Nestlé SA Acquires Minority Stake in Pet Care Startup Drools, Now a Unicorn
- ByStartupStory | May 26, 2025
Swiss food and beverage giant Nestlé SA, the parent company of Nestlé India, has acquired a minority stake in Drools, a fast-growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) pet care startup based in Bengaluru. While the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, the development marks a significant milestone in the Indian pet care ecosystem.
The announcement also comes with Drools revealing that it has recently become a unicorn, although the startup chose not to disclose the exact valuation or investment figures.
Founded in 2010 by Fahim Sultan, Drools has emerged as one of India’s leading pet nutrition brands, offering a portfolio of over 650 SKUs. These include high-protein, prescription, and value-for-money diets, catering to the full spectrum of pet nutrition needs. The company currently boasts a workforce of around 3,400 employees.
Drools clarified that it will continue to operate independently, retaining its strategic and operational autonomy, even after Nestlé’s minority investment.
“Backed by a strong focus on science-based nutrition, Drools continues to drive innovation and build meaningful engagement with the evolving demographic of Indian pet parents, positioning itself at the forefront of the country’s pet care industry,” said Fahim Sultan, Founder and CEO of Drools.
Drools products are available through its own website, leading ecommerce marketplaces, and offline retail stores. The company has also scaled globally, exporting to more than 40,000 retail outlets across 22 countries, including Australia, Israel, and the UAE.
The latest development follows a significant investment round nearly two years ago when US-based private equity firm L Catterton infused $60 million into the pet care brand, acquiring a 10% stake at a valuation of $600 million.
Drools competes with emerging players like Wiggles, Heads Up For Tails, and Benny’s Bowl in a pet care market that is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18-20%, targeting a $7 billion opportunity by 2027-28.
The Indian pet care sector has witnessed a remarkable post-COVID boom, drawing attention from several investors looking to back innovative startups in the space.
In February, pet food brand Dogsee Chew raised $8 million (INR 69.4 Cr) from investors including Ektha.com, Shivanssh Holdings, and the Poddar Family Office.
More recently, in March, Bengaluru-based Supertails was in talks to acquire the multispeciality veterinary clinic Blue 7 Vets to expand its offline services footprint.
According to Inc42 data, the Indian pet care startup ecosystem attracted nearly $130 million in funding as of February 2024, further underscoring investor confidence in the growing segment.
Follow Startup Story
Related Posts
