Spicy Success! Naagin Raises ₹18 Cr to Take Indian Hot Sauce Global—Bold New Plans Revealed

Naagin Secures ₹18 Crore in Pre-Series A Funding, Aims to Spice Up the World

Naagin, India’s bold, flavour-first food startup known for its fiery hot sauces and fusion condiments, just secured a fresh ₹18 crore in a pre-Series A funding round led by 360 ONE Asset. Existing investor 8i and several other backers also jumped in, doubling down on the brand’s vision to revolutionize how India—and the world—experiences heat and flavor.

But this isn’t just about funding. It’s about a big, spicy mission: to scale operations, expand reach, and put Indian hot sauce on the global culinary map.

Who’s Behind Naagin?

Founded in 2019, Naagin is the brainchild of:

• Mikhel Rajani – former founder of Francesco’s Pizzeria and Mandala
• Arjun Rastogi – ex-BlackRock and EY
• Kshitij Neelakantan – public policy expert and SOAS alum

This diverse trio brings together deep expertise in food, finance, and operations, and they’ve spent the last few years building a brand that’s not afraid to turn up the heat—literally and figuratively.

What Will the ₹18 Cr Be Used For?

This is more than a cash infusion—Naagin has a strategic roadmap, and this money will help unlock the next level.

Here’s what’s on the burner:

1. Factory Expansion

Naagin plans to scale production capacity to keep up with demand as it enters more markets and expands its product line.

2. Team Growth

The startup will build out its core team across functions—from R&D to sales, operations, and brand development.

3. R&D and Innovation

With multiple new products in the pipeline, the brand is investing heavily in flavor innovation and category expansion.

4. Marketing Blitz

Expect to see a lot more of Naagin across platforms as it ramps up marketing efforts to dominate the B2B, D2C, and e-commerce spaces.

From Kitchens to the World: Naagin’s Bold Vision

Naagin isn’t just thinking local—it’s going global.

Already loved in urban Indian kitchens and gaining traction in cafes, cloud kitchens, and restaurants, the brand is now setting its sights on international expansion. From D2C exports to strategic partnerships in global foodservice (HORECA), Naagin wants to be the go-to flavour brand from India on grocery shelves worldwide.

“We aligned with 360 ONE instantly on our bold vision for the future,”

said co-founder Mikhel Rajani.
“They’ve been supportive from the get-go, and we’re excited to continue our journey—creating products people truly love, becoming the flavour provider for the next generation of HORECA brands in India, and taking Indian hot sauce to the world.”

Why This Matters: The Rise of Indian Flavour Brands

Naagin is riding a rising wave of Indian challenger brands that are tapping into bold flavor profiles, clean ingredient labels, and modern branding to shake up legacy food categories. With consumer palettes evolving and a growing appetite for authentic, spicy, and craft condiments, Naagin is in the right place at the right time.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• Premium ingredients with local Indian chillies
• Regionally inspired flavour profiles
• Millennial-focused branding
• Multi-channel distribution: D2C, Amazon, quick commerce, HORECA

What’s Next for Naagin?

The startup has already carved out a niche in a crowded market—but this new funding could turn it into a category leader.

Expect in the coming months:

• New product drops (think more sauces, dips, seasonings)
• Retail expansion across India
• Entry into international markets
• More collabs with chefs and food brands
• Big visibility campaigns across social and digital platforms

In short, Naagin isn’t slowing down—it’s heating up.

TL;DR – Naagin’s ₹18 Cr Funding Breakdown

• Who raised? Naagin, a flavour-first Indian food startup
• How much? ₹18 crore in a pre-Series A round
• Led by? 360 ONE Asset
• What’s it for? Scaling operations, factory and team expansion, R&D, marketing
• What’s next? Deeper India presence + global hot sauce domination