Chini Kum has stepped into India’s crowded beverage space with a clear pitch and fresh backing. The zero sugar beverage startup has raised ₹1 crore in pre seed funding as it begins scaling its presence across the country. The brand is positioning itself as an alternative for consumers who want flavour without the baggage of refined sugar, a segment that is slowly but steadily gaining ground in urban India.
The funding will be used to expand Chini Kum’s product range and distribution, with a strong focus on drinks sweetened using natural alternatives like stevia and monk fruit. Alongside this, the company is also developing gut health focused beverages, tapping into the growing interest around digestion, clean labels and functional nutrition. While this category has seen interest globally, it is still relatively early in India, giving young brands room to experiment and build loyal audiences.
India’s beverage market has traditionally been dominated by high sugar carbonated drinks and fruit based options with added sweeteners. However, rising awareness around diabetes, obesity and lifestyle related issues has pushed many consumers to rethink daily choices. Chini Kum appears to be betting on this shift, aiming to make zero sugar drinks feel less clinical and more enjoyable for everyday consumption.
The startup plans to use the fresh capital to strengthen sourcing, improve formulations and widen availability both online and offline. Early efforts are also expected to go into brand building, as standing out in the beverage aisle requires more than just good ingredients.
With pre seed funding in place, Chini Kum is now entering a critical phase where execution will matter as much as the idea itself. If the brand can balance taste, pricing and trust, it could carve out a meaningful niche in India’s evolving non sugary beverage market.
