Third Bracket seeks to redefine the future of hiring with AI-led innovation.
Third Bracket, a next-gen smart hiring platform, today announced that they have raised close to INR 5 crores in seed funding from a group of HNIs at a substantial valuation. The investment will fuel the venture’s mission to transform hiring through advanced AI capabilities, radically improve speed-to-hire and bring significant efficiencies to recruitment. Besides accelerating product innovation, expanding the AI engine that powers smarter, bias-free hiring, the funds will be used to scale operations to meet the growing demand from enterprises.
In his comments, Chhandan Chakraborty, Co-Founder, Third Bracket, said, “We didn’t start Third Bracket to just tweak the hiring process—we started it to rebuild it from the ground up. Talent is a company’s biggest differentiator, yet the way we hire is still riddled with inefficiencies, bias and guesswork. This funding allows us to double down on our vision of intelligent, inclusive and fast hiring—designed for modern teams. We’re not here to match résumés to job descriptions—we’re here to ensure every hire is the right hire while saving time and cost involved in talent acquisition.”
In under a year, the venture has gained traction in high-growth sectors such as FinTech and IT, partnering with a mix of unicorn start-ups and mid-sized enterprises to solve critical talent acquisition challenges.
About Third Bracket
Founded in 2023 by Chhandan Chakraborty and Nihar Bose, Third Bracket was built on the belief that traditional hiring frameworks are fundamentally broken and unable to cope with needs of the industry where AI is beginning to dominate all aspects by businesses. It’s an advanced SaaS platform with an embedded AI engine that performs the heavy lifting in the front-end of the recruitment process, from resume authentication to functional skills assessment to cultural fitment of the candidate to the organisation, from hiring the right talent and ensuring cultural fitment to upskilling employees and profiling their skills for future growth. Third Bracket focuses on skill mapping, predictive insights and gap analysis to ensure optimal talent fit and development. It seamlessly integrates technology, data & strategy to help organisations build future-ready workforces.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and HUMAIN, the recently established Saudi business in charge of advancing AI innovation in the Kingdom and around the world, on 13 May revealed their intentions to invest more than $5 billion in a strategic cooperation to establish a ground-breaking “AI Zone” in the Kingdom.
To further Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global leader in AI, this first-of-its-kind AI Zone will combine a number of cutting-edge capabilities, such as specialised AWS AI infrastructure and servers with top-tier semiconductors, UltraCluster networks for quicker AI training and inference, AWS services like Bedrock and SageMaker, and AI application services like Amazon Q.
In Saudi Arabia, AWS has already declared and is constructing an AWS infrastructure region that will be operational by 2026. To establish this new area for AWS, Amazon is spending US$5.3 billion (about 19.88 billion Saudi riyals) in Saudi Arabia.
As part of AWS’s long-term commitment to provide its top-notch infrastructure and services to Saudi Arabia, the new AI Zone announced today represents an additional investment to increase the Kingdom’s demand for advanced AI capabilities both locally and globally.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
This partnership is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and expands on the Kingdom’s 2024 commitment to invest in creating an AI-powered economy. It is a major step in achieving Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global leader in AI.
AWS will introduce its cutting-edge server and network infrastructure capabilities to Saudi Arabia along with its machine learning and artificial intelligence services, such as Amazon SageMaker AI, Amazon Bedrock, and Amazon Q, which are fully managed solutions for developing and expanding generative AI (genAI) applications.
Businesses and governmental entities in Saudi Arabia can create GenAI apps with security, privacy, and responsible AI by using Amazon Bedrock to access high-performing models from top AI startups.
In addition to being the most proficient coding assistant in the world, Amazon Q helps businesses create GenAI-powered assistants that can answer queries, produce content, summarise information, and finish tasks using enterprise data.
HUMAIN intends to use AWS technologies to create AI solutions for its end users as a result of this partnership. Additionally, HUMAIN and AWS will collaborate to create a common marketplace for AI agents, which would make it easier for the Saudi Arabian government to find, implement, and oversee AI software.
Together with leading the widespread adoption of AI in businesses and sectors throughout the Gulf Region and beyond, the partnership aims to promote the development of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as Arabic Large Language Models (ALLaM).
Accelerating the Digital Transformation of the Region
Important industries like government, energy, healthcare, and education will be able to accelerate their transformation.
AI-powered tools that can help patients receive early disease diagnoses, personalise learning experiences for students, and boost productivity across essential upstream and downstream government administration processes are all on the horizon.
