High Time Foods, a Bengaluru-based food-tech startup, has successfully raised $1.2 million in a seed funding round led by Avaana Capital, with participation from existing angel investors. The startup specializes in developing shelf-stable, plant-based protein products aimed at addressing protein deficiencies in regions lacking cold chain infrastructure. High Time Foods will use the newly acquired funds to accelerate product development, grow its R&D team, and strengthen go-to-market strategies across India, the United States, and emerging markets in the Global South. This funding positions High Time Foods to scale its impact in key markets.
High Time Foods raises $1.2M to drive product innovation and market expansion.
2. Understanding High Time Foods
2.1 Founders and Their Vision
Founded in 2022 by Aakash Shah and Damian Felchlin, High Time Foods, a Bengaluru-based startup, emerged from a shared vision to make affordable, high-protein food accessible without the need for refrigeration. Aakash Shah brings experience from his previous roles, including co-founding a cloud kitchen venture and holding leadership positions at Zomato. Damian Felchlin, who served as a Swiss Trade Commissioner in the United States, brings valuable insights into international trade and logistics to High Time Foods. The startup recently secured funding to expand its operations and product offerings.
2.2 Product Offering
The startup’s flagship product is a shelf-stable, plant-based protein blend made from pea, wheat, and mung bean proteins. High Time Foods designed this blend to match the price point of conventional meat and eliminate the need for cold chain infrastructure, making it ideal for markets with limited refrigeration capabilities.
2.3 Business Model
High Time Foods operates on a B2B model, currently serving over 30 clients, including food manufacturers, educational institutions, and dining facilities. In India, the focus is on the HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering) segment and selling to other food manufacturers. The company aims to establish at least 50 B2B partnerships in India by the end of 2025.
3. Funding and Future Plans
3.1 Utilization of Funds
The $1.2 million raised will be allocated towards:
- Accelerating product development
- Expanding the food R&D team
- Strengthening go-to-market efforts in India, the US, and emerging markets across the Global South
3.2 Global Expansion
Originally headquartered in the United States, High Time Foods has now relocated its base to India, where it expects to generate 25% of its revenue. The remaining 75% will come from international markets, including the US and Africa. The startup is also exploring expansion in Africa, with customer testing underway in West Africa in collaboration with a major food distributor.
4. Industry Context and Significance
India faces a protein deficiency, with 70% of the population not meeting intake recommendations. Bengaluru-based High Time Foods is bridging this gap with affordable, shelf-stable, plant-based proteins that don’t need refrigeration, ideal for areas with limited cold chain infrastructure.
Shruti Srivastava from Avaana Capital says, “High Time Foods is solving a critical gap in food systems with scalable, shelf-stable protein.” The latest High Time Foods raises $1.2M funding will boost their mission across India.
5. Learnings for Startups and Entrepreneurs
5.1 Addressing Real-World Problems
High Time Foods identified a critical issue—protein deficiency—and developed a solution tailored to the infrastructural realities of emerging markets.
5.2 Innovative Product Development
By creating a shelf-stable, plant-based protein product, the startup offers a unique value proposition that sets it apart in the food-tech industry.
5.3 Strategic Market Positioning
Focusing on B2B partnerships and targeting the HoReCa segment allows for scalable growth and widespread adoption of their products.
5.4 Global Vision with Local Execution
Relocating headquarters to India demonstrates a commitment to understanding and serving the local market while maintaining a global outlook.
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