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  • Marine robotics startup EyeROV raises Rs 13 crore in pre-Series A round

    Marine robotics startup EyeROV raises Rs 13 crore in pre-Series A round

    Kochi-based marine robotics startup EyeROV has raised ₹13 crore ($1.44 million) in a pre-Series A funding round co-invested by AWE Funds and Unicorn India Ventures.

    The fresh capital will be used to accelerate research and development, support new product innovation, and expand the company’s presence across India and international markets.

    Established in 2017, EyeROV works in the marine robotics and underwater inspection space, designing and building remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for use across infrastructure, energy, and defence sectors.

    EyeROV was founded by Johns T. Mathai (CEO) and Kannappa Palaniappan P. (CTO), both IIT alumni, who identified a market gap while working on requirements for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

    The company integrates non-destructive testing (NDT) payloads such as ultrasonic testing, sonar imaging, and AI-based inspection tools into its robotic systems, and offers both product sales and robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) models.

    EyeROV claims to have executed over 150 projects for more than 80 clients across power, oil and gas, ports, shipping, and government sectors. Its client base includes Tata Power, NHPC, Adani, ONGC, BPCL, and Maersk, as well as defence and government organisations such as the Indian Navy, DRDO, and the Indian Coast Guard.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/1-5-degree-raises-1-mn-in-pre-series-a-round-led-by-35north-ventures/

    The startup recently secured an order worth ₹47 crore from the Indian Navy, its largest contract to date.

    Operated by IROV Technologies Pvt Ltd, EyeROV is recognised as the company behind India’s first commercial underwater drone.

    The company said the current funding round serves as a precursor to a planned $10 million Series A round, aimed at supporting global expansion.

  • Taasha Craft Secures Rs 75 Lakh Investment on Shark Tank India

    Taasha Craft Secures Rs 75 Lakh Investment on Shark Tank India

    Authentic lifestyle brand Taasha Craft made its appearance on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founders Anjali Wadiwala, Anjali Jandel, Khushbu Jandel, and Ankita Jandel shared the journey of building a business rooted in traditional art and customizable designs.

    What started as a small Instagram-based experiment has now evolved into a scalable enterprise, gaining significant momentum following the launch of their 2022 Navratri collection. Entering the Tank, the founders sought ₹75 lakh for 5% equity, valuing the business at ₹15 crore.

    During the pitch, the team highlighted their deep commitment to artisan welfare, revealing an operational structure that supports 120 artisans as part of a total 140-member team.

    Founded with a focus on traditional craftsmanship and cotton thread work, Taasha Craft operates in the premium lifestyle segment.

    The brand boasts a diverse portfolio of 500+ designs and maintains an Amazon rating of 4.2. Currently, the brand utilizes a multi-channel distribution strategy, with 67% of sales coming from marketplaces like Amazon, Myntra, and Ajio, while the remaining 33% comes from other channels. Within their marketplace sales, Amazon leads with 48%, followed closely by Myntra at 45%.

    Sharing financial insights, the founders demonstrated a strong growth trajectory and consistent profitability. The brand recorded ₹69 lakhs in net sales with a 10.8% EBITDA in FY 22-23, which grew to ₹1.15 crore with a healthy 19.3% EBITDA in FY 23-24. For FY 24-25, the business scaled further to ₹2.25 crore in net sales at an 11.9% EBITDA, and the brand has already crossed ₹2.05 crore in Year-to-Date (YTD) sales.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/krvvy-secures-rs-1-2-crore-investment-on-shark-tank-india/

    For the upcoming fiscal year (FY 25-26), the brand is targeting gross sales of ₹4.2 crore to ₹4.5 crore with a 10% EBITDA. On the unit economics front, Taasha Craft maintains a 65% gross margin, with major costs attributed to labour (30%) and marketplace commissions (30%), while currently holding ₹86 lakhs in liquid cash.

    The brand successfully closed a deal on the show, securing ₹75 lakh for 5% equity, maintaining their original ₹15 crore valuation. The deal, backed by Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar, also includes a 1% royalty until the ₹75 lakh investment is fully recouped.

