Friday, 13 June 2025
The funding comes as High Time Foods officially launches in India, aiming to address the growing demand for protein and establish a next-generation food brand driven by local innovation
Avaana Capital, a venture fund focused on deep-tech and frontier innovation, has led a $1.2 million seed funding round in High Time Foods—a food-tech startup developing affordable, shelf-stable, plant-based protein. Existing investors also joined the round.
The investment aligns with High Time Foods’ official entry into the Indian market, where the company is establishing operations to address the growing demand for protein and build a next-generation food brand rooted in local innovation. The fresh capital will support product development, talent hiring, and strategic expansion across India, the U.S., and other fast-growing markets in the Global South.
Prior to its India launch, High Time secured a key distribution deal with Sysco in the U.S., one of the world’s largest foodservice providers—a strong validation of its product and scalability.
“Our goal is to make high-quality protein more accessible and affordable than meat,” said Aakash Shah, Co-Founder & CEO. “We’re building from India to serve the world.”
Targeting institutional kitchens, restaurants, and food manufacturers, High Time’s versatile product doesn’t require refrigeration and can be adapted for diverse dishes—from samosas and kebabs to momos and gravies. The startup is already partnering with foodservice operators across India, including an upcoming launch with 65-year-old Tamil Nadu-based restaurant chain, Vasantha Bhavan.
With over 73 per cent of Indians not meeting recommended protein intake, High Time Foods aims to fill this critical nutritional gap.
“High Time Foods is solving a fundamental challenge—delivering scalable, affordable protein in real-world conditions,” said Shruti Srivastava, Investment Director at Avaana Capital. “We’re excited to support their global ambition.”
