Hair Originals, the innovative direct-to-consumer (D2C) hair extension startup, has successfully raised $5 million in Series A funding, co-led by Anicut Growth Fund and 12 Flags Consumer Holdings. The round also saw participation from Lenskart cofounder Peyush Bansal, bringing the company’s total funding to $7.2 million and highlighting Tamil Nadu’s growing prominence in India’s beauty tech landscape.
Founded by IIT graduate Jitendra Sharma and Piyush Wadhwani, Hair Originals has distinguished itself in the premium hair extension market through its innovative try-at-home service model and in-house manufacturing capabilities. The Chennai-headquartered company has demonstrated impressive growth, partnering with over 1,400 salons nationwide and achieving a threefold increase in business year-over-year.
The fresh capital injection will fuel the company’s ambitious expansion plans, including the launch of approximately 30 company-owned experience centers over the next 12 months. Additionally, the funding will support the enhancement of their research and development capabilities and the expansion of their try-at-home service to 40 cities across India.
In a significant move to establish a strong retail presence, Hair Originals has already opened stores at Hyderabad and Coimbatore airports through a strategic partnership with salon chain Naturals. The company has also set its sights on international markets, collaborating with the Kurves salon chain in North America to establish experience centres, marking a major milestone for a Tamil Nadu-based beauty tech startup.
Dhruv Kapoor, Partner at Anicut Capital, emphasized the strategic importance of Hair Originals in the global hair market: “India has been the global leader in the export of human hair. While India exports more than 85 percent of raw human hair, China captures the majority of the value-added market by selling to global markets in the form of hair extensions and wigs. Hair Originals is capturing value in India by building an omni-channel brand of premium hair extension products through the supply chain and manufacturing focus.”
The company’s innovation-driven approach is evident in its product development strategy, with four to five new products being launched every month. This rapid product iteration, combined with their direct-to-consumer model, has positioned Hair Originals as a pioneer in the Indian beauty tech space.
For Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem, this funding represents a significant milestone. The state, traditionally known for its manufacturing prowess, is now emerging as a hub for D2C brands and beauty tech innovations. Hair Originals’ success story demonstrates the potential for Tamil Nadu-based startups to build globally competitive businesses while leveraging local manufacturing capabilities.
“This funding round is not just a validation of our business model but also highlights the immense potential in the Indian beauty tech space,” said Jitendra Sharma, Co-founder of Hair Originals. “We’re proud to be building a global brand from Tamil Nadu, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and distribution.”
The company’s previous funding includes a $1.5 million seed round from Anicut Capital and other investors, showing sustained investor confidence in its growth trajectory. With this Series A funding, Hair Originals is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for premium hair extension products in both domestic and international markets.
