A fast-growing zero-sugar beverage startup Chini Kum has raised ₹1 crore in pre-seed funding, marking a key milestone as the brand officially enters the Indian market. The funding was announced between February 4 and 6, 2026, signaling strong early investor confidence in India’s growing sugar-free drinks segment.

The company plans to use the fresh capital to scale distribution, build new products, and expand into more Indian cities.

Chini Kum Pre-Seed Funding: Key Highlights

Chini Kum secured ₹1,00,00,000 (₹1 crore) in its pre-seed round, backed by a group of well-known strategic angel investors.

Who Invested in Chini Kum?

The round was led by angel investors including:

• Shobhit Gupta, promoter at One8 Commune Restaurants

• Varun Sachdeva, Head of E-commerce at boAt

• Eiti Singhal, representing Eiti Ventures

The startup’s founder Priyank Jain also participated in the funding round, showing internal confidence in the business.

What is Chini Kum and What Does It Sell?

Chini Kum is positioning itself as a health-focused alternative to sugary soft drinks by offering beverages that are:

• Zero sugar

• Low calorie

• Made with clean-label ingredients

• Designed with functional nutrition benefits

The startup is targeting urban consumers who are actively reducing sugar intake due to lifestyle and health concerns.

Chini Kum Beverage Ingredients and Health Positioning

Chini Kum’s product portfolio focuses on the growing “better-for-you beverage” trend in India.

Zero Sugar Formula

Instead of refined sugar, the drinks are sweetened using:

• Stevia

• Monk Fruit extract

This makes the product attractive to fitness-conscious consumers and people looking for sugar alternatives.

Prebiotic Fiber for Gut Health

Each beverage is infused with prebiotic fiber, helping the brand stand out in the crowded soft drinks market by offering gut health support.

Low-Calorie Offering

The drinks reportedly contain around 7 calories per 100 ml, significantly lower than traditional carbonated beverages.

Launch Flavours and Product Range

At launch, Chini Kum introduced both:

• Carbonated beverages

• Non-carbonated beverages

Initial Flavours

The brand debuted with two flavours:

• Lemon

• Mango

This flavour strategy keeps the range familiar to Indian consumers while positioning it as a healthier alternative.

Pricing Strategy: Starting at ₹30

Chini Kum is keeping pricing relatively accessible, with products starting at ₹30 for a 160 ml pack.

This pricing places it in a competitive zone, aiming to attract both premium health buyers and mass-market consumers.

Distribution Plan: Swiggy Instamart Exclusive Launch

One of the most notable parts of Chini Kum’s rollout strategy is its distribution model.

Quick Commerce Push

The startup is launching exclusively on Swiggy Instamart in select metro cities, taking advantage of India’s fast-growing quick commerce ecosystem.

D2C Website Presence

Along with Instamart, the company is also selling via its direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform, helping it build customer loyalty and gather buying insights.

How Chini Kum Will Use the Funding

The startup has outlined three clear focus areas for utilizing the newly raised capital:

1. Strengthening Distribution

Chini Kum plans to expand its availability across metro markets and build stronger logistics through quick commerce and retail expansion.

2. New Product Innovation

The company aims to develop:

• New flavours

• New beverage formats

• Potential functional drink extensions

3. Scaling Across India

After establishing itself in major metros, the startup intends to expand into Tier I cities, where demand for healthier packaged beverages is rising rapidly.

Founder Priyank Jain on India’s Sugar-Free Shift

Founder Priyank Jain reportedly highlighted that the investment comes at a time when Indian consumers are undergoing a “structural shift” toward low-sugar and sugar-free alternatives.

With increasing awareness around obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle disorders, India’s demand for zero-sugar drinks, stevia beverages, and healthy soda alternatives has seen a steady rise.

India’s Zero-Sugar Beverage Market: A Growing Opportunity

The Indian beverage market has traditionally been dominated by sugar-heavy sodas and fruit-based drinks. However, rising consumer demand for:

• clean-label beverages

• sugar-free carbonated drinks

• functional beverages

• low-calorie soft drinks

…has opened a strong opportunity for startups like Chini Kum.

The entry of new-age brands into quick commerce platforms is further accelerating adoption.

FAQ: Chini Kum Funding and Zero-Sugar Beverage Launch

Q1. How much funding has Chini Kum raised?

Chini Kum has raised ₹1 crore in a pre-seed funding round as part of its official entry into the Indian market.

Q2. Who are the investors in Chini Kum?

The funding round includes angel investors such as Shobhit Gupta (One8 Commune Restaurants), Varun Sachdeva (boAt), and Eiti Singhal (Eiti Ventures).

Q3. What makes Chini Kum beverages different from regular soft drinks?

Chini Kum offers zero sugar beverages sweetened with stevia and monk fruit, with added prebiotic fiber and very low calories compared to traditional sodas.

Q4. Where can consumers buy Chini Kum drinks in India?

Chini Kum has launched via Swiggy Instamart in select metro cities and is also available through its D2C website.

Q5. What flavours are available in Chini Kum’s launch range?

The brand has launched with Lemon and Mango flavours in both carbonated and non-carbonated formats.

Q6. What is the price of Chini Kum beverages?

Chini Kum products start at ₹30 for a 160 ml pack, aiming for mass-market affordability.