In collaboration with HUMAIN, the AWS Generative AI Innovation Centre will accelerate use cases like these, allowing clients—from the biggest corporations and fastest-growing startups to government organisations—to scale GenAI roadmaps and workloads, resulting in the fair and effective provision of essential services for a greater impact on society.
ContraVault AI, an innovative AI-powered platform, has successfully raised INR 5.1 Crores in a seed funding round led by Titan Capital, alongside notable investors including Rajiv Ahuja, Haresh Chawla, Jaswinder Ahuja, Dilipkumar Khandelwal, Abhishek Goyal and others. The newly raised funds will be directed towards deepening ContraVault AI’s verticalisation across key tender and RFP sectors to enhance accuracy and relevance in analysis. With an immediate focus on scaling sales efforts within India’s under-digitised tender ecosystem, ContraVault AI is set to unlock significant growth opportunities, ultimately aiming for global expansion.
Founded by Sayan Sen, Tanmay Juneja, and Isha Juneja, ContraVault AI is designed to address the critical challenges associated with tender management, which have long been plagued by manual processes and significant risk of error. By harnessing advanced artificial intelligence, ContraVault AI is transforming the traditional workflows in tender and RFP management, enabling companies to streamline their operations, reduce risks, and make faster, smarter decisions.
“There is a large, untapped opportunity at the intersection of tender management and AI, which we are solving for, and we are super excited to partner with Titan Capital to be able to do that for India and the world,” said Sayan Sen, CEO & Co-founder of ContraVault AI.
Tanmay Juneja, CTO & Co-founder, added, “I am glad and excited – this fundraise opens the door to bold new growth for us.” Isha Juneja, COO & Co-founder, emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, “This fundraise is a critical milestone for us as we step into a greenfield opportunity.”
A spokesperson for Titan Capital, the lead investor, expressed their conviction in ContraVault AI by stating, “ContraVault AI is redefining one of the most painful enterprise workflows—tendering. In a space buried in PDFs, clauses, and compliance risk, they’ve built an AI engine that doesn’t just read documents, it understands them. We’re backing ContraVault AI not just for what it’s building, but for the kind of company it’s becoming: fast, intelligent, and trusted by the most demanding enterprise buyers.”
As ContraVault AI continues to achieve high accuracy in tender analysis, refining its AI capabilities through a dataset of over 100,000+ tender documents, it is poised to make significant strides in the market. With partnerships established with large organisations and leading law firms, ContraVault AI offers unparalleled value in streamlining workflows and enhancing decision-making processes across various industries, including EPC, Energy, Power, and IT.
About ContraVault AI
ContraVault AI is an AI-powered platform transforming tender and RFP management by automating risk analysis, clause negotiation, and document summarisation. Built for enterprises, legal teams, and government contractors, it delivers high-accuracy insights tailored to industry-specific needs, helping organisations make smarter decisions in complex bidding and tender management environments.
According to various media reports, India’s central bank is investigating some digital wallets linked to electric vehicle companies after the abrupt demise of the nation’s biggest all-EV taxi service prevented customers from accessing funds linked to their accounts.
The issues encountered by customers of the digital wallet of the app-based ride-hailing service BluSmart led to a review of the payment methods utilised in India’s nascent EV ecosystem.
The incidents brought about by the company’s alleged fraud exposed the absence of protections for customers who deposit funds into so-called closed-loop wallets in order to conduct transactions on apps, particularly those that deal with EVs like charging stations or ride-booking.
RBI Putting its Strict Scanner
According to various published reports, the Reserve Bank of India has started informal conversations with operators of EV charging stations and other app-based EV platforms in order to evaluate potential consumer hazards.
In India’s rapidly expanding digital services ecosystem, so-called closed-loop wallets—app-based payment systems that are limited to use on a single platform—have become widely available. Since the central bank does not actively supervise these wallets like it does open-system wallets under its regulation, they are more susceptible to platform failure.
In April, BluSmart informed customers that it could take up to 90 days to reimburse money after thousands of users who had preloaded money into the wallet to book trips within the city and at the airport were unable to secure a refund or move the money to another location.
Probable Steps RBI Could Take to Enhance E-Wallet Securities
In the upcoming weeks, the central bank is reportedly considering meeting with the parties. To guarantee that money is safeguarded in the event that a business closes, the bank can suggest requiring escrow arrangements for customer balances, much like those that are necessary for payment aggregators.
According to a media report, another proposal is to apply some aspects of the RBI’s Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) guidelines to large-scale closed wallets.
