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Kapiva Raises $60M Series D Funding Led by 360 ONE Asset, Vertex Growth; Plans Global Expansion

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Ayurveda-focused direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand Kapiva has raised $60 million (about ₹532 crore) in its Series D funding round, underscoring the rising investor confidence in India’s wellness and nutrition sector. The round was co-led by 360 ONE Asset and Vertex Growth, with existing backers Vertex Ventures and 3one4 Capital also participating.

Founded in 2016 by Ameve Sharma and Shrey Badhani, Kapiva has built a portfolio of more than 100 products spanning herbal supplements, gummies, capsules, and skincare offerings. The company also provides access to consultations with certified ayurvedic doctors, strengthening its position at the intersection of tradition and modern health trends.

Kapiva said the fresh infusion will be directed towards scaling research and development, expanding its manufacturing base, and stepping up marketing initiatives to reach a wider consumer base. Speaking to Inc42, cofounder Ameve Sharma revealed that a portion of the capital will be earmarked for international expansion. The brand currently operates subsidiaries in the United States, United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, which together contribute 5 to 10 percent of its overall revenue.

The latest investment builds on Kapiva’s steady rise in a crowded but fast-growing market for natural nutrition. India’s ayurveda-based consumer health segment has attracted increasing investor attention over the past few years, buoyed by demand for immunity-boosting and preventive health products. Analysts suggest that with rising disposable incomes and shifting consumer preferences, the sector is poised for further growth in both domestic and global markets.

Commenting on the partnership, investors highlighted Kapiva’s ability to marry scientific validation with India’s centuries-old wellness traditions as a key differentiator. With its new war chest, the company aims to solidify its presence in India while laying stronger foundations abroad.

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HUL Shares Drop 3% as GST 2.0 Disrupts Trade; Q2 Growth Seen Flat

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Shares of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) slipped nearly 3 per cent in early trade on Monday, touching a low of ₹2,443 on the NSE, after the consumer goods major flagged weak September quarter performance. The company said consolidated revenue growth for the July–September period will remain flat to low single digits, citing supply chain and trade disruptions triggered by the government’s recent GST rate revision.

The GST rationalisation, effective September 22, lowered tax rates on a wide range of fast-moving consumer goods. Categories such as soaps, shampoos, hair oils, toothpaste, talcum powder, lifestyle nutrition, and packaged foods now fall under the 5 per cent GST bracket, compared with 12–18 per cent earlier. Nearly 40 per cent of HUL’s product portfolio is impacted.

While the move is expected to benefit consumers and drive demand in the long run, the immediate effect has been a slowdown. Distributors and retailers postponed fresh orders to clear older inventory with higher MRPs, while consumers delayed purchases in anticipation of lower-priced stock. HUL noted that this trend is likely to weigh on sales through October as pipeline inventories adjust.

Brokerage JM Financial reported that HUL has already rolled out price cuts in the high single-digit to low double-digit range across several categories. The firm said lower primary sales in September reflected the destocking cycle across trade channels.

At 10:15 am, HUL shares were trading at ₹2,490, down 1 per cent from Friday’s close. The stock has corrected 16 per cent over the past year, underperforming the broader FMCG index, as demand recovery in rural markets and volume growth remain under pressure.

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Bengaluru’s Quick Medicine Startup Plazza Raises $1.4 Million Seed Funding Led by All In Capital

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Bengaluru-based health retail startup Plazza has raised $1.4 million in a seed funding round led by All In Capital, with participation from Better Capital, Tracxn founder Abhishek Goyal, Bounce co-founder Vivekananda Hallekere, the Singhania family office, and promoters of JK Tyre.

Founded in November 2024 by former Zomato executive Aman Priyadarshi and Aniruddha Sen, previously with Kenko Health, Plazza aims to redefine how urban pharmacies operate. Traditional chemists typically stock between 4,000 and 5,000 products. Plazza’s model, in contrast, offers over 20,000 stock keeping units (SKUs), accessible both in-store and through rapid doorstep delivery.

The company launched its first outlet in Yemalur, Bengaluru, earlier this year and plans to add two more stores in 2025. Over the next 12 months, it is targeting 20 outlets across the city, with an omnichannel presence that integrates physical storefronts with an app-led delivery network.

Since inception, Plazza has served over 10,000 customers, with sales growing at a reported 25 percent week-on-week. While its initial focus is on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, the company is also moving into wellness categories such as healthy snacks, mother and baby products, elder care essentials, and dermatology ranges.

The fresh capital will be directed towards expanding the retail footprint, strengthening logistics, and upgrading technology infrastructure. Investments are also planned in last-mile delivery capabilities, a crucial differentiator in healthcare retail where speed and reliability are directly linked to patient outcomes.

