Licious' rival Zappfresh raises $3 Mn from Amit Burman and SIDBI

Online raw meat seller Zappfresh has bagged $3 million from Amit Burman, Vice Chairman of Dabur India and SIDBI Venture Capital. The fresh capital will be used to expand its outreach and hire more man power.

In August 2016, Zappfresh raised an undisclosed amount in an angel round led by investor Ashvin Chadha and others. A year ago, it raised $3,00000 in an angel round.

Zappfresh, co-founder Deepanshu Manchanda said that the company is committed to providing fresh meat to people within the least time.

Floated by Deepanshu Manchanda and Shruti Gochhwal in 2015, Zappfresh delivers raw meat to customers procured from poultry farms. It also sells pre-cooked items like cold-cut, sausages, seafood among others.

The Gurgaon-based company claims to deliver its products to more than 17,000 customers on a monthly basis. It has also tied up with cold chain logistics firm ColdEX, and keeps a close eye on suppliers to keep meats free from diseases.

The startup is currently working with over 18 farms to set up plants, liaises with government bodies for tax exemptions, and consults on equipment, feeding, and environmental understanding.

Zappfresh is growing around 40 per cent on a monthly basis and claims to fulfill anywhere in NCR region. It competes with Licious, EasyMeat, MeatRoot and a few others. Bengaluru-based Licious claims to services to more than 17,000 customers every month and grows at a rate of 50 per cent on a monthly basis.

The Mohandas Pai-backed company has raised about $14 million risk capital from the likes of Mayfield and Sistema Asia Fund.

while Pune-based MeatRoot claims a decent traction in the Oxford of the East and plans to enter Mumbai and Hyderabad soon.

The fresh meat, seafood, and poultry set to garner a significant demand in at least top 10 cities in India. Off late, Licious seems to have been more visible and able to penetrate the premium meat eaters in India. With growing smartphone and Internet penetrations, sub-categories such as meat, vegan, premium grocery (organic sort of) and personal grooming are set to go up.

The Funding news was first reported by ET