MANAM CHOCOLATE SECURES US$ 9 MILLION TO DRIVE DELHI NCR EXPANSION

Premium craft chocolate brand Manam Chocolate has raised US$ 9 million in Series A funding led by Omnivore, with Turner Morrison consortium participation. The capital will accelerate retail expansion in Delhi NCR, strengthen its farmer-partnered supply chain, and showcase India’s cacao potential to global audiences.

Manam Chocolate, the Hyderabad-born premium craft chocolate brand owned by Distinct Origins Pvt Ltd, has announced the successful closure of a US$ 9 million Series A funding round. The investment, led by agrifood-focused venture capital firm Omnivore with participation from the Turner Morrison consortium, marks a significant milestone for the company as it prepares to accelerate its retail expansion across Delhi NCR.  

Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Chaitanya Muppala, Manam Chocolate has quickly carved out a distinctive position in India’s craft chocolate market. Muppala, who is India’s first Level 3 Certified Chocolate Taster accredited by the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting (IICCT), USA, has built the brand around origin-led authenticity, craftsmanship, and immersive retail experiences. The company currently operates outlets at Eldeco Center in Saket, New Delhi, alongside flagship experiential spaces in Hyderabad, including the Manam Chocolate Karkhana and the Manam Chocolate Beverage Bar. Its direct-to-consumer channels further extend reach nationwide.  

The newly raised capital will be deployed to open new retail spaces across Delhi NCR over the next 12 months, reinforcing Manam’s ambition to become a leading player in India’s premium food and experiential retail segment. The expansion strategy reflects growing consumer appetite for artisanal products, immersive food experiences, and brands rooted in traceability and craftsmanship.  

Manam Chocolate’s integrated model spans the entire value chain, from cacao cultivation and fermentation to chocolate manufacturing and confectionery development. Through Distinct Origins Pvt Ltd, the company works with more than 250 farmers cultivating over 3,000 acres of cacao farms in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district, one of India’s most prominent cacao-growing regions. The Distinct Origins Cacao Fermentery in Tadikalapudi employs technology-driven processes and scientific interventions to refine fermentation practices and develop distinctive Indian cacao profiles, positioning the brand as a pioneer in origin-led chocolate innovation.  

Speaking on the funding, Chaitanya Muppala emphasised the importance of building a globally respected Indian craft chocolate company rooted in origin. “Over the last few years, we have focused on strengthening every part of the value chain—from cacao cultivation and fermentation to chocolate making—and have developed multiple retail models. We are now excited to partner with Omnivore and our existing investors from the Turner Morrison consortium, whose belief in our long-term vision and commitment to building a differentiated Indian brand with global aspirations creates significant confidence for us,” he said.  

Omnivore Partner Reihem Roy highlighted the broader impact of the investment, noting that premium consumer brands like Manam Chocolate demonstrate how origin-led value addition can improve farmer livelihoods while reducing exposure to commodity-price volatility. “As climate pressures reshape global cacao supply, investment in alternative, high-quality origins such as India represents both a commercial opportunity and a contribution to a more resilient global food system,” he explained.  

The funding underscores increasing investor interest in premium, origin-led food brands that combine experiential retail with integrated sourcing models. For Manam Chocolate, the expansion into Delhi NCR is not only a commercial growth opportunity but also a chance to showcase the extraordinary potential of Indian cacao to both domestic and international audiences. As India’s urban consumers increasingly seek artisanal indulgence and immersive experiences, Manam is positioning itself at the forefront of a new chapter in the country’s premium chocolate journey.