  • 1.5 Degree Raises $1 Mn in Pre-Series A Round Led by 35North Ventures

    1.5 Degree Raises $1 Mn in Pre-Series A Round Led by 35North Ventures

    Alternative dairy startup 1.5 Degree has secured $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round, with 35North Ventures’ India Discovery Fund II leading the investment.

    The capital infusion will be utilised to ramp up production capacity, broaden collaborations with institutional clients, and drive geographic expansion into key cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi.

    Run by Natturz Bio Kontrol Pvt Ltd, the company caters largely to the institutional food services space, supplying plant-based dairy and frozen dessert solutions to corporate offices, hospitality chains, educational institutions, and large-scale food operators. It counts major food service companies like Compass Group and Sodexo among its partners.

    1.5 Degree offers a diverse portfolio that includes plant-based milk, yogurt, tofu, cooking cream, gelatos, frozen desserts, smoothie bowls, and oat-milk-based beverages. The startup also operates on-site QSR concepts within institutions and delivers products through long-term B2B supply agreements.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/sport-tech-startup-gamepoint-raises-rs-7-crore-in-pre-series-a-funding/

    The startup relies on in-house processing technology designed to improve taste and texture of plant-based dairy products for Indian palates, while also claiming lower environmental impact in terms of emissions and water usage compared to conventional dairy.

    At present,close to 80% of its revenue is generated from institutional clients, offering consistent and predictable cash flows through bulk contracts and a tightly managed supply chain. The company is currently active in Bengaluru, Pune, and the NCR region.

    Alongside its institutional focus, 1.5 Degree has started exploring direct-to-consumer avenues, including premium retail placements, experience-driven formats, and cloud kitchens integrated with food delivery platforms.

  • All In Capital Launches Golden Ticket Program toto Back Early-Stage Founders 

    All In Capital Launches Golden Ticket Program toto Back Early-Stage Founders 

    Pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital firm All In Capital has launched the Golden Ticket program, a new initiative aimed at supporting early-stage Indian founders building AI-led and vertical SaaS companies.

    Under the program, All In Capital plans to select 20–30 startups through a competitive evaluation process. Selected teams will be eligible for pre-seed funding of up to $300,000 per company, with total capital deployment capped at $1 million for the cohort.

    The initiative will culminate in a demo day, where participating startups will pitch to a curated group of investors from the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

    According to the firm, the Golden Ticket program is open to fresh graduates and early-career founders, with a mandatory requirement that each team includes at least one technical co-founder with expertise in software engineering, AI/ML, or a relevant domain.

    The program is focused on startups building AI-driven solutions for defined industry verticals, including healthcare, professional services, and other specialised markets.

    Under the programme, shortlisted founders will be required to spend six to twelve months in Silicon Valley, collaborating directly with customers, mentors, and strategic partners to refine their offerings and business approach.

    Participants will receive support such as exposure to the US startup ecosystem, connections to investors and enterprise clients, and assistance with travel and logistics.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/peak-xv-partners-confirms-exit-of-senior-leaders-ashish-agrawal-ishaan-mittal-and-tejeshwi-sharma/

    Founded by Aditya Singh and Kushal Bhagia, All In Capital invests at the idea and early product stages, with a strong emphasis on supporting founders who may not fit traditional venture profiles. 

    The firm adopts a high-conviction, high-throughput investment strategy and works hands-on with startups during the formative stages, helping them validate customers, achieve product-market fit, and build effective go-to-market plans, particularly in AI, deep technology, and B2B software sectors.

    The launch of the Golden Ticket program follows All In Capital’s continued expansion, including the launch of its ₹200 crore Fund II in March 2025, aimed at scaling investments across deeptech, fintech, and B2B software sectors.

  • Invogue Secures Rs 2 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India

    Invogue Secures Rs 2 Crore Deal on Shark Tank India

    Premium shapewear brand Invogue made its appearance on Shark Tank India Season 5, where founders Maadhav and Ragini Saxena shared their journey of blending daily comfort with premium compression technology. Positioned under the tagline “Own Your Inner Bold,” the brand showcased a business model that prioritizes high profitability alongside aggressive scaling.

    Entering the Tank, the founders sought ₹50 lakh for 1.25% equity, valuing the business at ₹40 crore. During the pitch, Maadhav a serial entrepreneur who started his first venture at age 14 revealed that Invogue has successfully carved a niche by offering shapewear that supports 8–9 hours of daily wear.

    Founded with a focus on functional fashion, Invogue operates in the premium intimate wear segment. The brand offers a tiered product strategy: Invogue Essentials priced at ₹1,599, the high-contouring Invogue Intense at ₹2,599, and a hybrid Shapewear Bralette at ₹999. To accelerate brand awareness, the company recently signed actress Malaika Arora as their brand ambassador, a move aimed at capturing the 18–34 age demographic.

    Sharing operational insights, the founders revealed a highly efficient digital strategy, with 96% of sales generated through their own website. This direct-to-consumer focus allows the brand to maintain an inventory of ₹55 lakh at cost with 0% dead stock across 200 SKUs. The brand also experiences a clear seasonal peak between October and February.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/cookie-cartel-secures-rs-80-lakh-investment-on-shark-tank-india/

    On the financial front, Invogue demonstrated a rare profile of profitable growth. The brand recorded ₹5 crore in revenue in FY24 with a 22% EBITDA. For FY25, they have already clocked Rs 5.3 crores with 17% EBITDA and ₹3 crore sales in year-to-date revenue, projecting a year-end close of ₹5.3 crore. Looking ahead, the founders are targeting a long-term goal of reaching the ₹100 crore mark within five years.

    According to the pitch, the brand maintains a disciplined cost structure despite allocating 39% of resources to marketing. This financial health sparked a competitive bidding war between the Sharks, particularly as Invogue was featured in a “face-off” against rival brand Krvvy.

    The brand successfully closed a deal on the show, securing ₹2 crore for 15% equity, valuing Invogue at ₹13.33 crore, with Aman Gupta backing the venture.

  • Sport-tech Startup Gamepoint Raises Rs 7 crore in pre-Series A Funding

    Sport-tech Startup Gamepoint Raises Rs 7 crore in pre-Series A Funding

    Hyderabad-based sports-tech startup Gamepoint has raised ₹7 crore in a pre-Series A funding round co-led by Raj P. Narayanam, founder of Zaggle, and Aditya Vuchi, with participation from Praveen Raju and other investors.

    The fresh capital will be used to expand Gamepoint’s multi-sport centre network and strengthen its technology and operational capabilities, the company said in a statement.

    Founded by brothers Aditya Reddy (CEO) and Siddharth Reddy (MD), Gamepoint operates professionally managed multi-sport centres aimed at providing convenient access to learning and playing sports for people across age groups.

    The startup offers structured coaching programmes for children, pay-and-play and membership options for adults, and end-to-end sports event management solutions for corporates, delivered in a safe and hygienic environment.

    Operated by Netplay Sports Pvt Ltd, Gamepoint follows a “neighbourhood sports centre” model through a mix of owned and franchised facilities.

    Its centres feature international-standard infrastructure for sports such as badminton, basketball, pickleball, squash, football, cricket, table tennis, and swimming, along with on-site sports retail stores.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/mindcase-raises-rs-1-5-cr-in-pre-seed-funding-led-by-ajvc/

    Gamepoint currently runs centres in Hyderabad and Warangal, with facilities located in HITEC City, Uppal, Banjara Hills, and Tellapur. As of late 2023, the company reported revenues of approximately ₹10 crore.

    Looking ahead, Gamepoint plans to expand to over 300 centres across metro, Tier I, and Tier II cities within the next five years, with the goal of enabling 1 crore people across India to participate in sports. So far, the company says it has trained more than 12,000 students, enabled over 3 lakh individuals to play sports, and organised upwards of 700 sports events.

