Indian lifestyle and gifting startup Uni Seoul has raised ₹35 crore in a Series A funding round to support its expansion plans across the country. The round was co-led by Riverwalk Holdings and Sauce.vc, while Panthera Peak Ventures and several existing angel investors also participated.
Founded in 2023 by Gaurav Karmani and Mohit Khurana, Uni Seoul is known for its Korean-inspired lifestyle and gifting products. The company has quickly gained attention among young consumers with its wide range of affordable and trendy products.
The fresh funding will help the startup grow its retail presence, improve operations, and enter the fast-growing quick commerce market.
Funds to Support Store Expansion and Quick Commerce Entry
Uni Seoul plans to use the newly raised capital to expand its network of physical stores in major Indian cities. The company is focusing on opening new outlets in premium malls and popular high-street locations across Tier I cities.
At present, the startup operates 15 stores in cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Nashik. With the new funding, Uni Seoul aims to increase this number to more than 50 stores in the near future.
The company is also preparing to launch its products on quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart. This move is expected to help the brand reach customers who prefer fast deliveries and often make last-minute gifting purchases.
Along with expansion, Uni Seoul will invest in strengthening its supply chain, growing its private-label product range, and improving store presentation and visual merchandising standards.
Wide Product Range at Affordable Prices
Since its launch, Uni Seoul has focused on offering stylish and affordable products inspired by Korean trends. The brand currently sells more than 1,000 SKUs across different categories.
Its product range includes plush toys, home décor items, stationery, bags, travel accessories, beauty products, personal care items, and gift products. Most items are priced between ₹99 and ₹2,999, making them accessible to a wide group of consumers.
The company’s stores are designed to encourage impulse shopping, where customers often buy products they did not initially plan to purchase. This strategy has helped Uni Seoul build a growing customer base in a short period.
The startup believes that offering a consistent shopping experience across both physical stores and online platforms will play an important role in its future growth.
Plans to Build 500 Retail Touchpoints in Five Years
Uni Seoul has set an ambitious long-term target of creating 500 retail touchpoints across India over the next five years. The company plans to achieve this through a mix of company-owned stores and franchise-operated outlets.
The expansion comes at a time when India’s gifting market continues to grow rapidly. The market was estimated to be worth around $75 billion in 2024, creating a large opportunity for lifestyle and gifting brands.
Speaking about the company’s vision, co-founder Mohit Khurana said Uni Seoul aims to become a leading impulse lifestyle retail brand in India. He believes the changing shopping habits of consumers and the growing demand for unique gifting products will support the company’s growth plans.
Co-founder Gaurav Karmani said the new funding will help the company expand exactly as planned from the beginning. He added that Uni Seoul wants customers to enjoy the same experience whether they visit a flagship store or discover the brand through an online platform.
With fresh funding, a growing product portfolio, and ambitious expansion plans, Uni Seoul is now preparing for its next phase of growth. The company is betting on both offline retail and quick commerce to reach more consumers and strengthen its position in India’s fast-growing lifestyle and gifting market.