Sweet Karam Coffee Raises $8 Million in Series A Round Led by Peak XV Partners:

Sweet Karam Coffee (SKC), a Chennai-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) South Indian food brand, has raised $8 million (approximately Rs 68 crore) in a Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners. Existing investor Fireside Ventures also participated in the round.

Riding the Quick Commerce Wave

The funding comes at a time when quick commerce is enabling D2C brands to rapidly reach broader audiences and improve product discoverability. “Quick commerce is bridging distribution like never before… Our products are now loved not just in the South, but across the country,” said Nalini Parthiban, CEO and co-founder of SKC.

Founded in 2015, the company delivers its snacks and sweets to over 32 countries. SKC differentiates itself by offering products made without palm oil, preservatives, or maida (refined flour), aligning with the growing demand for clean-label and health-conscious foods.

A Rs 25,000 Crore Market Opportunity

Abhishek Mohan, Principal at Peak XV Partners, highlighted the Rs 25,000 crore South Indian snacks market as being in the midst of a shift from unorganized to organized players. Rising health awareness and evolving distribution channels offer strong tailwinds for brands like SKC.

Leadership Expansion for Operational Growth

To support its next phase of growth, Sweet Karam Coffee has appointed Nandhitha Indermohan as Chief Operating Officer (COO). A supply chain expert with 13 years at Unilever, Indermohan is expected to help scale SKC’s backend capabilities and streamline operations.