Brands
Home Essentials raises Rs 70 Cr in pre-series B round
360 One Asset leads funding as D2C brand scales stores and supply chain
GURGAON: Home Essentials, a fast-rising direct-to-consumer brand in India’s home and kitchen space, has secured Rs 70 crore in a pre-series B funding round led by 360 One Asset, with participation from existing backer India Quotient.
The fresh capital is set to fuel the company’s next phase of growth, with a clear focus on offline expansion, supply chain muscle, and sharper product innovation. Over the next three years, the brand plans to scale revenue to Rs 500 crore and reach five million Indian households.
Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain in Gwalior, Home Essentials has moved swiftly from small-town start-up to national contender. Built on a simple but compelling idea that Indian homes deserve products that are practical, pleasing to the eye, and fairly priced, the company has carved out a niche between high-end luxury labels and no-name utility goods.
From airtight storage solutions to ergonomic loose furniture, its design-first approach has struck a chord with a young, aspirational consumer base. In under two years, the brand has served more than a million customers while maintaining strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability.
Offline retail now forms a key part of the growth blueprint. The company plans to operate 20 stores across India by the end of the year, strengthening its omnichannel presence and bringing its tactile, experiential format to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
360 One Asset senior fund manager Sumit Jain said, the brand is reshaping a highly fragmented category with products that combine aesthetics and function. He noted that the founders have demonstrated disciplined execution and capital efficiency while building a business that resonates with modern Indian households.
India Quotient partner Madhukar Sinha, added that the firm backed Home Essentials early after identifying a clear gap in the market for thoughtfully designed yet affordable home utilities. He said the new funding would help the company expand its catalogue and broaden its national reach.
For Home Essentials co-founder and CEO Tanishq Jain, the mission is straightforward but ambitious. He said the company aims to become the go-to destination for well-designed home and kitchen essentials, with experiential stores reinforcing what began as a strong online play.
Co-founder and chief marketing officer Divyam Jain, emphasised that winning in India’s D2C space requires more than sharp branding. A deep understanding of consumer aspiration, tight supply chain control, and operational efficiency are just as vital, he said, describing 360 ONE Asset and India Quotient as partners in building a high-performance organisation.
In a category long defined by cluttered shelves and uneven quality, Home Essentials is betting that good design, fair pricing, and disciplined execution can turn everyday living into a more polished affair.
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
