Funding · Commerce & Consumer Brands

Chosen raises $5 million in Series A led by Fireside Ventures

By Startup Enthusiast · 5 March 2026

Date: 5 March 2026
Company: Chosen
What it does: skincare for melanin-rich skin
Kind: Funding
Amount: Rs 40 crore
Stage: Series A
Based in: Chennai
Founded: 2020
Sector: Commerce & Consumer Brands

What they do

Chosen is a Chennai-based skincare brand focused on science-backed solutions for melanin-rich skin

What happened

The company raised $5 million in a Series A round led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from BOLD, Alkemi Growth Capital, and several angel investors

Why it matters

The funds will be used to strengthen R&D, expand its product pipeline, scale its Centre of Excellence, and hire talent across key functions

The details

Chosen, a Chennai-based skincare brand, raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures.
The round also saw participation from BOLD, Alkemi Growth Capital, and several angel investors, including Avnish Anand and a group of practicing dermatologists.
The startup plans to use the funds to strengthen its R&D capabilities, expand its pipeline of clinically validated products, and scale its Centre of Excellence.
Chosen focuses on science-backed skincare solutions tailored specifically for Indian skin, rooted in the science of the exposome.
The company operates on a clinic-to-consumer model, combining dermatologist-led consultations with direct-to-consumer access.

The bigger picture

The company has built its offerings based on insights from over 150,000 consultations, giving it a strong clinical foundation.
Its model allows users to begin treatment under clinical supervision and continue maintenance through its digital platform.

About the business

Chosen develops skincare solutions tailored specifically for Indian skin, focusing on four key aspects of aging: pigmentation, skin texture, contour, and hair aging.
The company operates on a clinic-to-consumer model, combining dermatologist-led consultations with direct-to-consumer access.
Its products are prescribed in more than 2,000 clinics across India, while its online platform serves customers nationwide.
Currently, the brand offers around 58 SKUs across both its doctor-led and D2C segments.
Nearly 95% of its digital sales come through its own website, and about 70% of its revenue comes from repeat users, particularly women in the 30 to 50 age group.

What happens next

Chosen is preparing to expand into global 'skin of color' markets, including regions in Latin America and East Asia.
The company plans to launch more products within the next 18 months.

The deal

Type: funding

Investors

Fireside Ventures (lead) — A venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology and consumer startups.
BOLD (investor) — L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund focused on innovation in beauty and personal care.
Alkemi Growth Capital (investor) — A venture capital firm focused on early-stage consumer and healthcare startups.
Avnish Anand (angel) — Co-founder and former CEO of CaratLane, a fashion and lifestyle brand.

Founders

Dr Renita Rajan, Founder and CEO

About Chosen

Product: skin and hair care brand
Customers: Consumers with melanin-rich Indian skin seeking science-backed skincare solutions
How it makes money: D2C e-commerce and partnerships with dermatologists for evidence-based products
What sets it apart: Grounded in exposome science focusing on four key domains: pigmentation, texture, contour, and hair aging

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