonable prices, CaratLane is making it easier for first-time buyers, younger shoppers, and those buying gifts to enter the market. These groups are increasingly boosting sales in the online jewelry business in India. Prices start at ₹5,000, making it an affordable way to own diamond jewelry without the high cost of gold.

Shaya Diamonds is designed to be a mix of fancy jewelry and everyday wear. CaratLane says this is the first time real diamonds have been widely offered in 925 silver settings in India. This approach combines stylish designs with practicality and value, which appeals to online shoppers in India who want versatile, frequently used, and personalized items rather than pieces for special occasions only.

Saumen Bhaumik, Managing Director at CaratLane, said that diamonds are still key to the brand. As gold prices increase, Shaya Diamonds gives customers a new way to buy real diamonds without spending too much. This fits with current market trends, where brands are coming up with new materials, styles, and prices to keep growing while maintaining value.

The launch also strengthens Shaya by CaratLane, the retailer’s brand that focuses on individuality and modern design. Ajith Singh R, Associate Vice President and Business Head at Shaya, said that using diamonds with silver brings a fresh, everyday feel to jewelry, making it appealing for more than just weddings or investments. This design-focused approach places Shaya Diamonds in the online fashion and lifestyle conversation.

Read more →

Founders funded

Rotoris Raises $3M Seed Round to Build a Global Premium D2C Watch Brand from India

Rotoris, an analog watch brand driven by engineering, got $3 million in seed funding this December to create what it calls India’s first truly global watch brand. Backers include Nikhil Kamath, Vivek Anand Oberoi, Venture Catalysts, 100 Unicorns, Tanmay Bhat, and over 30 Indian founders.

Co-founded by Aakash Anand, who grew Bella Vita Organic into India’s biggest fragrance company, serial entrepreneur Prerna Gupta, Anant Narula, and Kunal Kapania, Rotoris is building a premium, direct-to-consumer India brand focused on modern watchmaking. They aim to blend design, mechanics, and global goals.

The money will go towards better manufacturing and assembly, upgrading engineering, a stronger supply chain, new inventory, and the first Rotoris Experience Store. The company will also invest in talent for product, design, and brand. This all supports their aim to grow as a global direct-to-consumer brand from India. These moves show a trend of premium direct-to-consumer brands in India expanding into omnichannel brand building.

Investor Vivek Anand Oberoi sees Rotoris as a mix of Indian ambition and global engineering, while Tanmay Bhat noted the brand’s emotional appeal and vision. Other backers include Varun Alagh (Mamaearth), Gaurav Khatri (Noise), Siddharth Dungarwal (Snitch), Vishesh Khurana (Shiprocket), and Arjun Vaidya (Dr. Vaidya’s), showing confidence in the brand.

Read more →

SuperYou Raises $7 Mn Series B Led by V3 Ventures, Accelerates India’s Protein-First D2C Nutrition Play

SuperYou, a celebrity-backed D2C protein brand, has secured ₹63 crore ($7 million) in Series B funding. V3 Ventures led the round, with participation from existing investors Rainmatter and Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund. This funding marks a key step for the young brand and shows growing investor confidence in India’s quickly changing D2C wellness and nutrition market.

Launched in November 2024 under Think9 Consumer, SuperYou combines Direct-to-Consumer sales in India, functional nutrition, and modern snacking. The company was founded by Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and entrepreneur Nikunj Biyani, nephew of Future Group founder Kishore Biyani. In less than a year, SuperYou has become one of the fastest-growing D2C startups in a very competitive market.

According to filings, SuperYou’s value after this funding is now between ₹600–660 crore ($66–73 million), showing good growth in sales and distribution. The brand is reportedly operating at an ARR of ₹150 crore and aims for ₹1,000 crore in annual sales within five years, with a long-term goal of 15% EBITDA margins. This makes SuperYou one of the most ambitious D2C brands in India’s nutrition market.

The new funding will support research and development, wider distribution, and team growth, as SuperYou focuses more on product innovation and expansion. With increased protein consumption and health awareness in India, the brand is creating a range of products that combine taste, convenience, and health benefits—an approach that fits with current D2C consumer behavior in India.

Read more →

“Our strongest growth is coming from physical stores—we’ve opened two in Mumbai and Pune in just three months and are scaling to 8–10 stores across major cities by FY26”

Lucira, a brand specializing in lab-grown diamonds, is aiming for ₹100 crore in sales within three years. They’re increasing their focus on physical stores while building a strong online and offline brand.

Started as an online company eight months ago, Lucira is now investing heavily in brick-and-mortar stores, as this change reflects a trend where D2C (direct-to-consumer) brands in India prioritize building trust through in-person experiences.

According to co-founder Rupesh Jain, their strongest growth has come from their physical locations. In the past three months, they’ve opened two stores in Mumbai and Pune, with plans to open a third soon. By fiscal year 2026, Lucira wants to have 8–10 stores in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, choosing locations on main streets and in malls to attract more customers.

