Bengaluru-based fashion and retail startup Ace Turtle has raised $5 million (around ₹41 crore) in a bridge funding round, strengthening its financial position at a time when India’s consumer retail market continues to evolve rapidly. The funding round was led by existing investor Vertex Holdings, with participation from the company’s founders, including Berry Singh and Nitin Chhabra, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer.
Ace Turtle is known for bringing popular global apparel and denim brands to Indian consumers. The company operates well-known international labels such as Lee, Wrangler and G-Star Raw in India, following a strong omnichannel retail model that combines online platforms with an expanding physical store network.
How Ace Turtle Plans to Use the Fresh Capital
The newly raised funds will primarily be used to meet working capital requirements and support day-to-day operations as the company scales. A key focus area will be the expansion of offline retail stores across major Indian cities, helping Ace Turtle deepen its presence beyond digital channels.
Part of the capital will also be directed towards strengthening supply chains, inventory planning and brand marketing initiatives. The funding is expected to support the company’s recent move to expand its brand portfolio, including the addition of G-Star Raw, as it looks to cater to premium and mid-premium fashion consumers in India.
Funding Journey So Far
With this bridge round, Ace Turtle’s total funding has reached nearly $48 million. In the past, the company raised a $34 million Series B round in 2023, which was led by Vertex Growth, along with participation from institutional and strategic investors. It had also secured an earlier pre-Series B round of $4 million a few years ago.
The continued participation of existing investors in the latest round highlights sustained confidence in Ace Turtle’s business model, leadership team and long-term growth strategy within India’s competitive fashion retail space.
Focus on Profitability and Financial Discipline
Ace Turtle has indicated that the latest capital infusion will help the company move closer to EBITDA neutrality by the end of December 2025. The management is focused on improving operational efficiency, optimising store performance and balancing growth with profitability.
As consumer spending remains selective in the current market environment, the company is placing strong emphasis on cost control, inventory efficiency and smarter expansion rather than aggressive scaling. The goal is to achieve EBITDA positivity in the coming years, supported by stable revenues from both online and offline channels.
India’s Retail Opportunity and Ace Turtle’s Positioning
India continues to be one of the largest and fastest-growing retail markets globally, driven by a young population, rising disposable incomes and increasing brand awareness. Fashion and lifestyle remain key segments within this growth story, with consumers seeking trusted global brands combined with local relevance.
Ace Turtle’s strategy of operating established international brands through a localised, technology-enabled retail approach positions it well to benefit from these trends. By strengthening its financial runway and expanding its physical footprint, the company aims to capture higher market share while staying resilient amid short-term market fluctuations.
Looking Ahead
With fresh funding in place, Ace Turtle is preparing for its next phase of growth, which may include a larger fundraising round in the future. The company plans to continue investing in store expansion, brand building and omnichannel capabilities while keeping a close watch on profitability metrics.
This funding round reflects not only investor confidence in Ace Turtle’s execution but also the broader belief in India’s long-term fashion and retail growth story.