Kathy’s Beverages Secures Pre-Series A Funding
Mumbai-based beverage startup Kathy’s Beverages, which operates bubble tea brand Bobakat, has raised ₹6 crore in a pre-Series A funding round.
The startup plans to use the fresh capital to strengthen its product portfolio and expand its retail presence across India.
Focus on Bubble Tea and Urban Beverage Trends
Founded in 2024 by:
- Dr Rupali Ambegaonkar
- Sannjeev Rao
Bobakat focuses on:
- Bubble tea
- Specialty beverages
- Urban café-style drinks
The brand targets young urban consumers looking for modern beverage experiences.
Expansion Plans Across India
The company currently operates compact-format outlets across:
- Food courts
- High streets
- Urban retail locations
With the new funding, Bobakat plans to:
- Expand offline stores
- Strengthen marketing efforts
- Hire talent and grow teams
- Invest in product innovation
Planned Store Expansion:
- 35 new stores in FY27
- 50 additional stores annually over the next two years
The expansion strategy includes both metro cities and emerging urban markets.
Strong Early Growth
According to the company:
- More than 10 lakh consumers have already been served
- The startup is targeting ₹100 crore net sales value within 36 months
The company is positioning itself to benefit from India’s rapidly evolving café and beverage culture.
Experienced Founding Team
Co-founder Dr Rupali Ambegaonkar previously founded:
- Tea Culture of the World
The tea chain reportedly expanded to over 200 stores across India.
Co-founder Sannjeev Rao has held leadership roles at major retail and consumer companies including:
- Future Group
- Aditya Birla Retail
- Landmark Group
- Raymond
- Being Human
India’s Growing Beverage Market
India’s organized beverage market continues to expand rapidly due to:
- Rising disposable income
- Urban café culture
- Youth-driven consumption trends
- Demand for premium and experiential beverages
According to the company, the Indian beverage market could grow from:
- $80 billion in 2025
to - $155 billion by 2035
Building a Lifestyle Beverage Brand
Bobakat is focusing on:
- Quality-led beverage offerings
- Audience-focused branding
- Scalable retail formats
- Curated in-store experiences
This strategy aligns with the growing popularity of lifestyle-oriented food and beverage brands in India.
Final Thoughts
Kathy’s Beverages’ latest funding round highlights increasing investor interest in India’s fast-growing specialty beverage segment.
With experienced founders, aggressive expansion plans, and rising consumer demand for modern café experiences, Bobakat is positioning itself as an emerging player in India’s urban beverage market.
As bubble tea and specialty drinks gain popularity among younger consumers, the startup could benefit from the country’s evolving food and beverage landscape.
