Clean-label nutrition brand TruNativ has secured $30 million (approximately ₹250 crore) in a Series B funding round led by global healthcare investment firm OrbiMed Advisors LLC, marking one of the largest growth-stage investments in India’s nutrition and wellness sector this year.

The funding round combines both primary capital and a significant secondary transaction, enabling a complete exit for early investors including 100Unicorns, Rainmatter, and Venture Catalysts. As part of the transaction, Dr. Sunny Sharma, Senior Managing Director at OrbiMed Asia, and Sumona Chakraborty, Executive Director at OrbiMed, will join the company’s board.

Founded in 2019 by Pranav Malhotra, Mamta Malhotra, and Eeshaan Merchant, TruNativ has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing nutrition brands by focusing on everyday health solutions rather than traditional sports nutrition products. The company reported revenue of ₹130 crore in FY26, representing a more than threefold increase from ₹37 crore in FY25, and is now targeting ₹200 crore in revenue for FY27.

The latest funding will support the company’s next phase of growth, including international expansion, retail distribution, product innovation, and investments in research and development.

Unlike conventional nutrition brands that primarily cater to fitness enthusiasts through flavored protein powders and performance supplements, TruNativ has built its business around integrating nutrition into daily household consumption. The company’s flagship products are designed to fit seamlessly into regular Indian diets, making nutrition more accessible to a wider consumer base.

One of its most successful offerings is a heat-stable, flavor-neutral protein formulation that can be added directly to staples such as wheat flour, lentils, batters, and traditional meals without affecting taste or texture. This approach has allowed the brand to reach consumers who may not typically purchase sports nutrition products but are increasingly looking to improve their daily protein intake.

The company has also established a strong position in the sugar-substitute category through its natural sweetener portfolio. Alongside protein products, TruNativ’s broader range includes gut-health solutions, fiber supplements, collagen-based beauty nutrition products, and performance-focused whey protein formulations.

A key factor behind TruNativ’s growth has been its ability to align with evolving consumer preferences around preventive healthcare, clean-label products, and ingredient transparency. As awareness around protein deficiency and metabolic health increases across India, consumers are seeking convenient solutions that fit naturally into existing dietary habits rather than requiring significant lifestyle changes.

The company’s expansion plans extend beyond India. TruNativ intends to launch its products in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore before the end of 2026, marking its first major international push. These markets have been identified as strategic growth regions due to their large South Asian populations and increasing demand for premium nutrition products.

Domestically, the company plans to strengthen its offline presence through modern retail outlets, pharmacy chains, and institutional partnerships. It is also looking to expand its footprint within the hospitality and food-service sectors by integrating its nutrition products into restaurant and café menus.

Another important focus area will be the growth of TruNativ’s business-to-business division. The company supplies functional ingredients and nutrition solutions to other consumer brands, creating an additional revenue stream beyond direct consumer sales. Industry experts view this segment as a high-margin opportunity that could significantly strengthen the company’s long-term profitability.

Part of the new funding will also be allocated toward establishing an advanced research and innovation center in Mumbai. The facility will focus on developing localized nutrition solutions, improving ingredient functionality, and creating products tailored to Indian consumer preferences.

The investment also highlights growing investor confidence in India’s evolving nutrition market. OrbiMed, one of the world’s largest healthcare-focused investment firms, typically backs businesses with strong scientific foundations and long-term category leadership potential.

For the broader startup ecosystem, the transaction is equally significant because it delivers a complete secondary exit for early investors while attracting a globally recognized healthcare investor. This demonstrates the increasing maturity of India’s consumer health and wellness sector, where brands are now scaling beyond digital commerce into sustainable, multi-channel businesses.

With fresh capital, strong growth momentum, and a growing international presence on the horizon, TruNativ is positioning itself as a leading player in the next phase of India’s nutrition revolution.

Korean culture’s influence on India is no longer limited to K-dramas, K-pop, and beauty products. Riding the wave of growing consumer fascination with Korean cuisine, food startup Gimi Michi has raised $1 million (approximately ₹8.3 crore) in a seed funding round led by IndiaQuotient, with participation from DeVC, Titan Capital, and IIMA Ventures.

The fresh capital will be used to accelerate product innovation, strengthen the company’s distribution network, expand its team, and deepen its presence across quick-commerce and e-commerce platforms as it looks to establish itself as India’s first large-scale homegrown Korean food brand.

Founded by Nishank Goyal, Akhil Kumar, and Bodhi Rathor, Gimi Michi emerged from the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). The founders, who bring experience from leading organizations such as BCG, Mondelez, and AB InBev, identified a significant gap in India’s rapidly evolving food landscape.

While demand for Korean food has surged over the past few years, driven largely by streaming platforms and the global popularity of Korean entertainment, consumers have traditionally been left with two options—expensive imported brands or locally adapted products that often compromise on authenticity. Gimi Michi aims to bridge that gap by offering Korean-inspired products tailored for Indian consumers while retaining authentic flavours.

The startup’s flagship ramen products, available in variants such as Kimchi, Crazy Cheesyyy, and Hot Chicken, have gained traction by combining authenticity with affordability. Priced at around ₹60–65 per pack, the products have found strong acceptance among younger consumers looking to experiment with global flavours without paying premium import prices.

The company’s growth trajectory has been particularly impressive. Within a short span, Gimi Michi has emerged as the top-selling instant noodle brand on Flipkart, while also generating significant momentum on quick-commerce platforms. During its initial rollout on Zepto, the company reported selling an average of one ramen pack every 20 seconds, highlighting strong consumer demand for Korean-inspired food products.

One of the most notable aspects of Gimi Michi’s growth story is its penetration beyond India’s major metropolitan cities. Nearly half of the company’s sales now come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets, suggesting that Korean cuisine is no longer a niche urban trend. The widespread accessibility of Korean entertainment through digital platforms has helped create awareness and demand across the country, allowing the startup to build a consumer base far beyond traditional foodie hubs.

The company is currently growing at around 60% month-on-month and has crossed ₹1 crore in monthly net sales, according to company estimates. Repeat purchase rates are reportedly significantly higher than the broader instant noodle category, indicating strong consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

However, the founders see ramen as only the beginning of a much larger opportunity. The startup plans to evolve into a full-fledged Korean FMCG brand with a diversified product portfolio. Upcoming launches are expected to include Korean sauces and condiments such as gochujang, chilli oils, and stir-fry pastes, alongside ready-to-eat meals and Korean-inspired snack products.

The company believes India’s appetite for international cuisines is undergoing a structural shift. Much like Indo-Chinese food transformed from a niche offering into a mainstream category over the past few decades, Korean cuisine is increasingly becoming part of everyday consumption patterns among younger Indians.

Investors appear to share that conviction. With the rise of digital-first food discovery, social media influence, and quick-commerce accessibility, brands catering to culturally driven food trends are attracting growing investor attention. Gimi Michi’s strategy of leveraging content creators and online communities has helped it build awareness without relying on expensive traditional advertising campaigns.

As global food trends continue to influence Indian consumers, Gimi Michi is positioning itself at the intersection of culture, convenience, and affordability. With fresh funding in hand and an ambitious product pipeline ahead, the startup is betting that Korea-inspired flavours could become one of the next major categories in India’s packaged food market.