Includ, a burgeoning kidswear brand, has announced the successful closure of its seed funding round, raising $1.5 million. The funding round was led by Incubate Fund Asia, with significant contributions from Escape Velocity, Abhishek Goyal (Co-founder of Tracxn), and the IIM Indore Alumni Angel Fund. The capital infusion is set to revolutionize the Indian children’s apparel sector by introducing high-quality, fashion-forward clothing at mass premium prices.
Founded in 2023 by Ashwin Rastogi, a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of building large direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, Includ is positioned to address the gap in the market for affordable yet high-quality kidswear. The brand offers an array of stylish and comfortable clothing for children aged 0 to 14 years. With India witnessing approximately 25 million births annually, the highest globally, Includ is tapping into a market poised to grow to $20 billion, driven by increased spending per child and a surge in e-commerce adoption.
Includ sets itself apart in a market traditionally dominated by a few large players with its unique and contemporary designs at competitive prices, targeting wide consumer segments across India. The funds from this round will be utilized to enhance the brand’s supply chain, develop in-house technology, and boost brand awareness.
Mr. Rajeev Ranka, Partner at Incubate Fund Asia, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to partner with Includ as they build design-led high quality and affordable brand for the Indian kidswear market.” He highlighted Ashwin Rastogi’s vision and execution skills, emphasizing the brand’s potential to become a global name originating from India.
Ashwin Rastogi shared his insights on the evolving dynamics of the Indian kidswear market, noting the increasing demand for trendy yet affordable clothing. “India’s kidswear market is experiencing a dynamic shift – we are seeing rapid growth in demand for in-trend clothing in the affordable premium segment. With our growing collection, we aim to empower every child to embrace their individuality while offering parents peace of mind through quality and affordability. We are fortunate that our vision is being supported by Industry Titans such as Incubate Fund Asia, Escape Velocity, Abhishek & others,” said Rastogi.
Mr. Madhav Tandan, Managing Partner at Escape Velocity, praised Rastogi’s deep domain expertise and innovative approach. “We were highly impressed by Ashwin’s domain expertise having built large-scale, digital-first brands from scratch, his knowledge of apparel supply chains and the ability to identify what is still largely a whitespace in both India and other emerging markets,” he remarked.
Before founding Includ, Rastogi significantly impacted the D2C sector, contributing to the success of brands like Urbanic London and Club Factory. His extensive background in e-commerce and supply chains, along with a keen understanding of consumer behavior in India and emerging markets, fuels his passion for building a brand that resonates strongly with both children and parents. In less than a year since its launch, Includ has already achieved monthly sales exceeding ₹2 Crore, underscoring the brand’s rapid growth trajectory and market acceptance.
