Fireside Ventures led $5 M Series A funding raised by skincare brand CHOSEN
Dermatologists Dr. Chandan Asokan, KC Nischal, Punit Saraogi, Nishita Ranka, and Mikki Singh, as well as BOLD, L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund, Alkemi Growth Capital, and other angel investors, including CaratLane co-founder and former CEO Avnish Anand, have contributed $5 million to the $5 million Series A funding round for skincare brand CHOSEN.
The Chennai-based startup had previously raised $1.2 million in an angel funding round in 2024.
According to a press release from CHOSEN, the proceeds will be used to improve R&D capabilities, increase the pipeline of clinically validated, evidence-based products, expand its Center of Excellence, and invest in high-impact talent across functions.
Renita Rajan founded CHOSEN in 2020 to create science-driven skincare products for melanin-rich Indian skin. These products are based on the science of the exposome and concentrate on four major aspects of aging: pigmentation, skin texture, contour, and hair aging. Using a clinic-to-consumer model developed by dermatologists, its portfolio includes both topical formulations and nutraceuticals.
CHOSEN claims to have developed its brand based on insights from more than 150,000 consultations. Its model combines a direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform with a B2B network of dermatologists, enabling patients to start treatment under clinical guidance and carry out maintenance on their own.
In both its D2C and doctor-led segments, the company presently has about 58 SKUs. More than 2,000 clinics nationwide prescribe its products, and its online store serves clients all over India, accounting for nearly 95% of digital sales.
Additionally, CHOSEN is getting ready to enter international “skin of color” markets, such as those in East Asia and Latin America, where comparable dermatological requirements exist. Remarkably, repeat business accounts for about 70% of its income, especially from women between the ages of 30 and 50.
Other prominent companies in this market, including Avène, Heliocare, Cetaphil, Sebamed, Shiseido, and Dr. Sturm, are its direct rivals.
