Category: Funding

Harvested Robotics, a startup specializing in AI-powered laser weeding technology for tractors, has raised Rs 5 crore in a seed funding round led by Arali Ventures.

Notable investors in the round include Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra and Country Delight co-founder Chakradhar Gade.

The Hyderabad-based startup has raised a total of $21.8K across two funding rounds, with its most recent being a $12K grant from Kerala Startup Mission in June 2024.

The newly acquired funds will be directed toward product development, team expansion, and pilot programs.

Founded in 2023 by Rahul Arepaka and George Mathew, the company offers farmers a sustainable, chemical-free alternative to conventional weed control.

Its AI-driven laser weeder, designed to be mounted on tractors, employs cameras and AI models to identify weeds, using robotic actuators and high-power lasers to eliminate them in real time.

Also Read: Nourish You Raises ₹16 Crore in Series A Funding Round

 The innovation aims to cut farming costs, enhance crop yields, and support organic farming practices while ensuring precise weed removal without harming crops.

Harvested Robotics integrates adaptable software and robotic hardware that can be seamlessly attached to and powered by tractors.

By reducing the expenses and labor associated with traditional weed management methods, the startup aims to offer farmers an affordable and efficient solution.

Superfood brand Nourish You has raised ₹16 crore (approximately $1.84 million) in its Series A funding round, led by SIDBI Venture Capital.

The new funding will support Nourish You in scaling operations, improving customer retention, and entering new markets.

The company plans to expand its superfoods and protein offerings with innovative product launches while strengthening its presence in key international markets, including Australia, Europe, and the US.

Additionally, the brand is incorporating AI-driven technology to personalize consumer experiences and enhance engagement.

Founded in 2015 by Sowmya Reddy, Krishna Reddy, and Rakesh Kilaru, Nourish You offers a variety of superfoods, including quinoa, chia seeds, millets, and edible seeds like flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and watermelon.

Its portfolio also includes breakfast cereals such as muesli and fills. The products are available on its website and leading e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and BigBasket.

Krishna Reddy, Co-founder of Nourish You, said, “This investment marks a pivotal milestone in our journey to make sustainable superfoods a part of everyday nutrition. With SIDBI Venture’s support, we are set to scale rapidly, drive product innovation, and solidify our position as a global superfoods leader.”

Also Read: Former Milkbasket Co-founder Launches New D2C Grocery Brand Anmasa

The company manages 5,000 acres of quinoa and chia farms across Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh and exports its products to Singapore, Nepal, Kenya, Dubai, Mongolia, and the Maldives.

In 2023, the startup raised $2 million in seed funding from individual investors like Y Janardhana Rao, Rohit Chennamaneni, and Nikhil Kamath. That same year, Nourish You expanded its portfolio by acquiring vegan dairy brand One Good for an undisclosed amount.

Nourish You competes with brands like True Elements, Slurrp Farm, and Jiwa in India’s growing superfood market.

Bengaluru-based Beauty and personal care brand Pilgrim, based in Mumbai, has raised Rs 200 crore in a mix of primary and secondary funding rounds, the company announced on Tuesday.

The latest funding saw continued backing from Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office (NSFO), Vertex Ventures SEA, Sattva Family Office, and Mirabilis Investment Trust, while also bringing in new investors Vertex Growth Fund and Anicut Equity Continuum Fund.

With this fresh investment, Pilgrim’s pre-money valuation has climbed to approximately Rs 3,000 crore, reflecting a significant rise from its previous valuation in 2024.

Also Read : Delhi Plans to Ban Non-EV Two-Wheeler Registrations From 2026

The capital will be used to expand into offline retail and enhance research and development efforts. While the brand has already established profitability in the online segment, this move will help strengthen its omnichannel strategy for long-term growth.

Founded in 2020 by Anurag Kedia and Gagandeep Makker, the brand offers a diverse range of skincare, haircare, and color cosmetics, catering to customers across India through its website, mobile app, and major e-commerce platforms.

“This investment represents a pivotal chapter in Pilgrim’s journey. With this new capital, we are poised to expand our offline presence and enhance our research and development capabilities. The unwavering trust of our investors is both a validation of our vision and a catalyst for what’s next,” said Gagandeep Makker, Co-founder of Pilgrim.

The company currently operates with a gross annual run rate (ARR) of over Rs 800 crore and is rapidly growing its retail presence.

iHub Robotics, a startup specializing in humanoid robotics, has raised Rs 4.3 crore (approximately $520K) in a pre-seed funding round from U.S. investors.

