New Delhi headquartered startup CHINI KUM, which focuses on sugar-free beverages, has raised ₹1 crore in a pre-seed funding round from a set of angel investors, with the founder also investing in the round.
The funding saw backing from Shobhit Gupta of One8 Commune Restaurants, Varun Sachdeva, who leads e-commerce at boAt, and Eiti Singhal from Eiti Ventures, among other individual investors.
The newly raised capital will be channelled into developing new formulations, introducing additional flavours, and building a wider distribution network across the country. The startup also plans to allocate funds towards expanding its reach on quick commerce platforms and strengthening its digital-first sales strategy.
Founded by Priyank Jain, CHINI KUM is positioning itself in India’s beverage market with a range of low-calorie, sugar-free drinks intended for daily consumption. The brand has begun selling through its own website and has launched via an exclusive partnership with Swiggy Instamart in select urban centers.
The company’s debut range includes sparkling and non-sparkling beverages offered in lemon and mango flavours. CHINI KUM says its drinks are formulated using plant-based sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit, include prebiotic fibre, and are designed as lighter alternatives to traditional sugary soft drinks.
Products are priced from ₹30 for a 160 ml serving, with plans underway to scale presence across metro and Tier I cities. The startup is prioritising quick commerce-led distribution to tap into rising demand for healthier beverage choices.