D2C Korean-inspired lifestyle and gifting startup Uni Seoul has raised ₹35 Cr ($3.6 Mn) in a Series A funding round
The round was co-led by Riverwalk Holdings and Sauce.vc, with participation from Panthera Peak Ventures and existing angel investors
The startup will use the funds to expand offline stores, enter quick commerce, and strengthen its supply chain and private-label portfolio.
D2C Korean-inspired lifestyle and gifting startup Uni Seoul has raised ₹35 Cr ($3.6 Mn) in its Series A fund round co-led by Riverwalk Holdings and Sauce.vc. Panthera Peak Ventures and a group of existing angel investors also participated in the round.
The Pune-based startup plans to use the fresh capital to expand its offline footprint across premium malls and high streets in Tier I cities, launch on quick commerce platforms and strengthen supply chain and private label offerings.
Founded in 2023 by Gaurav Karmani and Mohit Khurana, Uni Seoul operates an offline-first retail model focused on Korean design inspired lifestyle and gifting products. The startup currently runs 15 stores across Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Nashik.
Its portfolio comprises more than 1,000 SKUs across categories such as plush toys, home décor, stationery, bags, travel accessories, beauty products and gifts, priced between ₹99 and ₹2,999.
As part of its expansion plans, the startup aims to scale its store network from 15 outlets to more than 50 in the near term as well as building 500 retail touchpoints over the next five years through a mix of company-owned and franchise-led formats.
Uni Seoul is also eyeing scaling its presence in the quick commerce arena, betting on the growing demand for impulse purchases and gifting products through platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart.
“With this capital, we get to do that at a scale we’ve always wanted: more SKUs, tighter VM standards across every store, and a product experience that’s consistent whether you’re walking into our Bengaluru flagship or discovering us on an online commerce platform,” cofounder Karmani said.
The fundraise comes amid retail startups increasingly looking to capitalise on the popularity of K-pop, K-dramas and K-beauty in India. The trend has already given rise to several startups across beauty, food, fashion and gaming, as founders bet on rising consumer demand for Korean-inspired products and experiences.
At the heart of this is India’s K-beauty market is projected to grow $1.5 Bn by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 25.9%.
Source: Inc42 - Startups
