Not all quick commerce is about speed – some of it is about quality, too.
That’s the bet FirstClub is making as it builds India’s first premium-focused quick commerce platform. And with $8 million in fresh seed funding from RTP Global and Accel, alongside Blume Founders Fund, Quiet Capital, 2AM VC, and an impressive list of angel investors – including Flipkart’s Binny Bansal, CRED’s Kunal Shah, and Groww’s Lalit Keshre – the company is gearing up to reshape the way affluent Indian consumers shop for food and wellness products.
A Fresh Take on Quick Commerce
Founded by Ayyappan R, former Flipkart Senior VP and ex-CEO of Cleartrip, FirstClub isn’t just another convenience-driven grocery app. Instead, the platform is built around carefully curated, high-quality products—from fresh and packaged foods to bakery items, dairy, nutritional supplements, and international gourmet brands.
The goal? To serve a growing wave of Indian consumers who want premium quality without premium hassle.
“India is often seen as a mass-market economy, but the time has come to unlock demand by providing access to high-quality, premium products at the right price,” said Ayyappan R, Founder of FirstClub. “India deserves better, and we’re here to ensure consumers never have to settle for less.”
Why Now? India’s Growing Appetite for Premium Goods
India is in the middle of a consumption shift.
With nearly 1.5 billion people, the 25-45 age group—a key driver of discretionary spending—is expanding fast. By 2030, India is projected to have 80 million affluent households, a massive consumer base with increasing disposable income and a taste for high-quality, health-conscious products.
That’s exactly where FirstClub comes in. It is reimagining retail for India’s consumers by addressing their growing demand for premium products and services.
So what next?
The platform is set to go live by mid-2025, and FirstClub is putting its new capital to work by:
- Building out its tech infrastructure to support seamless omnichannel retail
- Expanding product offerings with both local and international premium brands
- Hiring top talent to refine logistics, customer experience, and operations
At RTP Global, we’re excited to back Ayyappan and his vision for a new era of Indian retail – one that prioritizes quality as much as convenience.
“At RTP Global, we’ve always believed in backing entrepreneurs with deep operational expertise,” said Nishit Garg, Partner at RTP Global. “Ayyappan is a prime example of this – he understands consumer needs at a granular level, and with FirstClub, he’s pioneering a new approach to retail.”
The future of premium commerce in India is just getting started, and FirstClub is leading the charge.
Read more in Hindu Business Line.
