Brands
indē wild secures $5 million investment to fuel global expansion
MUMBAI: indē wild, the beauty brand pioneering Ayurvedistry skincare and haircare, has secured $5 million in a funding round led by Unilever Ventures, the company announced on 6 Marc 2025.
The investment round saw significant reinvestment from existing backers SoGal Ventures and True, marking a pivotal moment for the brand co-founded by entrepreneur and media personality Diipa Büller-Khosla.
Within just two years of launching, indē wild’s signature Champi Hair Oil has claimed the top bestseller position on Nykaa, India’s leading beauty e-commerce platform, outperforming established brands including Olaplex, L’Oréal and Kama Ayurveda.
The brand, which blends traditional Ayurvedic principles with modern chemistry, has achieved remarkable growth across India, the US and UK markets. Its community-driven approach involves extensive consumer engagement through focus groups across these regions, ensuring products align with consumer needs.
“Today’s generation seeks brands that reflect their identity,” said indē wild founder Diipa Büller-Khosla. “The most impactful brands are built on deep listening, constant evolution, and empowering communities to co-create their journey.”
Since its exclusive launch on Nykaa in India and direct-to-consumer platforms in the US and UK 18 months ago, indē wild has reported selling more than one unit per minute. This momentum has driven revenue growth of 400 per cent, with the company achieving double-digit contribution margins and EBITDA profitability during select periods last year.
Unilever Ventures partner Rachel Harris, who led the deal, commented: “By blending the age-old wisdom of Ayurveda with the efficacy of modern science,indē wild meeting the holistic needs of today’s beauty consumer in an accessible way.”
The fresh capital will primarily fund indē wild’s international expansion plans, focusing on its existing partnership with Sephora in the UK and upcoming launch in Sephora US. The company has also appointed Archit Vijoy, who served as the exclusive financial advisor on the funding deal, as finance director.
“With Unilever Ventures’ expertise in the beauty space and deep understanding of consumer needs, ind? wild will scale even faster in this rapidly evolving market,” added Oleg Büller-Khosla, CEO of indē wild.
SoGal Ventures managing partner Pocket Sun described iindē wild as “more than a beauty brand—it’s a symbol of the global South Asian community’s rise,” that honours heritage while embracing global ambition.
The brand’s recognition continues to grow, having been invited to join Sephora’s prestigious Accelerate program alongside securing a strategic retail partnership with the beauty giant.
Brands
Lotus Chocolate FY26 profit drops sharply, Q4 slips into loss
Revenue steady at Rs 579.55 crore, Q4 loss at Rs 4.47 crore
MUMBAI: Sweet on the top line, slightly bitter on the bottom Lotus Chocolate’s FY26 numbers tell a story that’s more dark cocoa than milk. The company managed to hold its revenue steady for the year, but profitability took a visible hit, capped by a loss-making fourth quarter. Lotus Chocolate Company Limited reported revenue from operations of Rs 579.55 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, marginally up from Rs 573.75 crore in FY25. Total income rose to Rs 615.61 crore, compared with Rs 574.56 crore in the previous year, supported by a sharp jump in other income to Rs 36.06 crore from just Rs 0.81 crore.
However, the gains at the top did little to cushion profitability. Net profit for FY26 fell dramatically to Rs 0.10 crore, down from Rs 17.23 crore in FY25, reflecting significant cost pressures across the business.
The March quarter proved particularly challenging. The company reported a net loss of Rs 4.47 crore in Q4 FY26, compared with a profit of Rs 0.14 crore in the previous quarter and Rs 1.42 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 138.01 crore, down from Rs 150.21 crore in Q3 FY26 and Rs 157.52 crore in Q4 FY25.
Expenses remained elevated throughout the year. Total expenses rose to Rs 614.44 crore in FY26 from Rs 551.50 crore in FY25, eating into margins. A key swing factor was the cost of materials consumed, which stood at Rs 304.44 crore, while changes in inventories also reflected volatility, with a negative impact of Rs 62.44 crore in the previous year reversing to a positive Rs 52.93 crore this year.
Employee benefit expenses nearly doubled to Rs 34.00 crore from Rs 17.98 crore, while finance costs surged to Rs 16.31 crore from Rs 7.11 crore, indicating higher borrowing and funding costs. Depreciation and amortisation expenses also increased to Rs 3.92 crore from Rs 1.81 crore, reflecting ongoing investments.
On the balance sheet front, total assets stood at Rs 275.96 crore as of March 31, 2026, slightly higher than Rs 270.34 crore a year earlier. Borrowings remained significant, with current borrowings at Rs 89.00 crore, highlighting continued reliance on external funding.
Cash flow dynamics showed improvement in operations, with net cash generated from operating activities at Rs 93.23 crore, compared with a negative Rs 129.60 crore in FY25. However, financing outflows remained high at Rs 74.90 crore, driven largely by repayment of borrowings and interest costs.
Despite stable revenue, the sharp drop in profitability underscores the pressure of rising input costs, higher finance expenses and operational adjustments. The contrast between steady sales and squeezed margins leaves Lotus Chocolate at a crossroads proving that in business, as in confectionery, the real test isn’t just in the sweetness of sales, but in the richness of returns.
