Chennai-based D2C snacking brand Sweet Karam Coffee has raised $8 million in its Series A funding round. Peak XV Partners led the investment, which was joined by existing investor Fireside Ventures. The fresh funds will help the startup expand its product range and strengthen its global presence.
A Taste of Tradition with Modern Appeal
Founded in 2015 by Anand Bharadwaj, Nalini Parthiban, Srivatsan Sundararaman, and Veera Raghavan, Sweet Karam Coffee is known for its traditional South Indian sweets, snacks, and filter coffee. The brand stays true to its roots by focusing on clean, preservative-free, and palm oil-free products. Its range includes not only snacks but also condiments and ghee.
Sweet Karam Coffee’s distribution strategy includes its own website, popular e-commerce platforms, and quick commerce channels, allowing it to reach customers across 32 countries.
Strengthening Leadership for Expansion
The company recently appointed Nandhitha Indermohan, a former Unilever executive, to support its growth plans, as Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of experience in supply chain and operations, Nandhitha’s role is expected to enhance backend efficiency and aid national and international expansions.
Riding the Wave of D2C Success
Despite a spike in losses, Sweet Karam Coffee reported a 558% increase in revenue in FY24, going from INR 1.7 crore to INR 11.2 crore. The business has proven resilient, growing its revenue by 4.5 times in FY25 while focusing on cutting losses and increasing operational effectiveness.
Funding Amidst Growing Market Potential
The Series A funding comes almost two years after the company raised $1.5 million from Fireside Ventures. This latest round underscores investor confidence in Sweet Karam Coffee’s business model. It also highlights the larger trend of investor interest in the Indian D2C market, which is projected to become a $300 billion industry by 2030.
With the fresh funding and an enhanced leadership team, Sweet Karam Coffee aims to bring more traditional South Indian flavors to a global audience while keeping health-conscious consumers in focus.
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