Chosen Raises $5 Million in Series A Funding for Science-Led Skincare Products

Chosen, the skincare startup, said it has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from Bold, L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund, and Alkemi Growth Capital. The round also saw participation from angel investor Avnish Anand, co-founder and ex-CEO of CaratLane, along with a cohort of practising dermatologists — Chandan Asokan, KC Nischal, Punit Saraogi, Nishita Ranka and Mikki Singh — reinforcing the brand’s strong clinical foundation.The funds will be used to strengthen R&D, expand the product pipeline, scale its Centre of Excellence, and hire talent. The company develops science-led skincare for melanin-rich Indian skin, focusing on pigmentation, texture, contour and hair ageing, with products spanning topicals and nutraceuticals.Renita Rajan, founder and CEO of Chosen, said, “This round is a validation of the science-led, dermatologist-developed approach we’ve built Chosen around. It gives us the runway to deepen our R&D, bring more dermatologists into product development, and build the evidence base that holistic anti-ageing for Indian skin deserves.”Sharing his perspective on the investment, Varun Varma, principal, Fireside Ventures, remarked, “What drew us to Chosen is the rare combination of deep clinical rigour and a trust-led go-to-market that few consumer brands have cracked.”On their decision to back Chosen, Samantha Etienne, global general manager, Bold, L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund, said, “Chosen has a unique model at the intersection of science and a deeply embedded dermatologist network.”“With a doctor-led distribution flywheel and a capital-efficient growth model, I see Chosen as a compelling platform for long-term value creation,” said Alka Goel, founding partner, Alkemi Growth Capital.Speaking of his decision to join the round, Avnish Anand, co-founder and ex-CEO, CaratLane, noted, “I believe in backing founders who are deeply committed to building differentiated, product-led businesses. Chosen reflects this ethos through its strong science-led approach and focus on innovation in skincare.”