Gen Z-focused nail care startup nailinit has raised ₹2.5–3 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund (GCCF) and Marsshot VC, along with participation from several angel investors.
The consumer-focused investment platform is backed by entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath. The round also saw participation from a group of consumer, technology, and operator angels.
The fresh capital will be used to expand distribution across quick commerce and D2C channels, strengthen community-led brand building, and accelerate product innovation in the nail care category.
Building a Modern Nail Care Brand
Founded by Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal, nailinit is targeting a category that sees frequent usage but remains largely under-branded in India.
The startup positions itself at the intersection of beauty, self-expression, and community. Beyond selling products, the brand is building culture-led engagement and experiences for young consumers.
Tanishq Ambegaokar said the brand is focused on a generation that views beauty as a form of self-expression rather than just a routine. He added that while nails sit at the intersection of culture, content, and commerce, the category has been underserved by strong Indian brands.
Shubham Singhal noted that as the company scales, it is also investing in strengthening supply chains and building operational discipline alongside brand growth.
Strong Angel Backing
The funding round attracted notable angel investors including Shashank Kumar, Founder of Razorpay, Arjit Johri (Marsshot VC), Yash Jain (Ex-Founder, NimbusPost), Karan Jindal (Meta), Jivraj Singh Sachar (ISV Capital), Nishank Jain (Accel), Yashvardhan Kanoi (Alter Global), Ashwarya Garg (HYPD), Venus Dhuria (Phot.AI), and Amishi Parasrampuria (The Whole Truth).
Gauri Kuchhal, Fund Manager at Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund, said nail care remains underpenetrated in India, with consumers still dependent on time-intensive salon visits. She added that convenience and self-expression are becoming stronger drivers in beauty, and press-on nails could unlock more frequent and experimental usage.
Omnichannel and Retail Presence
nailinit claims to be the only nail care brand in India combining product-led retail with a dedicated kiosk format at Jio World Drive, where customers can avail nail services while exploring the brand.
The startup has gained early traction on quick commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit, with an upcoming launch on Instamart. Its products are also available on Amazon, strengthening its omnichannel presence.
With this funding round, nailinit plans to scale thoughtfully while continuing to invest in culture, community, and category creation within India’s growing beauty market.
-By Shivani Solanki
