Dorje Teas, a Darjeeling-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) startup, has successfully raised ₹1.8 crore in its seed funding round, led by Coast Fund VC, the venture arm of Blink Digital. Additional participants in the round included Untitled Ventures, Ice VC, SSK Exports, the Chandigarh Angels Network (CAN), and a consortium of Ashoka University alumni.

The funding also attracted high-profile investors such as creators and entrepreneurs Arjun Vaidya and Varun Mayya, alongside India’s TV sensation Nakuul Mehta, who will not only invest but also serve as the brand ambassador for Dorje Teas.

The three-year-old startup first gained national attention earlier this year with its appearance on Shark Tank India Season 2, where it secured deals from prominent D2C investors Anupam Mittal and Vineeta Singh. Since the show, the company claims to have experienced a 300% surge in operations and revenue growth.

Founded by Sparsh Agarwal and Ishaan Kanoria, Dorje Teas aims to expand its offerings and create an in-house content studio to produce engaging content that showcases its commitment to health, quality, and sustainability. Alongside its retail business, the startup is also building a B2B vertical and plans to export Darjeeling teas internationally.

To strengthen its brand, Dorje Teas is launching a content creators’ staycation program at the heritage Selim Hill tea garden. The initiative invites influencers to experience the tea culture firsthand and share their journey with the brand’s premium tea offerings.

In a competitive market with brands like Vahdam Teas, Tea Box, and Team Monk, Dorje Teas is positioning itself as a premium player by combining heritage, health benefits, and strategic influencer marketing.