Big Funding, Fashion Clash, Hot Sneaker Alert, & More D2C Buzz inside!
Big Funding, Fashion Clash, Hot Sneaker Alert, & More D2C Buzz inside!
In our twenty-sixth D2C Insider edition, discover Nat Habit's $10.2M Series B funding, ofScale's $375K pre-seed, Tata Capital's interest in Rare Rabbit at $300M and more!
Hello and welcome to the world of D2C Insider, your weekly dose of insights, news, and trends from the direct-to-consumer space in India and beyond. In D2C Insider Digest’s twenty-sixth edition you'll see:
Nat Habit Secures $10.2M Series B for D2C Domination
A significant D2C brand, Nat Habit, raises $10.2 million in Series B funding under the direction of Bertelsmann India Investments. The natural personal care startup plans to expand into new categories, venture into the offline segment, and fuel R&D, targeting a robust growth trajectory.
ofScale Breaks Ground with $375K Pre-Seed for D2C Offline Revolution
ofScale, the distribution-as-a-service startup, secures $375,000 in pre-seed funding to pioneer offline expansion for D2C brands. Led by First Cheque and supported by notable investors, the Bengaluru-based startup aims to democratize offline distribution, addressing challenges faced by beauty and personal care brands. With a technology-led B2B model, ofScale plans to revolutionize physical retail spaces, providing brands with cost-effective brick-and-mortar presences and navigating the complexities of offline expansion.
Tata Capital eyes premium domestic fashion brand Rare Rabbit at valuation of $300 million
Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata Group, is looking to acquire a 13% stake in Rare Rabbit at a valuation of $300 million. This investment reflects Tata's interest in catering to India's growing affluent consumer base. This deal would mark Tata's entry into the premium fashion segment, competing with rivals like Reliance. Other major players in the Indian fashion market are also increasingly focusing on premium offerings.
Sneaking onto the Scene: SIROCCO Launches as SOL3MATES' Unique Season-Less Brand
SIROCCO is a new sneaker brand created by SOL3MATES in collaboration with designer Kacimi Latamène. The brand takes a unique approach, focusing on season-less drops in limited quantities. The inaugural drop, available for pre-order now, is capped at 500 pairs and comes in two colorways: "Blanc" and "Noir." Delivery is expected in May 2024.
Evaluating ESOPs in Startup Job Offers
This week, we feature Arindam Paul, the co-founder of Atomberg, a startup that manufactures energy-efficient fans. He faced numerous challenges in the early stages of the company, including financial crises and production hurdles.
With a keen understanding of the startup ecosystem, Paul offers valuable insights, especially when it comes to evaluating job offers that include Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs).
He advises potential employees to carefully evaluate both the growth potential of the company and the specifics of the ESOP policies. This approach ensures that employees are making informed decisions, potentially leading to significant wealth creation through ESOPs.
What are your thoughts on this?💯👇
VAHDAM India is revolutionizing the global tea industry by showcasing the rich legacy of Indian teas and spices. Founded by Bala Sarda, VAHDAM India is a vertically integrated brand committed to bringing India's finest teas and spices to the world stage while innovating the traditional supply chain.
Key Highlights:
VAHDAM India is not just selling tea; it's creating a global narrative for Indian-origin products, emphasizing quality, tradition, and innovation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to grab these amazing deals from Coral & Sky, Brown Bear, and Avni. Hurry up and order now! 😊
Available job opportunities
Snitch, a direct-to-consumer fashion brand, has secured a Series A funding round of Rs 110 crore. This funding round was co-led by SWC Global and IvyCap Ventures. The firm mentioned that this funding round is significant, especially at a time when many late-stage D2C brands struggle to secure capital.
Absolute Brands and Retail, a fashion and lifestyle startup, has raised approximately 21 crore ($2.5 million) in a seed round of funding. The round was led by Capstone Ventures, with participation from several prominent angel investors.
🤔 Colgate Case Study
🚀 D2C Insider Event that happened on 16th December 2023 in Delhi was a testament to the extraordinary strength and vibrancy of our community. From insightful discussions to invaluable connections, it was a day dedicated to celebrating the shared growth of the community.
The evening kicked off with a keynote by Kshitij Ladia, D2C Insider Founding Team, setting an engaging tone for the event.
🌟The Fireside Chat between Sandeep Aggarwal (Droom) and Abhishek Shah (D2C Insider) was a masterclass on the intricacies of building a unicorn brand.
✅Industry stalwarts Raul Rai (Nicobar), Krishnan Kumar (Million Cases), Aakash Anand (Bella Vitta), and Gaurav Dadhich (Razorpay) emphasized the significance of swiftly launching an MVP and iteratively co-creating with customers.
💰Ankit Mehrotra, CFA (Dineout), Malika Datt Sadani (Mom's Co.), Abhishek Goenka (RPSG Capital Ventures), Shreedha Singh (TAC) and Shruti Agarwal (Moderator) provided invaluable insights into navigating the changing dynamics of securing investments.
🎙️Sidhant Keshwani (Libas), Pankaj Vermani (Clovia), Bharat Sethi (Rage Coffee), and Sandeep Barasia (Delhivery), moderated by Apurva Chamaria (Google), broke down the omnichannel strategies of their ventures, offering a practical playbook for the audience.
We're thankful to Rajat Mittal who drove the event and kept the audience engaged throughout!
🎁A special token of appreciation awaited attendees in the form of the coveted Goodie Bag, featuring products from D2C Insider community brands along with D2C Insider Community Swag
A heartfelt thank you to our Co-partner Razorpay, supporting partner MobiKwik, and Goodie Bag Fulfilment Partner Emiza Inc. Special gratitude to our dedicated volunteers and core team members for their unwavering efforts in bringing this event to life.
Missed this one? Don't worry! Join us for the upcoming summit in Mumbai on January 20, 2024. Secure your spot for another unparalleled experience.
Stay tuned for more updates and future events. Let's keep taking your D2C business to new heights
Until then, keep rocking the D2C world! 🚀