Although the regulator has not yet made a formal decision, any action to tighten regulation of app-specific wallets may have far-reaching effects on India’s digital economy, as platforms mostly depend on prepaid balances to increase stickiness and encourage recurring use.
Gensol Founders Anmol & Puneet Singh Jaggi Step Down
Almost a month after market regulator SEBI prohibited them from holding important roles within the firm, Gensol Engineering Ltd said on May 12 that Anmol Singh Jaggi, the managing director, and Puneet Singh Jaggi, the full-time director, had resigned.
In his letter of resignation, Anmol Jaggi stated that he would be leaving his position as Managing Director of Gensol Engineering Limited effective May 12, 2025, at the end of business hours. Additionally, he announced his resignation in response to the directive issued under the SEBI Interim Order on April 15, 2025.
He would want to use this occasion to express his gratitude to the whole Board, the Management Team, and the Company’s workers for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
The deal represents a resurgence of the two companies’ relationship over six years after FedEx declared it would not extend its domestic delivery contracts with Amazon for Ground and Express. FedEx stated at the time that it wished to concentrate on the larger e-commerce industry.
Although e-commerce is still a top client category, the carrier is implementing extensive network modifications to better manage those deliveries.
Serving a client like Amazon, which may provide high volumes but frequently at a less profitable clip, is especially crucial. UPS has complained about its Amazon delivery contract.
In a LinkedIn post, Jay Kent, managing director of SLB Performance, asked whether FedEx had a competitive advantage in network optimisation and could deliver these package types at a lower cost than UPS while still turning a profit.
UPS Ending its Contract with Amazon
The revelation of the arrangement follows UPS’s January declaration that, because to financial concerns, it would reduce its Amazon business by more than 50% by the second half of 2026. But according to Amazon, the FedEx deal isn’t intended to take UPS’s delivery capacity over.
According to a LinkedIn post by LPF Spend Management founder Nate Skiver, the agreement satisfies a requirement for both businesses. Amazon gains support for products that are more difficult to handle, while FedEx sees an increase in volume and revenue.
Skiver went on to say that the US parcel market offers few large-package delivery choices for Amazon, especially for shipments that are greater distances. If UPS won’t accept it, he continued, there’s nowhere else to go.
Amazon’s Strong In-house Logistical Network
According to Amazon, its internal logistics network delivers almost two-thirds of its packages in the United States. However, even with highly automated networks like FedEx and Amazon, handling huge goods effectively can be challenging. Bulkier shipments are usually subject to costs from parcel carriers, and these rates have increased recently.
A media report stated that FedEx had more affordable prices than UPS. Additionally, according to media reports, FedEx will support AMXL, Amazon’s Extra Large delivery network, which handles order fulfilment, delivery, and installation for big, heavy, and bulky products including appliances and furniture.
“The reference to AMXL is premature at this point,” according to Amazon. FedEx terminated its domestic ground delivery agreement with Amazon in 2019 due to what it considered to be challenging service criteria and low yields. According to estimates at the time, FedEx handled 4% of ground traffic for Amazon.
Before the separation, Amazon had shifted a large portion of its business away from FedEx’s now-defunct SmartPost program, where FedEx Ground sent packages to the USPS for final home delivery.
However, FedEx still has a lot of extra capacity in its parcel network that has to be filled, according to John Costanzo, president and CEO of consulting firm LDK Global Logistics.
Because non-standard cargo typically cannot pass via their sorting machinery and must pass through a manual bypass centre, network carriers despise them.
Google Ads is the leading Google advertisement platform, allowing businesses and individuals to advertise their products, services, or brands on Google Search, YouTube, partner sites, and mobile sites. It was launched in 2000 and functions mostly in a PPC mode, although CPM and CPE pricing means are also offered to campaigns with such goals. Advertisers will bid on keywords: Google then holds an auction to compare ad bids against a Quality Score, which factors in an ad’s relevance, its expected click-through rate, and experience with the landing page. Ads can be run on a variety of formats, including search ads, display ads, video ads, shopping ads, and app promotion ads.
Ads give advertisers a certain amount of control, which allows flexible budgeting, and no minimum spend, and real-time campaign adjustments. With great reach and extensive targeting options, this ad platform can establish connections for businesses with users actively searching for related offerings, thereby enhancing chances for conversions. Detailed performance analytics break down the clicks, impressions, and ROI. Geo-targeting and intent-based campaigns may probably get a user’s attention, which brings even higher conversion.
