Chini Kum has made its entry into India’s beverage sector with a range of zero-sugar, low-calorie drinks, rolling out sales through its direct-to-consumer platform and launching exclusively on Swiggy Instamart in major metropolitan markets, FnBnews reported.
The brand has introduced a portfolio of carbonated and non-carbonated drinks in lemon and mango flavours. Naturally sweetened with stevia and monk fruit extract and fortified with gut-friendly prebiotic fibre, the beverages contain about 7 calories per 100 ml, significantly lower than conventional sugar-sweetened drinks.
The launch follows a pre-seed funding round of Rs 1 crore raised from angel investors along with participation from the founder, providing a foundation to build and scale Chini Kum’s zero-sugar beverage platform in India.
The round saw participation from Shobhit Gupta, promoter of One8 Commune Restaurants; Varun Sachdeva, head of e-commerce at boAt; and Eiti Singhal of Eiti Ventures, along with other strategic angel investors. The company said the funds will be used to strengthen product innovation, expand flavours and scale distribution across the country.
Commenting on the fundraise, founder, Chini Kum, Priyank Jain said Indian consumers’ eating habits are undergoing a structural shift due to growing awareness of ingredients and the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption, including obesity and diabetes.
He noted that the beverage market continues to be dominated by sugary and synthetic drinks across both carbonated and non-carbonated categories. “Chini Kum is being built to address this gap with a zero-sugar, clean-label beverage platform designed for everyday consumption. The capital raised will support our next phase of growth, including deeper investment in product innovation, expansion across flavours and formats, and scaling distribution across priority urban markets. We are encouraged by the confidence shown by our incoming investors and look forward to building a trusted, healthy and modern beverage brand for India,” Jain said.
The company said its market entry and growth strategy focuses on balancing rapid execution with measured learning and scalable expansion. Its product range is designed for both daily consumption and social occasions, with prices starting at Rs 30 for a 160 ml pack to remain accessible without compromising on ingredients. Supported by operators with experience across consumer brands, e-commerce, retail and hospitality, the funds will also be used for flavour expansion, scaling across metro and Tier-1 cities, and ongoing consumer education.
As it enters the market, Chini Kum plans to build a disciplined, insight-led growth model by using quick-commerce platforms to reach consumers seeking healthier beverage options. With a focus on clean ingredients, functional benefits and transparent communication, the brand aims to establish itself as a credible zero-sugar alternative in India’s evolving beverage landscape while laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth.
The beverages are naturally sweetened with stevia and monk fruit extract, enhanced with prebiotic fibre, and made without added sugar, preservatives or artificial colours. At about 7 calories per 100 ml, they contain nearly 85% fewer calories than traditional beverages in India.
