Drools Pet Food Private Limited has officially become India’s first pet food unicorn. The company received a minority investment from global food giant Nestlé S.A., the parent of Nestlé India. Although the exact amount of the investment and the final valuation are not public, this achievement marks a major milestone in India’s consumer goods sector.
Drools: India Pet Food Unicorn
Despite the funding, Drools will continue to operate independently in both strategy and daily operations. This new investment follows a $60 million deal in June 2023 from L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by Louis Vuitton. That earlier round helped Drools grow as India’s top domestic brand in the pet food market.
Founded in 2010 by Fahim Sultan, Drools started as a small manufacturer and has grown into a key player in the fast-growing pet care industry. The company now offers more than 650 different products and sells through over 40,000 retail outlets across India. Drools also exports to 22 countries and holds a strong position in online markets, especially in the cat food segment on Amazon.
Company’s Founder Shares Vision
Fahim Sultan credits the company’s success to the love and trust of Indian pet parents. He said that Drools is focused on science-based nutrition and continues to build innovative products that match the changing needs of pet owners in India.
Drools now runs six manufacturing units and operates a vast warehousing network spread over 1.6 million square feet. The company employs around 3,400 people, with nearly half working in sales and customer service.
Fast-Growing Industry
According to company estimates, India’s pet care market is set to grow by 20% every year and could reach $1.2 billion by 2028. Though only about 10% of Indian households currently own pets, rising incomes, urban living, and increased pet awareness are expected to drive major growth in the coming years.
With backing from Nestlé and L Catterton, Drools is ready to expand further, offering high-quality nutrition and trusted pet products to customers across India and beyond.
