Plant-based kids’ clothing brand Kidbea secures $1mn funding in Pre-Series A round led by Venture Catalysts

• ByStartupStory     |    January 8, 2024

Noida-based Kidbea, an innovative bamboo-based kids’ fashion brand, has successfully raised $1 million in a Pre-series A funding round led by early-stage investment firm Venture Catalysts. Other participants in the funding round include Agility Ventures, BestVantage Investments, and notable industry figures such as Sandeep Agarwal and Upasana Agarwal, founders of Droom, Ashok Bahadur, and HiroMizushima, a well-known celebrity actor in Japan.

Founded in 2021 by Swapnil Srivastav, Mohammad Hussain, and Aman Kumar Mahto, Kidbea specializes in creating bamboo plant-based, skin-friendly, and comfortable children’s apparel. The funding will be utilized to bolster marketing and branding initiatives, expand the team, and enhance operational efficiency. A strategic portion of the funds will also be allocated to research and development and technology to maintain a leading position in the rapidly evolving children’s fashion industry.

Kidbea’s product range, featuring over 250 SKUs, includes kids’ rompers, bodysuits, reusable cloth diapers, soft toys, and accessories. The brand, which currently has a presence on major online platforms and over 30 partnered stores in premium children’s hospitals, has expanded its global reach to include the UAE, Bahrain, and Australia.

Mohammad Hussain, Co-founder of Kidbea, expressed, “The funding signifies a major milestone in our journey to turn Kidbea into a Rs 500 crore brand within the next 3 years. This funding provides us with the means to improve our sustainable offerings, extend our global presence, and persist in redefining children’s fashion.”

Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-founder and Managing Director of Venture Catalysts, highlighted the potential in the children’s apparel and accessories market, stating, “Choosing to invest in Kidbea was an obvious decision for us. With India’s daily birth rate exceeding 67,000 children, there is a substantial opportunity for Kidbea to target the market across both metropolitan areas and small towns, driven by the increasing awareness among new parents regarding sustainable and eco-friendly clothing.”

Kidbea, aiming to become a Rs 500 crore brand within the next three years, reported an impressive 8X revenue growth in FY-23, demonstrating the brand’s growing appeal in the burgeoning kidswear segment, which is pegged at USD 16.4 billion. The company’s dedication to sustainability and quality, combined with the strategic deployment of its recent funding, positions Kidbea to solidify its position as a frontrunner in the global children’s fashion industry.

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