JhaJi Store
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Founded | March 2020 |
| Founder | Kalpana Jha, Uma Kumari Jha |
| Headquarters | Patna, Bihar, India |
Area served | India |
Key people | Kalpana Jha (Co-founder), Uma Kumari Jha (Co-founder) |
| Products | Homemade pickles and chutneys |
| Revenue | ₹ 4.82 crore (2023) |
Number of employees | 59 (2023) |
| Website | jhajistore |
JhaJi Store is an Indian direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand specialising in authentic, homemade pickles and chutneys from the Mithilanchal region of Bihar, India. Founded in March 2020 by sisters-in-law Kalpana Jha and Uma Kumari Jha, the company focuses on preservative-free, organic pickles made with locally sourced ingredients. With a mission to preserve traditional Bihari recipes and empower local communities, JhaJi Store employs primarily underprivileged women and supports girl-child education. The company gained prominence after appearing on Shark Tank India, securing investments and achieving significant growth. As of 2023, JhaJi Store serves over 60,000 customers nationwide and has a valuation of ₹ 66.2 crore.[1]
Founders & Leadership
- Kalpana Jha (Co-founder): A homemaker until age 51, Kalpana Jha started JhaJi Store to share her passion for traditional Bihari pickling. With no formal business education, she leveraged her culinary expertise and regional knowledge to build the brand. Her leadership focuses on product quality and community empowerment, particularly for women in Darbhanga. She oversees production and strategic growth.[2]
- Uma Kumari Jha (Co-founder): Uma Jha, Kalpana’s sister-in-law, brings operational expertise to JhaJi Store. With a background in homemaking, she contributes to recipe development and manages supply chain logistics. Uma is instrumental in maintaining the authenticity of Mithila pickles and fostering community ties.[3]
Origin & Founding Story
JhaJi Store was founded in March 2020 in Darbhanga, Bihar, by Kalpana Jha and Uma Kumari Jha, inspired by their shared passion for preserving traditional Mithilanchal pickling recipes. After Kalpana’s husband retired, he invested ₹ 10 lakh to start the venture, converting part of their home into a production unit. The duo aimed to bring authentic Bihari pickles to a wider audience, particularly those who had moved away from the region. Sourcing ingredients from local farmers in Samastipur and Muzaffarpur, they ensured no artificial preservatives or colours were used. The brand gained traction after selling to over 2,500 customers within four months and later received national attention on Shark Tank India.[4]
Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2020 | JhaJi Store founded by Kalpana Jha and Uma Kumari Jha in Darbhanga, Bihar.[5] |
| 2021 | Sold to over 2,500 customers within four months of launch.[6] |
| 2022 | Appeared on Shark Tank India Season 1, Episode 4, pitching for investment.[7] |
| 2022 | Raised undisclosed funding from Velocity, India’s largest revenue-based financier.[8] |
| 2023 | Secured ₹ 85 lakh for 8.45% equity from Shark Tank India investors Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Jharkhand Angels Network.[9] |
| 2023 | Reported annual revenue of ₹ 4.82 crore.[10] |
| 2024 | Valued at ₹ 66.2 crore with total funding of $406,000 over six rounds.[10] |
Funding
| Date | Round | Amount | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 January 2022 | Seed | Undisclosed | Velocity[11] |
| 2 January 2023 | Angel | ₹ 85 lakh | Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Jharkhand Angels Network[9] |
| October 2024 | Seed | Undisclosed | Velocity, Karekeba Ventures, 8756Ventures[10] |
Business Model
JhaJi Store operates a direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-commerce model, selling homemade pickles and chutneys through its website and online marketplaces like Amazon India. The company targets customers seeking authentic, preservative-free Bihari pickles, particularly those with ties to Mithilanchal or an appreciation for regional Indian cuisine. Revenue is generated through online sales, with an average order value of ₹ 600, yielding a margin of ₹ 110 after costs for marketing, shipping, and production. JhaJi Store sources ingredients from local farmers, ensuring quality and supporting the local economy. The company also invests 2–10% of profits in girl-child education in Bihar, enhancing its social impact.[7][5]
Products / Services
JhaJi Store offers over 20 stock-keeping units (SKUs) of homemade pickles and chutneys, including:
- Green Chilli Pickle: Made with fresh chillies and traditional spices.
