Bengaluru – Fireside-backed 10clubhomes, a direct-to-consumer home furnishing startup, has announced the appointment of Kavitha Rao, former IKEA and Accenture executive, as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Cofounder. The move is part of the startup’s strategic plan to enhance its leadership team and accelerate growth in the Indian retail and consumer market.
In her new role, Rao will oversee various business functions, drive growth and profitability, and play a key role in expanding the brand’s presence across online and offline channels. The startup, founded by Bhavna Suresh in 2021, has an omnichannel presence and offers a range of home and kitchen products.
Rao’s extensive expertise in the retail and lifestyle industry is expected to bring a fresh perspective to 10clubhomes’ growth strategy. The company aims to focus on brand-building, product design, and technology to cater to the evolving needs of Indian consumers and enhance their shopping experience.
Commenting on the appointment, Bhavna Suresh, the founder of 10clubhomes, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “I am thrilled that we have come together because, with Kavitha’s extensive expertise and successful track record in the retail and lifestyle industry, it is going to be a much more enjoyable experience building to disrupt this extremely large opportunity.”
Rao’s mandate includes leading high-performance daily operations and driving the startup’s retail expansion plan. The company plans to start its offline retail journey in Bengaluru, with gradual expansion into other metro and tier II cities.
The startup, backed by Fireside Ventures and Olive Tree Capital, has raised over $70 million to date through a mix of debt and equity. Rao’s appointment is seen as a significant step towards achieving the company’s ambitious goal of becoming a INR 1,000 Cr brand in the coming years.
Discussing the growth roadmap, Rao highlighted the startup’s projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12-15% over the next five years. This reflects the promising trajectory of the home category, driven by increased consumer spending and evolving aspirations of Indian consumers for their homes.
Before joining 10clubhomes, Kavitha Rao led Accenture’s retail division, where she supported retailers in their transformation journey across business, technology, and operations. With over seven years as Chief Commercial Officer at IKEA, Rao played a vital role in the furniture and home decor giant’s early months in India, heading functions such as sales, marketing, sourcing, and merchandising across physical and online retail channels.
