In the vibrant landscape of India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, Adukale has stepped in with a mission to revolutionize while still maintaining authenticity. Adukale’s journey began with a simple yet profound idea – to reform the way consumers access and experience everyday essentials. The startup understood the pain point of the evolving needs of modern consumers. This inspired them to build a seamless omnichannel experience that bridges the gap between traditional retail and e-commerce.
Founding Story:
As mentioned above, Adukale is an omnichannel FMCG startup which caters to traditional South Indian cuisine. Malathi Sharma, MS Ravindra, and Nagaratna Ravindra founded Adukale in 2009 in a small 10×10 room in Sharma’s house in Bengaluru. The very name translates to ‘Kitchen’ in Sankethi, representing the essence of traditional Sankethi cuisine.
Founders:
With a shared passion for technology and a deep understanding of consumer behaviour, the startup set out on a mission to redefine the FMCG landscape in India. The founders extracted experience from their individual observations and experiences to visualize a platform that encapsulated the essence of Karnataka’s diverse culinary tapestry. The platform would simplify as well as empower consumers and retailers. Their dedication is evident in every dish they craft as they handpick every ingredient to ensure a clean, preservative-free dining experience.
Funding:
Recently, Adukale achieved a significant milestone in its journey with a successful pre-Series A funding round. Force Ventures, led the round and saw the startup raise an impressive sum of Rs. 11 crore (approximately $1.32 million). Making the total funding reach a total of $1.94Mn over 3 rounds. Aanya Ventures, Subrata Mitra and Radhika Pandit accompanied Force Ventures which validates the potential of Adukale’s disruptive model. The acquired capital will be primarily utilized for the expansion of the company’s offline presence.
Future:
Looking ahead, Adukale is poised for exponential growth and expansion. The startup plans to scale to outlets, widen its distribution network, and invest further in manufacturing as well as R&D for the future line-up of products. They aim to be the market leader in traditional snacks by 2025. They are forecasting to open 12 other stores in the next 14 months and 2500 supermarkets and retail stores. Further, Adukale has a promising roadmap which includes capitalizing on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence for personalization and user engagement. They are looking to forge strategic partnerships with leading brands and retailers to offer better products and services.
Competition:
The startup is part of highly competitive market and is constantly competing against traditional retailers and e-commerce giants. Striving against the odds, sustaining authenticity is still the prime focus for this startup. Their unique blend of innovative offerings and strategic vision, coupled with a blend of online and offline channels make Adukale a formidable player in the FMCG segment.
In conclusion, Adukale stands at the forefront of a transformative shift in the FMCG industry, redefining the way consumers engage with everyday essentials. With a visionary leadership team, robust funding support, a customer-centric approach and a clear roadmap for the future, Adukale is poised to carve a niche for itself as a trailblazer in the realm of omnichannel retail.
