Brands
Chini Kum raises Rs 1 Cr, debuts zero sugar beverages in India
NEW DELHI: India’s sugar hangover may finally be wearing off. Chini Kum, a new-age beverage brand with a cheeky name and a serious mission, has entered the market with zero-sugar, low-calorie drinks and Rs 1 crore in pre-seed funding to fuel its ambitions.
Launching first on its own D2C platform and making an exclusive quick-commerce debut on Swiggy Instamart, Chini Kum is betting big on healthier hydration. The range spans both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks in Lemon and Mango flavours, naturally sweetened with stevia and monk fruit. Each bottle comes fortified with prebiotic fibre and clocks in at just around 7 calories per 100 ml, a far cry from the sugar-loaded staples that dominate the shelves.
The funding round saw participation from a clutch of well-known angels, including Shobhit Gupta of One8 Commune Restaurants, Varun Sachdeva of boAt, and Eiti Singhal of Eiti Ventures, alongside other strategic investors and the founder himself. The capital will be used to sharpen product innovation, expand flavours and take the brand national.
Founder Priyank Jain said the timing could not be better. As Indian consumers read labels more closely and rethink sugar-heavy diets, the gap for clean, everyday beverages is widening. Chini Kum, he believes, is built to fill that space with transparency, taste and a lighter calorie count.
Priced from Rs. 30 for a 160 ml pack, the brand aims to stay accessible while keeping its ingredient list honest. For now, the focus is on metros and tier 1 cities, with quick commerce serving as the launchpad and classroom for consumer education.
With its playful branding, functional benefits and a clear stance against excess sugar, Chini Kum is making a confident first sip in India’s crowded beverage market. Whether it becomes a daily habit remains to be seen, but it has certainly made cutting sugar look a lot more refreshing.
Brands
Neeraj Jha named head of sports business – India and South Asia at Warner Bros. Discovery
From Eurosport to WBD, Jha charts a new course for sports in India and South Asia
GURUGRAM: Neeraj Jha has been appointed head of sports business for India and South Asia at Warner Bros. Discovery, marking an exciting new chapter in a career that has long been at the crossroads of sports, media, and live entertainment.
Jha’s journey in the world of broadcast and sports media spans over two decades, from producing live shows at Ten Sports to shaping content strategy at Zee, IMG, and Eurosport. Most recently, he served as director of content, programming and acquisition at Warner Bros. Discovery, where he drove year-on-year Ebitda growth and steered the network’s programming, satellite planning, and on-air promotions. His expertise ranges from content acquisition and marketing to broadcast operations and strategic partnerships.
Colleagues praise Jha for thinking outside the box. “When constraints are immense, he delivers results no matter what,” one senior executive remarked, highlighting his knack for sourcing compelling content and intellectual property for the South Asian market.
Beyond the boardroom, Jha co-founded SEEtalks, a live event series designed to inspire audiences with compelling stories, reflecting his passion for storytelling and community engagement.
From launching daily sports news shows to localising global content like WWE Wrestling for Indian audiences, Jha’s career has been a blend of creativity and operational excellence. As he steps into this new role, the sports broadcasting landscape in India and South Asia is set for a fresh and dynamic chapter.
