Rare Planet offers handmade Indian handicrafts, jewellery, and décor made from terracotta, copper, ceramic, brass, wood, and marble, blending traditional art forms with modern techniques. The company aims to take these products to a global stage and disrupt the $8 billion handicrafts market. It promotes indigenous handicrafts by empowering local artisans (kaarigars) to become micro-entrepreneurs and provide sustainable employment. To date Rare Planet has helped over 2,000 artisan families register an average 120% increase in income. The startup has sold more than five lakh units worth Rs 20 crore across 100 locations in India. The latest funding will be used to grow its product range, expand into new markets, and widen its online business. Rare Planet is a Kolkata-based e-commerce startup, launched by Ranodeep Saha in 2014, that sells handicrafts made by local artisans. A small dedicated team of NIFT designers works directly with artisans in remote areas to modify traditional items and enhance their appeal. The company helps artisans open bank accounts, follows a transparent regular payment process tied to order quantity and time, provides insurance to artisans' families, and transfers payments to the eldest woman in the household. Rare Planet says it has more than 500 artisans onboard and is present across more than 50 premium locations including WH Smith in airports and bookstore chains like Crossword and SAPNA. It raised an undisclosed angel round from incubation platform Venture Catalysts and will use the capital to strengthen its team and create a strong pan-India brand identity. The company aims to create a self-sustained artisan force of 1 million by 2024.

Total raised

$0M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Oct 2020