Hyderabad-based ice popsicle brand Skippi has raised ₹12 crore (approximately $1.4 million) in an extended pre-Series A funding round, as per a company statement. The round was led by Dubai-based strategic family offices of Surya, which contributed ₹10 crore, while the remaining ₹2 crore came from other angel investors.
Founded in 2021 by Ravi and Anuja Kabra, Skippi gained national recognition after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 1, where it secured ₹1.2 crore from all six sharks—Aman Gupta, Ashneer Grover, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Piyush Bansal—in exchange for an 18% equity stake. Following the investment, the company has claimed to grow its monthly revenue by nearly 80 times, increasing from ₹5-7 lakh to several crores.
Earlier in April 2024, Skippi had also raised $1.43 million in a seed round led by Hyderabad Angels and other investors.
Growth Plans and Market Expansion
According to the company’s press release, the latest funding will be used to fuel growth initiatives, strengthen brand visibility, support working capital, onboard senior leadership, and accelerate product innovation. Skippi also plans to expand into the Middle East market as part of its global growth strategy.
Co-founder Ravi Kabra said, “Our journey from Shark Tank India to becoming a household name has been exciting. This new funding will help us scale faster, expand internationally, and continue to delight our customers with innovative, natural frozen treats.”
Product Range and Distribution
Skippi specializes in natural, preservative-free ice pops made using RO-purified water and all-natural ingredients. The brand offers a variety of flavors, including classic Indian options like Kala Khatta, Raspberry, Lemon, and Mango Twist.
Following an omnichannel sales approach, Skippi’s products are now available in over 20,000 retail outlets across India, as well as on major e-commerce platforms like Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, Amazon, BigBasket, and its own website.
In addition to its core ice popsicle range, Skippi has diversified its portfolio with new snack offerings such as Crazy Corn, Cornsticks, and Cream Rolls, aiming to capture a broader segment of the packaged food and snacking market.
Skippi’s recent funding milestone underlines its ambition to become a prominent player in the frozen dessert and snack categories, both in India and international markets.