Earning from Google Ads
The primary revenue stream through which Google Ads operates is the Google AdSense platform, which helps website owners and content creators monetize their platforms by inserting targeted ads. After an AdSense account is established and linked to the site in question, publishers are allowed to monetize their sites by allowing Google to run ads selected by the AI for maximum profits. Revenue comes from the ad auctions wherein advertisers bid to display their ads, and publishers earn money on a per-click (CPC) or per-impression (CPM) basis. The earnings differ based on content type, audience, and market demand. Google deducts a commission from publishers before they can receive any payout, and there is a minimum threshold before any payout.
Brand Tap-in
Using your competitor’s brand name in your keywords may appear audacious, but it’s savvy. Those searching for brand names often come with a heavy purchase intent- they’ve researched almost everything before getting to buy. Instead of going for the broad industry keywords, bid on your top-most competitor’s brand terms- your brand sits right there before a motivated buyer and exploits gaps within the offerings of the rival. Even if users are already swinging toward another brand, your ad can instill doubt or spark curiosity or offer a compelling alternative. Clever copy can redirect them to your landing page. Just remember, though, that as everyone does this, the cost will go up as competition increases.
Steps to Get Started with Google AdSens
Include Keyword Errors
This is also regarded as traffic stealing, where you use misspelled names of brands or products to draw in potential customers. The term “fat finger fumble” is frequently used. You could place your bids on well-known typos and thus capture searches made by users who accidentally mistype a keyword. Thus, you can very cleverly appear at the top while paying less, as typo keywords generally do not have much competition. Free keyword typo tools can help find the most common misspellings to focus on. Just keep in mind that most search engines recognize these types of errors and would practically auto-correct or suggest the correct term to give fewer click-throughs.
Build Awareness with First-time Visitors
This sales funnel presents opportunities on both ends of the search spectrum. Certainly, it concentrates on the more high-converting, expensive, high-intent-phrase keywords in terms of advertising, but it also allows you to think about more general, lower-intent phrases that bring users into their journey early on. They may not always buy, but you always get the chance to present your brand and its offering. The success of the transition down the funnel relies on having a sufficiently strong process of nurturing. You’ll be able to catch this audience with broader keywords, and the keyword-generation free tools will help identify them. However, note that it usually takes longer to convert from this group.
This may sound like a basic concept, but many ads still send clicks to a landing page that seems completely disconnected from what was promised. When users do have time to search for something, they expect the page they get after clicking to deliver on the statements made by the ad and, even more, to provide an instant solution. Therefore, for landing pages to begin delivering on their promise of ad text, they should repeat major points, have the same keywords, and present a strong and clear call to action. Such alignment will increase both click and conversion rates while simultaneously lowering your cost per click (CPC).
Exclude Irrelevant Searches
Search engines want to show ads relevant to the search queries; however, some cases of imperfect matches slip through. You wouldn’t want irrelevant users whom you pay per click to ruin your marketing budget. For instance, if you sell adult shoes for running, a parent looking for kids’ shoes wouldn’t work for you. Negative keywords like “kids,” “children,” or “small sizes” can filter out unqualified traffic. This increases the ad’s relevance, saves on costs, and increases your quality score, which then goes toward better ranking and lower PPC costs. The one disadvantage is the time it takes to set up and maintain the lists, but the benefits in the long run are worth the effort.
SEO Still Matters
Unpaid search visibility is derived from an all-around SEO strategy and high-quality keyword-optimized content. The critical factor to climb search rankings is selecting the right keywords. If combined with PPC efforts, it builds long-term momentum with Google because consistent value is found in your content and the advertisements you are running. Use tools like Google Ads to find out which keywords perform the best and apply those findings to organic content. Over time, such a synergy will enhance visibility and free up traffic. Scoring Google#1 earns you almost 40% CTR, which is double that of the second place. The catch? SEO takes a long time – results often take months to achieve.
Make It Viral-Ready
Google Ads don’t have to be boring; you can get creative and aim for viral. One tactic is using hyper-targeted long-tail keywords with low search volume to be seen. Another is to capitalize on trending events or hot-button topics in your industry. Then there’s video content, which can be leveraged for maximum engagement and audience targeting when included in your ad strategy. If done right, these creative and timely ads easily pique interest, get shares, and help immensely with brand awareness for stellar ROI. Going viral, however, is not as easy competition will be brutal, especially for high-volume keywords, and a low-quality score from Google can work against your ad being seen.
