D2C Weekly Buzz: BhaoBhao’s Pet Play, True Diamond’s Lab-Grown Bet, Miko’s $155M Leap & More 🚀
India’s D2C ecosystem is buzzing with action this week – from pet care to jewellery to global robotics, founders are scaling bold ideas with fresh funding.
National Disruptors
1.BhaoBhao Raises $200,000 Angel Funding, Eyes Larger Round to Redefine Premium Pet Care in India
Mumbai-based pet care startup BhaoBhao just got a $200,000 angel investment, which is great D2C funding news. This makes them one of the newer D2C startups changing India’s high-end pet services market.
They'll use the money to grow, expand to new areas, and get closer to customers in cities all over India.
Aditi Sanganeria and Anshika Maheshwari founded BhaoBhao, and they’re making a name for themselves as one of the top D2C pet care brands in India. They’re focused on selling directly to customers in India, providing in-home pet grooming that’s easy, clean, and high-quality. Pet owners who care about safety and trust really like this. Their D2C business focuses on being accessible and personal, which is key because more people in cities are getting pets.
2.True Diamond Bets on Lab-Grown Jewellery, Raises Funding to Redefine Direct-to-Consumer India’s Jewellery Market
True Diamond, a jewelry startup in Mumbai, is making waves in India's D2C market in 2025. The company is tapping into the rising global interest in lab-grown diamonds and sustainable options, quickly becoming a player in the Indian direct-to-consumer jewelry scene.
True Diamond recently secured Rs 26 crore in a pre-Series A funding round, with backing from India Quotient, Titan Capital Winners Fund, and Huddle Ventures. This reinforces its position as one of the up-and-coming D2C startups changing the Indian market.
Founded in 2024 by Darayus Mehta and Parin Shah, True Diamond started with Rs 1 crore of their own money. In just a year, they've launched over 5,000 designs, become profitable within six months, and have a 1.7x repeat customer rate, making them one of the fastest-growing D2C brands in India. Big names like Tara Sutaria and Pooja Hegde have been seen wearing their jewelry.
Business Boost
1.Palmonas Raises Rs 55 Cr Series A Led by Vertex Ventures, Expands D2C Jewellery Play in India
Palmonas, a demi-fine jewelry startup, just got a boost with Rs 55 crore (about $6.2 million) in Series A funding. Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India (SEAI) led the round.
This is a big step for the brand in India's D2C scene, where jewelry brands are gaining popularity. The money will go towards expansion, including opening 100 new stores in the next year. Palmonas also plans to expand its 9kt gold collection and move into new product areas, solidifying its place as a top D2C brand in India.
Pallavi Mohadikar and Amol Patwari started Palmonas in 2022, and actor Shraddha Kapoor later joined as a co-founder. The brand represents a new wave of premium D2C brands coming out of India. Kapoor's involvement has helped Palmonas stand out and connect with millennials and Gen Z customers who care about both style and quality.
2. Neo Secures $19M Funding, Strengthens Position in India’s Wealthtech and D2C-Driven Investment Landscape
India's quickly growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) market keeps making headlines with funding and growth plans across different areas. While news often talks about beauty, personal care, food, and lifestyle brands, Neo, a wealth-tech company in Mumbai, shows how varied the D2C opportunity in India has become.
Neo, which handles wealth and assets, has raised Rs 162 crore (about $19 million). This new funding helps them become a stronger financial services brand for consumers, fitting into the overall growth of D2C business in India.
VT Capital put in Rs 50 crore, leading the round, with 17 other investors also participating, including Ramesh Kunhikannan, Sattva Family Office, Biological E Ltd, Usha Reddy Chigarapalli, and Akshat Greentech. According to filings, Neo issued 1,887 equity shares at Rs 8.6 lakh each to close the funding round. With this latest investment, the company is now valued at nearly $686 million, making it one of the biggest D2C funding rounds recently.
3. Miko Raises $155 Million at $550 Million Valuation, Scales Global D2C Robotics Play
Miko, a company that makes companion robots for kids, is about to close a $155 million Series D funding round led by AMDG-PAX Foundation, a US-based firm. Regulatory filings show this deal values Miko at $550 million, a 2.7X increase from its last round. This positions Miko as one of India's fastest-growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands.
Miko, operating as RN Chidakashi Technologies Private Limited, uses a D2C model that combines hardware, software, and subscription services. Their AI robots, Miko Mini and Miko 3, cost between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000. They also offer Miko Max, a subscription product aimed at driving repeat revenue. The company says it has a presence in over 140 countries, including the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
The new funding will support operations, new D2C product launches, and overall growth. AMDG-PAX Foundation is expected to own about 28% of the company after the investment. Miko has already raised over $75 million, including a $29 million Series B led by IvyCap Ventures.
