Tag: Smruti Bhalerao news

  • From #1 on Nykaa to Sephora Shelves: indē wild Raises $5M from Unilever Ventures to Scale Its Ayurvedistry™ Movement

    After skyrocketing to the #1 bestseller spot on Nykaa and outpacing global beauty giants like Olaplex and L’Oréal, indē wild, founded by Diipa Büller-Khosla, secures a $5M investment from Unilever Ventures to fuel its global expansion. With a revolutionary approach blending Ayurveda and modern science, the brand is set to debut in Sephora UK and Sephora US, bringing its viral, community-driven beauty innovations to a worldwide audience.

    In a move that solidifies India’s presence on the global beauty stage, indē wild, the pioneering Ayurvedistry™ brand founded by entrepreneur Diipa Büller-Khosla, has secured a $5 million investment from Unilever Ventures. The funding round, which also saw continued support from SoGal Ventures and True, marks a new phase of expansion for the brand as it prepares to enter Sephora UK and US following its dominant performance in India and global markets.

    Breaking Barriers in the Beauty Industry
    Since its launch, indē wild has rapidly ascended as a category-defining brand, merging Ayurveda’s ancient wisdom with clinically backed formulations. Within just two years, the company achieved #1 bestseller status on Nykaa, India’s largest beauty e-commerce platform, outperforming global industry leaders like Olaplex, L’Oréal, and Kama Ayurveda. This rapid growth paved the way for its exclusive partnership with Sephora, a milestone that cements its position as a global beauty disruptor.
    The brand’s flagship product, the Champi Hair Oil, gained viral status, selling at a rate of more than one unit per minute and dominating consumer demand in the US, UK, and India. Other standout products, such as the Dewy Lip Treatment and SPF Rose Sun Mist Spray, continue to drive sales, reinforcing indē wild’s reputation for delivering science-driven solutions with cultural authenticity.

    Scaling with Consumer-Centric Innovation
    What sets indē wild apart is its community-first product development model. Over 60 focus groups spanning India, the US, and the UK have shaped the brand’s formulations, ensuring that every product meets the real needs of consumers rather than relying solely on market trends.
    “Today’s generation seeks brands that reflect their identity,” says Diipa Büller-Khosla, Founder of indē wild. “The most impactful brands are built on deep listening, constant evolution, and empowering communities to co-create their journey. With this new funding, we are ready to scale indē wild to new heights while staying rooted in the values that built our foundation.”

    Unilever Ventures Bets Big on Ayurvedistry™
    With a growing global appetite for clean beauty brands that prioritize efficacy and heritage, Unilever Ventures’ investment in indē wild signals confidence in the brand’s long-term impact on the global market.Rachel Harris, Partner at Unilever Ventures, highlights the brand’s unique positioning: “By blending the age-old wisdom of Ayurveda with modern scientific innovation, indē wild is redefining what it means to be a beauty brand in today’s world. With an engaged global community and an authentic approach to product development, we are excited to support their next stage of expansion.”

    Financial Strength & Global Expansion
    The company’s strong financial health also played a key role in securing funding. With double-digit contribution margins and EBITDA profitability in parts of the previous year, indē wild stands out in a market where many beauty startups struggle to maintain profitability. The brand’s disciplined growth strategy, emphasizing organic consumer advocacy over paid performance marketing, has proven to be a game-changer.
    The new capital injection will accelerate indē wild’s international expansion, strengthening its Sephora partnership for the UK and gearing up for a highly anticipated US launch.

    Investor Confidence in India’s Beauty Boom
    Pocket Sun, Managing Partner at SoGal Ventures, notes the broader impact of indē wild’s rise: “indē wild is more than a beauty brand, it’s a symbol of the global South Asian community’s growing influence. By honoring heritage while embracing global ambition, it is redefining Ayurvedic principles for a modern audience.”Oleg Büller-Khosla, CEO of indē wild, echoes this sentiment: “Unilever Ventures’ investment is a reflection of the trust we have built in the beauty industry. Their expertise and understanding of clean beauty, consumer behavior, and business scalability will allow us to grow even faster in this rapidly evolving market.”

    Conclusion: The Future of indē wild
    With this investment and a retail debut in Sephora UK and US, indē wild is poised to become a major global player in beauty. As Indian beauty traditions continue to shape international markets, indē wild stands at the forefront of this transformation, proving that cultural authenticity and scientific innovation can go hand in hand.
    At Prittle Prattle News, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • From 10X Growth to ₹400 Crore Orders: Probus Raises $5M to Transform Energy Management

    With $8M raised to date, Probus scales AI-based smart metering solutions, expanding into 9 states and driving India’s Net Zero goals.

    DeepTech startup Probus Smart Things has secured $5 million in Series A1 funding, led by Unicorn India Ventures, with additional participation from US-based and Indian family offices. This marks Unicorn India Ventures’ fourth investment in Probus, reinforcing confidence in the company’s AI-driven energy management solutions. With this round, Probus’ total funding has crossed $8 million.
    Probus will use the funding to scale its AI-powered smart grid applications and expand its patented dual-communication smart metering technology across multiple states in India. The company’s ₹400 crore order book reflects its 10X revenue growth since 2023, cementing its role as a leader in smart metering and power distribution automation.

    Probus specializes in end-to-end IoT solutions for electricity distribution utilities, enabling them to digitize their grids, optimize power distribution, and enhance operational efficiency. With the growing adoption of Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI) under India’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS-2), Probus is focusing on expanding AI-driven real-time analytics and predictive maintenance solutions.

    According to Anil Joshi, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures, Probus has emerged as a game-changer in India’s last-mile power distribution ecosystem. He highlighted that the company’s ₹400 crore order book, coupled with rapid innovation in AI-powered smart grid solutions, showcases its strong market potential. With India’s increasing focus on renewable energy integration and grid automation, Probus is well-positioned to lead the transformation in power distribution technology.
    Anand Singh, Co-founder & CEO of Probus Smart Things, stated that Probus is committed to digitizing India’s electricity grid and reducing distribution losses. He emphasized that the company’s AI-driven grid analytics and real-time monitoring solutions are helping utilities transition toward a sustainable and data-driven energy ecosystem. Singh also announced that Probus is set to expand its AI-powered solutions to 9 states, further scaling its footprint in India’s smart grid transformation journey.

    The company’s dual-communication smart metering technology, integrating cellular and Bluetooth networks, ensures seamless data transmission while reducing operational costs for utilities. This innovation is already being deployed across multiple states, significantly improving the adoption of smart meters.
    Since its last funding round in 2023, Probus has achieved significant milestones, including filing for four new patents, tripling its team size, and launching a state-of-the-art Innovation Center in Noida. With strategic partnerships with major power utilities such as Adani Power, Tata Power, and Torrent Power, Probus is strengthening its role as a trusted partner in India’s smart grid revolution.

    With the Indian government’s focus on sustainable energy transition, Probus plans to vertically integrate its AI-powered grid management solutions and drive innovation in smart metering, energy analytics, and power distribution automation. The company is poised for 10X revenue growth over the next 12 months, leveraging real-time AI-powered analytics to make India’s energy sector more efficient, data-driven, and resilient.
    For more details, visit Probus Smart Things.

    About Unicorn India Ventures
    Unicorn India Ventures is a leading technology-focused early-stage venture fund, backing DeepTech, AI, semiconductor, and energy startups. With ₹1,000 Cr Fund III, the firm has invested in Gamerji, Probus, Netrasami, Orbitaid, and other category-defining startups.
    For more details, visit Unicorn India Ventures.
    At Prittle Prattle News, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.