Chennai-based Cookd raises Rs 16 crore to expand presence in South India

Cookd, a rising consumer food startup based in Chennai, has raised Rs 16 crore (approximately $2 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Spring Marketing Capital, with additional participation from Eternal Capital, Sun Icon Ventures, and PeerCheque.

The capital infusion will bolster Cookd’s expansion across South India, particularly its home base in Tamil Nadu, as well as new markets in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The startup also plans to accelerate its product development pipeline, which includes a growing line of preservative-free masalas, gravies, and ready-to-use kits.

Founded in 2020, Cookd combines consumer packaged goods with a prolific digital presence. The startup reaches over 6 million followers on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, and garners monthly video views exceeding 150 million. Cookd offers a range of cooking products, including biryani kits, masalas, pastes, and recipe kits. Its chef-driven content model has enabled the startup to build a loyal community while generating valuable feedback loops for product innovation. 

“We will be using the funds to expand our presence in the Tamil Nadu market. We will also enter the Kerala and Andhra Pradesh market. A lot of people watch our videos in these two markets and there has been good demand,” Aathitiyan V.S., founder of Cookd told The Hindu.

“With the fresh funds, we are building a new category of cooking products that combines authenticity, convenience, and control. Our goal is simple: help people cook more often and with joy,” he added.

Cookd’s retail presence currently spans more than 1,600 stores, and it also sells through direct-to-consumer channels and quick commerce platforms including Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and Zepto. The startup claims leadership in the biryani kit segment within quick commerce, attributing its breakout success to category-defining innovation. “Everyone in the market came up with biryani masala. We offered a kit—and the formula clicked well for us,” Aathitiyan noted.