Dookan

Dookan operates as an online retail platform specializing in Indian grocery products for customers across Europe. Founded in 2019 by Sandeep Sharma, an alumnus of BITS Pilani, the company is headquartered in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The initial idea for Dookan emerged from the founders' own experience and questions from fellow expatriates searching for authentic Indian products in Europe. The venture's beta launch occurred during Diwali in October 2019, initially focusing on fresh Indian sweets, which sold out within a single weekend.

The company functions on an e-commerce model, generating revenue through the direct sale of goods via its website and mobile applications for Android and iOS. Its product catalog is extensive, including items such as flour, rice, lentils, spices, sauces, ready-to-eat meals, fresh produce, and personal care items. Dookan has also developed its own private label, Tirupati, which features over 100 SKUs. To improve margins and quality, the company has moved towards direct procurement from major brands. The business targets Indian expatriates and enthusiasts of Indian culture throughout Europe, with Germany being its largest market. Initially an online-only entity, Dookan is transitioning to an omnichannel strategy. This includes the establishment of physical stores, such as a South-Indian Bistro and an omnichannel store in Prague, which serves as a model for future franchise locations.

Dookan is a venture capital-backed startup, having secured a seed round and subsequent early-stage VC funding, including a $500K investment in March 2023. The firm has shown significant growth, reportedly tripling sales in 2023 and achieving profitability each quarter. The company is actively expanding its physical presence, with plans to launch 10-12 franchise stores in key German and Central European cities in 2025. This expansion is supported by a planned €2.0M equity investment. Looking ahead, Dookan aims to triple its revenue by the third quarter of 2025 and is preparing for a larger equity round to scale to over 50 franchise stores by 2026.

Keywords: online grocery, Indian food, European market, e-commerce, ethnic food, grocery delivery, Desi products, Sandeep Sharma, omnichannel retail, franchise model, private label, South Asian groceries, ready-to-eat meals, spices, direct-to-consumer, Prague startup, cross-border e-commerce, food and beverage, specialty foods, expatriate services, online supermarket