Dorje Teas

High-Level Overview

Dorje Teas is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-commerce startup specializing in premium, organic Darjeeling teas delivered via a subscription model, sourcing directly from small farms like the historic Selim Hill Tea Garden to bypass middlemen and revive the local industry.[1][2][4][5] Founded in 2021 by Sparsh Agarwal and Ishaan Kanoria, it serves tea enthusiasts across India with fresh black teas, green teas, flavored blends (e.g., Kashmiri Kahwa, Chamomile), gift boxes, and seasonal subscriptions, solving issues like industry decay from weather changes, political turmoil, mismanagement, and exploitative intermediaries.[1][2][3][4] The company has shown strong growth, raising ₹2.05 Cr in seed funding (including a recent ₹1.8 Cr round in 2024 from Coast Fund VC, Untitled Ventures, and others), achieving ₹1.3 Cr+ revenue in FY23 (300% growth post-Shark Tank India Season 2 appearance), and maintaining a lean team of 4-5 employees.[2][4][5]

Origin Story

Dorje Teas was founded in April 2021 by childhood friends Sparsh Agarwal and Ishaan Kanoria (with early involvement from Debasis De), who bonded over their shared love for tea during visits to Selim Hill Tea Garden near Kurseong, established in 1871.[1][2][3] Observing the Darjeeling tea industry's decline due to climate issues, political unrest, poor management, export slumps, and middlemen exploitation, they launched a subscription service to connect gardens directly with consumers, ensuring fresh, authentic, organic teas.[1][2][6] Early traction came from Shark Tank India Season 2, where they secured deals from investors like Anupam Mittal and Vineeta Singh, fueling 300% operational scaling; the company later faced a copyright notice from show producers but continued boosting its visibility.[3][5]

Core Differentiators

• Direct-from-Garden Sourcing and Subscription Model: Delivers 100% organic, fresh Darjeeling teas (black, green, blends) straight from estates like Selim Hill, eliminating middlemen for better prices, garden sustainability, and peak freshness—unique in making entire garden produce available seasonally.[1][2][3][5][6]
• Curated, Authentic Experience: Offers storytelling-driven products like easy-brew boxes and gift sets, with Sparsh handling product knowledge and narrative while Ishaan leads as CEO, fostering trust through their personal tea passion.[1][2]
• Community and Expansion Focus: Partners with Selim Hill Collective for local impact; recent funding enables in-house content studio, B2B vertical, global exports, and creator staycations at the estate to build brand loyalty.[5]
• Lean, High-Growth Operations: E-commerce efficiency with 10K monthly web traffic, FY23 revenue surge, and backing from creators like Arjun Vaidya, Varun Mayya, and ambassador Nakuul Mehta.[4][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Dorje Teas rides the D2C food & beverage wave in India, leveraging e-commerce and subscriptions to disrupt traditional agri supply chains in the premium tea sector, competing with VC-backed peers like Vahdam Teas, Tea Box, and Team Monk.[4][5] Its timing aligns with rising demand for traceable, organic products amid Darjeeling's challenges, amplified by Shark Tank exposure and digital marketing emphasizing authenticity over mass production.[1][3][5] By enabling direct farmer-consumer links, it influences the ecosystem through sustainable models, content-driven engagement, and exports, supporting small farms while capitalizing on health trends and creator economies.[2][5]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Dorje Teas is poised for accelerated growth via its recent seed round, with plans for B2B expansion, international exports, and immersive content like influencer staycations at Selim Hill, potentially scaling revenue beyond FY23's ₹1.3 Cr.[5] Trends like D2C personalization, sustainability demands, and global Darjeeling appeal will shape its path, evolving its influence from a revivalist startup to a key player in ethical tea ecommerce—directly addressing the industry's decay that sparked its founding.[1][2][5]