Harajuku Tokyo Cafe, a Japanese-themed dining operator, has raised US$3 million (approximately ₹280 million) in a Pre-Series A funding round led by ZeroW. The round included follow-on participation from existing investors Indian Angel Network and Samved VC. New investors joined the round, including Blume Founders Fund, Brijesh Parekh Family Office, and Epigamia co-founder Rahul Jain.
Funding Overview
ZeroW led the Pre-Series A round, while Indian Angel Network and Samved VC made follow-on investments after supporting the company at the Seed stage. New participants included Blume Founders Fund, Brijesh Parekh Family Office, and Epigamia cofounder Rahul Jain. The fresh capital is intended to support the company's expansion strategy and strengthen its team and operating capabilities.
Expansion and Infrastructure Plans
Harajuku plans to open 10 new outlets over the next two quarters across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh. The expansion marks the brand's entry into Bengaluru and Chandigarh while deepening its footprint in existing markets. It also aims to operationalize central kitchens in Mumbai and Bengaluru by December 2026 to supply bakery outlets and support packaged food production for western and southern India.
Growth Momentum and Financial Targets
Since raising its Seed round of ₹190 million in August 2025, Harajuku has doubled both its outlet count and overall revenue. Mumbai, where the brand launched in July 2025, now contributes 25% of total revenue. The business processes more than 1,000 orders daily across dine-in and delivery, and founder Gaurav Kanwar said the company is targeting ₹1 billion in revenue in the current financial year.
Bakery Performance and Quick Commerce
Harajuku Bakehouse contributes more than 30% of the company's total revenue and has become a significant growth driver. In Delhi NCR, the bakery sells more than 1,000 loaves of bread per week on Blinkit, a quick-commerce platform. Harajuku plans to expand the bakery business into additional metropolitan markets to build on its early success.
Leadership Commentary
Gaurav Kanwar, founder and CEO of Harajuku, said the company has focused on building operational infrastructure to support consistent quality as it expands. He noted investments in centralized kitchens and systems that provide daily visibility into outlet performance, ingredients, and costs. ZeroW director Pruthvi added that Harajuku's operating model positions the business to scale in India's evolving Japanese food segment.
Investor Confidence
Hari Balasubramanian, angel investor at Indian Angel Network, said the company's progress since the Seed stage has reinforced investor confidence. The brand's response in Mumbai has been particularly encouraging, demonstrating its potential beyond its initial market. He added that Indian Angel Network is pleased to support Gaurav and the team as they build a national presence in Japanese food.
Market Context and Brand Potential
The fundraise comes amid rising cafe culture in India and growing consumer interest in niche international food offerings. According to the Swiggy-Kearney 'How India Eats 2025' report, India's food services market is projected to grow from US$78 billion in 2025 to US$120 billion to US$125 billion by 2030. The organized segment is expected to expand at roughly twice the pace of the unorganized market, creating favorable conditions for branded chains.
With fresh capital, an expanding outlet network, and planned central kitchens, Harajuku Tokyo Cafe is positioning itself for national scale in the organized dining segment. The company's dual-format approach across cafes and bakeries offers multiple revenue streams and deeper customer engagement. As it enters new cities and strengthens its supply chain, Harajuku's ability to maintain consistent quality will be key to reaching its stated revenue milestone.