Forest Essentials, Rozana, RAS Luxury Skincare, Indriya, Zyro, 10on10 Foods, Bubble Me & More 🚀
India’s D2C ecosystem continues to scale — with Global acquisition, institutional capital, corporate expansion, and foun
National Disruptors:
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.
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.
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.
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
Business Boost:
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.
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.
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.
Founders Funded:
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.
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.
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.
“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.
📌 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