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Dabur India Launches ₹500 Crore Dabur Ventures Fund to Invest in D2C Health, Beauty and Wellness Startups

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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.

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Foxtale Transforms Into House of Brands With Launch of Hula Hoop Bodycare Line

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Foxtale has taken a decisive step toward becoming a larger beauty powerhouse with the launch of its new bodycare brand, Hula Hoop by Foxtale. The move signals the company’s shift into a House of Brands structure, expanding its reach beyond the skincare category where it built its reputation. The Bengaluru-based company said the launch is backed by months of internal R&D work and a clear demand gap in science-led bodycare, a segment it believes has been underserved despite fast-rising consumer interest.

Hula Hoop arrives at a time when Foxtale is posting some of its strongest numbers since inception. The company reported a 250 per cent year-on-year surge in business over the past twelve months, strengthened by a repeat purchase rate of nearly 50 per cent across its direct platform. This performance, according to the company, has provided both the financial room and confidence to expand into adjacent categories and create a portfolio that can grow at scale.

Founder and chief executive Romita Mazumdar said the new brand is built for customers looking for targeted, derm-grade solutions for concerns like body acne, keratosis pilaris, pigmentation and chronic dryness. She added that the focus is on products that are outcome-driven and backed by the same formulation discipline that shaped Foxtale’s early success.

At launch, Hula Hoop will offer four products priced from ₹329 to ₹649, including two body washes, a lotion and an exfoliating scrub. The products will go live on the brand’s D2C site along with Nykaa, Amazon and leading quick-commerce platforms. Wider offline expansion is expected through the coming months.

Foxtale is on track to close the year with more than ₹700 crore in annualised GMV. The company expects to turn profitable next year as higher efficiencies and stronger retention metrics begin to reflect in its cost structure.

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Fast-Growing QSR Brand The Chatpata Affair to Raise ₹10 Crore for Middle East Expansion

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Image of The Chatpata Affair.
Fast-Growing QSR Brand The Chatpata Affair to Raise ₹10 Crore for Middle East Expansion

The Chatpata Affair is preparing for its biggest international push yet, as the vegetarian quick-service chain moves to raise Rs 10 crore to fuel an ambitious expansion across the UAE and the broader GCC region. The company, which has been testing the waters in Dubai with its first store, says early traction has been strong enough to justify a wider rollout.

The brand plans to open six new outlets in Dubai by March 2026, marking its first structured overseas expansion. The upcoming stores will span a mix of formats, from compact kiosks inside malls to smaller neighbourhood units positioned in residential pockets and busy transit points. The approach is intentionally asset-light, with the company leaning on a model that reduces upfront costs while allowing rapid scaling in high-footfall locations.

Founder Shiju Pappen says the new capital will be directed toward building this network and establishing partnerships that can support the chain’s long-term GCC footprint. Franchising will play a central role as the brand looks to expand beyond Dubai into markets like Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman over the next phase of growth.

Back home, The Chatpata Affair has crossed the 100-outlet mark and continues to add stores across major Indian cities. The company posted a 20 percent year-on-year rise in revenues, with combined domestic and international operations generating an annualised turnover of roughly Rs 40 crore. The management believes the international business will become a meaningful contributor over the next two years as more outlets come online in the Middle East.

With vegetarian QSR demand rising among both Indian diaspora and regional consumers, the company is betting that its fast-casual street-food positioning will resonate strongly across the GCC’s increasingly diverse food-service market.

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Laurel’s Rockets Past Seven Figure Sales as Whole Foods, Erewhon, and Gelsons Fuel a Breakout A2 Dairy Boom

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Laurel’s has pulled off a remarkable first year, crossing the coveted seven figure mark in annual sales and catching the attention of buyers across the retail landscape. The brand, launched in August 2024, entered the market with a simple idea. A ready to drink latte made with A2 dairy and crafted with flavors that feel familiar yet elevated. What started as a small launch has now turned into a fast expanding presence in premium stores.

In just over a year, Laurel’s products have made their way into Erewhon, Gelsons, and Wegmans. The momentum has not slowed down. Whole Foods Market has taken the brand nationwide and conversations with Target and Kroger are already underway for 2026 placement. This early scale is unusual for a young beverage company and speaks to the demand for A2 dairy as shoppers continue searching for cleaner and easier to digest options.

Industry analysts estimate that the A2 dairy category will grow close to fifteen percent year over year through 2030. Smaller players who entered early are now in a strong position to ride the wave. Laurel’s sits in the same circle as Pioneer Pastures and Alec’s Ice Cream, two other names that have helped shape the space. Retailers have also noticed that shoppers are actively shifting from standard dairy to A2 based choices, especially in ready to drink beverages.

With this level of traction, the team at Laurel’s is preparing for its first institutional raise in the coming quarter. Investors have been following the brand’s climb closely and early signs point toward a competitive round. If the company maintains its current pace, it could be one of the breakout stories in the next chapter of the A2 category.

