Aathitiyan V S (Cookd): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Aathitiyan V S, also known as Aathitiyan Somu, is a prominent Indian entrepreneur best recognized as the founder and CEO of Cookd, a leading digital-first cooking brand headquartered in Chennai, India. With a background in computer science engineering, Aathitiyan has transformed his passion for home cooking into a successful enterprise that combines recipe creation, content generation, and retail food products. Since its inception in 2020, Cookd has garnered a massive social media following, innovative culinary content, and a suite of ready-to-cook food kits that have revolutionized the way people approach cooking at home. This article delves into the life, achievements, and impact of Aathitiyan V S, revealing insights from his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of Cookd.

1. Engineering Background and Early Career

Aathitiyan V S completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Kongu Engineering College (2007–2011). Early in his career, he managed Food Court @ KEC and co-founded HeroTalkies, a subscription-based entertainment and Tamil OTT platform. HeroTalkies grew to become the largest Tamil OTT service outside India before being acquired in 2018. These experiences honed his skills in digital media, strategic partnerships, and entrepreneurship, setting a foundation for his later ventures.

2. Founding of Cookd and Vision

In 2020, Aathitiyan founded Cookd, guided by a vision to simplify and enrich home cooking through digital content paired with innovative food products. Cookd emerged to fill a gap identified by Aathitiyan: many existing online recipes lacked detail and replicability. Cookd’s mission is to offer clear, precise, and dependable recipes coupled with convenient cooking kits to empower everyday cooks to prepare restaurant-quality dishes at home.

3. Cookd’s Digital Content Strategy

Cookd stands out by producing high-quality, easy-to-follow recipe videos with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and replicability. Unlike many channels, Cookd emphasizes exact measurements and specific instructions, such as salt quantities and resting times, to improve outcomes for home cooks. With more than 1.5 million YouTube subscribers and over 1 million Instagram followers, Cookd’s content resonates across diverse audiences.

4. Growth and Social Media Impact

Cookd’s social media presence is robust, with over 6 million followers across YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook combined. The channel regularly surpasses 150 million video views per month. Multiple videos have gone viral, notably a chicken 65 video that garnered over 25 million views. This digital footprint has been critical in establishing Cookd's brand and user trust, directly feeding into product sales and wider brand recognition.

5. Expansion Into Consumer Packaged Goods

Beyond digital content, Aathitiyan spearheaded Cookd’s expansion into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. The company develops and sells recipe mixes, cooking kits, masalas, and biryani kits designed for convenience and authenticity. Cookd's products have penetrated over 1,600 retail stores and are available via direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels and quick commerce platforms like Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and Zepto.

6. Family and Personal Life

Aathitiyan Somu is married to Vaishnavi Ketharnathan, who is active in marketing and supports his entrepreneurial journey. Known for his mantra "hard work brings success," Aathitiyan's personal life and values are closely intertwined with his professional drive. He often reflects on his family roots and the motivation drawn from serving others through the joy of food.

7. The Role of Chennai and South Indian Identity

Building Cookd from Chennai has deeply influenced its brand identity, content, and growth. Aathitiyan credits Chennai's diverse culinary culture and warm community spirit as core inspirations. Cookd prominently features South Indian recipes and continues to expand its offerings to markets in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, aligning with the region’s food preferences and culinary traditions.

8. Funding and Company Valuation

Cookd has successfully raised multiple rounds of funding, including a recent pre-Series A round of Rs 16 crore (approx. $2 million) led by Spring Marketing Capital and participation from other prominent investors. With a valuation near ₹39 crore (approx. $5 million), Cookd is positioned as a high-growth startup in the Indian food-tech and digital consumer brand space.

9. Entrepreneurial Philosophy and Leadership

Aathitiyan is known for his commitment to quality, innovation, and team-building. He focuses on nurturing a collaborative work culture, emphasizing creativity and rigorous content standards. His leadership style is hands-on, balancing managerial duties with direct involvement in sales, content strategy, and product development.

10. Net Worth and Industry Influence

While exact figures vary, Cookd's net worth is estimated to range between ₹0 to ₹500 crore (approx. $0–60 million), reflecting revenues from content monetization, product sales, and brand partnerships. As a digital-first cooking brand, Cookd under Aathitiyan’s guidance is reshaping the Indian cooking ecosystem, inspiring entrepreneurs to blend content creation with commerce effectively.

Conclusion

Aathitiyan V S is a visionary entrepreneur who exemplifies the fusion of technology, creativity, and cuisine to create meaningful impact. From humble beginnings as a food court manager and OTT platform co-founder to building Cookd into a billion-view digital cooking empire, his journey inspires many. By prioritizing detail-oriented content, innovative product development, and a strong local identity rooted in Chennai, Aathitiyan has crafted a brand that empowers home cooks across India and beyond. His leadership illustrates the power of combining passion with precision, and the evolving role of digital media in transforming traditional industries like cooking. As Cookd continues to expand and innovate, the culinary world watches closely, anticipating new horizons shaped by this pioneering entrepreneur.