Conscious Chemist, a D2C skincare brand established on the idea of democratising science-based and clinically proven skincare solutions to meet the needs of the Indian consumer base, has already raised a large round of funding. The company has raised ₹15 crore in a bridge funding round. This capital infusion was prominently led by Atomic Capital, which showed its belief in the brand once again by committing additional funds to the company, as the company had already invested in the Pre-Series A round of Conscious Chemist last year. First Port Capital Fund B, as well as IPV International, also make a significant contribution to the funding round, completing the list of a wide range of investors interested in the growth path of the brand.
Unique capital-efficient growth model and offerings
The acquired funds will be used strategically in various major areas of operations, such as attracting talent, expanding inventory operations, promoting activities, and more product innovation, research, and development. The successful rounding of this bridge is an essential confirmation of the uniqueness of the capital-efficient model of growth of Conscious Chemist and the high level of market resonance of its science-based product formulations among Indian consumers.
Conscious Chemist was founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneurs Robin Gupta and Prakher Mathur. Since it was established, the brand has been associated with the leading active-first skincare provider in India, committed to providing result-first formulations. The philosophy of the brand focuses on the assumption that chemicals, in the right and balanced combinations, are the key to the reconstruction of the natural barrier of the skin and the provision of the required hydration, especially on the skincare needs of countries with tropical climates such as India.
It now has a strong portfolio comprising more than 30 innovative products. Conscious Chemist has a global approach to sourcing high-efficacy ingredients and follows the approach of active-care-first in all cases. Its formulations operate on the basis of clinically effective ingredients, such as salicylic acid, kojic acid, peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and retinol.
The brand has also appeared on one of the most popular television channels, Shark Tank India Season 3, which has further increased its brand awareness and recognition among consumers. Conscious Chemist has been operating in India, servicing more than 25 lakh customers and has managed to introduce innovative products, such as India’s first Self-Dissolving Micro Needle Patches, Acne Spot Corrector, Blackhead Melting Water, and an Oil-Free Collagen Jelly Cream.
The Co-founder and CEO of Conscious Chemist, Robin Gupta, said, “This interim round from Atomic Capital and other investors validates our capital-efficient growth model and the resonance our science-backed formulations have with Indian consumers. Our active-first approach, transparent formulations, and obsessive focus on efficacy have created a loyal customer base that trusts us with their skin. With this capital, we’re doubling down on product innovation and becoming India’s most trusted science-backed beauty brand. Our goal is to build a sustainable and impactful brand that transforms how Indian consumers think about beauty and skincare. Our goal is clear: hit Rs 500 crore ARR in the next 24 – 36 months with healthy unit economics. This isn’t about growth at all costs, it’s about building a sustainable, impactful brand that transforms how Indian consumers think about hair and skin.”
Quotation Source: MarcaMoney
Operational performance
The operational performance of the company in the last year has contributed largely to gaining the confidence of the investors. Over the past year, Conscious Chemist has recorded a remarkable 3X increase in revenue and high 75% gross margins. The brand has also developed a high retention rate that is said to be three times more than the average in the industry, and this has helped the company to attain profitability at the vital CM3 level. This cost-effectiveness has been one of the major ways of attracting investors.
The brand has become extremely scalable in the contemporary retailing systems and has already posted 3X growth in the Quick Commerce (QComm) category, where its merchandise can be found in the Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto platforms. Another significant distribution channel of the products is the existence on key e-commerce platforms of Amazon, Nykaa, Myntra, and Flipkart. The phenomenal growth rates and performance in the market of Conscious Chemist directly caused Atomic Capital to double down, become the chairperson of the current round, following its initial investment in the Pre-Series A round in July 2024.
The Managing Partner of Atomic Capital, Apoorv Gautam, said, “Our fund’s thesis is to back visionary founders in growing their businesses by deploying our operator playbook, which is built on understanding the Indian consumers and their consumption behaviour. We have been actively investing in highly innovative consumer and tech-enabled businesses as we believe it is a rapidly growing market. Consumers’ relationship with skincare has evolved significantly over time, and today, they are more informed and demand transparency about the ingredients used in their products. Not only Tier 1 but Tier 2 and 3 cities are becoming increasingly important growth sectors. It is time to bring new products to the market and expand its reach. Conscious Chemist has witnessed immense progress in the last 12 months. Hence, we believe the market opportunity is huge, and the company has built the right momentum to capitalise on this segment.”
Quotation Source: MarcaMoney
Conclusion
The ₹15 crore bridge round, and the successful completion of it, led by Atomic Capital, is a turning point in the history of Conscious Chemist, as it can now be seen as a player that has the potential to dominate the science-based beauty industry in India, having been a rapidly growing D2C player previously. The brand is in a solid position to attain its ambitious ₹500 crore ARR goals because it has capitalised on important functions such as talent acquisition, inventory scale-up, and, most significantly, product innovation. This is not merely a financial boost, but a deep reaffirmation of the vision of the founders of a sustainable, effective and transparent way of approaching Indian skincare, cementing the potential of the brand to become the most reliable name in the segment.
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