Cumin Co., a kitchenware startup focusing on toxin-free cookware, raises $1.5 million in funding

Cumin Co., a young kitchenware brand focusing on toxin-free cookware, has secured its first institutional funding of $1.5 million (Rs 13.16 crore) in a round led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from Huddle Ventures.

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The Gurugram-based startup said it will use the raised capital to expand enamel-based coating manufacturing in India and strengthen its supply chain.

Founded in February 2025 by Niharika Joshi and Udit Lekhi, Cumin Co. emerged from a personal concern: the discovery that traces of aluminium from conventional cookware were finding their way into meals. The founders ruled out Teflon as an alternative, pointing to concerns over chemicals such as PTFE, PFOA and PFAS, which they argue have no place in kitchens.

“Kitchenware has been overlooked for far too long in India, even though it’s central to every household. Our vision is to reimagine ware by combining rigorous R&D with design and safety.  This investment allows us to scale our innovation pipeline and set a new benchmark for healthy kitchenware in India,” the founders said.

Cumin Co. offers enamel-coated cast iron pots and pans designed to combine traditional durability with modern health standards. Its products, priced between Rs 1,999 and Rs 7,000, are aimed at urban households with annual incomes above Rs 30-35 lakh.

The startup claims to have reached monthly recurring revenue of Rs 1 crore and is growing at 20% month on month, driven by repeat purchases.

Cumin Co. currently sells its products through its own website and Amazon and plans to introduce select categories on quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart. The startup also emphasises sustainability, using plastic-free packaging and responsibly sourced materials.

Shuchi Pandya, Principal, Fireside Ventures shared, “We believe enduring consumer brands will be built at the intersection of innovation, trust, and cultural relevance. Kitchenware is one of the few categories that sits at the heart of every home, yet it has seen little reimagination in decades. Cumin Co. is positioned to redefine this space by building a brand that elevates everyday cooking, modernizes a stagnant category, and creates lasting consumer trust a global scale.”