“With a broader catalogue, deep inventory, and faster delivery, Plazza is building a healthcare retail format that goes beyond conventional pharmacies,” Priyadarshi said, adding that the model is designed to scale quickly in urban markets.

Plazza’s rapid growth and backing from high-profile investors reflect the increasing demand for tech-enabled healthcare retail in India’s metro cities.

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Ice-Cream Startup Hocco Raises Rs 115 Crore in Series B, Valuation Hits Rs 2,000 Crore

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Ahmedabad-based ice-cream startup Hocco has raised Rs 115 crore in the second tranche of its Series B funding, pushing its valuation to nearly Rs 2,000 crore. The round was led by Sauce VC, just four months after the company mobilised around Rs 85 crore in the first tranche.

The fresh capital will be channelled into working capital, expansion of manufacturing capacity, and strengthening distribution infrastructure. Hocco is setting up a new plant in Sonipat while simultaneously doubling production at its existing Gujarat facility. Together, the two plants will reach a combined daily capacity of five lakh litres. The company also plans to deploy hundreds of freezers across retail markets to support its widening distribution footprint.

Founded in 2022 by the Chona family, known for its legacy in the ice-cream industry, Hocco has expanded aggressively across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Punjab and Chhattisgarh. The brand completed FY25 with revenues of Rs 220 crore and is on track to surpass Rs 500 crore this fiscal, more than doubling its top line within a year. For the first half of FY26, the company is already expected to cross Rs 300 crore in revenue.

Founder and Managing Director Ankit Chona said the surge in valuation was driven by stronger-than-expected summer sales. “We had committed to Rs 400 crore of revenue this year but are now on track to exceed Rs 500 crore. Based on the current momentum, next year could see us cross Rs 700 crore,” he noted.

Currently, nearly 80 percent of Hocco’s sales come from general trade, with 15 percent contributed by quick commerce platforms. The company expects digital commerce to account for about a quarter of its revenues in the coming years.

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FSSAI Opens Ayurveda Aahara Licensing on FoSCoS with 91 Approved Recipes

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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rolled out a dedicated licensing and registration system for Ayurveda Aahara products on its Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS). The move is expected to formalise and regulate India’s Ayurvedic food sector, which has long operated in a grey zone of traditional practice and modern consumer demand.

A key feature of the framework is the creation of a new “Kind of Business” category specifically for Ayurveda Aahara manufacturers. This allows companies to obtain licences directly aligned with Ayurvedic food products, marking the first time such a category has been formally recognised under FSSAI rules.

To ease compliance, the regulator has published a standardised list of 91 Ayurveda Aahara recipes, notified on July 25, 2025. These recipes have been drawn from authoritative Ayurvedic texts and adapted to meet present-day food safety requirements. Officials say the step will give manufacturers clarity and consistency, while ensuring consumers receive products that meet defined safety and quality standards.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, reflecting the government’s push to integrate India’s traditional food heritage with contemporary regulations. Industry watchers believe this could help India position itself as a leading exporter of Ayurveda-based nutritional products.

Companies seeking licences can now apply online through FoSCoS. The application process involves selecting Ayurveda Aahara under the business category, filling in operational details, uploading documents, and paying the prescribed fee.

For businesses, this offers a transparent system that simplifies entry into the Ayurveda Aahara market. For consumers, it ensures regulated and authentic products. For policymakers, it signals a step toward building a global identity for Ayurveda underpinned by safety and compliance.

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Cupid Ltd Targets ₹100-Crore FMCG Revenue in FY26, Expands Reach to 1.8 Lakh Retail Outlets

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Cupid Ltd, the Nashik-based healthcare products maker, is betting big on its consumer-facing business this year, with plans to cross the ₹100-crore revenue mark in its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) vertical and expand retail coverage to 1.8 lakh outlets across India. The announcement was made by Chairman and Managing Director Aditya Kumar Halwasiya during the company’s annual general meeting on Friday.

Halwasiya told shareholders that the company is on track to deliver its strongest quarter ever in Q2 of FY26, citing a mix of fresh product launches, a healthy pipeline of institutional orders, and the scaling of its FMCG division. Cupid, long recognized for its range of contraceptives, is repositioning itself as a broader consumer wellness and health-tech brand, with a focus on preventive care and personal wellness.

In FY25, Cupid reported total income of ₹203 crore, with FMCG contributing just over ₹50 crore. The company now expects the category to double in FY26. “This outlook positions us for record performance while laying the groundwork for sustainable expansion across multiple business lines,” Halwasiya said.

Key launches lined up for the current fiscal include flavored and dotted condoms, mini packs of petroleum jelly, and a premium deodorant range for women. Alongside new products, Cupid is commissioning a modern manufacturing plant, which will serve as a next-generation production hub.

Halwasiya emphasized that growth will be driven by both consumer demand and institutional contracts, ensuring balanced revenues. He added that Cupid’s long-term strategy is to make preventive healthcare and wellness solutions more accessible across markets, while simultaneously pursuing opportunities for international expansion.

With the FMCG business set to double and retail penetration widening significantly, Cupid is preparing to transform its brand perception and broaden its consumer base in FY26.

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Tata Consumer to Invest ₹2,000 Crore, Godrej Agrovet ₹960 Crore in India’s Food Processing Sector

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Two of India’s leading FMCG players, Tata Consumer Products and Godrej Agrovet, have signed investment agreements with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), committing a combined outlay of ₹2,960 crore to expand capacity and strengthen India’s food ecosystem.

Tata Consumer Products has pledged up to ₹2,000 crore over the next five years. While the company has not disclosed specifics of the deployment, the investment is aligned with initiatives under World Food India 2025 and will focus on scaling its packaged food and beverage portfolio. “Once terms and conditions are finalized, the company will make further disclosures,” Tata Consumer said in a statement.

Godrej Agrovet, meanwhile, has earmarked ₹960 crore for new facilities and an upstream research and development center. The projects will focus on its oil palm and pet food businesses, with planned facilities in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Completion is targeted by FY27, with expectations of job creation and skills development in rural and semi-urban regions.

Sunil Kataria, CEO and Managing Director of Godrej Agrovet, emphasized the long-term approach. “By investing in upstream infrastructure and R&D, we aim to create sustainable value across the supply chain while contributing to regional growth,” he said.

The MoU signing, witnessed by Avinash Joshi, Secretary, MoFPI, and Rakesh Swami, Group President, Godrej Industries, comes as India positions itself as a global food processing hub. Joshi praised Godrej Agrovet’s role in the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm and its broader contributions to the agri-economy.

“Driven by supportive policies, India’s food processing sector is witnessing unprecedented investor interest,” said Swami, highlighting the government’s role in boosting confidence and dispelling outdated perceptions around packaged foods.

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Rakesh Ranjan, Former Zomato Food Delivery Head, Joins Allen Online as CEO

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Allen Career Institute has named Rakesh Ranjan, the former chief of Zomato’s food delivery business, as Chief Executive Officer of Allen Online, its digital-first education arm. The appointment comes soon after Abha Maheshwari, a former Meta executive who had been steering the business since 2023, stepped down earlier this month.

Ranjan brings more than a decade of experience in scaling technology-driven businesses. At Zomato, he led the company’s flagship food delivery division during a crucial phase, driving the push to profitability while maintaining market leadership. He also built Hyperpure, Zomato’s B2B supply chain vertical, into a significant revenue stream within two years. Prior to his time in the food-tech space, he worked with the Boston Consulting Group, advising Indian conglomerates on digital strategy and operational transformation.

Confirming the appointment, Nitin Kukreja, CEO of Allen Career Institute, said Ranjan’s ability to scale consumer internet businesses would strengthen Allen Online’s position as a leader in test preparation. “With his leadership, we will blend Allen’s 37 years of academic excellence with advanced technology to deliver reliable, outcome-driven education at scale,” Kukreja said.

Allen, founded in 1988 in Kota by Rajesh Maheshwari, began with just eight students and has grown into one of India’s largest coaching networks. Today, it runs more than 300 centres across 66 cities, serving aspirants of NEET, JEE Main, and JEE Advanced. The company entered the edtech sector in April 2022, shortly after securing a $600 million investment from Bodhi Tree Systems, led by James Murdoch and Uday Shankar.

Based in Bengaluru, Allen Online is developing AI-driven assessments, content, and student support. Ranjan said the focus will be on building personalised and accessible learning platforms that can serve millions of students nationwide.

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15 Social Media Marketing Tips to Make Your Restaurant Go Viral on Instagram & Facebook

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In today’s digital-first world, running a restaurant isn’t just about serving delicious food—it’s about serving stories, visuals, and experiences online. With over 150 million foodies scrolling Instagram and Zomato every month in India, your social media strategy can make the difference between an empty table and a waiting list. If you’re wondering how to stand out, here are 15 actionable tips for restaurant social media marketing that actually work.

1. Showcase Your Menu Like a Story

Don’t just post your dishes—tell their backstory. Share how your signature biryani is made or why your cheesecake is special.

2. Invest in High-Quality Food Photography

Good lighting and a DSLR (or even a high-end smartphone) can turn a simple dish into an Instagram magnet.