Founders Funded
1.Matiks Raises $3.14 Mn To Scale Maths-Based Gaming Platform In India’s Booming D2C Ecosystem
In one of the most interesting developments in D2C startup news, maths-focussed gaming platform Matiks has raised $3.14 million (about INR 27 crore) in its pre-Series A funding round led by Tanglin Ventures, with participation from Info Edge Ventures and marquee angel investors including boAt’s Aman Gupta, Unacademy’s Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini, and Scapia’s Anil Goteti. The round, reflecting strong confidence in India’s new-age D2C brands India, will help the company accelerate hiring, strengthen marketing initiatives, scale product offerings, and drive international expansion.
Founded in September 2024 by Sudhanshu Bhatia, Mohan Kumar, and Sushant Timmapur, Matiks is among the latest D2C startups reimagining India’s online gaming market with a differentiated focus on mathematics-led gameplay. The platform offers interactive mobile games where users can test mathematical skills across categories such as speed, puzzles, logic, and memory. With less than 20 employees today, the company already claims around one lakh active users, signaling early traction in a market known for rapid D2C revenue growth.
2.Cumin Co Raises $1.5M From Fireside Ventures To Redefine Sustainable Kitchenware In India’s D2C Space
Cumin Co, a brand specializing in premium kitchenware, has secured $1.5 million (INR 13.16 crore) in its initial funding round. Fireside Ventures led the investment, with Huddle Ventures also participating. This funding will assist the company in growing its business in India, improving its supply chain, and increasing its sustainable cookware production.
Launched in February 2025 by Niharika Joshi and Udit Lekhi, Cumin Co is among the latest D2C companies in India that are changing everyday products through better design, safety, and sustainability. Based in Gurugram, the company makes enamel cast iron cookware that is durable and free of harmful chemicals that are often found in regular non-stick and metal cookware. The products, priced from INR 1,999 to INR 7,000, are aimed at households with an annual income above INR 30–35 lakh, positioning the brand as a premium choice
Shashvat Nakrani, Co-Founder of BharatPe
"From a hostel prototype to profitability in just 7 years"
BharatPe turned profitable in FY25 — not just at EBITDA, but PAT-positive too. With ₹1,734 Cr revenue, +₹141 Cr EBITDA, and +₹6 Cr PBT, it’s the only fintech unicorn in India to hit profitability within 7 years of inception.
Shashvat recalls starting at IIT Delhi’s Zanskar hostel with a simple “all-in-one QR code” scribbled on a notebook — a humble idea to help merchants struggling with multiple payment apps. That idea grew into BharatPe: a fintech powerhouse with NBFC Trillionloans, a stake in Unity Small Finance Bank, and an online PA license.
The road was far from smooth. From battling deep-pocketed competitors to navigating regulations and skeptics predicting a shutdown, BharatPe pushed through. Shashvat calls it a “phoenix-like rise” — a story of resilience, just as its registered name reflects: Resilient Innovations Pvt Ltd.
🚨 D2C Insider Weekly Update
The Indian consumer ecosystem is buzzing with energy, and this season, CXO Meets are making a comeback — bigger, bolder, and more impactful.
Designed as intimate yet power-packed evenings, the D2C Insider CXO Meets bring together India’s leading founders, investors, and CXOs for conversations that go beyond surface networking. These gatherings are where partnerships are sparked, scaling challenges are decoded, and the future of consumer brands is shaped collaboratively.
This year, two major editions are lined up:
North Edition – Gurugram
Taking place on 13th September at Masters’ Union, this meet coincides with the Elevate Cohort 4 Demo Day. Expect disruptive founder pitches, investor conversations, and high-energy CXO networking — all in one evening.
South Edition – Bangalore
Slated for 31st October at Tasker Town, this meet will host 150+ leaders for deep-dive scaling insights, strategic discussions, and new-age brand building conversations.
At their core, CXO Meets aren’t just events — they are community-driven growth platforms where the right people, conversations, and opportunities converge to move India’s consumer ecosystem forward.
📌 Key Details
North Edition – Gurugram
🗓️ 13th Sept | 📍 Masters’ Union
🎯 With Elevate Cohort 4 Demo Day
South Edition – Bangalore
🗓️ 31st Oct | 📍 Tasker Town
👥 150+ Leaders | Scaling & Strategy Focus
👉 Register here: https://d2ci.co/cxo-meet-register
