Dabur India just dropped a big move today: they’ve launched “Dabur Ventures,” a ₹500 crore fund dedicated to picking up minority stakes in direct-to-consumer startups, especially in the natural health, beauty, and wellness space.
If you’ve been anywhere near Instagram or quick-commerce apps lately, you know this category is exploding. From ayurvedic skincare brands to adaptogen-packed energy drinks, new-age D2C labels are eating market share faster than anyone expected. Dabur, being one of the oldest and biggest names in ayurveda, clearly doesn’t want to watch from the sidelines anymore.
Instead of trying to build everything in-house (which can take years), they’re taking the smarter route: invest early, learn from the new kids, get distribution insights, and probably roll some of these brands into their own portfolio later. It’s classic corporate venture capital, but with a sharp focus on segments where Dabur already has deep expertise and trust.
₹500 crore isn’t pocket change, but in the larger Indian startup funding scene it’s not mega-fund size either. It’s enough to write 15-25 meaningful cheques over the next few years without spreading themselves too thin. Expect them to chase companies that already have ₹20-100 crore ARR, strong unit economics, and a clear “natural” or “heritage-inspired” story.
This feels like perfect timing. Consumer trust in “chemical-free” and “back-to-roots” products is at an all-time high, and Dabur has the brand muscle to help these startups scale offline too. Smart play by an 140-year-old giant that refuses to get old.