- Garlic Pickle: A tangy, garlic-infused pickle.
- Mango Pickle: A classic Bihari-style mango achar.
- Mixed Vegetable Pickle: A blend of seasonal vegetables and spices.
All products are free of artificial preservatives, colours, and additives, using sun-dried ingredients sourced from Samastipur and Muzaffarpur. The company plans to expand its offerings based on seasonal demand.[10][5]
Growth & Metrics
As of 2023, JhaJi Store has served over 60,000 customers across India, with monthly sales exceeding ₹ 25 lakh. The company reported annual revenue of ₹ 4.82 crore in 2023 and a valuation of ₹ 66.2 crore in 2024. JhaJi Store employs 59 people, primarily underprivileged women, with an additional 25 seasonal workers during peak periods. The brand has received over 2,500 five-star reviews, reflecting strong customer satisfaction. Its growth of over 400% since 2021 is attributed to its Shark Tank India appearance and strategic funding.[9][10]
Legal Entity Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Mithila Pickles and Chutneys Private Limited |
| Foundation Date | October 2020 |
| Registrar of Companies (ROC) | ROC Patna |
| Corporate Identification Number (CIN) | U52209BR2020PTC048853 |
| Registered Address | F No. 404, Ambience Park East B. C. Road, New Capital Patna , Patna, Bihar, India - 800001 |
| Email ID | namaste@jhajistore.com |
| Company Status | Active |
| Directors | Kalpana Jha, Uma Kumari Jha |
| Authorized Share Capital | Rs. 1,000,000.00 |
| Paid-up Capital | Rs. 58,388.00 |
Media & Public Recognition
- Shark Tank India Appearance (2021): Featured on Season 1, Episode 4, gaining national recognition.[7]
- Shark Tank India Investment (2023): Received ₹ 85 lakh from Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Jharkhand Angels Network in Season 2.[9]
- Media Coverage: Featured in YourStory, Crunchbase, Tracxn, and Indian Business Times for its women-led model and social impact.[5][12]
- Social Impact Recognition: Noted for employing underprivileged women and supporting girl-child education.[11]
FAQs
- What is JhaJi Store?
- JhaJi Store is a direct-to-consumer brand offering authentic, homemade pickles and chutneys from Mithilanchal, Bihar, founded in 2020 by Kalpana Jha and Uma Kumari Jha.[5]
- Who are the founders of JhaJi Store?
- The founders are Kalpana Jha and Uma Kumari Jha, sisters-in-law from Darbhanga, Bihar.[9]
- How does JhaJi Store contribute to social causes?
- The company employs underprivileged women and invests 2–10% of profits in girl-child education in Bihar.[5]
- What is the valuation of JhaJi Store?
- As of October 2024, JhaJi Store is valued at ₹ 66.2 crore.[10]
- Where can I buy JhaJi Store products?
- Products are available on the official website (jhajistore.com) and Amazon India.[7]
External Links
Related Startups
References
- ↑ "JhaJi Store - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors". Tracxn. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ "Correcting their mistake, Sharks present Rs 85 lakh cheque to JhaJi founders". YourStory. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ "JhaJi Store - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding". Crunchbase. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ "JhaJi Store: Bagging Accolades & Capital From Investors". Indian Business Times. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "JhaJi Store - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding". Crunchbase. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ "How is JHAJI ACHAR doing After Shark Tank India?". Shark Tank India Club. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "How is JHAJI ACHAR doing After Shark Tank India?". Shark Tank India Club. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ "Jhaji Pickle Raises Financing From Velocity". Velocity. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Correcting their mistake, Sharks present Rs 85 lakh cheque to JhaJi founders". YourStory. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 "JhaJi Store - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors". Tracxn. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Jhaji Pickle Raises Financing From Velocity". Velocity. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ↑ "JhaJi Store: Bagging Accolades & Capital From Investors". Indian Business Times. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
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