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Exclusive: Former KKR India CEO’s VC firm leads Windo’s Series A

EntrackrEntrackr · 10m ago
Exclusive: Former KKR India CEO’s VC firm leads Windo’s Series A
Medial

Exclusive: Former KKR India CEO’s VC firm leads Windo’s Series A E-commerce enablement platform Windo is raising Rs 54.2 crore (approximately $6.45 million) in its Series A round. The board at Windo has passed a special resolution to issue 4,928 Series A compulsory convertible preference shares at an issue price of Rs 1,10,124 each to raise Rs 54.26 crore, its regulatory filing sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC) shows. Sorin Investment Fund, an early-stage VC firm founded by former KKR India CEO Sanjay Nayar, led the round with an investment of Rs 27.56 crore. JAFCO Asia and Athera Ventures contributed Rs 12.53 crore and Rs 8.35 crore, respectively. The remaining amount will be invested by Unicorn Ventures and individual investors, including Sai Kiran Murali, Sumit Jain, Chhaya Sawhney, Srikrishnan Ganesan, and Jayant Prasad Paleti. The company plans to utilize these funds for growth and expansion, according to filings. Entrackr estimates its post-allotment valuation to be approximately Rs 245 crore ($29 million). Founded by Rakesh Vaddadi and Silus Reddy, Windo enables solopreneurs, influencers, and small to midsize businesses to launch online stores within minutes. The platform is designed for ease of use and provides essential features such as marketing tools and mobile responsiveness through its app. Previously, Windo raised $2 million across Seed and pre-Series A funding rounds in June 2021 and July 2022, respectively. In the previous fiscal year (FY24), the company reported a revenue of Rs 20.4 lakh, while incurring a loss of Rs 2.8 crore. Prior to this, it was in the pre-revenue stage, according to its annual financial statements. The e-commerce enablement sector experienced intense competition during the 2020-21 period, with B Capital-backed Khatabook and OKCredit launching their own platforms. However, both companies abandoned their e-commerce ventures after a couple of years. Windo also competes with several others in the space, including Dukaan, Shopify, Dot, and Bikayi. Following a near shutdown, Bikayi pivoted to become Bik, shifting its focus to serving larger enterprises.

Exclusive: Scaler to raise $40 Mn at reduced valuation

EntrackrEntrackr · 7m ago
Exclusive: Scaler to raise $40 Mn at reduced valuation
Medial

Exclusive: Scaler to raise $40 Mn at reduced valuation Upskilling platform Scaler is finalizing a $40 million fundraise, according to people familiar with the matter. This would be its first funding round in over three years, with the last one, a Series B, in February 2022. “Lighthouse is likely to lead a new funding round in Scaler, with some existing investors also participating. The deal is in its final stages and, barring any last-minute changes, is expected to close in a few weeks,” said a source requesting anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions. Scaler has so far raised over $75 million across rounds from the likes of Lightrock India, Peak XV Partners, and Tiger Global. The firm last raised $55 million in Series B in February 2022 at a valuation of $710 million. However, sources indicated that this will be a down round, with Scaler's valuation expected to plunge to $350–$370 million after the new funding. In response to Entrackr’s queries, Scaler said it does not comment on market speculation, while Peak XV declined to comment. Lighthouse had not responded by the time of publication. Scaler specializes in upskilling college students and technology professionals by offering an intensive six-month computer science program. The course is delivered through live classes led by experienced tech leaders and subject matter experts. While Scaler has yet to disclose its FY25 numbers, the company’s revenue from operations grew to Rs 384.5 crore in FY24 from Rs 316.7 crore in FY23. Optimization of major expense categories helped the company reduce its overall losses by 58% to Rs 139 crore in FY24. At the beginning of FY25, Scaler laid off around 150 employees citing long-term growth and sustainability. It competes with Newton School, Masai School, and to some extent with Simplilearn. Many growth and late-stage startups are operating in a challenging funding environment, raising capital at flat or reduced valuations.