Level Up Your Ads with Extensions
Ad extensions, which are found at Google, simply give you the ability to append additional information along with your text ads, thus enabling target much better advertisement campaigns. Without any charge and easy integration, price extensions display products or services with exact prices, linking directly with your site. There can be special offers or free giveaways. Message extensions will allow people to text you directly, with a cost of the same cost as a click. Callout extensions can be personalized based on time using options such as delivery estimates or limiting live chat hours. Although extensions provide great value, the fact remains that Google Analytics does not register messaging use. Not all ads may require callout scheduling.
Zero In on Your Audience’s Location
It is more effective to geotarget your paid ads for your budget to be spent on the specific locations from which the customers are coming. Bids can also be adjusted according to the time of year and weather conditions for more details. The setup of the geotargeting is simple. Go to your Google campaign. Click on the Settings tab, and under Locations and Languages, edit the location section. From here, you may choose to add, exclude, or target around areas. Geotargeting makes sure that the ads are reaching the right market, which means that the message becomes more relevant and yields better ROI, especially for local business organizations like restaurants.
Become a Freelance Google Ads Expert
The process of hiring yourself out as a Google Ads expert should begin with the mastery of Google Ads through each appropriate Google Skillshop application or paid course on the internet, focusing on campaign types, bidding strategies, and ad formats. Being certified under Google Ads (Search, Display, Measurement) would further endorse your capabilities. Participating in an agency or internship provides hands-on experience that prepares you for running real campaigns, analyzing metrics, and optimizing budgets. Carrying out campaign initiatives, a person will be able to test ideas and build a portfolio. Additional skills that can markedly improve campaign performance include data analysis, copywriting, and client communication.
Afterward, developing credibility requires you to build your portfolio with successful case studies and testimonials from clients. Start getting gigs through freelance job platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, and check for opportunities to engage in cold outreach to small businesses. Having a specialized niche, i.e., e-commerce or local businesses, will help with visibility. Stay updated on trends of AI, automation, and privacy policies. Deliver measurable ROI and you’ll keep clients, grow, and thrive in the industry.
Google Ads is a way of earning money by placing advertisements strategically on digital content, ranging from websites, blogs, and apps to YouTube channels. Earnings are generated from clicks or impressions. For maximum profit, always create high-quality content that engages readers, which will generate organic traffic toward your sites targeting high-paying keywords. Ad positioning should be optimized above the fold and with ad types that have high click-through rates, such as sticky or interactive ads. Integration with Google AdSense accounts and Google Analytics helps you keep an eye on your performance and tweak your strategies. Google’s policy should always be strictly followed to avoid getting any penalties. Explore other monetizing avenues; try out different ad placements for more earnings.
FAQs
How does Google Ads work?
Google Ads works by showing your ads to people when they search for keywords related to your business. You pay when someone clicks on your ad (Pay-Per-Click). It helps bring more visitors to your website.
What is CPC in Google Ads?
CPC (Cost Per Click) in Google Ads is the amount you pay each time someone clicks on your ad. It’s a key part of the Pay-Per-Click (PPC) model and helps control your ad budget.
What are keywords in Google Ads?
In Google Ads, keywords are words or phrases that advertisers select to target their ads to the right audience. When users search for these keywords, relevant ads may appear.
Over 6,000 workers from all levels, teams, and regions will be affected by Microsoft’s announcement that it will lay off 3% of its global workforce. The goal of the layoffs at the Redmond giant, which had 228,000 employees as of late June, is to simplify processes and lower management levels.
A Microsoft representative informed a media source in a statement that the company is still making the organisational adjustments required to put the business in the best possible position for success in a changing market.
This is Microsoft’s biggest layoff since the company cut 10,000 positions in 2023. The corporation stated that these layoffs are structural in nature, in contrast to the smaller performance-based cuts that were made in January.
Middle Management will be Severely Impacted
Given that the organisation wants to increase each manager’s “span of control” in order to build a more efficient hierarchy, middle management positions may be especially affected by these cuts. According to a media report, Microsoft wants to give engineering talent top priority as it continues to make significant investments in artificial intelligence projects.
Is engineering skill more important to Microsoft than other positions? The company responded to that query by stating that every role is equally significant. Indeed, it is essential to the advancement of AI.
A media house was informed by Microsoft’s spokesperson that laid-off workers will continue to be paid for the sixty days following their dismissal. Additionally, it is said that the impacted employees will also qualify for bonuses and incentives.
