Sweet Karam Coffee raises $8 million in Series A

CHENNAI: South Indian food startup Sweet Karam Coffee (SKC) has raised $8 million funding in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Fireside Ventures, who have doubled down on their earlier investment.The startup aims to expand its omnichannel distribution, speed up new product development and to improve its supply chain capabilities and strengthen its brand presence, it said in a release. The startup said it has grown 4X in revenue over the past 12 months and estimated 2.5X growth in the next 12 months. Founded in 2015, Sweet Karam Coffee is a brand that offers South Indian sweets, snacks and filter coffee. To support its next phase of growth, SKC has appointed former Unilever executive Nandhitha Indermohan as its chief operating officer. With over 15 years of supply chain and operations experience, Nandhitha’s expertise is set to enhance SKC’s operational and strategic capabilities, it said. Nalini, chief executive and co-founder of Sweet Karam Coffee, said, “Quick commerce is bridging distribution like never before, and we are seeing a beautiful cross-pollination of cultures—our products are now loved not just in the South, but across the country.” The startup said it is delivering to 32 countries and present in more than 2,500 quick commerce dark stores across the country. Abishek Mohan from Peak XV noted, “The South Indian snacks and sweets market, at over Rs 25,000 crore, is large, fast-growing, and undergoing a significant transformation. The shift from unorganised to organized players, rising demand for better-for-you products, and the rapid expansion of modern distribution channels present a powerful opportunity for brands like Sweet Karam Coffee.”