This funding follows a previous $20 million round raised in October 2023.

The fresh capital will be used to establish humanoid robotics manufacturing facilities in Kerala, reinforcing the company’s ambition to position India as a global leader in robotics and AI-driven automation, the startup announced in a press release.

Co-founded in 2021 by Athil Krishna, Akhil K Haridasan, and Sarath S, iHub Robotics develops intelligent robotics solutions that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve efficiency for businesses worldwide.

The company has already made an international impact, exporting its semi-humanoid robot, Tara Gen-1, to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Tara Gen-1, India’s most advanced semi-humanoid robot, leverages AI-driven technology for industries like hospitality, healthcare, and customer service.

Also Read : Hypergro.ai Raises ₹7 Crore in Pre-Series A Round

It recognizes emotions, engages in natural conversations, adapts to environments in real time, and efficiently assists with navigation and multilingual customer support.

Beyond its commercial ventures, iHub Robotics is fostering future AI and robotics innovators through the iHub School of Learning, aiming to train 100,000 students in deep-tech skills.

With its expanding operations, iHub Robotics anticipates generating over 150 jobs in the next two years, strengthening India’s deep-tech ecosystem.

The establishment of humanoid robotics manufacturing facilities in Kerala will not only advance technological capabilities but also contribute to the region’s economic development.

Bengaluru-based video generation and conversion platform Hypergro.ai has raised ₹7 crore ($800K) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Eternal Capital, with participation from Silver Needle Ventures, VCats, Astir Ventures, and FAAD Network.

The company had previously secured $961K from Silver Needle Ventures and others.

With the fresh capital, Hypergro.ai aims to accelerate innovation, expand globally, and strengthen its position in AI-powered marketing automation.

Founded in 2022 by Rituraj Biswas and Neha Soman, Hypergro.ai addresses key inefficiencies in digital marketing, such as manual execution, fragmented data, and lack of real-time intelligence.

Its AI-driven platform automates video generation, optimizes performance campaigns, and engages leads through AI-powered sales agents, helping brands scale efficiently.

Also Read: GoOAT Secures Pre-Seed Funding Led by D2C Insider Super Angels

The company claims its platform delivers videos 92% faster at 80% lower costs while enabling personalization, format adjustments, and multi-platform optimization.

Hypergro.ai plans to raise a Series A in 6-8 months to deepen AI integration in enterprise ad-tech, aiming to be the global AI marketing ERP by 2027.

It currently serves brands across e-commerce, retail, entertainment, gaming, travel, and hospitality, partnering with ClearTrip, Newton School, Gameskraft, and Docube.

As part of its growth strategy, Hypergro.ai is expanding into global markets, including the US, APAC, and GCC regions.

GoOAT, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) nutrition brand, has raised an undisclosed amount in its pre-seed funding round, led by D2C Insider Super Angels.

 The round also saw participation from several prominent investors, including Deep Bajaj and Mohit Bajaj (Sirona), Dhruv Kohli (Boba Bhai), Shiv Dhawan (First Coffee), Akash Gupta (Zpyy Electric), Vikram Ahuja (HomeGuru), Gagan Malhotra (Swiggy Dineout), and Sanchit Garg (Amazon).

The fresh capital will be utilized to expand GoOAT’s product range and accelerate research & development, catering to the growing demand for nutritious and convenient meal options in the Indian market.

Founded in 2023 by Yash Kalra, the brand specializes in quick, ready-in-30-second breakfast and snacking solutions for health-conscious consumers.

They have introduced India’s first spoon-free overnight oats, it offers convenient, delicious, and protein-packed drinkable oats—perfect for busy individuals seeking a nutritious start to their day.

Also Read : Temasek Acquires 10% Stake in Haldiram Snacks Food at $10 Billion Valuation

Notably, in October 2023, D2C Insider invested up to ₹1 crore each in three early-stage startups: The Paan Legacy, Hemptyful, and Polr.Care.

Slikk Club, a fast-fashion delivery platform , has raised $3.2 million in its seed funding round led by Lightspeed.

The round saw participation from Multiply Ventures, existing investors, and prominent angel investors, including Abhishek Goyal of Tracxn, Abhinav Pathak of Perpule, Madhav Tandan, Nikhil from Panthera, and Saurabh Gupta of DST Global.

The fresh capital will be used to scale operations in Bengaluru and strengthen key areas such as technology, category management, operations, and supply chain.

