FirstClub, Renee Cosmetics, Agilitas Sports, Simple Energy, Boba Bhai, Phab & More 🚀
India’s consumer ecosystem is entering a new scale phase, driven by capital, omnichannel expansion, and a new generation of brands building category leadership across retail, food, wellness and more.
National Disruptors:
1.FirstClub has raised $55 million (512 crore) in a Series B round led by Peak XV Partners and Sofina to expand stores, strengthen warehousing, and enter new categories. Backed by strong retention, premium positioning, and rapid quick commerce growth, the startup is scaling aggressively across India’s consumer ecosystem.
2. Renee Cosmetics reported strong FY26 growth with revenue rising 37% to 440 crore while reducing losses by 45%. Backed by omnichannel expansion, quick commerce growth, new product launches, and continued investments in brand building, the D2C beauty brand is strengthening its position within India’s rapidly growing personal care ecosystem.
3. Agilitas Sports has raised 225 crore from Nexus Venture Partners and Rainmatter to accelerate product innovation, manufacturing, retail expansion, and brand building. Backed by the One8 brand, Sportsyard growth, and strong omnichannel ambitions, the sportswear company is rapidly scaling within India’s booming athleisure and consumer ecosystem.
Business Boost:
1.Simple Energy has raised 250 crore in a mix of equity and debt funding to scale manufacturing, expand retail presence, and accelerate product development. With plans to increase production to 15,000 scooters per month, target 200-250 stores, and prepare for a FY28 IPO, the EV brand is entering its next growth phase.
2. Boba Bhai has crossed 100 stores in just 2.5 years and is now targeting ₹100 crore+ ARR. Backed by ₹40 crore in fresh funding, strong revenue growth from 5 crore to ₹70 crore in two years, and rising demand for Korean-inspired QSR experiences, the brand continues scaling rapidly.
3. KorinMi has raised 10 crore from the Lotus Herbals Innovation Fund to accelerate clinic expansion across Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Combining Korean skincare science with customized treatments and D2C products, the beauty and wellness startup is rapidly scaling within India’s growing skincare ecosystem and premium personal care market.
Founders Funded:
1.Protein snack brand Phab has raised $4 million in a pre-Series A round co-led by OTP Ventures and Chona Family Office. Backed by strong omnichannel growth, expanding quick commerce presence, and rising demand for healthy nutrition products, the D2C wellness brand is accelerating expansion across India.
2. Fraganote has raised $3 million in a Series A round led by V3 Ventures, with participation from Rukam Capital. Backed by strong D2C growth, quick commerce expansion, a 4 lakh+ customer base, and a 35% repeat purchase rate, the fragrance brand is targeting 100 crore revenue.
3. Zuvees has raised 15 crore from IvyCap Ventures as part of its ongoing Series A round, taking total funding to 30 crore. Backed by Al-powered personalization, cross-border gifting capabilities, and operations across 50+ countries, the gifting platform is accelerating expansion, technology development, and global growth.
Founder’s Corner
Rimjim Deka, Co-founder & CEO — Littlebox India
In a startup ecosystem obsessed with funding announcements, media coverage, and social media validation, Rimjim Deka offers a simple but powerful reminder:
Build a business, not just a startup.
When Rimjim and her co-founder started Littlebox India, they weren’t chasing headlines. They focused on building a profitable, sustainable business from day one, raising capital only when they knew it could accelerate growth rather than simply create the appearance of it.
What stood out in her post was the distinction between story and substance.
Funding rounds, conference appearances, follower counts, and press coverage often get mistaken for business performance. But the metrics that actually determine whether a company survives are far less glamorous: inventory turns, contribution margins, repeat rates, cash conversion cycles, and operational efficiency.
These numbers rarely make headlines.
But they decide who is still standing years later.
Perhaps the most important insight is for early-stage founders. It’s easy to get distracted by the visible parts of entrepreneurship—the announcements, the accolades, the wins. What’s harder to see is the day-to-day work that creates those outcomes.
As Rimjim puts it, founders should spend less time replicating the show and more time building the substance behind it.
Because in the long run, people won’t remember who got the most attention.
They’ll remember who built something that lasted.
📌 D2C INSIDER UPDATE — CONSUMERX VENTURES
A new chapter begins for India’s consumer startup ecosystem.
At Super Angels Annual Day 2026, D2C Insider officially launched ConsumerX Ventures, a ₹150 crore operator-led investment platform built to back the next generation of consumer brands.
Designed for ambitious founders at the pre-seed and seed stage, ConsumerX Ventures brings together capital, operator expertise, and one of India’s strongest consumer startup networks.
With a focused portfolio approach and deep ecosystem support, the platform aims to help build the next wave of category-defining brands emerging from India.
From community to capital, D2C Insider is doubling down on its mission to help founders build enduring consumer businesses. 🚀