Built in India, Built for the World
A quiet revolution is taking place across India’s consumer landscape led not by legacy giants, but by founders who see opportunity where others once saw limits. Drools, Hocco, and Flipspaces are three such brands shaping this new wave: bold, modern, and unapologetically Indian.
They’ve grown by listening deeply to evolving needs: Drools has responded to the rise of pet parenthood with nutrition and veterinary innovation; Hocco has reimagined the ice cream experience with quality and scale; Flipspaces has brought tech precision to the chaos of commercial design. In different industries, they share a common rhythm local insight powered by global ambition.
These aren’t just success stories they’re signals. Signals that India is ready not only to serve its own billion-strong market but also to build brands that compete and win across the world. Backed by serious capital and propelled by disciplined execution, these companies are stepping into international markets not as underdogs but as contenders.
What’s clear now is that India’s next chapter of growth will be led by brands like these brands that speak the language of scale, design, and trust. And as they cross new borders, they carry with them not just products, but a clear message: the future of global consumer innovation has a new origin story.
Drools Achieves Unicorn Status Following Nestlé’s Strategic Investment
In a significant milestone for India’s rapidly evolving pet care industry, homegrown pet food brand Drools has officially joined the unicorn club. The company, founded in 2010 by Fahim Sultan, has been valued at over $1 billion, following a strategic yet non-controlling minority investment from global food and beverage giant Nestlé.
While financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, Nestlé has clarified that the investment is entirely financial in nature, with no immediate plans to interfere in the day-to-day operations or strategic direction of the brand. This approach allows Drools to retain its agility and founder-led culture, while benefiting from the credibility and confidence that a global name like Nestlé brings to the table.
“The decision to bring Nestlé on board was driven by strategic alignment and long-term vision,” a source close to the deal shared. “Drools is entering a new phase scaling beyond India, investing heavily in product innovation and vet health and this move signals global faith in India’s capacity to lead the pet care revolution.”
A Meteoric Rise in a Growing Market
Over the past decade, Drools has transitioned from a promising startup to a market leader, now holding 38% share of India’s pet food market by volume. The brand has benefited from an uptick in pet adoption across urban India, where millennial and Gen Z consumers increasingly view pets as family members and are willing to spend more on their nutrition and well-being.
Drools is currently available in over 34,000 retail stores across India, alongside a booming e-commerce presence. Internationally, the brand exports its products to over 22 countries, including high-potential markets like Australia, Israel, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the United Arab Emirates, with sights now set on Russia and the United States.
This global appetite reflects a broader trend: pet humanization is no longer a Western phenomenon. The Indian subcontinent alongside Latin America and Southeast Asia is witnessing a rapid cultural shift that aligns pets more closely with the lifestyle and diet of their owners.
Prior Funding and L Catterton’s Influence
Drools’ current valuation marks a significant leap from 2023, when it raised $60 million from L Catterton, the private equity firm backed by luxury conglomerate LVMH. That funding round placed Drools’ valuation at approximately $600 million and was earmarked for deepening manufacturing capabilities, enhancing omnichannel distribution, and significantly ramping up marketing efforts to increase consumer recall and preference.
It was also the first time a global PE firm with a strong consumer pedigree invested in an Indian pet care company, which was seen as a validation of Drools’ ability to go head-to-head with international incumbents like Pedigree (Mars) and Royal Canin (Nestlé Purina).
With Nestlé now on the table as an investor, speculation is rife about whether Drools could eventually become Nestlé’s local ally or acquisition target in India—a market the Swiss conglomerate has been trying to deepen its play in beyond instant noodles and dairy.
🏥 Healthcare & Pharma: Drools’ Next Growth Pillar
Drools is not just focusing on pet nutrition it’s also building a complete ecosystem around pet health. Its recently launched verticals include:
- Drools Vet Thrive: An ambitious project to upgrade veterinary clinics across India by supplying cutting-edge equipment and training modules. With an investment of $30 million, this initiative aims to modernize over 500 vet clinics in the next three years.
- Drools Veterinary Health: A new line focused on pet pharmaceuticals and supplements, signaling Drools’ entry into the high-margin, high-impact small animal pharma space. With the demand for pet diagnostics, preventive care, and vet-prescribed supplements on the rise, this vertical could become a future revenue engine.
