South Indian food and snacks brand Sweet Karam Coffee (SKC) has successfully raised $8 million in its first institutional funding round, a Series A led by Peak XV Partners. Founded in 2015 by husband-wife duo Anand Bharadwaj and Nalini Parthiban (CEO), the Chennai-based brand focuses on clean-label regional delicacies.
Key Details
- Raised $8 million in a Series A funding round.
- Lead investor is Peak XV Partners; existing investor Fireside Ventures participated.
- Offers palm oil-free, preservative-free South Indian sweets, snacks, filter coffee, and essentials.
- Currently delivers products to 32 countries globally.
- Recorded 4x revenue growth in the past year; projects 2.5x growth in the next 12 months.
- Appointed Nandhitha Indermohan (ex-Unilever) as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
- Operates within the >Rs 25,000 crore South Indian snacks and sweets market.
Founder's Background
Sweet Karam Coffee was founded in 2015 by the husband-wife team of Anand Bharadwaj and Nalini Parthiban, who serves as CEO. They aim to capture cultural nostalgia and authenticity, emphasizing traditional recipes free from palm oil and preservatives ("something my Janaki Paati would make"). Nalini highlights the brand's commitment to clean ingredients and capitalizing on cross-cultural appeal facilitated by modern distribution.
Funding Details
The $8 million Series A funding, spearheaded by Peak XV Partners and backed by early supporter Fireside Ventures, is earmarked for significant growth. The capital will enhance omnichannel distribution, drive product innovation, and build a tech-enabled supply chain. Investors like Peak XV see strong potential due to the large market size, shift towards organized players, and rising demand for healthier traditional options.