Darshan Krishnamurthy (Khetika)
Overview
Darshan Krishnamurthy is a prominent Indian entrepreneur and co-founder of Khetika, a healthy food brand known for its clean-label, preservative-free food products. As the Chief Technology Officer of Khetika, he has played a pivotal role in integrating advanced supply chain technology and fostering sustainable food practices in India. The brand Khetika, co-founded with Prithwi Singh and Raghuveer Allada in 2017, emphasizes a farm-to-fork approach that aims to combat food adulteration by sourcing directly from Indian farmers. Under his technology leadership, Khetika has successfully expanded its operations and is recognized for its transparency in food sourcing and processing.
Recent Developments
- July 2025: Khetika raised $18 million in a Series B funding round co-led by the Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office and Anicut Capital. The funds are earmarked for expanding Khetika’s product portfolio, manufacturing capacity, and venturing into international markets, specifically targeting the Middle East, Europe, and the US. The investment also aims to enhance their supply chain platform, SuperZop, which supports over 25,000 farmers.
- 2024: Khetika witnessed a 50% increase in revenue, closing the financial year with ₹247 crore, demonstrating significant growth attributed to expansion in the Indian market and plans to explore new territories.
- 2023-2024: The brand introduced real-time quality checks and improved traceability features like QR code integration for consumer transparency about product origin.
- 2023: Khetika launched a new batter plant in Delhi and a spice processing unit in Gujarat to optimize manufacturing efficiency and sustain freshness in their products.
- 2023: The company reported a 32% growth in sales, highlighting its rapid expansion through various retail and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, BigBasket, and Blinkit.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Darshan Krishnamurthy |
| Born | Bengaluru, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Co-founder & CTO at Khetika |
| Known For | Co-founding Khetika and technological leadership |
| Education | Mechanical Engineering at MSRIT, Management at XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Early Life and Education
Darshan Krishnamurthy was born in Bengaluru, India, where he pursued his early education. He showed a keen interest in technology from a young age, which led him to enroll in the Mechanical Engineering program at M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT). His educational journey further led him to XLRI, Jamshedpur, where he completed his management studies. His educational background played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial aspirations and equipped him with the necessary skills to navigate the complex retail technology landscape. Darshan's experiences and qualifications became instrumental in his capacity to lead Khetika towards technological innovations and sustainability in food sourcing.
Career and Notable Achievements
Darshan Krishnamurthy’s career is characterized by significant contributions to retail technology and supply chain management. Before co-founding Khetika, Darshan worked with retail giants such as Tesco and Tata-Tesco's Star Bazaar, where he honed his skills in managing large-scale technology operations. His career milestones include:
- 2017: Co-founded SuperZop, a precursor platform to Khetika, aimed at optimizing food commodity procurement.
- Transitioned SuperZop to Khetika's D2C model focusing on clean-label, preservative-free food products.
- Successfully integrated technology solutions that enhanced transparency and efficiency in food supply chain operations at Khetika.
- Played a pivotal role in securing significant investment rounds that have facilitated Khetika’s growth and expansion.
Current Work and Impact
As of 2025, Darshan Krishnamurthy continues to serve as the CTO of Khetika, where he focuses on leveraging technology to enhance food transparency and quality. His leadership in technological innovation has not only expanded Khetika’s product lines but also ensured the brand remains at the forefront of healthy, sustainable eating practices. Through SuperZop, Darshan impacts the agricultural sector by supporting thousands of farmers and promoting fair trade practices. Khetika’s growth story under his technology guidance contributes significantly to the health-focused food industry in India and beyond.
Conclusion
Darshan Krishnamurthy's contributions to the food technology and retail sectors have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of clean-label food products in India. Through Khetika, he has combined his technical expertise and business acumen to foster a culture of transparency and sustainability in food sourcing. His vision for a healthier food ecosystem and dedication to technological advancement continues to pave the way for future innovations in the industry. As Khetika embarks on its next phase of international expansion, Darshan's leadership will likely yield notable advancements in supply chain management and consumer trust in food products.