Each store will be about 800–1,000 sq. ft., costing around ₹60–70 lakh to set up. Lucira is currently running these stores themselves to maintain control and consistency. They aim for each store to be profitable within six to nine months. Their first store is already profitable, which reinforces their confidence in their offline retail strategy.

While Lucira started online, most of its sales now come from physical stores (85%), with the remaining 15% from online channels. They see their website as a tool for customers to research before making purchases in person. The average online order is ₹35,000–₹40,000, while in-store purchases average ₹65,000–₹70,000. This mix shows the strength of Lucira’s combined online and offline strategy.

Lucira offers about 1,500 lab-grown diamond products, including everyday and special-occasion jewelry. The brand focuses on design, sustainability, and affordability, which aligns with what Indian consumers want.

Lucira has received nearly ₹45 crore in funding from Bloom Ventures and Spring Marketing Capital. They’re using about 60% of this money to expand their distribution and retail presence, with the rest going towards hiring, operations, and store setup. The company is currently spending ₹50–60 lakh per month and expects to break even in the next two to three years.

As competition increases in the Indian D2C market, Lucira’s focus on carefully planned offline expansion, prioritising store profitability, and a solid online and offline approach should allow it to become a leading lab-grown diamond brand in India.

📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — IT’S TODAY 🚀

Today’s the day.

The D2C Insider Regional CXO Meet – West goes live in Mumbai.

Founders. Operators. Decision-makers.

One room. Real conversations. Real connections.

And once the discussions wrap up…

The D2C Mafia After Party takes over — an unforgettable night with the people building India’s consumer future.

Badges ready. Energy high.

Let’s make this one to remember.

Mumbai, see you today. 🔥✨

National Disruptors:

Ola Electric Steps Into EV Manufacturing Leadership with 4680 Bharat Cell Deliveries

Ola Electric has started delivering vehicles with their Bharat Cell 4680 battery, made in India. This makes them the first Indian company to design, make, and put together both the battery pack and cell themselves. This gives Ola Electric more control over their product supply and changes the game for the country’s EV industry.

The S1 Pro+ (5.2 kWh) electric scooter uses this tech first. It’s the first in India with the 4680 Bharat Cell, which means it can go farther, perform better, and is safer. It has a 13 kW motor that goes from 0–40 kmph in just 2.1 seconds. The S1 Pro+ can travel 320 km and has four modes: Hyper, Sports, Normal, and Eco. They’ve also added dual ABS, disc brakes in the front and back, better design, comfortable seats, and new colors to make it feel like a high-end EV.

A company person said this is more than just a better product. Deliveries are happening now, and people are happily riding the first Indian scooters with our 4680 Bharat Cell. This is huge, not just for Ola, but for India to become a main player in the EV world. This rollout is a key change, showing Ola’s move from putting EVs together to being a major force in energy and mobility. This lines up with the bigger story of Indian D2C updates, where local innovation is starting to replace the need to import tech.

Read more →

Virat Kohli Takes Equity Leap in Agilitas Sports as One8 Joins Its Brand Universe

Virat Kohli is moving beyond just endorsing brands. He’s now becoming a brand builder with real skin in the game, investing ₹40 crore in Agilitas Sports and bringing his One8 athleisure brand into their portfolio.

This change shows how the D2C scene in India is growing up. Celeb-backed brands are moving from just showing up in ads to actually owning part of the business. Agilitas Sports announced this through a video from Co-founder & CEO Abhishek Ganguly. This partnership points to a long-term plan for building a brand with tech, production, and a global game plan. This fits right in with where D2C market is headed in 2025.

Kohli and Ganguly’s relationship goes back ten years to their time at Puma. They previously worked together to create and grow One8 through a licensing setup with Puma. Kohli turned down a contract renewal worth a reported ₹300 crore to take a stake in Agilitas. This move sends a clear message that owning equity brings more value in the long run than endorsements.

Read more →

Dr. Paws Raises ₹29.3 Crore to Build India’s Fastest-Growing Veterinary Care Network, Strengthening Its D2C Pet Care Vision

Bengaluru-based veterinary clinic chain Dr. Paws, has secured ₹29.3 crore ($3.5 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Chiratae Ventures, marking it as positive news for the D2C sector in India. Sauce, an existing investor, also participated in the round, along with venture debt from Trifecta Capital and Stride Ventures. This shows growing investor confidence in the quickly growing D2C pet care brands area.

Dr. Paws plans to use the new funds to support a D2C growth strategy. This includes adding nine new clinics in Bengaluru by 2026, expanding into Hyderabad and Pune, and starting at-home veterinary services. The business also intends to introduce its own brand of pet treats, supplements, and pet food, in response to increasing demand for specialized, science-backed products and rise of direct-to-consumer sales in pet food in India.

