New Delhi: WickedGud, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) startup based in Mumbai, has successfully raised Rs 2.25 crore in funding from renowned Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. This investment further strengthens WickedGud’s position in the rapidly growing health foods sector.
Shilpa Shetty, known for her advocacy of a healthy lifestyle and her involvement in various startup investments, joins a list of notable investors in WickedGud. Previous funding rounds included contributions from Titan Capital, Mumbai Angels, NB Ventures, Dholakia Ventures, Venture Catalyst, and prominent founder angels such as Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt.
Founded in 2021 by Bhuman Dani, Monish Debnath, and Soumalya Biswas, WickedGud is dedicated to transforming the food landscape of India one kitchen at a time. The brand has witnessed remarkable growth, with a surge of over 300% in the past year. This success can be attributed to its range of healthy and delicious pastas and noodles, which are completely free of maida (refined wheat flour), oil, and MSG. WickedGud’s products are made using wholesome, mom-approved ingredients like atta (whole wheat flour), dal (lentils), chawal (rice), chana (chickpeas), oats, and jowar (sorghum). The company employs innovative Steaming and Convection Air Drying (SCAD) technology in its manufacturing process.
WickedGud gained significant exposure when it appeared on the grand finale episode of Shark Tank India Season 2. This exposure led to the successful expansion of the brand into international markets, including the UAE, Singapore, Mauritius, and Nepal. Customers can conveniently purchase WickedGud products directly from the company’s website (https://wickedgud.com/), as well as from popular online platforms like Amazon, blinkit, BigBasket, SwiggyInstamart, Zepto, and Flipkart.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Shilpa Shetty to the WickedGud family,” expressed Bhuman Dani, the Founder and CEO of WickedGud. “Her passion for food and fitness perfectly aligns with our brand values and mission. We strongly believe that her influence will enable us to reach a wider audience, promoting conscious consumption.”
Shilpa Shetty also shared her enthusiasm, stating, “As a family of food enthusiasts, we are always seeking opportunities in the indulgent food space that are also beneficial for our well-being. After trying WickedGud’s Spaghetti, I was not only impressed by its taste and health benefits but also delighted to find that my children loved it too. It’s one thing for grown-ups to enjoy a product, but when my kids embraced it wholeheartedly, I was convinced. This inspired me to not only endorse the brand but also invest in it. I am thrilled to support WickedGud in their mission to promote healthier choices in India, one kitchen at a time.”
