Handpickd Raises $15 Million Series A Funding to Expand Zero-Stock Fresh Commerce in India

Handpickd, a fresh commerce startup, has raised $15 million in its Series A funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Titan Capital Winners Fund (TCWF) and existing investors. The funds will be used to strengthen the company’s team, expand serviceability in existing geographies, and develop technology to further optimise its supply chain.

Founded in 2024 by Anant Goel, co-founder of Milkbasket, along with Nitin Gupta and Sahil Madan, Handpickd operates on a zero-inventory, zero-warehouse, and zero-dark store model. Unlike traditional models that rely on forecasts, Handpickd collects customer orders first, procures the exact quantity and quality directly from farmers, and delivers to customers in the early morning. The entire process, from purchase to delivery, is completed within six to seven hours using advanced just-in-time (JIT) methods, which eliminates the need for storage.

The company focuses on hyper-personalisation, allowing customers to specify ripeness, size, sweetness, crunch, or pesticide-free preferences for fruits and vegetables. For example, a customer can request three guavas with precise notes such as “all must be sweet, 2 crunchy, 1 extra ripe – fit for an infant.” This customer-led matching system is aimed at building trust and improving the quality of fresh produce delivered.

India’s grocery market is valued at $600 billion, with fresh fruits and vegetables making up an $80 billion category. This remains one of the few segments where consumers often continue to shop offline due to quality and trust concerns. Handpickd’s approach seeks to address these gaps by reimagining the supply chain while reducing wastage.

The platform also integrates sustainability into its operations. Deliveries are made in open, returnable trays without plastic packaging, preserving produce in near-natural form. By allowing customers to order the exact amount they want, the model avoids forced pack sizes and surplus purchases, contributing to lower waste across the supply chain.

With this funding, Handpickd plans to strengthen its presence and continue scaling its fresh commerce model to meet growing demand in India.