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Kimirica Launches Luxury Home Fragrance Line to Elevate Indian Lifestyle Segment

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Kimirica, India’s premium self-care brand, is making a foray into luxury home fragrances, signaling a strategic expansion beyond personal care. The Bengaluru-based brand unveiled a new collection featuring hand-poured soy candles, room sprays, and curated hand caddy sets. Each item is presented in reeded jars, designed to function as both décor pieces and sensory enhancers for modern living spaces.

The move reflects Kimirica’s growing emphasis on blending aesthetics with olfactory sophistication. Rajat Jain, Co-founder and Olfactory Expert, explained that the brand’s entry into home fragrances builds on its expertise in premium perfumery. “Our experience with Eau de Parfums inspired us to extend that sensorial journey into homes. The goal was not just to fill spaces with fragrance but to create pieces that contribute to the visual and emotional character of the environment,” he said.

CEO and Co-founder Mohit Jain emphasized the brand’s intent to elevate the perception of home fragrances. “Traditionally, home scents have been functional and utilitarian. Our vision is to merge design, aroma, and lifestyle. Each product serves as a visual anchor, enriching spaces while remaining personal and inviting,” he noted.

Since its inception in 2012, Kimirica has established a niche with vegan formulations, distinctive scent profiles, and products that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. The new home fragrance collection represents a continuation of the brand’s philosophy, focusing on creating elevated, immersive experiences for consumers who prioritize both quality and design.

The line is IFRA-certified, reinforcing Kimirica’s commitment to safety and global standards, while aligning with contemporary consumer preferences for ethically crafted, luxury lifestyle products. By entering the home fragrance segment, the company aims to capture a growing market for premium lifestyle offerings in India, extending its brand footprint and reinforcing its position as a curator of sophisticated self-care and home experiences.

This launch positions Kimirica to compete with both international and domestic premium lifestyle brands, marking a significant milestone in the company’s broader strategy to combine sensorial indulgence with elevated design.

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Shark Tank India Alum Ravelcare Delivers a Fiery 55 Percent IPO Pop and Attracts Record Bids

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A young beauty brand that once walked into the Shark Tank India studio seeking only Rs 75 lakh has now delivered a stunning moment in the public markets. Ravelcare surprised investors on December 8 with a powerful market debut that instantly turned early believers into big winners. Its shares opened with a sharp 55 percent gain over the issue price of Rs 130, creating a wave of excitement across retail and institutional circles.

What makes the story even more gripping is the response the company received during its offering. Ravelcare raised Rs 24.10 crore through a fully fresh issue and witnessed an eye popping subscription of 437.6 times. This kind of interest is rare and reflects the growing appetite for new age beauty and personal care brands that are pushing fresh ideas into a crowded category.

The startup first gained attention on Shark Tank India for its clean formulation promise and its confident pitch that blended science, transparency, and a bold plan to scale. While the founders did not walk away with funding on the show, the visibility worked in their favor. It helped the brand build trust, expand its customer base, and eventually prepare for a public listing.

Several analysts believe that the company managed to strike the right balance between storytelling and solid financials. The strong subscription across retail, high net worth, and institutional investors points to a belief that Ravelcare can grow rapidly across modern retail and ecommerce in the coming years.

For many investors, watching a Shark Tank hopeful turn into a rewarding market success feels especially sweet. It shows that a compelling product and determined founders can turn a modest pitch into a memorable market milestone.

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Swiggy Shareholders Greenlight Rs 10,000 Crore QIP as Instamart Losses Mount

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Swiggy has secured shareholder approval to raise Rs 10,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement, setting the stage for its largest capital infusion since going public last year. A regulatory filing on Monday confirmed the nod, which acts as a green signal for the company to move ahead with the fundraising exercise that could open as early as this week, according to people familiar with the matter.

The food and grocery delivery firm has shortlisted the Indian arms of Citigroup, JPMorgan and Kotak Mahindra Capital to manage the placement. Market participants expect the issue to be priced at a discount to Swiggy’s prevailing stock price, a common practice in QIPs. Shares closed at Rs 385.85 on the BSE, slipping 2.1 percent after the disclosure. At current levels, the proposed fundraise would dilute more than a tenth of the company’s equity.

This will be Swiggy’s first major capital raise since its November 2024 listing, where it raised Rs 4,500 crore. By the September quarter, the company had already used over four-fifths of that amount. Most of the spending was linked to losses in Instamart, its quick commerce arm, which has been expanding at a pace faster than internal projections.

The fresh funding comes at a time when competition in the 10-minute delivery market is intensifying. Blinkit, owned by Eternal, and Zepto, backed by Nexus Venture Partners and preparing to file draft papers by mid-December, are expected to accelerate expansion. Swiggy’s consolidated cash burn stood at Rs 740 crore in the September quarter, ahead of Eternal’s Rs 543 crore.

In a recent communication to shareholders, Swiggy said the company wants additional financial headroom to strengthen its market position as store networks mature and operating leverage improves. The firm also highlighted the Rs 2,400 crore it will receive from its Rapido divestment as part of its broader balance sheet strategy.

