Hindustan Unilever acquires remaining 49% stake in OZiva for Rs 824 Cr

Mumbai-based FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Limited has completed the acquisition of the remaining 49% stake in OZiva, operated through Zywie Ventures Private Limited, for a total consideration of Rs 824 crore.

The transaction makes OZiva a wholly owned subsidiary of HUL.

The deal shows a sharp jump in OZiva’s valuation. In December 2022, HUL had acquired a 51% stake in OZiva for a cash consideration of Rs 264.28 crore, which implied a valuation of around Rs 518 crore at the time. The latest transaction values the company at nearly Rs 1,682 crore and represents a more than threefold increase over a little more than three years.

Founded in 2019, the six-year-old direct-to-consumer firm sells plant-based nutrition products across health, skin, hair, and general wellness categories. Prior to the HUL transaction, OZiva had raised around $17 million from investors such as Matrix Partners, Eight Road Ventures, and Stride Ventures.

The company also reported a sharp improvement in operating performance. Its revenue from operations jumped 148% to Rs 258 crore in FY25 from Rs 104 crore in FY24 while losses declined 90% to Rs 4.5 crore in FY25 compared to Rs 43.5 crore in the previous fiscal.

The deal follows a series of acquisitions in India’s D2C space this year. On Thursday, pharmaceutical major USV acquired a 79% stake in Wellbeing Nutrition. Earlier this month, Mumbai-based consumer goods major Marico acquired a 60% stake in plant-based protein startup Cosmix at an equity valuation of Rs 375 crore. The trend builds on last year’s consolidation, which included HUL’s acquisition of skincare brand Minimalist at a pre-money valuation of Rs 2,955 crore.