3. Post Behind-the-Scenes Content

Chefs plating dishes, staff prepping for service, or your kitchen hustle can humanize your brand.

4. Leverage Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts

Quick recipe videos, food challenges, or plating tips work wonders with today’s short-form video trend.

5. Use Local Hashtags and Geo-Tags

#DelhiEats, #BangaloreFoodie, or #MumbaiBites help local diners discover your restaurant.

6. Run Seasonal Campaigns

Create special posts around Holi, Diwali, Christmas, or even IPL season to join conversations people are already having.

7. Collaborate with Food Bloggers & Influencers

Micro-influencers (with 5k–50k followers) can drive targeted footfall without costing a fortune.

8. Share User-Generated Content (UGC)

Repost customers’ food pics with credit—it boosts engagement and shows authenticity.

9. Create Interactive Content

Run polls (“Which pizza topping wins—paneer or chicken?”), quizzes, or contests with free meal vouchers.

10. Promote Limited-Time Offers

Scarcity works—“Only 20 plates of today’s special pasta!” encourages urgency.

11. Go Live with Cooking Demos or Q&As

Host a live stream with your chef showing cooking techniques or answering foodie questions.

12. Highlight Customer Reviews

Turn positive Zomato, Google, or Instagram reviews into visually branded posts.

13. Show Your Team’s Personality

Celebrate birthdays, team outings, or staff spotlights—it makes your restaurant relatable.

14. Cross-Promote with Delivery Apps

Share Swiggy/Zomato order links in your posts and Stories for instant conversions.

15. Track Analytics and Refine Strategy

Measure engagement, reach, and conversions. Double down on what works—whether it’s Reels, memes, or festive campaigns.

Final Word

Restaurant social media marketing isn’t about spamming feeds with food pictures—it’s about building an online dining experience that tempts people offline. By mixing creativity with consistency, and authenticity with analytics, you can turn your Instagram followers into loyal diners who keep coming back.

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How Food Brands Use Instagram & Reels: 14 Proven Social Media Strategies

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SnackTeam
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The food industry doesn’t just sell meals—it sells emotions, cravings, and experiences. With millions of Indians scrolling through Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and food blogs daily, social media has become the most powerful tool to attract hungry customers. Whether you run a café, a cloud kitchen, or a packaged snacks brand, here are 14 effective social media marketing tips for the food industry that can help your business grow.

1. Invest in Drool-Worthy Food Photography

In the food business, presentation is everything. High-quality, well-lit photos of your dishes can drive clicks and cravings instantly.

2. Tell the Story Behind the Dish

Share where your ingredients come from or the inspiration behind your recipe—storytelling adds depth to your brand.

3. Leverage Instagram Reels & TikTok-Style Shorts

Short, snappy videos showing recipe hacks, plating styles, or kitchen moments can go viral quickly.

4. Use Location-Specific Hashtags

Hashtags like #DelhiFoodie or #MumbaiEats make your posts discoverable among local audiences who might order or visit.

5. Run Polls, Quizzes & Contests

Ask your audience what they’d like on the next menu, or run contests with free vouchers—interactive posts increase engagement.

6. Collaborate with Food Bloggers & Micro-Influencers

Influencers with even 5k–50k followers can create authentic buzz for your food brand at a low cost.

7. Share User-Generated Content

Repost your customers’ photos and reviews—nothing builds trust like real people loving your food.

8. Promote Limited-Time Offers & Festive Specials

Scarcity marketing works—tie offers to Diwali, IPL, or Valentine’s Day to drive quick sales.

9. Go Live with Your Chef or Founder

Cooking demos, behind-the-scenes kitchen tours, or Q&A sessions make your food business more relatable.

10. Highlight Reviews & Ratings

Turn your positive Zomato, Swiggy, or Google reviews into branded social media posts.

11. Create Themed Content Calendars

Plan posts around food days like World Pizza Day or World Chocolate Day—they trend well on social media.

12. Focus on Packaging & Unboxing Content

Good packaging isn’t just practical—it’s Instagrammable. Encourage customers to share their unboxing moments.

13. Cross-Promote with Delivery Apps

Integrate Swiggy/Zomato order links into your posts and Stories for instant conversions.

14. Track Analytics & Evolve Strategy

Keep an eye on engagement, reach, and conversions—double down on content that works, whether it’s memes, reels, or recipes.

Final Word

Social media isn’t just a platform—it’s the new-age dining table where customers decide what to eat next. By mixing creativity, consistency, and customer engagement, food brands can turn casual followers into loyal buyers. If you’re in the food industry, the right social media strategy can be your secret ingredient to success.

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