  • Krvvy Secures Rs 1.2 Crore Investment on Shark Tank India

    Krvvy Secures Rs 1.2 Crore Investment on Shark Tank India

    Functional innerwear and shapewear brand KRVVY made its appearance on Shark Tank India Season 5 in an episode titled “The Comfort Wear Showdown.”

    Founders Yash Goyal and Anant Bhardwaj shared their mission to redefine women’s intimate wear by focusing on functional design, comfort, and inclusivity specifically tailored for Indian body types.

    Entering the Tank, the founders, an engineering duo with Yash bringing a background in investment banking sought ₹1.2 crore for 2% equity, valuing the business at ₹60 crore.

    During the pitch, they revealed how the brand has successfully scaled from a niche startup into a high-growth contender in the functional apparel space. 

    Founded with a commitment to problem-solving design, KRVVY operates in the premium innerwear segment. The brand’s product portfolio is strategically diversified to capture different segments of the market, with shapewear emerging as the bestseller at 42% of the revenue mix, followed by bras (38%), underwear (15%), and accessories (5%). Their flagship Bralette, priced at ₹1,349, serves as a key entry point for premium consumers.

    Sharing operational insights, the founders explained that KRVVY follows a D2C-heavy distribution model, selling primarily through their own website and major marketplaces like Amazon and Myntra. This digital-first approach helped the brand report a 40-fold increase in sales in less than a year, supported by previous backing from marquee investors like Titan Capital and All In Capital.

    On the financial front, KRVVY demonstrated significant traction, recording ₹6 crore in year-to-date (YTD) sales with EBITDA -2 crore. While the company recorded ₹1.05 crore in sales for September 2025 with EBITDA -13 lakhs and ₹1.4 crore sales in FY 24-25, it currently reports an EBITDA loss (burn) of ₹1.2 crore. The founders attributed this to aggressive spends in marketing (36%) and branding (11%) to capture market share.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/shesha-ayurveda-secures-investment-on-shark-tank-india-season-5/

    According to the founders, KRVVY maintains healthy unit economics with COGS at 41%, while fulfillment, fees, and packaging account for 10% of expenses. The brand maintains a disciplined inventory at cost is ₹1.4 crore, ensuring they can meet the rising demand without over-leveraging their balance sheet.

    The brand successfully closed a deal on the show, securing ₹1.2 crore for 3% equity at a valuation of ₹40 crore with Namita Thapar backing the venture.

  • Loop AI Raises $14 Mn Series A Funding Led By Nyca Partners 

    Loop AI Raises $14 Mn Series A Funding Led By Nyca Partners 

    Enterprise AI platform Loop AI has raised $14 million in a Series A funding round led by Nyca Partners, with participation from Gokul Rajaram, Base10, Afore Capital, Converge, Alumni Ventures, Data Tech Fund, John Pepper, 9Yards Capital, and Operators Studio.

    As part of the funding round, Osama Bedier, former executive at Google and GoDaddy, will join Loop AI’s board.

    The company plans to use the fresh capital to expand its product offerings and grow its teams across New York, San Francisco, Tampa, and Bengaluru.

    Founded in 2022, Loop AI builds an enterprise AI platform focused on back-office automation for the restaurant and retail sectors.  

    Its software helps brands manage delivery-led workflows across finance, operations, and marketing, enabling restaurants to scale online orders without eroding in-store margins.

    The company was founded by Anand Tumuluru, Sundar Annamalai, and Vinod Pachipulusu, with Tumuluru serving as CEO and Annamalai as CTO. Both founders previously worked at Uber.

    Loop AI operates out of San Francisco and Bengaluru, with a growing presence across multiple US cities.

    The platform addresses the growing complexity of third-party delivery by automating tasks such as financial reconciliation, fee tracking, chargeback management, customer feedback analysis, and marketplace promotions. Loop AI positions its product as an “agentic co-worker,” executing end-to-end workflows rather than offering static analytics tools.

    Loop AI claims it currently works with over 300 restaurant brands, supporting thousands of locations across the US. Since 2024, the company has seen sixfold growth, driven by adoption among mid-sized and large restaurant chains. Customers include brands such as Lazy Dog and Starbird, which use the platform to improve delivery performance and operational efficiency.