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Bisleri Deepens Middle East Strategy With Multi-Year Emirates Cricket Board Collaboration

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Bisleri International has taken another step in its global expansion strategy by securing a three year hydration partnership with the Emirates Cricket Board, a move that brings the Indian bottled water giant deeper into one of the Gulf region’s most rapidly growing cricket ecosystems.

The agreement positions Bisleri as the official hydration partner for the UAE’s Men’s, Women’s and Under 19 national teams. The brand will feature on team apparel and across all major cricketing events involving the UAE, including bilateral fixtures, Asian Cricket Council tournaments and ICC-sanctioned competitions hosted in the region. For Bisleri, which has been steadily broadening its overseas footprint, the association serves both as a visibility booster and an entry point into a market where cricket consumption has sharply risen over the last decade.

Subhan Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer of the Emirates Cricket Board, said the partnership fits into the board’s long term commercial roadmap. He noted that the ECB has been bringing global brands into its fold as part of a wider effort to build the commercial strength needed for sustained cricket development in the UAE.

Bisleri International CEO Angelo George said the collaboration strengthens the company’s presence across the Middle East at a time when it is expanding manufacturing and distribution networks regionally. He added that the tie-up gives the brand a consistent platform in one of the most widely watched sports categories across South Asian and expatriate communities in the Gulf.

The partnership follows Bisleri’s recently announced collaboration with the Apparel Group to manage production and distribution across the Middle East and Africa. With the ECB agreement now in place, Bisleri is set to deepen brand visibility in a region where large scale sporting events often serve as powerful consumer touchpoints.

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Virat Kohli Joins Agilitas Sports, Puts One8 on Global Expansion Path After Puma Exit

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Virat Kohli has shifted the trajectory of his lifestyle label One8 by formally teaming up with homegrown sportswear company Agilitas Sports. The cricketer confirmed the development through a post on X, calling it the start of a new chapter for both brands. His announcement follows a major strategic decision earlier this year, when he chose not to renew Puma’s eight-year offer reportedly valued at around three hundred crore rupees.

Instead of extending the long-standing association, Kohli opted to invest directly in Agilitas. The company was founded in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, who previously led Puma’s operations in India and South-East Asia and played a key role in signing Kohli to Puma in 2017. That partnership led to the creation and nationwide rise of the One8 athleisure line.

In a video shared alongside his post, Kohli explained that Agilitas’ manufacturing strength and leadership experience played a decisive role in his move. He described the brand as a platform “built by people of our own” and spoke about wanting to help shape something significant within India’s fast-growing sportswear ecosystem.

One8 will now be fully housed under Agilitas, which will take charge of building the label’s retail footprint across India and international markets. The company has been expanding rapidly. In September 2023, it bought Mochiko, India’s largest sports shoe manufacturer, in an all-cash acquisition funded through a fifty-two million dollar round led by Convergent Finance. Mochiko supplies footwear to major global brands including Adidas, Puma, Skechers, Reebok, Asics and Decathlon.

Agilitas strengthened its capital base again in December 2023 by raising an additional one hundred crore rupees from Nexus Venture Partners. As part of that investment, Suvir Sujan joined the company as an advisor.

With Kohli’s endorsement and investment, Agilitas is now positioning itself to build a stronger Indian sportswear brand for global scale.

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Magnum Ice Cream Debuts on Amsterdam Exchange with $9.24 Billion Valuation

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Magnum Ice Cream debuted on the Amsterdam stock exchange on Monday, achieving a market valuation of $9.24 billion, marking a major milestone in its spinoff from Unilever. Shares opened at 12.96 euros each, slightly below analyst expectations, reflecting a reference price set at 12.8 euros aimed at attracting early investors while mitigating potential volatility from index fund activity. Magnum, now the world’s largest standalone ice cream business, operates flagship brands including Wall’s, Cornetto, and Ben & Jerry’s, and commands more than 20 percent of the global $87 billion ice cream market.

The listing in Amsterdam is the first step in a broader multi-market rollout, with shares also scheduled for London and New York. While initial trading excludes inclusion in major indices such as the FTSE, analysts note that early downward pressure is possible, driven by separation costs from Unilever and the absence of a dividend in 2026. Unilever retains a 19.9 percent stake with plans to fully exit within five years.

Magnum’s market debut comes as it seeks to sharpen its operational focus. By operating independently, the company aims to improve agility and efficiency in a business where cold-chain logistics demand more complex management than Unilever’s personal care brands. 2024 revenue stood at 7.9 billion euros, roughly matching its market valuation, while Morningstar estimates the company’s 2025 adjusted earnings at eight times valuation.

Competition remains robust, with Froneri, the Nestlé-PAI joint venture, valued at 15 billion euros and holding an 11 percent global market share. Magnum faces evolving consumer preferences, including rising demand for healthier options influenced by GLP-1 weight-loss treatments and public campaigns promoting wellness.

CEO Peter ter Kulve described the listing as a “proud milestone” and emphasized that as a standalone company, Magnum will be “more focused, more agile, and more ambitious than ever,” leveraging its portfolio to grow in both indulgent and emerging ice cream categories worldwide.

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