Gladful

Overview

Gladful is an emerging player in the health food industry based in Jaipur, India. Founded in 2021 by siblings Parul Sharma and Manu Sharma, the company aims to tackle protein deficiency among children and families in India. Gladful focuses on creating healthy, protein-rich snacks and breakfast options without artificial sugars and preservatives. The company has gained traction in the market with its clean-label products, which include breakfast mixes and snacks like pancake and dosa mixes and date and nut squares. It has raised approximately $1.35 million in funding over several rounds, attracting investment from prominent investors such as Antler and AngelList. Gladful has rapidly expanded its online distribution network, catering to the increasing demand for nutritious, convenient foods.

Recent Developments

  • August 2025: Gladful secured ₹8 crore in a funding round led by Eternal Capital, which included participation from Antler India and Venture Catalysts, among others. This capital infusion aims to enhance the company's R&D, marketing, and digital distribution, especially focusing on quick-commerce platforms.
  • 2024: After appearing on Shark Tank India, Gladful experienced a surge in brand recognition and secured ₹50 lakhs from sharks Amit Jain, Aman Gupta, and Namita Thapar. This investment boosted their expansion efforts and helped them reach wider markets with their protein-centric products.
  • January 2024: Gladful raised an additional ₹6 crore in seed funding for expansion. Despite recording a revenue of ₹2.3 crore in FY23, the company incurred a loss of ₹90.92 lakh, focusing on increasing production and market presence.
  • 2023: Gladful expanded its product range to 18 SKUs, including high-protein cookies and soybean-based munchies. Emphasizing international standards, the products are manufactured in FDA-certified facilities, tailored to meet children's nutritional needs.
  • Shark Tank India Success: Featured in Season 2, Gladful gained substantial visibility and credibility, reflecting its potential to reshape the Indian protein snacks market.

Company Information

AttributeInformation
Founding Date2021
HeadquartersJaipur, Rajasthan, India
FoundersParul Sharma, Manu Sharma
Revenue₹2.3 crore (FY 2022-23)
ProfitsLoss of ₹90.92 lakh (FY 2022-23)
Key InvestorsAntler, AngelList, Eternal Capital
IndustryFood and Beverage
Number of Employees1-50

Early History

Gladful was initiated during the pandemic, driven by Parul Sharma's extensive 14-year experience in the food sector, including at Mondelez International. The need for healthy, protein-rich snacks became evident to Parul, a mother herself, leading to the founding of Gladful. The company started as a sincere effort to provide nutritious options for children, free from sugars and preservatives, amidst prevalent protein deficiencies in India. Initially focusing on simple, staple products like protein-rich mini cookies, Gladful quickly gained traction after successful recipe trials and consumer feedback.

Company Profile and Achievements

Gladful specializes in developing protein-rich food products devoid of artificial ingredients. Its innovative approach includes using superfoods and sprouting techniques to enhance protein content in snacks. The company’s products, from pancake mixes to protein-packed cookies, cater to the nutritional needs of children and foster healthy eating habits. Major achievements include:

  • Funding Milestones: Gladful raised over ₹13 crore across different funding rounds, reflecting strong investor confidence and growth potential.
  • Product Development: Expanded from initial offerings to 18 SKUs, demonstrating innovation with high-protein content maintained across varied cuisines.
  • Market Expansion: Featured on Shark Tank India, Gladful significantly broadened its reach through online marketplaces and quick-commerce platforms.
  • Recognition: One of the fastest-growing D2C brands in India, Gladful continues to make strides in establishing itself as a trusted name in health-conscious food offerings.

Current Operations and Market Position

Gladful currently thrives as a leading D2C brand in the protein snack category. With products available in over 15 online platforms and retail stores, the company primarily targets the urban Indian market, addressing the rampant protein deficiency through product innovation and strategic distribution. Despite financial challenges, Gladful maintains a strong market position due to its unique product offerings and consumer-focused strategies, appealing to health-conscious families in India.

Conclusion

Gladful plays a crucial role in redefining the health food sector in India by focusing on protein-rich, clean-label products for children and families. As the company continues to expand and innovate, its commitment to alleviating nutritional deficiencies presents significant growth potential. While the company faces challenges in profitability, its strategic initiatives and investor backing highlight a promising trajectory in the competitive healthy food market.

References

  1. PitchBook Gladful Profile
  2. Economic Times - Gladful Funding
  3. Tracxn Gladful Report
  4. CrunchBase Gladful Overview
  5. Amsterdam YourStory Gladful Highlights
  6. Gladful Official Website
  7. Al Jazeera Business Article on Gladful
  8. Shark Tank India Gladful Episode Recap
  9. Indian Retailer Insight on Gladful
  10. Discovering Brands Gladful Overview