These expansions position Drools as a 360-degree pet wellness company, a strategic departure from being “just a pet food brand” and a compelling differentiator in a crowded, commoditized market.
What’s Next: IPO Buzz & Global Strategy
According to industry insiders, Drools may also be eyeing a public listing in the coming years. With consumer appetite shifting toward transparency and ESG-conscious brands, and given Drools’ domestic origin and strong founder story, a public debut could unlock not only capital but brand prestige.
Analysts expect the company to deepen its R&D, possibly invest in new D2C verticals, and even explore plant-based pet nutrition a niche gaining traction among environmentally conscious pet parents.
In global markets, Drools plans to pursue strategic distribution partnerships and digital-first expansion. Its tech stack, which includes predictive ordering for retailers and pet-care content communities, could also evolve into a proprietary ecosystem that supports pet owners throughout their journey from adoption to senior care.
Hocco Secures $10 Million in Series B Funding to Accelerate Expansion and Double Production Capacity
Indian premium ice cream brand Hocco has raised $10 million in the first tranche of its $20 million Series B funding round, in a move that signals its bold ambitions to become a national force in the growing FMCG landscape. The round was co-led by the Chona Family Office, which retains legacy ties to India’s iconic Havmor Ice Cream, and Sauce VC, a consumer-focused venture capital firm that has previously backed category-defining brands in food, fashion, and beauty.
According to the company, the funds will be used to significantly scale production capabilities, enhance supply chain logistics, and deepen retail penetration across India. One of the most immediate goals is doubling its production capacity from 130,000 liters per day to 250,000 liters per day by February 2026. This move is not only operational—it’s symbolic of Hocco’s accelerated drive to meet rising demand in tier-1 and emerging tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
A Family Legacy Reinvented
Founded in 2019 by the Chona family, the original promoters of Havmor Ice Cream, Hocco is more than just a return to roots it’s a reinvention. After selling Havmor to South Korea’s Lotte Confectionery in 2017 for ₹1,020 crore, the Chonas spent time mapping shifts in India’s ice cream consumption habits. Their relaunch into the space wasn’t hasty. The family waited until October 2023 to officially begin operations, entering a much-changed consumer market with a stronger focus on premium quality, millennial preferences, and digital distribution.
Since launch, Hocco has expanded its footprint across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi NCR, and parts of Madhya Pradesh—regions chosen strategically due to their consumption trends and infrastructure advantages. With this latest funding, the brand is setting its sights on Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh, while also evaluating forays into Goa and Telangana. This eastward and southward trajectory is part of Hocco’s pan-India playbook.
Distribution Muscle and Experiential Retail
Currently, Hocco operates through a robust network of nearly 200 distributors and over 250 direct sales professionals. However, it isn’t just sticking to traditional retail channels. The company has begun opening company-owned experience zones that aim to elevate the ice cream-buying moment into an immersive brand encounter. Two such parlours were recently launched in Delhi, with more expected across key metros.
These experience zones are designed not only to increase brand visibility but to reinforce Hocco’s premium image a differentiator in a crowded category that’s still dominated by legacy names and local manufacturers. Analysts believe that this D2C experience strategy could be Hocco’s competitive edge, especially with India’s younger, brand-conscious demographic.
Financial Performance and Future Fundraising
In its first full financial year (FY25), Hocco recorded revenue of ₹220 crore, a strong showing for a brand that has barely completed 18 months in the market. The company is projecting ₹420–₹450 crore in revenue for FY26, driven by deeper regional distribution, a wider SKU mix, and aggressive marketing.
So far, Hocco has raised approximately $30 million, including the current tranche. The second tranche of the Series B round is already in early-stage talks with both existing backers and global funds who see long-term value in India’s fast-growing dairy and frozen dessert segments. This additional capital is expected to land in the next four to six months, enabling further expansion and tech-backed operational efficiency.
Riding the Indian Ice Cream Boom
Hocco’s rise is reflective of broader tailwinds sweeping through India’s ice cream and frozen dessert industry. The sector is currently valued at $3.4 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12–15%, fueled by urbanization, rising disposable incomes, tier-2 and tier-3 market development, and the increasing success of quick commerce platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart.
As consumer demand shifts toward clean labels, innovative formats, and premium textures, brands like Hocco that can blend heritage craftsmanship with contemporary appeal are poised to lead the next wave.
