'Drools' Pet Food Brand Emerges as India's Fourth Unicorn of 2025.

Economy Business | Dated: 30 May 2025

In May 2025, Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh)-based Drools Pet Food Private Limited, backed by United States of America (USA)-based L Catterton, achieved Unicorn status. This milestone followed the purchase of a minority stake in Drools (Target) by Vevey (Switzerland)-based Nestlé S.A. (Acquirer).

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The strategic investment led to the elevation of Drools’ valuation to above USD 1 billion, marking Nestlé’s first-ever funding in an Indian brand.
  • - Drools Pet Food has become India’s first pet food brand to attain unicorn status, reaching a valuation of over USD 1 billion. This milestone highlights the brand’s rapid growth and rising prominence in the Indian pet care industry.
  • - It is also the fourth Indian startup in 2025 to enter the unicorn club, following Netradyne Technology Private Limited from Bengaluru (Karnataka), Juspay Technologies Private Limited, and Porter, an on-demand logistics platform.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) This achievement follows a USD 60 million minority investment in Drools by Louis Vuitton-backed L Catterton, a leading global consumer-focused private equity firm, made in June 2023.
  • (ii) Drools distributes its pet food products through over 40,000 retail outlets in India and exports to 22 countries. The company operates 6 manufacturing units and offers more than 650 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), including high-protein and prescription diets for pets.
  • (iii) India is one of the fastest-growing pet care markets globally, projected to expand at approximately 20% annually over the next five years, reaching a value of over USD 1.2 billion by 2028.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which pet food brand has recently emerged as India’s first pet food brand to attain unicorn status?

Correct Answer: Drools

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Drools Pet Food Private Limited

  • CEO : Shashank Sinha
  • Headquarters : Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh