In a significant milestone for India’s pet care industry, Drools Pet Food Private Limited has announced that it has become India’s first pet food unicorn. The development follows a minority investment by global food giant Nestlé S.A., the parent company of Nestlé India.
Though the deal size remains undisclosed, Drools confirmed it will continue to operate independently after the investment.
Key Highlights:
- Investor: Nestlé S.A. takes a minority stake in Drools
- Valuation: Undisclosed in this round; previously valued at $600 million (June 2023)
- Unicorn Status: Becomes the first Indian pet food unicorn in 2025
- Other 2025 Unicorns: Netradyne, Juspay, and Porter
About Drools:
Founded in 2010 by Fahim Sultan, Drools is now one of India’s leading pet food brands, offering a variety of products under names like:
- Pure Pet
- Meat Up
- Canine Creek
- Kitty Yum
Market Presence:
- Online leader in the pet food segment on Amazon India
- Strong offline presence via vet clinics, pet stores, and general retailers
- 6 production facilities and a 1.6 million sq. ft. warehousing network
- Distribution through 40,000 retail outlets in India
- Exports to 22 countries
- Employs 3,400 people across operations
Financial Performance:
- FY24 Revenue: ₹714.90 crore (up 50% from ₹474.62 crore in FY23)
- FY24 Net Loss: ₹14 crore (compared to ₹27.65 crore profit in FY23)
Despite the net loss, Drools’ significant growth in revenue and global footprint attracted major investor interest, including a $60 million funding round from L Catterton in June 2023.
What This Means for the Industry:
- Nestlé’s entry into India’s pet food market signals growing interest from global players in the country’s rapidly expanding pet economy
- Drools’ unicorn status could inspire more domestic startups in niche FMCG sectors to pursue aggressive growth strategies and funding
