Manam Chocolate Secures $9 Million Funding for Retail Footprint
Manam Chocolate, a premium craft chocolate brand, secured $9 million in Series A funding, led by Omnivore and joined by the Turner Morrison consortium.
The recent capital investment will be used to expedite the company’s ambitious growth strategies, including the opening of new retail locations in the Delhi NCR area within the next year.
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Established in 2021 by entrepreneur Chaitanya Muppala from Hyderabad, India’s inaugural Level 3 Certified Chocolate Taster certified by the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting (IICCT) in the US.
The company has established itself as a vertically integrated chocolate brand, managing the full value chain from cacao growing and fermentation to chocolate production and sales. Through its parent company, Distinct Origins Pvt. Ltd., Manam collaborates with over 250 farmers who grow cacao on more than 3,000 acres in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, the largest cacao-growing area in the nation.
At the core of its sourcing network is the Distinct Origins Cacao Fermentery located in Tadikalapudi, West Godavari, which the company asserts is one of the largest cacao fermentation facilities globally. The facility employs exclusive fermentation techniques to enhance the flavor consistency and quality of cacao sourced from India.
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The firm presently runs experiential retail shops in New Delhi and Hyderabad, featuring its main Manam Chocolate Karkhana located in Banjara Hills, and distributes products across the country through its direct-to-consumer platforms.
Regarding the fundraising, founder Chaitanya Muppala noted that the funds would enable the company to enhance its footprint in crucial markets and expand operations throughout the value chain. “In recent years, we have concentrated on developing skills in cacao farming, fermentation, chocolate production, and sales.”
The recent investment will enable us to grow more purposefully while still highlighting the global potential of Indian cacao,” he states.
Reihem Roy, a partner at Omnivore, mentioned that Manam’s sourcing model, which is connected to farmers, shows how enhancing value at the origin can boost farm incomes and lessen vulnerability to commodity price fluctuations. He mentioned that climate-related disruptions to worldwide cacao supply chains might allow emerging regions like India to assume a bigger role in the global chocolate market.
Earlier, Manam Chocolate broadened its retail reach by introducing a gifting-oriented product line at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai, signifying its debut in the Mumbai market. The brand is presently the sole Indian chocolate and confectionery label at that site. The shop is a component of Galeries Lafayette's entry into India, introduced by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited. Situated in Voltas House at Kala Ghoda, the multi-brand retail area marks the French retailer’s initial entry into India.
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This launch by Manam Chocolate presents more than fifty gifting options in the tablet, snacking, and pantry categories. The assortment features items tailored for seasonal needs and personalization, in line with the expanding gifting sector in urban areas.
The Mumbai launch comes after the brand's previous debut in New Delhi with a store at Eldeco Center, Saket, in July 2025, in addition to its locations in Hyderabad and nationwide online sales.
The Galeries Lafayette product range features tablet collections like the Single Farm and Single Origin India series, crafted with cacao sourced from West Godavari, as well as options that include jaggery and oat mylk. The collection additionally includes flavors like Raspberry and Rose, Rice Crispy, Chai Biscuit, and Pistachio Fudge. The snacking assortment features clusters, barks, thins, spreads, dragees, cacao nibs, coated items, and drinking chocolate blends.