By Anuj Suvarna
Copyright yourstory
Hocco, a growing player in India’s ice cream sector, has raised Rs 115 crore in a new funding round led by long-term investor Sauce.vc, bringing the company’s valuation to Rs 2,000 crore.
In less than two years since its launch, Hocco has expanded rapidly, gaining recognition in the market through a combination of product innovation, quality, and modern distribution strategies.
The fresh capital will be used to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen cold-chain infrastructure, develop new products, and extend the company’s presence across India and selected international markets.
By summer 2026, Hocco expects to reach nearly 3 lakh litres of manufacturing capacity, positioning it among India’s larger ice cream production facilities. The company also plans to increase its presence in quick commerce, modern retail, and travel-related channels.
“This funding allows us to move faster on the vision we’ve set for Hocco: to make quality ice cream that is exciting, innovative and crafted to turn everyday moments into something special. Sauce.vc has been a long-time believer in our journey, backing us from the very start, and their continued support is a huge validation of what we’re building,” Ankit Chona, Managing Director of Hocco, said.
He added, “With this capital, we’re doubling down on that idea and scaling it for many more consumers across India and beyond.”
“Ankit and his team are a rare combination of strong category know‑how and unbridled ambition. They are keen to build Hocco into India’s most loved ice cream company, and we are excited to continue partnering with them on this journey from day zero,” Manu Chandra, Founder and Managing Partner of Sauce.vc, said.
Since launch, Hocco has introduced over 150 SKUs (stock keeping units), including BIX, a house-baked cake sandwich, and the Oh-Cone, a cone topped with a chocolate-coated ball.
In June 2024, Hocco launched a premium sub-brand called Huber & Holly, with products such as Salted Caramel Popcorn, Pondicherry Vanilla, and Sicilian Pistachio. These products, which were available only in select parlours, have now been expanded into packaged retail.
Quick commerce currently contributes 7–8% of Hocco’s revenue. Chona, in May, had stated that he expects this figure to rise to around 20% by the next financial year. He credits the format for helping brands like Hocco test markets and expand without the capital-intensive setup traditionally required for new geographies.
(Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti)
