Indian premium food and gourmet retail startup Foodstories has raised ₹50 crore (around $5.2 million) in a fresh funding round to accelerate its digital business and expand its delivery and physical store footprint across Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
- ₹50 Cr funding to scale digital and delivery operations
- Focus on curated gourmet and artisanal food offerings
- Targeting ₹1,000 Cr business via omnichannel expansion
What happened
Foodstories, a premium food and grocery startup founded in 2024 by Ashni and Avni Biyani, announced it has raised ₹50 crore (approximately $5.2 million) in a funding round led by Zerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamath. The Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office also participated as an existing investor. This capital injection is aimed at expanding Foodstories’ digital operations, enhancing its delivery capabilities, and growing its physical retail network.
The company currently operates in key Indian metropolitan cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. It offers a curated selection of artisanal products such as organic and hydroponic produce, premium meats, specialty cheeses, and global gourmet ingredients through physical formats like cafes and bakeries alongside direct-to-consumer online ordering and hyperlocal delivery.
Why it matters
India’s premium food and gourmet retail sector is growing rapidly, propelled by rising disposable incomes, shifting consumer preferences, and an increasing focus on health-conscious and quality food products. The market for gourmet and specialty foods is anticipated to reach nearly $2.5 billion by 2034, reflecting significant expansion potential for startups like Foodstories.
The rise of ecommerce and quick commerce platforms has democratized access to gourmet and imported products beyond upscale urban stores. This trend has attracted investor interest as categories that were once niche are seeing mass adoption. Foodstories’ digital-first approach combined with experiential retail positions it well to capitalize on these evolving consumption patterns.
What to watch next
Foodstories aims to build a ₹1,000 crore business by scaling its curation of premium products, enhancing the experiential retail model, and strengthening its digital infrastructure. Observers should monitor how effectively the company expands its delivery and retail footprint while maintaining its differentiated gourmet offerings amid growing competition from both established and emerging players in India’s premium F&B space.
Investor appetite for premium food brands is increasing, demonstrated by parallel funding rounds such as Manam Chocolate’s recent $9 million Series A. Foodstories’ progress will be a key indicator of how fast premium and artisanal food segments are mainstreaming in India’s evolving food retail landscape.