New Employment Strategy Adopted by Microsoft
The reduction in staff coincides with major modifications to Microsoft’s performance management system. Internal records seen by multiple media outlets reveal that the corporation has banned staff fired for poor performance from being hired again for a period of two years.
Additionally, Microsoft has implemented a “good attrition” statistic to monitor the departure of desired employees. Similar to Amazon’s contentious “unregretted attrition” policy, this strategy indicates Microsoft’s intention to handle underperforming employees more forcefully.
A “Global Voluntary Separation Agreement” with 16 weeks of severance pay or a performance improvement plan (PIP) with “clear expectations and a timeline for improvement” are the two options available to employees who exhibit poor performance under the new system.
If they choose the improvement plan instead of the PIP road, they will no longer be eligible for the severance compensation, and they will only have five days to make up their minds.
Leaner Operational Structure Getting Popular Among Tech Sector
The reorganisation of Microsoft is indicative of a larger movement in the computer sector towards more efficient engineering and flatter organisational structures.
According to reports, the organisation is concentrating on lowering the “PM ratio”—the percentage of managers to engineers—across all teams. Similar tactics, which involved firing the top tier of the organisation, have been used at other major huge companies, including Google and Amazon.
In addition, Meta is anticipated to let off thousands of workers this year as CEO Mark Zuckerberg advocates for a “year of efficiency”.
The layoffs come despite Microsoft’s better-than-expected quarterly results in April, when CEO Satya Nadella said the business will restructure how it executes sales after non-AI Azure cloud revenue grew less than anticipated.
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Porter began with a simple idea: to tackle the challenges in last-mile logistics and make city-wide goods transportation smoother for businesses. They set out to offer an on-demand solution that helps thousands of businesses move anything they need, right when they need it. Since then, Porter has expanded significantly, boosting the efficiency of companies, creating opportunities for their partner drivers, and spreading joy across 19 cities.
And this is just the start. Their vision is to build the world’s top end-to-end logistics platform and completely reshape the future of transportation logistics. The company achieved unicorn status on May 8th, 2025, with its latest funding round valuing it between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion.
Learn more about Porter, its startup story, founder, tagline, logo, business model, revenue model, funding, competitors, and more.
Porter has quickly earned a reputation as a reliable logistics partner for businesses large and small—serving everyone from eCommerce merchants and restaurants to supermarkets and Kirana shops. Whether it’s bulk shipments, business couriers, cargo transport, or last-mile delivery, they’ve got it covered. Their growing presence across more than 20 cities is a testament to the trust and confidence their customers have in their services.
As their operations continue to expand, Porter now operates in 20+ cities, supported by an impressive network of over 7.5 lakh driver partners.
Porter – Industry
Need to move something? Porter has you covered with on-demand access to 2-wheelers, tempos, trucks, and parcel couriers across 19 cities in India. Whether it’s a small package or bulk goods, they can deliver it anywhere, anytime.
A vehicle for every delivery
From Tata Ace to 8FT Pickups and 14FT Canters—whatever you need to transport, they’ve got the right vehicle for you.
Hassle-free online booking
Just open the Porter app and book a truck whenever you need it, all from the comfort of your phone.
Easy-to-use transportation app
Porter’s streamlined interface makes it simple to choose your vehicle, place an order, and even get a quick price estimate within seconds!
Porter – Founders and Team
Porter, an on-demand logistics start-up, has announced a reshuffle in its leadership team. Co-founder Uttam Digga has stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Pranav Goel has transitioned to Executive Vice Chairman.
Additionally, Shruti Ranjan Satpathy has taken on the position of Chief Product and Technology Officer.
Uttam Digga
Uttam Digga – Co-founder and CEO, Porter
Uttam Digga, the Co-Founder and CEO of Porter, brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as an Analyst at J.P. Morgan. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur.
Pranav Goel
Pranav Goel – Porter Founder
Pranav Goel is instrumental in managing investor relations, administration, business development, and defining Porter’s strategic vision. His path is marked by significant academic and career achievements, highlighted by an integrated master’s degree from the renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur.
For his outstanding contributions, Pranav was honored with the Young Alumni Achiever Award from IIT Kharagpur, a prestigious accolade that he shares with fellow co-founder Uttam Digga.
Vikas Choudhary
Vikas Choudhary – Porter Founder
Vikas Choudhary completed his degree in Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, where he developed a keen interest in Communication Theory. He was also captivated by the field of finance during his studies. Later, he pursued further education at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Porter – Startup Story
Seven years ago, the founders of Porter caught the entrepreneurial spirit, inspired by the idea of “Uber for X.” They set out to revolutionize on-demand services for consumers. By studying the successful business models of companies like Uber, which efficiently matched supply and demand through technology, they realized there was a significant opportunity in the logistics sector. A deep dive into the logistics landscape in Mumbai revealed a major gap in last-mile delivery services that needed addressing.