Udit Gadkary and Rakesh Santhapur founded Dr. Paws, which runs 24/7 veterinary clinics that offer consultations, surgeries, diagnostics, and preventive care. With three clinics open and two more being built, the brand is setting itself up as one of the newest D2C startups addressing quality, availability, and transparency issues in India’s developing pet healthcare sector. Since it began, Dr. Paws has handled over 30,000 appointments and 800 surgeries. Each clinic has become profitable within five months, which suggests possible scaling and solid D2C business practices in India.

Read more →

Business Boost:

Inito Raises $29 Million Series B to Build the Future of AI-Led At-Home Diagnostics

Inito has secured $29 million in Series B funding, a big step for both the company and the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space in India.

Bertelsmann India Investments led the round, with continued support from Fireside Ventures. This brings Inito’s total funding to $45 million. In a time where D2C news in India often revolves around science-backed, consumer-focused innovations, Inito is a fast-growing D2C brand that’s changing how we monitor our health at home.

Aayush Rai and Varun AV started Inito in 2021. Their first product was an AI-powered at-home fertility monitor that provides reliable hormone testing without needing a lab visit. Since then, Inito has analyzed over 30 million hormone data points and assisted tens of thousands of pregnancies, a number comparable to the annual IVF cycles in the U.S. This extensive data makes Inito a global leader in AI-driven diagnostics and a standout in India’s direct-to-consumer market, where advanced science and everyday convenience are coming together.

The new funding will help Inito create a universal at-home diagnostics platform using AI-engineered antibodies. This is a huge shift from traditional antibody development and a bold move in the D2C industry. The founders aim to let people regularly check their health from anywhere with clinical accuracy. Inito plans to redesign diagnostic tools into smart, digital, user-friendly products, monitoring everything from hormones impacting fertility and metabolism to markers affecting sleep, mood, and long-term health.

Read more →

Earthful Raises ₹26 Crore to Scale Women’s Health & Preventive Nutrition, Strengthening Its Position in India’s D2C Wellness Ecosystem

Plant-based nutrition startup Earthful has secured ₹26 crore ($2.89 million) in a pre-Series A round led by Fireside Ventures and V3 Ventures, with participation from Atrium Angels. This funding is a key step for the brand and the D2C space in India, where wellness brands are creating new categories. After getting nearly $1 million in earlier funding and appearing on Shark Tank India, Earthful is now a D2C startup changing clean-label nutrition in India.

Earthful’s sales have grown more than threefold in the past year, with returning customers driving most of the income. This shows that Indian consumers are increasingly interested in preventive wellness and simple nutrition. Founded by sisters Veda Gogineni and Sudha Gogineni, the brand stands out among D2C wellness startups because it focuses on science-backed, plant-based recipes and clear ingredient lists. It also aims to make nutrition available for women at all stages of life. This growth matches D2C market expectations, where areas like women’s health, clean supplements, and plant proteins are still growing.

The new funds will help Earthful grow its D2C business, especially in women’s health, which the founders see as an important but underserved area. The company plans to expand its teams in Hyderabad and Mumbai, improve product research, and invest in brand growth, digital strategies, and distribution to build a strong D2C business in India. This funding shows that investors are increasingly interested in VC-backed D2C brands, particularly those combining science and consumer wellness.

Read more →

Conscious Chemist Raises $1.8 Mn to Accelerate Product Innovation and Target Rs 500 Cr ARR

Conscious Chemist, a rapidly growing skincare brand, has secured Rs 15 crore (about $1.8 million) in bridge funding led by Atomic Capital. First Port Capital and IPV International also participated, showing confidence in the company’s science-backed method and its place in the quickly changing Indian direct-to-consumer beauty market.

This funding is crucial for Conscious Chemist as they aim to disrupt the beauty and skincare category. They plan to use the funds to strengthen their leadership, expand their inventory and marketing, and invest in research for product improvements. The brand is also planning to expand into scalp and hair care, a new area in the wellness market that is expected to grow.

Founded in 2021 by Robin Gupta and Prakher Mathur, Conscious Chemist stands out by using clinical-grade ingredients and dermatological insights. With over 30 products, including acne treatments, sunscreens, and serums, the brand uses ingredients like salicylic acid, ceramides, peptides, and retinol. This product method aligns with current consumer trends, where people value ingredient knowledge when making purchases.

Read more →

Founders Funded:

NeoSapien Raises $2 Million to Build India’s First AI-Native Wearable Ecosystem

In exciting D2C news from India, NeoSapien, a Bengaluru-based startup focused on wearable intelligence, has secured $2 million (₹18 crore) in seed funding. Merak Ventures led the round, with participation from prominent angel investors like Awais Ahmed from Pixxel, Anupam Mittal, Sameer Mehta from boAt, Namita Thapar, and Aprameya Radhakrishna.

