In a landmark moment for India’s booming pet care industry, Drools, the homegrown pet food brand that began with a mission to feed pets better has officially become a unicorn following a strategic minority investment from global food giant Nestlé S.A..
This investment marks a seismic shift in the perception of pet care in India, transforming what was once considered a niche market into a billion-dollar opportunity. With the country’s pet population on a steady rise and pet parents spending more than ever on nutrition, wellness, and lifestyle products, the entry of Nestlé signals not just capital, but confidence in India’s rapidly maturing pet ecosystem.
A Tail of Growth
Founded by Fahad Ahmed under the ABIS Exports umbrella, Drools has been quietly rewriting the rules of pet nutrition in India for over a decade. Built on in-house research and a strong domestic manufacturing backbone, Drools took the unconventional route: prioritizing scientific formulation, aggressive distribution, and a price-value proposition that resonated with India’s growing middle-class pet owners.
Now, with a valuation crossing the $1 billion mark, the brand joins the elite club of Indian unicorns but it’s the first to do so in the pet nutrition space.
Nestlé’s Play in the Bowl
The Nestlé investment is not just a capital injection, it’s a strategic alignment. With Nestlé’s Purina already an established global name in pet care, its stake in Drools provides access to the vast Indian market through a brand that already understands local tastes, price points, and consumer behavior.
Insiders say that Drools will continue to operate independently, allowing it to retain the agility of a startup while leveraging Nestlé’s global R&D and distribution muscle. The synergies could pave the way for innovation in wet food, breed-specific diets, supplements, and possibly exports.
The Rise of Pet-Humanization
Drools’ unicorn leap is also a mirror to the shifting culture around pets in India. Dogs and cats are no longer “just animals”, they’re family. This humanization is driving demand for premium nutrition, grooming services, insurance, and even pet-tech startups.
As pet parenting matures, so does the ecosystem around it. Drools’ rise is a clear indicator: the future is furry, and it’s lucrative.
What’s Next?
Industry watchers speculate that Drools could scale even faster with this new partnership, possibly eyeing Southeast Asian markets or expanding its product verticals into pet wellness, veterinary formulations, or lifestyle SKUs.
In many ways, this is more than a financial milestone, it’s a watershed for Indian pet startups. The message is clear: Pet care is serious business.