Bringing their IIT backgrounds into play, co-founders Pranav Goel, Uttam Digga, and Vikas Choudhary leveraged their extensive logistics experience to carve out a niche for Porter in the market. With a combined expertise of over 20 years, they laid the foundation for what would soon become one of India’s top truck-booking platforms.
What sets Porter apart? Well, it quickly gained recognition as a pioneer in the truck booking space! The founders identified a key opportunity to simplify and enhance the truck booking process in India, leading to the establishment of Gordian Technologies, based in Bengaluru. Their mission? To ensure that goods delivery is both secure and efficient.
The innovative solution they developed is a user-friendly app designed to make truck booking a breeze. Enter Porter! This platform quickly took off, becoming the go-to app for truck booking in India.
Why has Porter become so popular? It’s all about simplicity and efficiency. With just a few clicks, users can effortlessly book trucks, setting a new benchmark for convenience in logistics. So, are you ready to experience the ease of booking with Porter?
Porter – Mission and Vision
This logistics company in India offers both intra-city and inter-city services, driven by the inspiring vision of “moving a billion dreams, one delivery at a time.” Their goals are ambitious yet focused:
Creating a World-Class Logistics Platform: They aim to set a new standard in logistics, ensuring efficiency and reliability in every delivery.
Enhancing Quality of Life for Partner Drivers: Recognizing the importance of their drivers, they strive to improve working conditions and provide better opportunities.
Revolutionizing the Transport Logistics Sector: Their mission is to transform the way logistics operates, making it more accessible and efficient.
Additionally, they are committed to building a dynamic and flexible warehousing and fulfillment network that can adapt to demand seamlessly. With their logistics services, businesses can not only meet but exceed customer expectations, driving rapid growth and success.
Porter – Name, Tagline and Logo
Porter – Name, Logo, Tagline
The company has introduced a fresh new logo that embodies its commitment to delivering logistics services for “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere.” To unveil this exciting change, they’ve also launched their inaugural brand film, titled “Delivery hai? Ho Jayega!” Designed by Moshimbo, the logo is part of Porter’s larger brand identity makeover, highlighting their promise to transport goods efficiently and seamlessly.
One striking element of the logo is the map pin, cleverly designed with superscript symbols that resemble longitude and latitude, reflecting Porter’s dedication to constant movement and reaching customers far and wide. This design not only conveys reliability but also aims to bring happiness to both customers and driver-partners.
The logo sports a sleek, modern look with a minimalist vibe, utilizing a bold blue and white color palette that represents trust, assurance, and limitless opportunities.
Porter – Business Model
Porter’s business model is all about connecting users with delivery partners seamlessly through a user-friendly mobile app. Whether you’re a business or an individual needing goods transported, Porter makes it easy to get things moving.
Bridging the Delivery Gap
Porter identified a significant gap between delivery vehicles and end customers, prompting them to leverage digital technology to bridge this divide. By implementing an AI-powered algorithm, they created an online platform that connects delivery drivers and customers in real-time, simplifying logistics.
Their order management system handles everything from order collection and vehicle allocation to fare bidding, all while GPS tracking keeps the supply chain moving smoothly. This smart algorithm takes into account factors like customer location, request timing, and the type of vehicle needed, ensuring users get the best possible options for their shipments.
A Tech-Driven Experience
Porter’s driver-side interface is straightforward, ensuring that all registered drivers are tech-savvy and well-trained. This helps eliminate hassles and delays, resulting in a fully automated tech stack that streamlines the entire process. Users simply log in, find a truck, book it, and voilà—your delivery is on its way!
Serving a Diverse Market
Porter’s digital logistics system caters to both B2B and B2C segments, making it suitable for everything from small deliveries to larger shipments. The company plays a crucial role in India’s logistics landscape, which relies heavily on road transport and truck-based freight. With government initiatives like the Logistics Efficiency Enhancement Program (LEEP), Porter is positioned to improve the overall efficiency of the trucking ecosystem.