This funding is a key moment for NeoSapien and the broader D2C space in India, where consumer tech innovations are gaining momentum. Founded in 2024 by Dhananjay Yadav and Aryan Yadav, NeoSapien is developing what many think could be a brand new category in D2C: AI-powered wearables designed to make everyday conversations more useful and insightful. Their main product, Neo 1, acts as a constant Personal AI Assistant, or second brain. It remembers things, thinks in real-time, understands multiple languages, and provides relevant advice based on context. Neo 1 supports more than 100 languages. It combines hardware and AI to give users a way to easily capture, process, and organize their daily lives.

This seed funding, a notable one in the AI-wearable category, will help NeoSapien speed up product development, increase market presence, and expand its engineering, design, and sales teams. This comes at a time when AI assistant wearables are becoming more popular worldwide, and investors expect NeoSapien to become a fast-growing D2C brand in the Indian tech hardware market.

Read more →

Toffee Coffee Roasters Raises ₹5 Crore to Scale Its D2C Coffee Revolution Across India

Toffee Coffee Roasters, a specialty coffee brand that’s quickly making a name for itself in India’s booming direct-to-consumer (D2C) market, just landed ₹5 crore in a pre-Series A funding round. Investment firm IPV led the round, with contributions from 66 bridge partners, Abhijit Vemuganti, and Invesst.

This investment shows that people are becoming more confident in D2C brands in India, especially those that are changing the game when it comes to high-quality experiences in the food and beverage sector. Toffee Coffee Roasters, based in Mumbai, has already gained recognition on Shark Tank India and has the backing of Ritesh Agarwal. It’s now standing out as one of the D2C startups that’s bringing fresh ideas to India’s premium coffee scene.

Back in 2020, Toffee Coffee Roasters shifted its focus from a café-based business to a D2C model that prioritizes delivery across India. Since then, it’s become a major player in the D2C world, thanks to its consistent performance and innovative supply chain. The brand now serves over 200,000 customers through online marketplaces, its own website, and quick commerce channels. All of this happens at its 10,000 sq ft roastery, where they handle everything from sourcing and processing to roasting and packaging under one roof. This streamlined, direct approach allows them to offer better prices, higher quality, and greater transparency – all things that are important to today’s D2C businesses and customers.

Read more →

Lumov Raises $1.2 Mn to Scale Orthopedic Recovery Innovation and Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships

Lumov, an orthopedic recovery startup based in Bengaluru, just got $1.2 million (Rs 10 crore) in seed funding led by Incubate Fund Asia. Others who chipped in include QRG Investments & Holdings (Havells Family Office), IIMA Ventures, SIDBI, and angel investors like Ashish Gupta, Saket Narang, Abhishek Goyal, and Arjun Vaidya. This shows investors are more and more sure about direct-to-consumer healthcare solutions that have solid clinical backing.

This new funding is a big deal for Lumov’s growth plans. The company plans to use the money to create new products, make things, build stronger partnerships with surgeons, and grow in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. This plan reflects what’s happening in the D2C market, where healthcare-focused and VC-backed brands are becoming more popular as people want specialized products that deliver results.

Saumaric Dangwal and Ankit Gupta started Lumov to create orthopedic recovery and rehab products for things like post-surgery recovery, pain control, and long-term mobility. These are areas that haven’t always been well-served in the Indian healthcare system. Unlike other rehab brands, Lumov works directly with orthopedic specialists at top hospitals like Manipal, Apollo, Sakra, and AIG. This helps them create products that tackle specific musculoskeletal problems in India, which sets them apart in the D2C world.

Read more →

“Is it even a goal if it doesn’t scare you?”

When Go Zero was just beginning in 2022, monthly revenue was ₹3 lakh — yet the target was ₹1 crore a month. The kind of goal that feels more like a leap of faith than a plan. And behind that ambition, Kiran carried something most founders hesitate to admit: fear.

Fear of things breaking at scale.

Fear of the product failing at volume.

Fear of the dream collapsing under its own weight.

The gap between where they were and where they wanted to be felt enormous — like a paper boat dreaming of becoming a yacht. But fear, he realised, was not a sign to stop. It was a sign they were aiming high enough.

Three summers later, Go Zero crossed ₹100 crore ARR with a team of under 40 people.

But the fear didn’t go away.

Now the ₹500 crore ARR goal scares him the same way ₹100 crore once did — and that’s exactly why he knows it’s the right target.

Because unreasonable goals cannot be reached through funding or motivation alone.

They demand systems, discipline, and a team that believes in the impossible just as much as you do.

Kiran didn’t build Go Zero to play it safe.

If ₹100 crore was possible, ₹500 crore is simply the next uncomfortable milestone.

The gap between where you are and where you want to be?

That’s not the problem.

That’s the point

📌 D2C INSIDER WEEKLY UPDATE — A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER (MUMBAI)

The CXO Meet – West is coming to Mumbai, and we’re opening volunteer applications for those who want to experience something truly special.

