Mensa Brands, a direct-to-consumer company that partners with entrepreneurs to build and scale digital brands, has secured $40 million in growth capital from EvolutionX Debt Capital.
The funding is a combination of debt facility and convertible investment.
Mensa Brands plans to use the funding to invest in brand building, driven by strong growth in its existing portfolio.
Led by former Myntra CEO Ananth Narayanan, Mensa Brands has raised $200 million in equity from marquee global investors including Accel Partners, Falcon Edge Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, Prosus Ventures and Tiger Global Management.
Image: Ishin owned by Mensa Brands
It has also secured debt financing from Alteria Capital, InnoVen Capital, Stride Ventures, and TradeCred. The latest funding from EvolutionX will be used to invest in brand building, tech, ops, and acquisitions.
Mensa Brands is investing working capital and picking up equity in other D2C startups to scale their brands’ presence online.
Its platform helps entrepreneurs build and grow their brands by providing them with the necessary tools and resources. With the latest funding, Mensa Brands is expected to accelerate its growth and expand its portfolio of digital brands.
Details of the Funding
Mensa Brands, a direct-to-consumer company, has raised $40 million in debt financing from EvolutionX Debt Capital, a leading debt financing platform for growth-stage companies. The funding round was completed on October 5, 2023, and brings Mensa’s total funding to $300 million in equity and debt financing.
Mensa Brands was founded in April 2023 by former Myntra CEO Ananth Narayanan and has since acquired around a dozen brands, with plans to close another 20 deals. The company partners with entrepreneurs to build and scale digital brands in the Asia region.
According to Narayanan, Mensa Brands intends to use the funding to continue growing its portfolio and invest in hiring across functions, as well as building out its tech platform and other growth capabilities.
The company has already established a strong investor base, with Norwest Venture, Accel, Tiger Global, Falcon Edge Capital, Tradecred, Rahul Shah, Alpha Wave Global, DBS, Temasek, and Stride Ventures all participating in previous funding rounds.
The latest funding round was a Convertible Note, which allows investors to convert their debt investment into equity at a later stage. Mensa’s valuation in November 2021 was $1,000 million, and the company has already completed a Series B round of funding.
Overall, the latest debt financing from EvolutionX Debt Capital provides Mensa Brands with the capital needed to continue its growth trajectory and expand its presence in the Asia region. The company’s unique approach to partnering with entrepreneurs has already proven successful, and this funding will allow Mensa to continue building its portfolio of digital brands.
About Mensa Brands
Mensa Brands is a digital house of consumer-loved brands that was founded in 2021 by Ananth Narayanan, former CEO of Myntra Jabong and Medlife.com. The company is headquartered in Bangalore, India, and has a team of experienced professionals from the technology, marketing, and e-commerce industries.
Mensa Brands’ mission is to acquire and scale direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in the fashion, beauty, FMCG, consumer electronics, and home segments. The company is focused on building a portfolio of marquee global brands that resonate with consumers across the world.
Mensa Brands has already made a significant impact in the e-commerce industry, having raised $40 million in debt financing from EvolutionX Debt Capital in October 2023. The funding will be used to invest in brand building, technology, operations, and scale.
The company has a unique business model that leverages data-driven insights to acquire and grow brands that have a strong digital presence and a loyal customer base. Mensa Brands’ approach to brand building is focused on creating value for both consumers and investors, with a strong emphasis on revenue growth and profitability.
With its experienced leadership team and marquee global investors, Mensa Brands is well-positioned to become a unicorn in the e-commerce industry.
The company’s focus on D2C brands, combined with its expertise in brand building and scale, makes it a leader in the e-commerce roll-up space.
In FY22, Mensa Brands reported impressive revenue growth, driven by the successful acquisition and scaling of several consumer-loved brands. The company’s focus on the beauty and FMCG segments has been particularly successful, with strong growth in both categories.
Overall, Mensa Brands is a promising e-commerce roll-up company that is poised for significant growth in the coming years. With its focus on D2C brands, brand building, and scale, the company is well-positioned to become a leader in the e-commerce industry.
