Nikhil Kamath Puts ₹4–5 Crore Into Cafe Amudham to Help It Grow Fast: Reports

Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha and one of India’s youngest billionaires, has made a fresh bet in the food and beverage space by investing an estimated ₹4–5 crore in Cafe Amudham, a fast-growing chain of South Indian eateries with outlets in Bengaluru and Delhi. While the exact figure has not been officially disclosed, the funding was first reported by Indian Startup News.

Founded in 2022 by Priyanka Rudrappa, who also serves as the CEO, Cafe Amudham has quickly expanded its presence. Within just three years, the brand has established eight outlets spread across Bengaluru and Delhi, with plans to enter new Indian cities as part of an aggressive growth strategy.

Cafe Amudham offers traditional South Indian cuisine and is sometimes compared to Bengaluru’s famous Rameshwaram Cafe. However, industry insiders point out that while both serve similar fare, their business strategies differ significantly: Cafe Amudham is heavily focused on rapid multi-city expansion, whereas Rameshwaram Cafe has maintained a more gradual growth approach.

Kamath’s Growing Appetite for the Food & Beverage Sector

This investment isn’t Kamath’s first foray into India’s bustling food business. Last year, he invested in Licious, an online meat and seafood delivery startup that has become a household name among urban consumers. Kamath has also backed other consumer-facing brands as part of his broader strategy to diversify into fast-growing sectors beyond fintech.

Industry experts view Kamath’s investment as a sign of rising investor confidence in regional cuisine brands that combine quality, affordability, and scale. Cafe Amudham’s success so far illustrates the potential of modernizing and standardizing traditional Indian food offerings for urban consumers.

The fresh capital infusion is expected to help Cafe Amudham accelerate outlet openings in new cities, strengthen its supply chain, and enhance brand visibility in an increasingly competitive segment.