Exclusive: Wint Wealth to raise Series B at Rs 700 Cr valuation

EntrackrEntrackr · 18d ago
Exclusive: Wint Wealth to raise Series B at Rs 700 Cr valuation
Medial

Exclusive: Wint Wealth to raise Series B at Rs 700 Cr valuation Wint Wealth is raising Rs 120 crore (approximately $13.3 million) in its Series B funding round led by Vertex Ventures. This marks the Bengaluru-based startup’s first major fundraise in over three and a half years. Wint Wealth’s board has passed a special resolution to issue 94,047 Series B compulsory convertible preference shares at an issue price of Rs 12,804 each to raise Rs 120 crore or $13.3 million, according to the filings sourced from the Registrar of Companies. Vertex Ventures will lead the round with an investment of Rs 77.52 crore, while Unitary Fund, Eight Roads Ventures, and 3one4 Capital will infuse Rs 18.7 crore, Rs 13 crore, and Rs 8.16 crore, respectively. Zerodha’s incubation arm, Rainmatter, will also participate in the Series B with a Rs 3 crore investment. As per filings, the company plans to utilise the proceeds towards capital expenditure, marketing, and general corporate purposes. Based on Entrackr’s estimates, the wealth management startup is raising fresh capital at a post-money valuation of around Rs 707 crore (nearly $80 million). The company may raise additional capital as part of the Series B round, which could lead to changes in its valuation and shareholding structure. Post this round, Vertex Ventures will hold a 10.96% stake in Wint Wealth, while 3one4 Capital, Unitary Fund, Rainmatter, and ERVI Technology, an arm of Eight Roads Ventures, will own 8.54%, 8.32%, 2.55%, and 1.84%, respectively, according to the filings. Wint Wealth is yet to file its FY25 numbers. In FY24, the company posted Rs 17.2 crore operating revenue with a loss of Rs 18 crore.

Exclusive: Biotech firm Pandorum to raise $10 Mn in Series B

EntrackrEntrackr · 1m ago
Exclusive: Biotech firm Pandorum to raise $10 Mn in Series B
Medial

Pandorum Technologies, a Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup focused on tissue engineering, is raising Rs 85 crore (around $10 million) in its Series B round led by Protons Corporate, along with participation from a clutch of other investors. The company’s board has approved a special resolution to issue 35,326 Series B preference shares at an issue price of Rs 23,920 each, according to regulatory filings sourced from the Registrar of Companies. Protons Corporate, managed by Anand Karbhari, is leading the round with Rs 27 crore, while Noblevast Advisory is contributing Rs 16.1 crore. A set of well-known angel investors, including Ashish Kacholia, Ankit Kawatra, Kishore Jagjival Gokal, Srinivas Rao Ravuri, and Kailash Ramlal Jhaveri, are also participating in the fundraising. As per the filings, Pandorum has already received Rs 45 crore from this round, with the remaining capital expected to be infused soon. The fresh funds will be deployed towards the company’s operational requirements, expansion plans, and to provide financial support to its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Entrackr’s estimates peg Pandorum’s post-money valuation at around Rs 750 crore ($85 million) following this transaction. Before this round, the company had secured $11 million last year as an extension of its Series A. Earlier, it had raised Rs 41 crore in 2020 and Rs 23 crore in 2017. Founded in 2011 by Arun Chandru and Tuhin Bhowmick, Pandorum Technologies builds lab-grown human tissues for drug discovery and regenerative medicine. Its engineered liver and corneal models, developed on a proprietary bioprinting platform, are used by pharma companies for high-precision testing and research. The company monetises through contract research, licensing, and long-term co-development partnerships, positioning it among the few IP-heavy deep-science ventures in India. Pandorum is yet to file its FY25 numbers. In FY24, Pandorum remained in the pre-revenue stage while posting losses of Rs 28.2 crore.

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