This is a unique opportunity to:

• Work closely with the D2C Insider core team

• Meet inspiring founders, operators, and creators

• Understand how powerful communities are built

• Be part of an event that creates real impact in the ecosystem

If you’re enthusiastic, curious, and love being around growth-driven people — this will be an incredible experience.

📍 Mumbai

🗓 20 December

⏰ 2 PM – 8 PM

Apply to volunteer:

👉d2ci.co/Volunteer-Reg

Step in, contribute, learn — and make this milestone event even more memorable. 🌟🚀

Ultraviolette Raises $45 Mn to Accelerate Global Expansion and Scale Production of Electric Motorcycles

Ultraviolette, an electric vehicle company, has secured $45 million in its Series E funding, led by Zoho Corporation and Lingotto. This investment shows strong faith in the company’s plans for electric vehicles.

Though the final amount and value aren’t public, this funding shows institutions are interested in high-end, well-designed EV brands coming from India. following a $21 million raise in August 2025, this round stands at $66 million. To date, Ultraviolette has raised $145 million with investments from TVS Motor Company, Mudhal Partners, and others, making it one of India’s top-funded advanced mobility brands.

The money will go towards increasing production of their F77 electric motorcycle and newly X47 crossover. They are also speeding up work on new platforms, codenamed Shockwave and Tesseract, which should grow their product line and boost India’s position as a hub for mobility innovation.

Read more →

Kay Beauty Crosses ₹350 Crore in Gross Sales, Emerges as India’s Most Successful Celebrity-Led Beauty Brand

In a market where many celebrity ventures don’t last, Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has changed the game for direct-to-consumer brands in India. It has become a leader in the D2C beauty and skincare market. Launched in 2019, just before the pandemic, Kay Beauty has become one of the fastest-growing D2C brands in the beauty world. This success is due to smart D2C strategies, well-thought-out products, and a deep understanding of what Indian D2C customers want.

Kay Beauty’s gross sales passed ₹350 crore in FY2026, a jump of 46% from the previous year. The brand, co-founded by Katrina Kaif with Nykaa, is now one of the top five best-selling brands on Nykaa, even though other celebrity brands are spending a lot on marketing. In an industry closely watched by D2C news, Kay Beauty’s success is because of its profitable and consistent growth.

The Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) for Kay Beauty was ₹240 crore in FY2025, growing to ₹350 crore in gross sales in FY2026. While GMV is the total value of products sold, gross sales show how well the products are selling before any discounts. These figures are rare, even for well-funded D2C brands, proving that Kay Beauty’s revenue growth is not just due to discounts or celebrity hype.

Read more →

The Bear House Makes Global Leap With First International Store in Dubai, Sets Stage for D2C Fashion Expansion

The Bear House, a popular Indian D2C fashion brand, has gone global with its first international store in Dubai’s Al Ghurair Centre. The 1,100 sq. ft. store marks the menswear label’s start in global retail, with plans to grow in the Middle East and Europe.

Started in 2017 by Tanvi and Harsh Somaiya, The Bear House made a name for itself in Indian fashion with European-style menswear and a strong omnichannel plan. The brand’s move into international retail shows the growing global interest in Indian fashion brands. This is a big step for The Bear House and the D2C movement, with more Indian brands expanding outside the country.

For Harsh and Tanvi, the Dubai store is a dream come true. They said, “We’ve always wanted The Bear House to be a brand that appeals to young men everywhere. Dubai is just the start of building a global group who love our designs and comfort.” This matches the trend of D2C brands aiming for international markets sooner.

Read more →

Business Boost:

Furlenco Raises ₹125 Crore to Accelerate Growth, Eyes IPO as Profitable D2C Furniture Brand Scales Nationwide

Furlenco just got a fresh ₹125 crore ($15 million) in funding. Sheela Foam Limited, the group that owns Sleepwell, led the round, along with Whiteoak and investor Madhu Kela.

This investment is a big thumbs-up for Furlenco’s business approach in India. It shows investors think the company’s plan to grow and make money is solid. Sheela Foam is now getting more involved, this round marks their first investment since they bought a 35% stake in Furlenco for ₹300 crore back in July 2023.

Furlenco plans to use the new funds to build up its retail network, add more products, and get ready for a possible IPO (going public). This move could make Furlenco a key player in the growing list of D2C companies looking to launch an IPO.

Ajith Mohan Karimpana started Furlenco in 2012. Back then, the idea of buying furniture through a subscription was pretty new in India. Furlenco’s model lets customers rent, buy, or get refurbished furniture, which is different from how most people usually buy furniture. Today, Furlenco has over 1.5 lakh active subscribers and has furnished over 10 lakh homes.

Read more →

Newme Raises Rs 108.66 Cr to Fuel Its Next Phase of D2C Fashion Growth

Newme, a fast-growing fashion brand, is making waves. They’ve secured about $12 million in Series B funding, showing investors believe in digital fashion brands that match what Indian consumers want.

