Most funds are winding down their operations in December; therefore, there wasn’t enough funding news from which I could shortlist. Yourstory reports that there were 17 deals in total with less than 50% meeting the criteria of the early-stage deals for this section of this blog.The launch of the first cohort of Sanjay’s 100x.vc should change that this week, and I should have a tougher job to choose my top picks next week!
Sarva.com raised ₹20 crores from Fireside Ventures
What does Sarva do?
Sarva is a wellness start-up that offers a wholistic ecosystem for mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing that utilize the ancient practices of Yoga. Sarva’s website claims to provide 25 forms of yoga taught through studios in 14 cities and has membership plans similar to Cure.fits memberships.
Why do I like Sarva?
The success of offline plays like Cure.fit and Bombay Shirts have brought back confidence in the augmented real estate brand plays.Yoga has a mass appeal, and while Cure.fit does offer Yoga classes, I like the specific niche that Sarva’s is pursuing. Several Yoga schools in various cities provide personal trainers, but very few (maybe none) have tried launching a national brand like Sarva. The rest of the ecosystem is fragmented and regionalized. I am a frequent user of Cure.fit (when I am in town) I love the flexibility of choosing classes that work with my schedule at a location closest to me on a given day. I suspect that with their war chest full of money, Cure.fit could quickly launch a Yoga studio vertical too. However, I suspect that the difference could be in the execution. I found a Sarva studio in Nariman Point, and I will take a trial class to compare the two before I say any further.
Indyfint.com raised $2.1 million led by Saravanan Adiseshan
What does Indyfint do?
IndyFint offers a plethora of bank-like services for businesses (as per their website) as well as a marketplace to provide loans to merchants, employees, and students (as per the YourStory article.)
Why do I like Indyfint?
I am a big believer that the Indian banking system is ripe for disruption. Banks use IT systems, policies, and operating procedures that are decades behind the business requirements of today. Previously (and in frustration), I had written a wish list for what I would like for a bank to do for me (as a corporate customer). Therefore I have a soft spot for those attempting to take on the big banks!
I am not 100% sure that IndyFint is attempting to become an alternative-banking platform but I like the services they offer on their website. Just like them, several other start-ups are trying to break the stranglehold created by Indian banks. I support the disruption, and I forward to helping one of these disrupters with our money as well!
Dhruvaspace.com raised ₹5 crores from Mumbai Angels
What does Dhruva do?
Dhruva builds nano-satellites that work with ground sensors (also produced by them) for applications in agriculture, weather monitoring, infrastructure, etc.
Why do I like Dhruva?
Space is the unclaimed territory. Nano-satellites flattens the playing field that was previously occupied by big corporations or large governments. With billions of dollars at their disposal to send up massive satellites, their money power acted as a moat to fully exploit real estate a few hundred kilometers above our heads. Nano-satellites and alternative delivery mechanisms democratize access to space. They provide access to applications that were (until now) were outside the reach of most of the world. I believe that the market for nano-satellites will be worth tens of billions soon and add to that this is an Indian company that is attempting to compete in this space (pun intended). It is difficult not to love that!
Artha India Ventures invested in Kratikal’s Pre-Series A round. The announcement took place last week, but I chose not to review that investment in this section.
