Basil, a startup in the consumer houseware sector, has secured Rs 3.6 crore in seed funding from investors such as IIMA Ventures and Appreciate Capital.

Bangalore-based consumer houseware startup, Basil, has successfully raised a seed funding of INR 3.6 crore in a round co-led by IIMA Ventures (formerly IIMA-CIIE) and Appreciate Capital. The funding also included participation from notable angel investors, including Mohit Sadaani (Co-Founder, The Moms Co.), Aprameya Radhakrishna (Co-Founder, Koo), Abhishek Goyal (Co-Founder, Tracxn), Malini Adapureddy (Founder, Deconstruct), and Brij Bhushan (Co-Founder, Magicpin).

Basil, founded in 2023 by Harini Rajagopalan (Ex Amazon, Flipkart group) and Mahesh Muraleedharan (launched Uber in India as their first employee), is a unique direct-to-consumer (D2C) startup aiming to revolutionize the consumer houseware market in India, traditionally dominated by a few established players. The company's initial product offerings include stainless steel bento boxes and bottles tailored to the preferences of millennial parents and Generation Alpha. The raised funds will be utilized to strengthen its D2C presence, expand through e-commerce channels, and diversify its product portfolio.

In response to the evolving lifestyle of Indians, increasing urbanization, the rise of nuclear families, and technological advancements, the Indian Consumer Houseware Market is projected to surpass Rs507 Billion by 2027, with lunchboxes, drinkware, storage containers, and insulated products contributing significantly.

Basil's founders express their commitment to introducing product differentiation by offering distinct, high-quality, visually appealing, and customized products that resonate with Gen Alpha and their millennial parents. The company aims to address the market gap with its innovative designs and has already launched stainless steel leak-proof bentos and water bottles as part of its strategic response.

Harini Rajagopalan, Co-founder of Basil, emphasized the need for innovation and design in the home and kitchen sector, particularly in a market dominated by traditional players. Basil intends to disrupt this sector by providing breakthrough designs based on market needs, premium materials, functional designs, and aesthetic appeal. The company aspires to become the preferred choice for Indian parents seeking quality products for their children while positioning itself as a fun, cool, engaging, and aspirational brand for kids.

With the newly secured funding, Basil plans to allocate 30% of the capital to research and development, focusing on understanding market requirements and refining product design iterations. Basil's current product range is available nationwide through its D2C platform and on platforms like Amazon. Over the next year, the company aims to expand its product categories by launching lunch bags for kids and introducing a new range of bento boxes tailored for working professionals.