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.