NDTV has closed funding for a new platform that will sell healthy foods and personal care products from across the country through its subsidiary- Smartcooky Internet Limited.
Smartcooky.com is based on NDTV’s current food site — food.ndtv.com which has “almost 3 million unique visitors a month.”
SmartCooky Internet Limited, has raised funds at a valuation of USD 12 Million from multiple investors.
The list of investors include some of the most influential names in the Indian Internet and food industry including Rajan Anandan, Vice President & MD of Google, South East Asia & India, Pramod Bhasin, Former President and CEO of Genpact, Siddarth Pai son of T.V. Mohandas Pai, presently the chairman of Manipal Group Education and Manvinder Singh Banga, former member of the Unilever executive board.
NDTV had earlier commercialized its gadget site, gadgets.ndtv.com, at a valuation of Rs 323 cr.
The broadcaster said that the food site helps in making healthy choices in the daily life by offering a well-chosen selection of quality products.
Speaking on Smartcooky, Ms. Seema Chandra, Director, Smartcooky, said, ” We will also roll out TV shows on NDTV’s channels under Smartcooky to educate and inform viewers on making better choices. We boast of an enviable list of investors and mentors who believe in this cause of educated-commerce.”
Speaking on the investment, Dr Prannoy Roy, Executive Co-Chairperson of the NDTV group said, “The NDTV network has been associated with good quality and trustworthy content around food for over a decade. Launching an eCommerce food site is the next logical step in this space. Moreover we are thrilled to have such an impressive list of investors and look forward to becoming the one-stop-shop for all things that are good for you.”