Consumer foods brand ’Yu’ raises $ 1M to expand distribution network

Yu uses advanced bio-chemistry processes that avoid denaturation caused by conventional dehydration and allows foods to retain their original taste

Ikayu Foodlabs, with brand name Yu, has secured $1 million in its pre-Series A round. The round saw participation from Manish Choksi and Varun Vakil, part of the Asian Paints promoter group, Lalvani family, UK-based food & hospitality group; Nikhil Srivastava, Head of India at PAG private equity; Vishal Sampat, Founder, Convonix, among others.

Founded in 2020, the startup has crafted a range Instant Meal Bowls that contain zero preservatives, additives, artificial flavourings or colours. Developed using highly advanced lyophilization technology, chef-curated recipes and 100% natural ingredients, Yu’s meal bowls retain their original taste and aroma while enjoying a non-refrigerated shelf life of 12 months.

All products are prepared and packaged at Yu’s fully integrated 12,000 sq ft advanced, state-of-art, commercial scale food-lab in Gurugram.

Varun Kapur, Founder & Executive Director, Yu Foodlabs, said, “We have partnered with high pedigree investors with backgrounds in consumer brands, private equity, hospitality, technology and digital marketing. We will use the funds to increase our production capacity to over 5 lac meal bowls per month while expanding our distribution network to key markets across India.”

Yu has introduced 6 SKUs across 2 unique product categories to begin with: Wholesome Pasta Bowls and Wholegrain Oat Bowls. The product portfolio will soon see multiple additions with the introduction of Dessert Bowls, Veg / Non-Veg Asian Noodle Bowls and Superfood Breakfast Bowls.