Nikhil Kamath, Gauri Khan family trust, others invest $10 million in Subko

Nikhil Kamath is also an investor in Third Wave Coffee, which closely competes with Subko.

Subko, a speciality coffee chain, has raised $10 million in a round led by Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath. Blume Founders Fund, The Gauri Khan Family Trust, Priya and John Abraham, Sangita Jindal and others also participated in the round.

The Mumbai-based startup’s post money valuation now stands at around $34 million. The money will be used to hire people, open flagship stores, bolster product and design R&D and launch "ready-to-drink" coffee products, the company has said.

"Nikhil's participation is not just an investment but a testament to our brand's potential. His genuine desire to enable the growth of homegrown Indian brands and ability to intertwine complex value judgments in consumer markets aligns perfectly with our mission. I am also deeply grateful to all the investors as well who have supported us before Nikhil’s arrival on board,” Subko CEO Rahul Reddy said.

Subko’s largest round comes at a time when several venture capital (VC) funds are lining up to invest in consumer brands. NIC ice cream maker, Walko Food, AbCoffee, Wow! Momo and several others have raised money in the past three months, with more expected t

Kamath is also an investor in Third Wave Coffee, which closely competes with Subko, and has a wide ranging investment portfolio that includes companies from various sectors.

“It is paramount that a distinctive Indian brand like Subko leads the way in delivering our unique, curated experiences to the world. My journey with Subko, transitioning from a customer to an investor, has given me unique insights into the brand's evolution and potential,” Kamath said.