400 Cr. Festive season fund, Pilgrim raises $9M, Pfizer enters D2C, 92% surge in GRM stock performance and More
In our Sixty-third D2C Insider edition, explore Rs. 400 Cr Festive Season Fund for D2C Brands by Velocity, Pilgrim Raises $9 Million in Series B Extension and more!
Welcome to the first edition of the D2C Insider Digest for September!
We have curated everything you need to stay on top of the D2C world.
In today’s newsletter, you’ll find:
Velocity, a fintech platform, has launched a Rs. 400 crore fund to support Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands during the festive season in India.
Points to Know:
Purpose of Fund: The Rs. 400 crore fund is designed to help D2C brands scale up their operations and meet the surge in demand during the festive season.
Target Audience: The fund primarily targets small to medium-sized D2C brands looking to expand their market presence.
Support Mechanism: Velocity offers revenue-based financing, allowing brands to receive capital without diluting equity.
Market Opportunity: The festive season is a critical sales period in India, and this fund aims to help brands increase their sales potential.
Emami Ltd., a major player in the FMCG sector, has acquired full ownership of Helios Lifestyle, the parent company of The Man Company, for Rs. 177.63 crore.
Points to Know:
Acquisition Details: Emami has increased its stake from 49% to 100%, gaining complete control over The Man Company.
Investment Objective: This acquisition is part of Emami’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the male grooming segment.
Brand Portfolio: The Man Company offers a wide range of men's grooming products, including beard oils, shampoos, and perfumes.
Market Impact: With this move, Emami aims to capitalize on the growing demand for male grooming products in India, further diversifying its product offerings.
Pilgrim, a personal care brand, has secured $9 million in a Series B extension round led by Fireside Ventures and Vertex Ventures.
Points to Note:
Purpose of Funding: The newly raised capital will be used to increase Pilgrim’s product innovation, expand its distribution channels, and strengthen its digital presence.
Lead Investors: The round was co-led by Fireside Ventures and Vertex Ventures, both of which have a strong track record in supporting consumer brands.
Growth Strategy: Pilgrim aims to scale its operations and reach a broader customer base through strategic investments in marketing and technology.
Market Position: With this funding, Pilgrim is poised to solidify its position as a leading player in the personal care segment.
Amazon is set to make its entry into the quick commerce space in India, aiming to capture a significant share of the fast-growing market.
Key Points:
Business Expansion: Amazon’s foray into quick commerce marks a strategic expansion into a high-demand segment, catering to consumers seeking instant delivery of groceries and daily essentials.
Competitive Landscape: The move positions Amazon against existing players like Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Dunzo, intensifying competition in the quick commerce sector.
Service Offerings: Amazon plans to leverage its extensive logistics network to provide fast delivery, potentially within 60 minutes, in major cities across India.
Market Potential: The quick commerce market in India is experiencing rapid growth, driven by urban consumers’ preference for convenience and speed.
Pfizer Moves into Telehealth D2C with New Platform
Pfizer is expanding into the Telehealth and Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) space with the launch of a new platform.
Key Points:
Platform Launch: Pfizer’s new Telehealth platform offers direct access to healthcare services, making it easier for consumers to obtain medications and consult healthcare providers.
Strategic Integration: This move aligns with Pfizer’s long-term vision of becoming more than just a pharmaceutical company by integrating healthcare services.
Consumer Access: The platform will provide an easy way for consumers to access Pfizer’s medications and receive Telehealth consultations, potentially improving healthcare accessibility.
Market Trends: The move follows a broader trend of pharmaceutical companies entering the Telehealth space to provide end-to-end healthcare solutions.
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Investors, be a part of this amazing journey
Founders, want to turn your D2C vision into reality?
Wiggles is making a breakthrough in the pet care industry in India by offering comprehensive healthcare products and services for pets. Founded with the mission to improve the lives of pets and pet parents, Wiggles focuses on providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality pet care solutions.
Wiggles is building a new pet care experience by providing everything a pet parent needs in one place, for the health and happiness of furry family members.
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Bharat Sethi, Founder of Rage Coffee, recently shared insights on LinkedIn about an exciting development: GRM Overseas, a leading Basmati rice exporter, has acquired a 44% stake in Rage Coffee, a digital-first coffee brand backed by cricketer Virat Kohli.
This move marks GRM's entry into the FMCG space as it diversifies its portfolio. The strategic investment has also been reflected in GRM Overseas' stock performance, which has surged by 92% in the last three months, highlighting the market's positive response to this expansion.
For more details,
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