In one of the most exciting D2C funding rounds this week, Chennai-based digital-first culinary brand Cookd has secured ₹16 crore in a Pre-Series A round. The startup is an alumni of cohort 3 of D2C Insider Elevate growth accelerator program. The direct-to-consumer India startup, known for its compelling online cooking videos and innovative ready-to-use kits, attracted funding from Spring Marketing Capital, Eternal Capital, Sun Icon Ventures, and PeerCheque. This D2C funding news reaffirms Cookd’s place among the fastest-growing D2C brands in India’s booming D2C food and beverage brands category.
Founded in 2020 by Aathitiyan V.S., Cookd began as a video-first platform and quickly expanded into a product-centric D2C business India play. Today, the D2C startup commands a massive community of over 6 million followers across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, with its content garnering 150–170 million views monthly. This blend of creator-led D2C brand strategy and scalable product innovation is helping Cookd stand out in a crowded D2C ecosystem India.
While most D2C brands India have ventured into masalas or ready-to-eat formats, Cookd took a fresh approach by launching complete biryani kits, designed for convenience without sacrificing authenticity. These D2C product launches—including masalas, cooking pastes, and recipe kits—are now available in over 1,600 retail stores, reflecting the brand’s omnichannel D2C strategy that bridges content, community, and commerce.
According to Aathitiyan, the newly raised funds will be utilised to expand Cookd’s presence in Tamil Nadu, and launch into Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, two geographies where Cookd already has a sizable digital following. “With the fresh funds, we are building a new category of cooking products that combines authenticity, convenience, and control. Our goal is simple: help people cook more often and with joy,” he shared.
This funding milestone adds Cookd to the growing list of latest D2C startups shaking up India’s D2C industry news headlines. It also highlights increasing VC-backed D2C brand interest in D2C food and beverage brands, especially those with proven D2C go-to-market strategy and consumer loyalty.
With a model rooted in D2C brand building stories, digital content virality, and tangible retail presence, Cookd embodies the next-gen direct-to-consumer India playbook. This round follows a broader trend of D2C funding rounds pouring into Indian D2C updates, with VCs hunting for startups that combine influencer marketing for D2C with supply chain innovation.
As the D2C market trends 2025 continue pointing toward category-specific expansion and sustainable D2C brands, Cookd’s ability to blend community-driven content with mass-market product delivery places it among the most promising names in the D2C daily news landscape.
With its clear positioning, cultural relevance, and rapid execution, Cookd may soon find itself among India’s top funded D2C brands, possibly even eyeing a place in future D2C IPO news conversations.