  • Peak XV Partners Confirms Exit Of Senior Leaders Ashish Agrawal, Ishaan Mittal And Tejeshwi Sharma

    Peak XV Partners Confirms Exit Of Senior Leaders Ashish Agrawal, Ishaan Mittal And Tejeshwi Sharma

    Peak XV Partners has confirmed through a LinkedIn post that senior leaders Ashish Agrawal, Ishaan Mittal, and Tejeshwi Sharma have exited the venture capital firm, marking another round of changes within its leadership and investment team.

    According to the firm, the exits were mutually decided and are aligned with Peak XV’s plans to evolve its investment capabilities in response to rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence. The firm reiterated that it remains deeply committed to the Indian venture ecosystem, where it has been investing for over two decades.

    In its LinkedIn statement, Peak XV said it has partnered with hundreds of founders over the last 20 years, helped build multiple scaled companies, and supported 36 IPOs. The firm noted that building an enduring institution requires long-term commitment, strong values, and the ability to adapt, especially in an era of unprecedented change led by AI.

    Peak XV stated that it had mutually decided to part ways with Ashish Agrawal, citing the long-term interests of its Limited Partners and the firm. Following Agrawal’s departure, Ishaan Mittal and Tejeshwi Sharma also chose to step away and join him. The firm added that these changes would allow it to make room for AI-native investors and rapidly evolve in an AI-first direction.

    Separately, Ishaan Mittal announced his departure publicly, sharing that he is leaving Peak XV to build a new venture capital firm alongside long-time collaborators Ashish Agrawal and Tejeshwi Sharma. He noted that the trio, who have worked together for nearly 15 years, are pursuing the launch of an independent investment vehicle.

    In the wake of the exits, Peak XV has announced key leadership promotions. Abhishek Mohan has been elevated to Managing Director and General Partner from his earlier role as principal. Mohan joined the firm in 2018 and has worked on investments including Mokobara and The Whole Truth. Saipriya Sarangan has also been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, moving up from her role as chief people officer.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/agrani-labs-raises-8-mn-in-seed-round-led-by-peak-xv/

    The departures add to a period of leadership churn at Peak XV since its rebranding from Sequoia Capital India & Southeast Asia in 2023. Over the past two years, several senior executives, including Shailesh Lakhani, Abheek Anand, and Harshjit Sethi, have also exited the firm to pursue independent paths.

    Peak XV reiterated that its primary commitment remains with its Limited Partners and founders, adding that it remains confident in its team, culture, and readiness for the next phase of its journey.

  • Mindcase Raises Rs 1.5 Cr in Pre-Seed Funding Led by AJVC

    Mindcase Raises Rs 1.5 Cr in Pre-Seed Funding Led by AJVC

    Gurugram-based market intelligence startup Mindcase has raised ₹1.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by early-stage venture capital firm AJVC.

    The fresh capital will be used to scale Mindcase’s self-serve SaaS platform, expand its data and intelligence coverage across new domains and markets, and accelerate its global go-to-market efforts.

    The company aims to make market and consumer intelligence more accessible to strategy and business teams through automation and AI-driven workflows.

    Founded by IIM Ahmedabad alumni Kritish Puri and Saurabh Shubham in 2024, Mindcase builds autonomous, agent-based systems that convert large volumes of unstructured external data into actionable insights.

    The platform uses proprietary AI agents to help teams track competitors, pricing movements, consumer sentiment, and market trends in near real time.

    https://app.ceotrail.com/deep-tech-startup-aquaairx-raises-rs-12-5-cr-in-seed-funding-led-by-rainmatter/

    While the startup has been working with large enterprises through custom market intelligence solutions, it is now shifting focus toward scaling adoption via a fast, self-serve SaaS offering.

    The move is aimed at driving repeat usage and expanding Mindcase’s customer base beyond enterprise-led engagements.

    Looking ahead, the company plans to deepen its product capabilities by introducing more advanced agentic workflows and supporting a broader range of use cases across industries and geographies.