Strategic Positioning and Category Leadership
While Hocco still operates in the shadow of larger brands like Amul and Kwality Walls in terms of volume, its premium positioning, strong brand story, and aggressive offline+online hybrid strategy are positioning it to carve out leadership in the premium segment. It also benefits from the emotional trust consumers place in the Chona legacy a factor often underestimated in new-age FMCG brand building.
From experience lounges to micro-fulfillment partnerships, Hocco’s approach is a lesson in modern retail playbooks that prioritize consumer delight, not just distribution reach.
As it doubles down on innovation, sustainability, and expansion, Hocco is on track to not only dominate India’s frozen treat segment but also potentially enter select international markets with an export-ready production line and a brand story that resonates globally.
Flipspaces Raises $35 Million to Accelerate Global Expansion and Tech Innovation
Mumbai-based interior design technology startup Flipspaces has secured $35 million in Series B funding, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s ambition to reimagine and digitize the commercial interiors industry. The round was led by Iron Pillar, a tech-focused growth-stage investor, with continued backing from Prudent Investment Managers and new participation from Synergy Capital. The round includes both primary and secondary investments, enabling the exit of early-stage investor Carpediem Capital, a move that signals investor confidence in Flipspaces’ long-term scalability and profitability.
Founded in 2015, Flipspaces was launched by Kunal Sharma, Ankur Muchhal, Vikash Anand, Mrinal Sharma, Prafful Sahu, and Ritesh Rajan, with the vision of modernizing the highly fragmented interior design sector by infusing it with tech-enabled solutions. Over the last decade, the company has carved out a unique space in the market by offering a full-stack SaaS and project execution platform for commercial interiors. From 3D virtual walkthroughs and space planning tools to a proprietary marketplace of furniture, fixtures, and materials, Flipspaces handles every aspect of the design and build lifecycle.
While traditional design firms often rely on siloed, manual workflows, Flipspaces’ model brings a vertically integrated tech-first approach, combining spatial design, product procurement, and on-site execution into one seamless platform. This integrated solution is particularly tailored to the needs of Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs), which account for nearly 60% of the commercial design and build market, but have historically lacked access to organized, tech-driven interior services.
With the newly infused capital, Flipspaces plans to accelerate its international expansion, focusing on its core markets in India, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates regions that are increasingly embracing digital transformation in real estate and workspace development. The company will also double down on product innovation, enhance its AI-powered space visualization tools, strengthen its inventory and vendor ecosystems, and invest in customer acquisition strategies tailored to each geography.
In a sector traditionally driven by referrals and local contractors, Flipspaces has built a strong, data-backed platform with real-time tracking, transparent pricing, and outcome-driven design a combination that has enabled it to deliver over 8 million square feet of commercial spaces for more than 1,000 clients globally. These include multinational corporations, retail chains, educational institutions, co-working spaces, and rising D2C brands.
Flipspaces has maintained profitability while achieving over 65% CAGR over the past four years, a rare feat for a startup in the capital-intensive design space. Its U.S. operations now account for nearly 20% of total revenues, and both its Indian and UAE divisions are also in the green. This blend of sustainable growth and international presence has made Flipspaces an attractive proposition for global investors seeking resilient startups with proven business models.
Ashok Ananthakrishnan, Partner at Iron Pillar, expressed optimism about Flipspaces’ future:
“With their tech-first platform spanning design, supply chain, and project management, we believe Flipspaces is well-positioned to build a leading franchise across India, the GCC, and the USA. Their ability to scale profitably and efficiently in such diverse markets is impressive. They’ve already achieved $40 million in revenue, and we see significant runway ahead.”
In September 2023, the company had raised $4 million in a pre-Series B round, led by Prashasta Seth, further underscoring the growing investor appetite for startups driving innovation at the intersection of real estate, design, and technology.
As Flipspaces continues its journey, its broader vision remains to digitally transform every square foot of commercial space. With clients increasingly seeking agility, transparency, and global design standards, Flipspaces is not just building offices it is redefining how the business world experiences space.
In the years ahead, the company aims to expand into new verticals, including hospitality, healthcare, and institutional interiors, and may explore strategic acquisitions to enhance capabilities or enter untapped markets. As urbanization, hybrid work models, and real estate modernization continue to shape how we interact with built environments, Flipspaces is emerging as a next-gen industry leader in the global commercial interior design ecosystem.
