Arata, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) haircare brand, has raised $4 million in its Series A funding round led by Unilever Ventures. The round also saw participation from BOLD, the venture capital arm of L’Oréal, and existing investor Skywalker Family Office.
The funds raised will be used for product innovation, consumer research, and expanding its distribution channels.
The startup had previously raised funding from DSG Consumer Partners and others.
“We will continue to invest in innovation, consumer research, and distribution across our website, quick-commerce, and marketplaces to build India’s most loved hair beauty brand,” said co-founders Dhruv Bhasin and Dhruv Madhok.
Commenting on the deal, Pawan Chaturvedi, partner and head of Asia at Unilever Ventures, said, “With a strong innovation pipeline and a solid foundation, Arata is poised for greater success in the coming years, and we are excited to be a part of this journey.”
Founded in 2018 by Dhruv Bhasin and Dhruv Madhok, Arata offers specialised haircare solutions tailored to Indian hair types. The brand provides solutions across hair growth, hair care, dandruff treatment, styling, and maintenance for straight, wavy, and curly hair. The startup claims its formulations are powered by advanced ingredients specifically designed for Indian hair types 1, 2, and 3.
Arata products are available across multiple channels including its website, quick commerce platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart, Flipkart Minutes, and marketplaces such as Amazon, Nykaa, and Flipkart.
With a customer base of over 1.5 million served annually, Arata has achieved a ₹72 crore annual revenue run rate (ARR), marking a 3X growth over the past 12 months.
The personal care brand competes with established players like WOW Skin Science, Pilgrim, and Mamaearth, in a rapidly growing market.