Mumbai-based food startup Khetika has secured $18 million in its Series B funding round. The Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office and Anicut Capital co-led the investment. Existing backers such as Incofin India Progress Fund, Rajasthan Gum, and Shree Ram India Gums also participated. SIDBI Venture Capital Limited and several angel investors made partial secondary exits in the process.
The funding gives Khetika the momentum to scale its operations, widen its product offerings, and upgrade its technology stack. Since launching in 2017, Khetika has built a reputation for delivering clean-label, preservative-free food staples. These include traditional Indian products like batters, chutneys, dry fruits, spices, millets, makhana, and different varieties of rice.
Khetika’s Founding Vision: Clean, Honest, Indian Food
Prithwi Singh, Darshan Krishnamurthy, and Raghuveer Allada founded Khetika to fix one of the biggest challenges in India’s food sector: adulteration. They focused on creating clean, unprocessed alternatives to commonly consumed staples. Unlike mass-produced items filled with additives, Khetika’s products rely on natural preservation and regional recipes.
The founders believe consumers deserve transparency and purity in what they eat. That belief shaped every element of Khetika’s supply chain and product philosophy. Instead of sourcing from large commodity traders, the startup works directly with more than 25,000 farmers across 14 Indian states.
Through its farm-to-fork model, Khetika has created a short, traceable supply chain. The company uses SuperZop, its proprietary procurement platform, to manage sourcing, payments, and logistics. This digital platform connects smallholder farmers with the company’s processing centers and ensures consistent quality.
Where the $18 Million Will Go
With the new funds, Khetika plans to accelerate production, diversify its offerings, and improve its technological capabilities.
1. Product Expansion
Khetika will introduce a wide range of ready-to-eat and regional items. These new offerings will reflect India’s culinary heritage and stick to traditional recipes. The company avoids artificial preservatives or flavoring agents and instead focuses on natural drying, fermentation, and low-temperature processing techniques.
Examples of upcoming launches include fermented dosa batters from Tamil Nadu, spicy chutneys from Andhra Pradesh, and millets-based snacks inspired by recipes from Karnataka and Maharashtra. The team also plans to expand the dry fruit range with seasonal variants and develop spice blends tailored for regional cuisines.
2. Manufacturing Infrastructure
Singh, one of the co-founders, announced plans to triple production capacity within the next 18 months. To meet that goal, Khetika has begun building automated food processing units and localized hubs. These facilities will reduce turnaround times, maintain freshness, and bring down logistical costs.
The company has already commissioned a state-of-the-art batter plant in Delhi. This facility caters to North Indian markets and helps meet growing demand for fresh fermented products. In Gujarat, Khetika has set up a spice processing unit in Unjha, known as Asia’s largest spice market. The unit uses low-heat grinding and precision blending to retain volatile oils and flavor.
Khetika is also expanding its existing makhana and millet processing capacities in Bihar and Karnataka. The company sources makhana directly from Mithilanchal in Bihar and millets from farmers in the dry belts of Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
Boosting SuperZop’s Capabilities
Khetika treats technology as a core differentiator. A substantial part of the new capital will go into improving SuperZop, the backbone of its supply chain. The platform already handles procurement, logistics, and payments between farmers and processing centers.
With the new investment, Khetika will enhance SuperZop by adding real-time quality testing, data analytics, and traceability tools. For example, new quality control modules will allow food inspectors to test pesticide residue, moisture content, and freshness at the point of procurement.
The platform will also offer consumers traceability features. Every product package will carry a QR code. Scanning it will reveal details such as the farmer’s name, location of harvest, and processing date. This transparency builds trust and strengthens the company’s brand positioning.
A Growing Retail Footprint
Khetika distributes its products through a mix of modern trade, general trade, and digital commerce. The startup sells in over 15,000 small-format stores across India. Its items appear on shelves in modern retail chains, including Nature’s Basket, Reliance Fresh, and Spencer’s.
Digital platforms serve as another key sales channel. The company lists its full catalog on Amazon, BigBasket, and Blinkit. Quick commerce, led by platforms like Blinkit and Instamart, now contributes nearly 25% of overall sales. This segment grows faster than any other.
Khetika continues to invest in strengthening its supply chain for quick commerce. Local hubs and zonal warehouses reduce delivery time, especially for fresh products like batters and cut fruits. The team monitors trends on digital platforms in real time and tailors inventory to match regional preferences.
Competitive Advantage in the Clean-Label Space
While clean-label food startups have grown in India, very few offer the diversity and depth that Khetika provides. Many competitors focus only on niche items like energy bars or organic grains. In contrast, Khetika offers a complete basket of pantry essentials, all aligned with the clean-label philosophy.
The company also maintains high-quality benchmarks. All products go through rigorous testing for contamination, pesticide residues, and shelf stability. Manufacturing facilities follow strict hygiene protocols and often meet export-grade standards.
Another key advantage lies in pricing. By building an integrated farm-to-fork supply chain and cutting out middlemen, Khetika keeps its pricing competitive even in the mass-market segment. That allows it to target both premium customers and cost-conscious households.
Founder Vision and Future Roadmap
The founders maintain a clear and ambitious roadmap. They aim to make Khetika a household name in India’s food sector without compromising on integrity or quality. The immediate goal remains scaling production and expanding product lines.
In the longer term, Khetika plans to enter international markets, starting with the Indian diaspora in the Middle East, the US, and Southeast Asia. Many of these markets lack access to traditional Indian foods made without preservatives or additives.
The team also envisions SuperZop becoming a standalone B2B platform for agricultural sourcing. With more features and a growing network of farmers, the platform could serve other brands and retailers seeking reliable, clean-label inputs.
Conclusion
Khetika’s $18 million Series B funding round marks a critical milestone in its growth journey. With this capital, the startup will expand its product offerings, build new processing units, and strengthen its technology platform. The company remains committed to clean-label principles and farm-to-fork transparency.
In a market increasingly shaped by conscious consumers, Khetika stands out with its integrity, innovation, and execution. As it scales operations and deepens its retail presence, Khetika looks ready to become a major force in India’s evolving food ecosystem.
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