Founded in 2024 by Akshay Gulati(CEO), Om Prakash Swami(CTO), and Bipin Singh(CPO), Slikk Club targets young, trend-conscious shoppers including college students, young professionals, and urban consumers influenced by social media fashion trends while promising 60-minute deliveries.

The company plans to expand into tier I and tier II cities over the next five years, bringing its rapid fashion delivery model to a wider audience.

Also Read : Chai Kings Raises ₹24 Crore in Series A to Fuel Expansion and Growth

The company stated that its Try & Buy model, instant refunds, and hassle-free shopping experience eliminate long wait times, setting a new standard for convenience.

With a curated collection from over 80 brands, including Snitch, The Souled Store, Freakins, and Bewakoof, it appeals to young, trend-conscious shoppers driven by social media influences.

Chennai-based chai retail chain Chai Kings has raised $3 million (₹24 crore) in its Series A funding round from A.V. Thomas and Co. (AVT).

Previously, in January 2020, the tea brand secured $1 million in a seed round backed by Chennai Angels (TCA), Hyderabad Angels, and TiE India Angels. As part of the latest round, The Chennai Angels (TCA) are making a partial exit, realizing substantial returns.

The newly acquired funds will be utilized to accelerate expansion, enhance product offerings, and strengthen supply chain operations. Additionally, the company plans to invest in customer engagement initiatives and operational efficiencies to scale its business.

Founded in 2016 by Jahabar Sadique and Balaji Sadagopan, Chai Kings has positioned itself as a premium chai brand, offering a diverse selection of hygienic, high-quality tea blends with an emphasis on sustainability and customer experience.

Also Read :



Jasprit Bumrah Joins Skechers as Brand Ambassador

The company currently operates 57 stores across Chennai, Hyderabad, and Coimbatore. With a focus on sustainable packaging and a customer-centric approach, Chai Kings expects to close FY25 with a revenue of ₹48 crore and a positive EBITDA.

Looking ahead, the brand aims to double its revenue within the next two years while maintaining profitability.

Mohali-based shoe care brand SHOEGR has raised $100,000 in a pre-seed funding round backed by early-stage startup accelerator PedalStart.

The newly secured capital will be utilized to expand its product portfolio, enhance market reach, and boost brand awareness initiatives.

The company also plans to strengthen its direct-to-consumer (D2C) presence by improving its e-commerce experience and forging new retail partnerships to broaden its customer base.

Also Read: Droom Raises ₹25 Crore in Fresh Funding Ahead of IPO Plans

Founded by Saurabh Gupta, Anuj Sachdeva, and Ankit Roy, SHOEGR offers a diverse range of shoe cleaning, protection, and storage solutions.

While the brand primarily sells through its own website, its products are also available on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and Ajio.

SHOEGR claims to have reached ₹50 lakh in monthly sales as of October last year and aims to surpass ₹1 crore in monthly revenue by FY26.

IPO-bound used car marketplace Droom has secured ₹25 crore ($2.9 million) in a new funding round co-led by Finvolve, IA Growth Opportunities Fund II, and Rameshchandra Shah.

The round also saw participation from individual investors, including Rajkumar Sorathi, Hardik Kothiya, and Shirish Patel.

According to regulatory filings sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Droom’s board approved a special resolution to issue 15,62,500 preference shares at ₹160 each, raising the capital.

Finvolve, IA Growth Opportunities Fund II, and Shah are each contributing ₹5 crore, while Shirish Patel, CEO of Prudent Corporate Advisory, is investing ₹3 crore. The remaining amount will come from other investors.

The funds will be allocated toward general corporate purposes. Following the allotment, Gurugram-based Droom is expected to reach a valuation of approximately ₹3,097 crore ($360 million)

Also Read : Neural Defend Raises $600K Pre-Seed Funding Led by IPV

Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Droom, commented on the valuation strategy, stating,

“We deliberately kept the valuation very low for the Indian subsidiary as a strategic move to give material upside to Indians who did not have the opportunity to participate in Droom’s growth over the past decade. We plan to raise more capital soon at a much higher valuation in both Singapore and India.”

Founded in 2014, Droom operates an online marketplace for used vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and electric vehicles, along with rental services.

To date, the company has raised approximately $330 million from investors such as 57 Stars, Seven Train Ventures, Lightbox, and Beenext.

The firm reported ₹85 crore in revenue for FY24, marking a 66% decline from ₹253 crore in FY23. However, it managed to cut losses by 35%, reducing them to ₹40 crore in FY24.

Droom is reportedly preparing to file draft papers for a ₹1,000 crore IPO in 2027, aiming for a valuation between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion.