Meet The 14 D2C Brands From The Inaugural D2CX Runway Cohort

After growing into a $65 Bn market, India’s D2C ecosystem is entering its next phase of evolution. While new brands continue to emerge with digital-first strategies, more established players are increasingly betting on omnichannel distribution to unlock their next leg of growth.

Today, building a consumer brand is no longer just about selling through a website or marketplaces. From quick commerce and ecommerce platforms to owned channels and offline retail, D2C brands are increasingly adopting a multi-channel approach to reach customers wherever they shop. 

As this transition gathers pace, India’s D2C market is projected to grow to $310 Bn by 2031.

However, scaling a consumer brand in an increasingly competitive market requires more than capital. Founders are required to navigate challenges that could range from brand building and customer acquisition to distribution, unit economics and offline expansion. 

As a result, access to experienced operators, mentorship and practical growth frameworks has become increasingly valuable for early stage consumer brands.

To support emerging brands as they scale, Inc42 and Rukam Capital launched D2CX Runway, a seven-week accelerator programme designed to help emerging consumer brands navigate the next phase of growth. 

The inaugural cohort brings together 14 consumer startups operating across sectors including fashion, food and beverages, babycare, jewellery and automotive.

Mentored by industry leaders such as Vedang Patel, cofounder, The Souled Store, Srishti Tanwani, cofounder and CEO, Indo Era, Arush Chopra, cofounder, Just Herbs, Saurabh Sharma, cofounder and partner, Legacy Growth Partners, Akash Agrawalla, cofounder, ZOFF Foods, Aneesh Rayancha, cofounder, Phot.Ai, Anup Jain, founding partner, BlueGreen Ventures, and Archana Jahagirdar, founder and managing partner, Rukam Capital, the founders underwent a seven-week journey comprising a virtual bootcamp.

The programme culminated in a week-long, in-person bootcamp in Delhi where they refined their brand strategy, growth playbooks, fundraising readiness and go-to-market approach, under the guidance of Sanil Sachar, Founding Partner, Huddle Ventures, Krishna Gupta, cofounder, BeyondAds, Vanshikaa Oberoi, founder, The Fingerprint Labs, Umang Maheshwari, Ex-Head of Consulting and Research, Schbang, Harshit Vij, Founder and CEO, FREECULTR, and Alok Paul, COO, Littlebox.

The journey concluded with Demo Day on August 7, 2026, at The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre, New Delhi, where the startups pitched their businesses to leading investors, including Anirudh Garg, partner, BEENEXT, Mohit Dhawan, president, investment office, Hero Enterprise, Yash Dholakia, partner, Sauce.vc, Sanil Sachar, founding partner, Huddle Ventures, & Archana Jahagirdar, founder & managing partner, Rukam Capital, while also engaging with founders, operators and ecosystem leaders from India’s consumer ecosystem.

Here’s a look at the D2C brands from the inaugural cohort of the D2CX Runway.

Note: This is not a ranking. The startups are listed alphabetically.

Meet The Brands That Pitched During The DEMO Day

1. 10on10 Foods

Launched in December 2024 by ex-Ola executives Ashish Bajaj, Avinash Jain and Mohsin Ali, 10on10 Foods offers customers stone-ground flours that are milled after a user places an order on the platform. 

The Bengaluru-based D2C brand offers a range of high-protein flours that it sells in a range that starts at around ₹67 for speciality variants and ranges up to roughly ₹700 for larger bulk packages.

The startup claims to serve more than 1,000 customers daily. Till date, it has raised ₹2.5 Cr from friends, family and angel investors. The startup reported FY26 revenue of ₹3.4 Cr.

2. 41 Foods

Founded in 2021 by Manisha Singh and Anurag Gupta, Bengaluru-based 41 Foods offers dry fruits, nuts, seeds, berries and plant-based nutrition products.

The D2C brand sources produce directly from farming communities and women’s self-help groups and sells products. Its product range is built around nutritious food options and plant-based nutrition for health-conscious consumers.

The bootstrapped startup claims to have generated ₹20 Cr in revenue in FY26.

3. Carvve

Founded in 2025 by Pankaj Tiwari, Carvve offers car accessories and upgrades through a platform that combines product discovery, installation and after-sales support.

The D2C focuses on making vehicle upgrades easier through curated products, transparent pricing and professional installation services. 

Earlier this year, it opened its first physical store in Delhi’s Karol Bagh and reported revenue of ₹92 Lakh in FY26. 

4. Gopiprem

Founded by Narendra Sorathiya and Shyam Sunder Sorathiya in 2023, Gopiprem is a Jaipur-based womenswear brand specialising in casual and ethnic fashion.

The startup manufactures its products in-house and has also been selected for acceleration programmes such as Myntra Rising Stars and Nykaa Hidden Gems.

The bootstrapped brand recorded revenue of ₹6.7 Cr in FY26.

5. Lemonlords

Ahmedabad-based Lemonlords was launched in 2022 by NIFT graduates Paras Gupta and Drishti Malhotra. The fashion brand specialises in swimwear and vacationwear designed for Indian women.

It designs and manufactures its products in-house, allowing it to maintain control over product market fit and the supply chain. It was also a recipient of the Gujarat Government’s Startup Srujan Seed Support Grant.

Lemonlords has raised ₹50 Lakh from Beyond Seed, Rajkot Ventures, among other angel investors. The D2C brand reported FY26 revenue of ₹1.2 Cr.

6. MEECHU

Founded in 2023 by Sumalatha Guntupalli and Sreeperumbuduru Sailesh, MEECHU offers babycare products focused on hygiene, skincare, feeding and wellness products for newborns and young children.

Its product stack includes diapers, baby shampoos, lotions, among others. The startup has developed products based on a child’s age, offering curated products for toddlers aged between three to six months, six months to a year, and 1 to 3 years. 

MEECHU has raised ₹2.2 Cr from Green Ivy Ventures and angel investors. The startup reported revenue of ₹2.7 Cr in FY26.

7. Nuvie

Founded in May 2024 by Prashant Paliwal and Hem Narayan, Nuvie develops high-protein milkshakes and protein bars that are sugar-free, lactose-free and designed to taste like desserts. 

The startup is targeting customers who are looking to increase their protein intake but struggle to find trustworthy supplements that fit their palate as well. Most products are either high in sugar, cause bloating or fail to deliver an enjoyable consumption experience. 

To differentiate its supplement line, Nuvie uses lactase enzymes to break down lactose during production, making its products completely lactose-free while retaining the nutritional benefits of dairy.

Nuvie has raised ₹6 Cr from PedalStart and angel investors. In FY26, the D2C brand reported revenue of ₹2.6 Cr.

8. QB Men

Founded in Jaipur in 2020 by Yash Bothra, QB Men is a menswear brand focused on occasion-led fashion that blends Indian heritage with contemporary design.

Its portfolio includes printed shirts, coordinated sets and other apparel tailored for modern consumers. The startup differentiates itself through a fast design refresh cycle backed by an efficient supply chain.

QB Men has raised ₹50 Lakh in funding from Beyond Seed and reported revenue of ₹2 Cr in FY26.

9. ROOVI

Founded in Jaipur in 2024 by Tripti Singh and Deeptanshu Singh, ROOVI is a jewellery brand offering premium silver jewellery as a contemporary alternative to traditional gold ornaments.

Its portfolio includes silver jewellery crafted with micron plating and lab-grown diamonds, targeting consumers seeking affordable luxury. The founding team brings experience spanning fashion, brand building and jewellery manufacturing.

Bootstrapped since inception, ROOVI generated revenue of ₹1.9 Cr in FY26.

10. Sawsee

Founded in 2024 by Mahi Mohan, Sawsee is a premium athleisure brand catering to Indian women.

The D2C brand designs activewear and loungewear using proprietary fabric blends engineered for Indian weather conditions, with a focus on comfort, breathability and everyday movement. 

Its portfolio spans sports bras, leggings, tops, joggers, jackets and coordinated sets, positioning athleisure as versatile apparel for both workouts and daily wear.

Bootstrapped since inception, Sawsee reported revenue of ₹1 Cr in FY26.

11. Sockscarving

Founded in 2023 by Viren Zalavadiya, Yaxit Mandaviya and Yash Sukhadiya, Sockscarving is an Ahmedabad-based accessories brand specialising in socks and gifting products.

The D2C brand offers a range of patterned everyday socks made using premium fabrics and breathable construction. 

The startup claims that the socks are made from high-quality cotton, bamboo and wool blends to ensure softness, durability and breathability.

The bootstrapped brand generated ₹16.9 Cr in revenue in FY26.

12. Sweetch

Founded in 2024 by Vinayak Amburle, Sweetch is a food brand developing clean-label sugar alternatives for health-conscious consumers.

The Thane-based brand’s products are designed to replace refined sugar in beverages, baking and everyday cooking without compromising on taste or requiring changes to existing consumption habits. 

Positioned as a premium, chemical-free alternative, Sweetch aims to make healthier eating more accessible for consumers seeking to reduce their sugar intake.

Sweetch has raised ₹8 Cr in funding and reported revenue of ₹1.8 Cr in FY26. 

Other D2C Brands That Were Part Of The Cohort

Lililo

Founded in 2025 by Sumer Gehani, Lililo is a Mumbai-based accessories brand that designs handbags for working women.

Its products are built around consumer insights and everyday use cases, with a focus on functionality and practical design.

Lililo is a bootstrapped venture and reported FY26 revenue of ₹60 Lakh.

MHYTH

Founded in 2025 by Mitali Rai, Bengaluru-based MHYTH is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) intimate wear and lifestyle brand catering to the premium innerwear market.

Its portfolio spans bras, panties, lingerie, nightwear, corsets and stockings, with a focus on premium fabrics, superior fit, contemporary designs and modern silhouettes aimed at younger urban consumers.

MHYTH currently follows a digital-first approach, selling through its own website and ecommerce marketplaces. As it scales, the startup plans to expand into offline retail and adopt an omnichannel distribution strategy.

Backed by ₹6 Cr from 9Rivers Capital and angel investors, MHYTH reported FY26 revenue of ₹90 Lakh. 

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