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ICON raises $1.2 Mn in seed round from DSG Consumer Partners, others

EntrackrEntrackr · 1y ago
ICON raises $1.2 Mn in seed round from DSG Consumer Partners, others
Medial

ICON, an internet-first direct-to-consumer luggage and travel accessories (LTA) startup, has raised $1.2 million in its seed round led by DSG Consumer Partners with participation by a clutch of angel investors. The proceeds will be used to ramp up ICON’s existing product line, expand its team, strengthen its distribution network, and boost its innovative portfolio. Founded by Mohammad Patel, Poojan Shah, Fazal Lakhani, and Aakash Mehta, ICON’s product portfolio consists of hard luggage, backpacks, and handbags. The tiro’s previous venture MyFitness was acquired by Mensa Brands in 2022. Through innovative products, ICON aims to capitalise on the post-pandemic travel renaissance, which is driving a luggage revolution. As per an industry report, the Indian tours and travel industry is poised for a growth of 12–15% in fiscal 2025, and the Indian luggage market is estimated to be Rs 20,000 crore where branded players are expected to make up about 54% of the market.

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Farmley raises $40 Mn in Series C round led by L Catterton

EntrackrEntrackr · 8m ago
Farmley raises $40 Mn in Series C round led by L Catterton
Medial

Farmley raises $40 Mn in Series C round led by L Catterton Farmley, a Noida-based healthy snacking brand, has raised $40 million in its Series C funding round led by global consumer-focused investment firm L Catterton, with participation from existing investor DSG Consumer Partners. The proceeds will be used for capital expenditure, expanding distribution channels across India, enhancing exports, and investing in product formulations and technologies, Farmley said in a press release. According to an ET report, the funding includes 30% secondary sales by early-stage investors, including Insitor and Samunnati, along with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Founded in 2017 by Akash Sharma and Abhishek Agarwal, Farmley offers snacks such as makhana-based munchies, date bites, seeds, trail mixes, and roasted nuts. The firm sources directly from over 5,000 farmers across multiple regions and operates five processing units. According to TheKredible, Farmley recorded a revenue of Rs 230.66 crore in FY24 while posting a net loss of Rs 26.5 crore. While the company has yet to file its audited financial report for FY25, it claims to have clocked Rs 370 crore in revenue for the last fiscal year. Since its inception, Farmley has raised around $55 million, which includes a $2 million seed round in 2020 from Omnivore and Insitor, a $6 million Series A round in August 2022 led by DSG Consumer Partners and Alkemi Growth Capital, and a $6.7 million pre-Series B round in December 2023 led by the BC Jindal Group. Farmley is currently piloting its products in international markets, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and Singapore, as part of its global expansion strategy. It competes with other healthy snacking brands such as Happilo, which raised $25 million from Motilal Oswal Private Equity in 2022, and True Elements, in which Marico acquired a 53.98% stake in the same year.

Perfume brand Secret Alchemist raises $3 Mn led by Unilever Ventures

EntrackrEntrackr · 22d ago
Perfume brand Secret Alchemist raises $3 Mn led by Unilever Ventures
Medial

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu–backed perfume brand Secret Alchemist has raised $3 million in a funding round led by Unilever Ventures, with participation from DSG Consumer Partners. The round was a mix of primary and secondary capital, of which $2.5 million was primary capital and the remainder was secondary, with a few early angel investors selling their stakes. The Mumbai-based startup had previously mopped up $898,000 in a seed funding round led by IPV and others. The proceeds will be utilised for branding and marketing, widening its product portfolio, and expanding the team, Secret Alchemist said in a press release. Co-founded in 2022 by Ankita Thadani, Akash Valia, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Secret Alchemist is a clean fragrance and aromatherapy brand that focuses on transparent, toxin-free perfumes and wellness products derived from natural ingredients and aromatherapy principles. Secret Alchemist aims to provide holistic wellness through nature-meets-science formulations, addressing the root causes of skin and hair concerns with pure essential oils and transparent ingredients. The brand offers clean perfumes, skincare, haircare, and aromatherapy blends, emphasising purity, sustainability, and luxury. Secret Alchemist’s products are available on the company’s direct-to-consumer website, ecommerce platforms such as Amazon, and quick commerce apps, including Blinkit. The company plans to expand its presence across more websites and apps in the coming days.

Shark Tank India-backed Koparo raises $1.7 Mn

EntrackrEntrackr · 10m ago
Shark Tank India-backed Koparo raises $1.7 Mn
Medial

D2C home cleaning brand Koparo is raising Rs 14.5 crore (approximately $1.7 million) in an extended pre-Series A round led by existing investor Saama Capital with the participation of Vikramaditya Mohan Thapar Family Trust, DSG Consumer Partners, M Venture Partners, and others. Previously in February 2024, Koparo raised Rs 6 crore from 4P Capital Partners and Shark Tank India. The board at Koparo passed a special resolution to issue 2,314 pre-Series A2 compulsory convertible preference shares at an issue price of Rs 62,666 each to raise Rs 14.5 crore ($1.7 million), its regulatory filing accessed from the Registrar of Companies (RoC) shows. The proceeds will be used to meet the working capital requirements, general corporate purposes, or funding current/future expansion plans of the company, according to filings. According to Entrackr’s estimates, the company's valuation surged by nearly 90%, reaching Rs 124 crore (approximately $14.6 million) compared to its previous funding round. Founded by Simran Khara, Koparo offers natural alternatives to regular cleaning products. With a portfolio of more than 15 products and over 30 SKUs across core and specialty cleaning, its range includes floor cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric conditioners, dishwash liquid, handwash, accessories, and fresheners. According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, the Delhi-based company has raised nearly $3 million prior to this round from investors including Saama Capital, M Venture Partners, 4P Capital Partners, and others. Post-allotment, Saama Capital will be the largest external shareholder with a 15.36% stake in the company. In the fiscal year ending March 2024, Koparo’s operating revenue surged 2.3X to Rs 10.22 crore, up from Rs 4.37 crore in FY23. The company reported losses of Rs 5.86 crore in FY24.

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