Restaurant India News: CURRYiT Secures Rs 1.5 Crore Investment from Minimalist Co-founder on Shark Tank India

Delhi-based D2C food brand CURRYiT has secured a Rs 1.5 crore investment from Mohit Yadav, Co-founder of Minimalist, on Shark Tank India. The deal values the company at 45 Cr and marks a key growth phase as it expands in the ready-to-cook and clean-label convenience food segment.

Founded in 2020 by IIM Udaipur alumni and former YES Bank colleagues Richa Sharma and Nischal Kandula, the company was built around simplifying Indian home cooking. The founders identified a gap between demand for home-style meals and the time-intensive nature of traditional preparation. The brand has since positioned itself against established FMCG players in the ready-to-cook category.

CURRYiT’s portfolio includes instant wet masalas, ready-to-cook curries, and biryani mixes designed to enable meal preparation within 15 minutes. Products range from Butter Masala to Chettinad Chicken Curry, focusing on replicating traditional flavours while eliminating multiple preparation steps. The company currently offers 40+ SKUs, including Hyderabadi biryani paste, ginger garlic paste, and preservative-free soups.

Richa Sharma and Nischal Kandula, Founder, said, “Every part of our lives has evolved- work, travel, communication but cooking at home? It still needed hours, help, and generational knowledge. We met hundreds of consumers and one thing was clear- people want to cook. They want real flavours. What they don’t have is the time, resources, or inherited skill set to manage the complexity that traditional Indian cooking demands. CURRYiT is built to bring cooking into the modern world.”

The brand has reported growing traction among urban millennials and is seeing adoption in Tier II and Tier III markets. Its positioning is built around clean-label claims, with the company stating that its products are FDA-approved, SPICE Board approved, and ISO-certified. Through autoclave technology and multi-layer vacuum-sealed packaging, it maintains a 12-month shelf life without preservatives.

Mohit Tandon, Co-founder, Minimalist & Guest Shark, said, “There is immense potential in optimizing taste through a health-first lens. In today’s market, your content is your identity; it is the primary engine for building consumer trust. We saw a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between nostalgic, authentic flavors and clean nutrition. By closing the deal at a 45 Cr valuation, we are betting on the belief that authenticity doesn't have to be sacrificed for health. This is how you build a legacy brand: one healthy, honest bite at a time.”

the founders added, “Partnering with Mohit Yadav is a strong validation of what we are building at CURRYiT. Our focus has always been clear-real flavours, clean ingredients, and genuine convenience for everyday kitchens. This investment will help us accelerate product innovation, deepen our distribution, and take CURRYiT to many more homes in India and beyond.”

Financially, the company has scaled from Rs 1.15 crore in FY24 to Rs 5.8 crore in FY25 and is targeting Rs 20 crore in FY26. The capital infusion is expected to support distribution expansion, marketing, and product development.

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand into additional product categories and strengthen its presence across quick commerce and D2C channels. After early traction in the US via Amazon FBA, it is evaluating entry into markets including the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, the UK, Germany, and the United States by 2026.

The brand reflects a growing consumer shift toward convenience-led home dining solutions that maintain regional authenticity. As organised retail and digital-first food brands compete with established FMCG companies, clean-label positioning, operational scale, and omnichannel distribution will remain central to long-term growth.