The D2C snacking brand Sweet Karam Coffee (SKC), based in Chennai, has secured $1.5 million in funding from Fireside Ventures. Founded in 2015 by Anand Bharadwaj, Nalini Parthiban, Srivatsan Sundararaman, and Veera Raghavan, the startup intends to use the funds for expanding offline operations, entering new markets, and enhancing its region-specific product lineup.
Specialising in genuine South Indian sweets and snacks, SKC sets itself apart by offering products devoid of palm oil and preservatives. Alongside, the D2C brand presents a varied array of delicacies from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, encompassing filter coffee and ready meal mixes. The startup’s objective is to tackle the issue of limited availability and accessibility of well-packaged traditional snacks and sweets.
SKC’s plan for growth involves introducing a variety of snacks and sweets from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to add further diversity to its product lineup. The founders affirmed their dedication to promoting South Indian delicacies and preserving authentic flavours, addressing the inclination of the younger generation towards Western snacks.
Nalini Parthiban, Co-Founder of Sweet Karam Coffee, expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Sweet Karam Coffee aspires to bring on a ‘Good Food Revolution’ through its own value of good, by offering products that epitomise tradition, purity, and authenticity while also glorifying the culture and heritage of South India through its Dakshin Tales Community. Besides this, promoting millets, and saying no to palm oil are some of the ways the brand is contributing towards sustainability.”
The company, predominantly conducting sales through its website and app, asserts its capability to ship products not just within India but also to 32 additional countries. Additionally, SKC has partnered with farmers in Tamil Nadu to introduce a variety of millet-based products, aligning with sustainability initiatives.
Since its establishment in 2020, Sweet Karam Coffee has disclosed a consistent doubling of its revenue on an annual basis, establishing itself as a strong contender in the competitive D2C snacking sector. The financial backing from Fireside Ventures is anticipated to play a crucial role in advancing the brand’s offline presence and extending its reach to new geographical areas.