Accel India and Fireside Ventures, who already supported Newme, co-led this funding round, reaffirming their confidence in the brand. Point72 Ventures is a new investor. Others, like AUM Ventures and 2am Ventures, also invested. This funding round has increased Newme’s value by nearly 41%, from about $84 million to $112 million. In a time when only strong D2C brands are getting big investments, this is a big step.

Newme previously raised $18 million in a Series A round in July 2024. With over $23 million raised so far, they’re becoming a key player changing the game in Indian retail. The decision to issue 3,447 Series B shares at about $3,770 each shows that investors are sure of the company’s growth potential.

Read more →

Founders Funded:

ReplyAll Raises ₹6.8 Cr to Build India’s All-Day Clothing Category and Redefine Functional Fashion

ReplyAll, an apparel startup located in Bengaluru, India, just got ₹6.8 crore ($750K) in its first funding round. This is good news for India’s quickly growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion industry.

The funding was led by Sparrow Capital and Antler India. Other investors included Bharat Founders Fund, DeVC, and several D2C founders like Shantanu Deshpande, Revant Bhate, Ashish Goel, Sangeet Agarwal, Navin Parwal, Nikhil Bhandarkar, and Arjun Vaidya. This investment shows that investors are paying attention to functional design, material science, and new ideas in India’s D2C brands.

ReplyAll plans to use the money to improve its products, expand its fabric engineering and design, and grow its D2C business in big cities. The company is creating a new type of clothing called all-day clothing. This apparel is made to be worn for work, travel, exercise, leisure, and everything else. This is a change from fast fashion that follows trends to apparel that is engineered for performance, starting with the fabric itself.

Rushabh Sanghavi founded ReplyAll to fill a need in the market for clothing that works well in India’s humid climate and adapts to people’s lifestyles. Their fabrics are designed to be breathable, sweat-resistant, temperature-regulating, and stretchy. ReplyAll wants to be seen as a D2C fashion and lifestyle innovator, not just another apparel brand.

Read more →

Iztri Raises ₹1.5 Cr Pre-Seed Funding from AJVC to Transform India’s Clothing-Care Ecosystem

Bengaluru’s clothing-care startup Iztri got ₹1.5 crore ($180K) in pre-seed funding from AJVC, led by Aviral Bhatnagar. This shows investors are increasingly backing new direct-to-consumer startups that use technology to fix common consumer problems with solid, scalable business plans.

Iztri is creating a standout service in India: a tech-based, consistent ironing and garment-care for homes. Where clothing care is widespread but disorganized, Iztri is shaping a category that has been casual for too long. The brand concentrates on consistent operations, on-time delivery, and easy service, making it a forward-thinking solution where ease, reliability, and digital processes are vital to consumers.

Started by Rohit Ramesh and Ankit Choudhary, Iztri tackles a widespread issue with a local, practical approach. As it grows, it could become a top direct-to-consumer brand in urban services, benefiting households and changing the lives of ironing workers. Iztri offers income stability, efficient routes, and safer work conditions, putting it at the center of direct-to-consumer business, workforce empowerment, and urban logistics improvements.

Read more →

“Never give up.”

If there’s one principle that defines Harsh Mariwala’s entrepreneurial journey, it is this.

He wasn’t the brightest student, nor the most confident. But he had absolute clarity — he wanted to build a business of his own. When he joined the family business at 20, he entered without a guidebook. His journey was shaped by wrong turns, failed products, and internal resistance, each teaching him what not to do next.

The defining moment came when he demerged and created Marico. That decision unlocked innovation, attracted the right talent, and enabled scale — transforming Marico into one of India’s most trusted consumer brands.

Harsh’s story is a reminder that success is rarely a straight path. It demands patience, reinvention, and an almost stubborn refusal to quit.

Persistence isn’t a mindset — it’s a competitive advantage.

📌 D2C INSIDER UPDATE

#1 — SUPER ANGELS

Super Angels is not a network. It’s a cheat code.

India’s first operator-led engine for new-age consumer brands is already live — and the rules are different here:

• Investment + execution

• Capital + operators who’ve scaled brands

• Playbooks, not theory

• Doors opened, not just decks evaluated

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish someone who’s actually built a brand backed mine” — this is literally that.

And if you’ve ever felt, “I want to help build the next wave of brands, not just watch from the sidelines” — this is where you do it.

Apply to pitch, join, or learn more:

👉Founder looking to raise: d2ci.co/angels-deal-rfi

👉Apply for Super Angels: d2ci.co/super-angels-apply

This isn’t just funding.

It’s founders and operators powering founders — with firepower.

#2 — CXO MEETS WEST | MUMBAI

The West is about to get loud.

Regional CXO Meets – Mumbai — the most powerful room for D2C operators, founders, and brand builders who want growth without small talk.

📍 Mumbai

🗓 20 December

⏰ 2 PM – 8 PM

Expect conversations that don’t happen online, collaborations that don’t wait, and insights that don’t come from theory.

