Kavish Barapatre

A New Era for Kids' Lifestyle Products Bengaluru-based Famyo, a creative kids’ lifestyle brand founded by Karishma Seetharaman and Ritvik Raj, has raised ₹4 crore in seed funding in a round led by IAN Angel Fund, with participation from The Chennai Angels, Stoffer Norden, and individual investors including Shivali Vij, Deepank Kumar, Pratik Mathurkar, and Uday Sodhi. Famyo reimagines everyday essentials, blankets, towels, pouches, and school gear by transforming them into collectable, character-driven experiences through original designs and themes. Its portfolio already includes glow-in-the-dark blankets, poncho towels, and themed accessories that blend fun for kids with the safety and quality parents expect. The brand has reported an annual recurring revenue of over ₹12 crore and a quarter-on-quarter growth rate of 40%. Over the next 12–24 months, Famyo plans to scale operations fourfold, expand its IP collection, and launch new seasonal, collectable-led product drops and collaborations. At Startup Veda, we celebrate founders who merge creativity with business acumen. The journey of Karishma Seetharaman and Ritvik Raj is a powerful example of building a brand that resonates with children and parents, while delivering strong performance. #Startup #KidsLifestyle #SeedFunding #IndianStartups #CreativeBrands #StartupGrowth

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We’re witnessing a fascinating shift in Indian consumer behaviour, one that’s aspirational yet deeply rooted in value. After spending years working with global fashion and lifestyle brands, I can say this evolution feels uniquely Indian. Yes, the average Indian consumer is value-driven. But that doesn’t mean they want the cheapest option. What they’re truly seeking is value for experience. And that expectation is now shaped by their exposure to the world’s best. Thanks to platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Amazon, they’ve seen the unboxings, the packaging, and the brand stories. Even if they don’t buy that $100 serum or premium activewear, they know exactly what “premium” looks and feels like, long before they ever hold it in their hands. They want global quality with local relevance. Premium across every touchpoint; design, UX, storytelling, delivery, and service, but not necessarily premium in price. And that’s fair. India’s per capita GDP is 1/31ᵗʰ of the US. The aspiration is high, but the price sensitivity is real. This is where the opportunity lies. The brands that will win are those that can deliver global-standard product sensibility, strong design, and reliable service at price points that feel accessible. This doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means designing for aspiration without alienation. Pricing and product strategies must reflect Indian realities, without losing global ambition. If you’re building a consumer brand in India right now, ask yourself: 1/ Are you creating an experience that stands next to a global name?  2/ Are you priced to scale beyond metros and early adopters?  3/ Are you building trust or chasing trends? Because the Indian customer is watching.  They’re informed, discerning, and they know what good looks like.

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Zudio hit the $1 billion revenue milestone in FY25 less than a decade after its launch. The Tata-owned mass-fashion brand is rewriting the playbook for value retail in India, and 2025 is already a breakout year. Here’s how Zudio achieved it: 🔹Expanded at speed →The brand doubled its store count to 765+ outlets across 235 cities. It added 132 stores in Q1 alone and strengthened its presence in both metros and Tier-2/3 cities. 🔹Drove revenue growth →Zudio contributed significantly to Trent Ltd’s 27% revenue jump to ₹4,291 crore in FY25, even though net profit declined due to heavy investments in expansion. 🔹Focused on everyday low prices →Instead of relying on deep discounting, Zudio offered consistent value at low prices. This approach helped maintain healthy margins while appealing to price-sensitive, fashion-conscious consumers. 🔹Entered new categories →Zudio launched Zudio Beauty stores to bring its “affordable and trendy” approach to cosmetics. 🔹Went global →Zudio opened its first overseas store in Dubai to serve the Indian diaspora and explore global opportunities. 🔹Engaged customers year-round →The brand ran its Independence Day Sale with up to 70% off and offered attractive seasonal deals across summer and monsoon collections. Zudio shows that value fashion can be profitable, scalable, and aspirational when supported by smart pricing, efficient supply chains, and aggressive expansion. It is not just competing in the market. It is actively redefining it. Marjolein Van Brandwijk Ashutosh Sharma Pradeep Seth Steven Swaby Venkatesalu P #Zudio #TataTrent #RetailGrowth #ValueFashion #AffordableStyle #Expansion #FashionTrends #IndiaRetail2025

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Old Stitch vs New Stitch : The Fashion Retail Face-Off.... on a lighter note ! Once upon a time in the bustling malls of Mumbai or the high streets of Cannaught Place, stood a fashion retailer who knew his customer like he knew his morning coffee ...strong, loyal, and predictable. Enter the Gen Z retailer.... hoodie on, TikTok open, and ready to disrupt “the system” before brunch bro. Let’s be honest: the battle isn’t about style it’s about survival. The experienced fashion retailer has weathered recessions, denim explosions, and even the rise and fall of cargo pants (twice). They believe in product margins, supply chain hygiene, and customers who walk into stores. They trust in footfall the way Gen Z trusts in "engagement." They still think a CRM is something that helps build loyalty not just a popup on a website. On the other hand, the Gen Z retailer doesn’t even own a cash register. Their store? A swipe-up story. Their model? Drop culture meets influencer hype. They sell out before legacy retailers finish aligning their assortment plan. But ask them about return rates, last-mile costs, or inventory holding and you might at times get a blank stare followed by “Let me check with my growth hacker bro.” The experienced retailer wins on scale, process, and predictability. The Gen Z-er wins on agility, noise, and memes. One builds brands. The other builds communities. But both are now in the same playground trying to win the same fashion-forward, budget-aware, short-attention-span consumer. In the end, the smartest player may not be the oldest or the trendiest but the one who learns fastest, fails cheapest, and adapts quickest. That’s fashion Darwinism, darling. So, who wins? The jury’s out.... But the runway is open. #RetailWars #FashionFaceOff #OldSchoolVsNewGen #RetailHumour #FashionBusiness

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Lenskart.com Secures SEBI Nod for IPO: Vision, Strategy & What It Means for India’s D2C Unicorn For years, #D2C brands raised private rounds, but SEBI nod means consumer brands can now scale via public markets. https://lnkd.in/g_TKU-DF

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