Brown Living, a marketplace promoting sustainable and plastic-free living, has successfully raised an undisclosed amount in its pre-seed funding round. This round was led by Blink Digital and also saw participation from Sanjay Nayar, Founder and Chairman of Sorin Investments, and investor Bharat Iyer.
Purpose of the Funding
The funds will be used to help Brown Living grow its platform and push forward its mission of making sustainable living more accessible to Indian consumers. Additionally, the capital will support the growth of India’s artisan and SME sectors, which play an essential role in the fight against plastic pollution and harmful chemicals.
Founder and CEO Chaitsi Ahuja stated, “This funding will help us reach our next million customers and further develop our Artisan-to-Consumer (A2C) model. Our platform gives people eco-friendly options while supporting small businesses, and we’re excited to expand our partnerships with artisan communities.”
What Does Brown Living Do?
Brown Living is a sustainable marketplace offering a wide range of eco-friendly products, from fashion to home decor and lifestyle items. The platform focuses on reducing plastic waste by ensuring that all packaging is biodegradable and deliveries are carbon-neutral.
The startup aims to plant and maintain one million trees by 2027 and support 100,000 artisans by helping them go digital through the A2C model.
Building on the A2C Model
Brown Living is focusing on its unique A2C model, which connects artisans directly with eco-conscious consumers. This model ensures fair pricing and allows artisans to showcase their products on a larger stage, while promoting sustainable living.
The company’s tech-driven platform ensures that it can grow without compromising on its values, giving small businesses an opportunity to thrive.
Pragya Kapoor, a Bollywood producer and environmentalist, has joined as an investor and partner. Her investment has grown by 350%. She praised Brown Living’s efforts, saying, “It’s more than a marketplace; it’s building an ecosystem that brings together all the stakeholders in sustainable living.”
Market Potential
Since its first funding round in June 2021, Brown Living has experienced 500% year-on-year growth. With 650 sellers and 1,800 artisans, the new funding will allow the company to expand even further, giving more artisans access to the market.
Key investor Sanjay Nayar emphasized the platform’s potential, stating that it can significantly impact India’s shift toward sustainable living.
A recent study by Bain & Co. found that 67% of Indian consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products. The market for sustainable goods is expected to surpass $50 billion by 2030.