🎟 Register now — seats move fast: cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

If D2C is your playground, this is the arena.

boAt Hits 75 Million Units, Accelerates “Make in India” Manufacturing Vision & Strengthens Supply Chain Leadership

boAt, a leader in consumer tech, announced it has made over 75 million units in India as of June 30, 2025. This makes them one of the most vertically integrated direct-to-consumer (D2C) electronics and gadget companies in India, strengthening its lead in the growing D2C market.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, 75.83% of boAt’s production was in India, up from 39.65% in fiscal year 2023. Califonix, boAt’s joint project with Dixon Technologies, made 37.46% of total units in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, producing 3.19 million units. In fiscal year 2025, Califonix reached 44.8% capacity. This project is now a strong manufacturing source in the Indian D2C market.

boAt is also working on making more PCBs, batteries, plastics, straps, and other parts locally. This could save the company 15–20% on import duties and make its supply chain stronger. This also means faster product cycles, better quality control, and quicker D2C growth, allowing boAt to compete with global tech brands.

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Marico’s Digital-First Brands Cross ₹1,000 Cr ARR, Targets 2.5X Growth and 10% EBITDA by FY27

Marico’s digital-first brands have reached a significant milestone, exceeding ₹1,000 crore in annual recurring revenue (ARR). This achievement underscores the company’s move from a traditional leader in its category to a digitally driven consumer brand portfolio focused on long-term profits.

According to MD & CEO Saugata Gupta, Marico is entering a phase where its digital-first and premium personal care brands will reshape its domestic offerings. The company aims to increase its FY24 ARR by 2.5x and achieve a 10% EBITDA by FY27, using a disciplined approach centered on profitable expansion across its D2C business.

Marico’s digital portfolio includes fast-growing D2C brands like Beardo, True Elements, Just Herbs, and Plix, which are expanding through a strategic presence across multiple channels and consumer-focused brand strategies. Beardo is nearly profitable with double-digit EBITDA, and Plix, a D2C wellness brand, has reached break-even, showing that VC-backed D2C brands can achieve profitable business models. True Elements and Just Herbs, in the D2C food and beverage and Ayurveda categories, respectively, are expected to break even in the next 18 months, as per Gupta.

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Ace International Secures $35 Mn to Build Asia’s First Advanced Dairy Nutrition Complex, Accelerates India’s Food-Tech Ambitions

Ace International Limited is starting a new phase of growth, having secured $35 million (₹305 crore) in funding. This important investment round was led by FMO, responsAbility, Incofin, and Fiedlin Ventures, with Inval Capital as the advisor.

This is Ace International’s first time getting funds from institutions, positioning the company to greatly impact India’s dairy nutrition and food scene. With more attention on D2C (direct-to-consumer) news in India, D2C funding rounds, and Indian D2C updates, this shows a big change in how food ingredient brands are growing from India to the rest of the world.

The money will go toward a new nutrition and dairy ingredients complex in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh. This project brings advanced dairy tech to Asia for the first time. With this complex, Ace International can produce high-quality nutrition ingredients for things like baby food, sports nutrition, and drinks, allowing India to be a part of global nutrition value chains with strong tech.

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Business Boost :

Mirana Toys Raises ₹57.5 Cr to Power Next-Gen Smart Toy Manufacturing and Global D2C Expansion

Mirana Toys, a fast-growing Indian D2C brand in the smart toy space, has secured ₹57.5 crore ($6.9 million) in Series A funding. The round was led by Arkam Ventures, with participation from Accel, Info Edge, and Riverwalk Holdings. This funding strengthens Mirana Toys’ position as a rising star in India’s D2C market and a leader in the latest D2C news.

Devansh Sharma and Ravi Yadav started Mirana Toys in 2021. The company has become a category leader in India by transforming children’s learning and play through technology. In a market where D2C businesses compete for attention, Mirana Toys stands out with its tech-driven products that foster curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Mirana develops AI-enabled robots, AR-enhanced RC cars, STEM learning kits, and intelligent educational toys, making it a well-designed D2C brand in India. Unlike many toy brands that outsource, Mirana Toys handles the entire process in-house, from 3D design to assembly. This integrated approach allows for better control over quality, timelines, and product differentiation, supporting consistent revenue growth and higher margins.

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Primebook Raises $250K to Accelerate PrimeOS, AI Capabilities and India-Wide D2C Growth

Primebook, a top Indian direct-to-consumer hardware-tech brand, has obtained an extra $250,000 in funding led by Ekamya Capital, after its $2 million pre-Series A funding in April 2025, bringing its valuation to $15 million. This added funding supports Primebook’s place in India’s quick-changing D2C space and shows growing investor interest in student-focused tech solutions.

