Bombay Shaving Company raises Rs 136 crore from Sixth Sense; founder joins round as IPO prep begins

Bombay Shaving Company raises Rs 136 cr led by Sixth Sense Ventures; founder invests as brand preps for IPO

Men’s grooming brand Bombay Shaving Company has raised Rs 136 crore in a fresh round led by Sixth Sense Ventures, with participation from founder and CEO Shantanu Deshpande, Patni Family Office, GII, and several HNIs, including Rahul Dravid. The round includes both primary and secondary infusions.

The founder’s participation in the round comes amid a broader shift in India’s startup ecosystem, where more entrepreneurs are turning investors in their own companies, as Moneycontrol reported earlier.

Over the past few months, founders at firms such as Lenskart, OYO, Zetwerk, Yubi, Shadowfax, Amagi, InMobi, and CRED, among others, have all infused personal capital into their ventures, in some cases through holding entities, and in others directly ahead of planned IPOs. While the structure of these transactions varies, together they point to a defining shift: India’s startup founders are starting to look, act, and invest like promoters again.

How is the company performing financially?

The company, which recently achieved profitability and doubled its growth over FY25 to an annual revenue run-rate of over Rs 550 crore, said the fundraise is a strategic step as it prepares to go public.

“We intend to take the company public soon, sooner rather than later, and carry the retail investor on our growth journey,” Deshpande said. “Focusing on fast-evolving consumer needs, designing never-seen-before high-quality products at competitive prices, and building a brand remains core to what we do.”

What are its key product and market focus areas?

Founded in 2016, the Visage Lines Personal Care-owned startup has built a diverse portfolio spanning shaving kits, trimmers, skincare, and its women’s grooming line, Bombae. The company claims to hold double-digit market shares in key categories, competing with incumbents like Gillette and Philips, and said trimmers, electric shavers, and women’s products are driving strong growth.

“Backing Shantanu and the Bombay Shaving Company team again feels like coming full circle for us,” said Nikhil Vora, CEO of Sixth Sense Ventures. “We’ve believed in founders who challenge convention, and we believe the brand is now ready to define the next chapter in India’s consumer story.”

How will the new funds be used?

The new capital will be used to expand omnichannel reach, deepen retail presence, and invest in innovation and brand-building as the company eyes leadership in India’s fast-evolving personal care market.

“Building brands people trust to take sharp metal to their face is non-trivial,” said Deepak Gupta, co-founder and COO. “We have delivered market-beating growth and consumer love, but have not even scratched the surface of India’s deep markets.”

What’s next for Bombay Shaving Company?

With strong profitability, investor backing, and steady quarter-on-quarter growth of about 20%, Bombay Shaving Company is now sharpening its focus on what could be its next big move — a public listing.