What is Licious?
Founded in 2015, Licious operates as a technology-driven meat and seafood brand that has fundamentally transformed the traditional, fragmented protein market in India. By integrating a farm-to-fork supply chain model, the company ensures quality control, hygiene, and freshness, addressing critical consumer pain points in the perishable goods sector. Its market position is defined by a strong D2C presence, leveraging data-driven logistics to maintain high standards of service and product integrity.
The company's growth has been supported by a diverse syndicate of investors, ranging from early-stage venture capital firms to global institutional funds. This strategic support has enabled Licious to expand its infrastructure, optimize its cold-chain logistics, and solidify its brand equity in a highly competitive consumer internet landscape.
How much funding has Licious raised?
Licious has raised a total of $488M across 8 funding rounds:
Angel/Seed
$1M
Series A
$3M
Series B
$10M
Series C
$25M
Series D
$25M
Series E
$30M
Series G
$52M
Series F
$342M
Angel/Seed (2015): $1M with participation from Mohandas Pai
Series A (2016): $3M led by Mayfield
Series B (2017): $10M supported by Mayfield, 3One4 Capital, Neoplux Technology Fund, and Sistema Asia Capital
Series C (2018): $25M featuring Bertelsmann India Investments, Vertex Ventures, Sistema Asia Capital, Mayfield, Innoven Capital, UCLA, and 3One4 Capital
Series D (2018): $25M backed by Vertex Ventures, Bertelsmann India Investments, Nichirei, and 3One4 Capital
Series E (2019): $30M with participation from 3one4 Capital, Vertex, Sistema Asia Fund, and Bertelsmann India Investments
Series G (2021): $52M led by IIFL AMC
Series F (2022): $342M supported by Multiples, Bertelsmann India Investments, Brunei Tourism, Amansa Capital, 3one4 Capital, Vertex Ventures, AIF, Kotak PE, and Axis Growth Avenues
Key Investors in Licious
Multiples
Multiples Alternate Asset Management is an India-focused private equity firm that manages significant capital, specializing in nurturing companies through their full growth cycle with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Bertelsmann India Investments
The strategic investment arm of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA in India, focusing on early growth-stage tech startups across sectors like healthtech, fintech, and consumer internet.
3one4 Capital
A venture capital firm focused on supporting mission-oriented companies in India, employing a deep-involvement model to drive inclusive value creation and sustainable market leadership.
What's next for Licious?
With the successful closure of its latest financing round, Licious is well-positioned to accelerate its market penetration and operational efficiency. The strategic focus is expected to shift toward deepening its supply chain capabilities and potentially exploring new product categories within the fresh food segment. As the company matures, the emphasis will likely remain on sustainable growth, leveraging its existing technological infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge in the Indian market.
The continued involvement of high-profile investors suggests a long-term commitment to the company's vision of professionalizing the meat and seafood industry. Future milestones will likely involve scaling regional distribution networks and enhancing the digital customer experience to drive higher retention and lifetime value, further cementing its status as a leader in the food tech ecosystem.