In a time when D2C startups are mixing hardware, software, and AI to serve consumers, Primebook is at the meeting point of education, accessibility, and new ideas. Started in 2018 by Aman Verma and Chitranshu Mahant, Primebook has built a different business model in the Indian D2C space: budget-friendly, Android-based laptops made for young students, schools, and mixed learning settings.

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Founders funded :

FAE Beauty Raises $2M Led by Spring Marketing Capital to Accelerate D2C Expansion and Product Innovation

FAE Beauty, a rapidly growing direct-to-consumer beauty and skincare brand in India, has secured ₹17 crore (about $2 million) in a new funding round. Spring Marketing Capital led the investment, with participation from existing investors such as Titan Capital Winners Fund and Arihant Patni, along with several angel investors. This shows strong confidence in the brand’s growth and creative products.

Karishma Kewalramani, a UC Berkeley graduate and makeup artist, founded FAE Beauty. The brand has gained recognition in the D2C personal care and skincare sectors by concentrating on color cosmetics designed for Indian skin tones, undertones, and climate. While global brands often miss diversity in shade and formulation, FAE Beauty has become a top D2C brand by supporting inclusivity and combining effective pigments with skincare benefits.

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ONYA Raises ₹5.5 Cr Pre-Seed Round as Lab-Grown Diamond Demand Surges Across India

ONYA, the rapidly growing Indian brand for lab-grown diamond jewelry, just secured ₹5.5 crore in pre-seed funding led by Zeropearl VC. Several angel investors also joined the round, including the founders of MyGate, UrbanVault’s founder, and Crescendo Industries’ Managing Director. This funding makes ONYA a D2C startup that’s set to change the luxury jewelry market in India.

ONYA, short for “On You,” started with a simple frustration. The founders wanted a ring but found it too expensive. This gave them the idea that meaningful jewelry shouldn’t break the bank. Now, ONYA is one of the fastest-growing premium D2C brands in India.

In less than a year, ONYA has stores in good locations in Bengaluru and makes ₹2 crore in monthly revenue. People want luxury goods that are made responsibly, and ONYA’s growth shows that customers care about value, meaning, and style. Gaurav Choudhary, previously at xto10x, has joined ONYA as a co-founder to help with expansion and coming up with new ideas.

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Yuvrit Ayurveda Raises $800K to Build a Modern Ayurvedic Healthcare Network, Targets Scalable Pan-India Growth

Yuvrit Ayurveda, a modern Ayurvedic healthcare brand, has secured $800,000 in seed funding led by Incubate Fund Asia. This investment is a key early move in India’s quickly changing wellness and preventive healthcare space. With increasing interest in health-focused consumer actions, Yuvrit Ayurveda’s launch shows how traditional practices, tech, and standardized care are shaping the future of direct-to-consumer business in India.

Founded in 2024 by Puroo Soni and Rahul Jhawar, Yuvrit Ayurveda wants to change Ayurvedic care by mixing classic Ayurvedic ideas with up-to-date testing, treatment plans, and digital tracking. This mix aims to create a reliable and expandable clinical system. The Bengaluru-based startup is creating a broad Ayurvedic system. This system includes doctor visits, Panchakarma treatments, herbal medicines, and custom lifestyle plans. These are created to give real results, setting it apart in India’s wellness market and defining it among wellness and Ayurvedic brands.

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“Running a company is like pulling a temple chariot — you can never pull it alone.”

This was a lesson Madhumitha’s father often shared. Back then, it sounded poetic. Today, it feels like the most practical definition of leadership.

You may stand in front, visible to everyone, but the chariot moves only when the people behind you pull with the same conviction and rhythm. Companies don’t scale because founders work harder —

they scale when teams believe harder.

Her father also said:

“A company can make money doing many things.

What it chooses to do — that is its divine presence.”

Purpose creates alignment.

Conviction creates force.

Together, they unlock outcomes no individual can.

As her company scales, Madhumitha’s biggest shift is moving from doing more to enabling more — spending time transferring belief, not fighting fires. It’s uncomfortable, imperfect, but necessary.

Because leadership, she’s learned, isn’t about pulling harder.

It’s about helping more people pull with you.

🚀 D2C Insider Weekly Update | CXO Meet – West, Mumbai

Mumbai is gearing up for one of the biggest gatherings in India’s consumer brand ecosystem — CXO Meet – West. This December, top founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem enablers will unite to decode the future of D2C, share breakthrough strategies, and spark high-value collaborations.

From scaling playbooks and omnichannel insights to partnerships that move the needle — this isn’t just an event, it’s where brand journeys accelerate.

📍 CXO Meet – West | Mumbai

🗓 20th December 2024

🚀Be part of it: cxomeets.d2cinsider.com

🔜Upcoming CXO Meets Across India

📍 North – Delhi | 10th January 2025

📍 East – Kolkata | 31st January 2025

📍 South – Bangalore | 21st February 2025

A city at a time. A movement in the making.

Join the rooms where India’s next generation of consumer brands is being built.