Basil, a D2C brand for children’s essentials, has raised $2 million (about ₹18 crore) in a pre-Series A round led by Prime Venture Partners, with participation from existing investors Appreciate Capital and IIMA Ventures. The funding will support product expansion, supply-chain strengthening and team growth as the company scales across India.
About the company and market traction
Launched in 2024 by Harini Rajagopalan and Mahesh Muraleedharan, Basil began with purpose-designed bento lunchboxes and insulated food jars for children. The brand emphasises practical design features informed by parent feedback and rapid product iterations from its in-house Consumer Lab.
In less than two years, Basil says it has reached more than 150,000 families and delivers to over 20,000 pincodes nationwide, reflecting rising demand for well-designed, safety-conscious kids’ products in India’s growing D2C market.
Use of funds and operational focus
The new capital will be primarily deployed to broaden Basil’s product portfolio to include kids’ bags, water bottles and other daily-use school essentials, positioning the firm as a one-stop shop for parents. The company will also invest in supply-chain capabilities, strengthen leadership and expand its product team to support deeper penetration in urban and semi-urban markets.
Basil operates an asset-light model, partnering with manufacturers in India, China and Southeast Asia while maintaining core product development in-house. The startup highlights multiple industrial design patents as evidence of its focus on innovation and differentiation in a competitive segment.
Financials and growth ambitions
Basil reports an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of around ₹36 crore, a near fivefold increase since inception. With the fresh infusion, the company aims to reach ₹100 crore ARR by FY27, signalling strong founder and investor confidence in the brand’s scaling potential.
Prime Venture Partners’ lead investment adds strategic backing; the firm has a track record of supporting early-stage consumer and technology startups. Continued participation from Appreciate Capital and IIMA Ventures further underscores investor belief in niche D2C players that combine product innovation with an understanding of parental needs.