Comprehensive Logistics Solutions
Porter’s services include:
Last-mile, middle-mile, and first-mile deliveries
On-demand logistics through easy bookings
Supply chain management supported by CRM, order management, and GPS tracking
Real-time visibility and updates
Efficient packing and moving services
Enterprise logistics on a variable engagement basis
By harnessing the power of Big Data and analytics, Porter continuously improves its operations. They use insights gathered from their fleet’s performance to optimize resource deployment, match vehicle loads, and enhance turnaround times, ensuring they meet market demand efficiently.
Porter operates on a commission-based revenue model, charging up to 30% of the driver partner’s earnings after a successful delivery. This structure not only incentivizes driver partners to complete more deliveries but also aligns the company’s success with that of its partners.
With a presence in over 18 major cities across India, Porter has established itself as a leading on-demand delivery marketplace, effectively connecting users in need of delivery services with driver partners ready to transport goods.
When it comes to pricing, the fare is calculated based on the total distance traveled between the pickup and drop-off locations. This straightforward approach ensures transparency for users, allowing them to know exactly what they’re paying for each delivery.
By combining a fair commission structure with an efficient pricing model, Porter is able to create a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both customers and delivery partners.
Porter – Employees
Porter is dedicated to fostering an employee-centric culture, believing that a positive work environment is essential for nurturing talent and innovation. They strive to create a workplace that encourages intellectual engagement and high-quality performance.
To share insights and experiences from within the company, Porter runs a blog titled Of the People, by the People, for the People. This platform highlights employee stories, engagement strategies, and best practices, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its workforce.
In line with their vision of “moving a billion dreams, one delivery at a time,” Porter has successfully served over 10 million customers across more than 19 cities in India. With a dedicated team of 2,600 employees, they continue to drive forward, emphasizing the importance of their people in achieving their ambitious goals.
Porter – Challenges Faced
Logistical Challenges
In 2022, Porter Enterprise stepped in to revolutionize Britomatics’ logistics operations. This partnership facilitated timely and efficient deliveries, effectively eliminating the risks of product loss and incorrect shipments. With access to on-demand vehicles of various sizes, Britomatics gained the flexibility needed to handle all types of orders. As a result, they saw a significant increase in order volume, allowing them to consistently meet customer demands and rebuild trust and loyalty among their clientele.
Before the partnership, Britomatics often delivered the wrong printing implements, hindering their customers’ ability to perform their jobs effectively. Additionally, they experienced a concerning product loss rate of 20%, with two out of every ten deliveries going awry. Limited vehicle availability compounded the issue, forcing them to turn away new orders and cancel existing ones, further diminishing revenue and eroding customer goodwill.
This transformation underscores how a strong logistics partner can not only resolve existing challenges but also propel a business toward greater success.
Streamlining Operations and Efficiency for Clients
Porter Enterprise transformed Suvastra’s logistics operations by providing a seamless pay-per-use pricing model that optimized fulfillment and ensured on-time deliveries. This collaboration allowed Suvastra to significantly reduce manhours and overall costs while minimizing the time spent coordinating with multiple vendors.
With easy on-demand fulfillment and a centralized dashboard, Suvastra gained high visibility into its logistics processes, making it easier to manage operations and respond swiftly to customer demands. This partnership not only improved efficiency but also empowered Suvastra to focus on its core business, driving growth and success.
Transportation Costs
At Porter, they recognize that rising fuel prices significantly impact transportation costs for their partners. To help mitigate these expenses, they advocate for strategies like consolidating shipments, reducing the frequency of shipments, and optimizing carrier usage. By implementing these measures, they empower their clients to streamline operations and enhance cost efficiency, ensuring they can maintain competitiveness in the market.
Driver Shortage
They understand that the logistics sector is currently facing a critical driver shortage, which poses challenges in meeting demand. With government regulations enforcing stricter hiring practices, they need to navigate this landscape effectively. At Porter, they are committed to providing support in recruiting and retaining qualified drivers, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. By tackling this driver shortage head-on, they strive to maintain operational efficiency and uphold their promise to deliver exceptional service to their clients.
Porter – Funding & Investors
Porter has secured a total of $332.07 million over 8 funding rounds since its inception in 2014. The most recent round was completed on May 8, 2025. The $200 million funding round valued the startup between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, making it the second unicorn of 2025. Below are Porter’s funding details:
Porter’s shareholding pattern as of May 2025, sourced from Tracxn:
Name
Post-Round Holding
Pranav Goel
6.7%
Uttam Digga
6.2%
Vikas Choudhary
3.3%
Lightrock
14.0%
Sequoia Capital
13.6%
Tiger Global Management
8.7%
Kalysta Capital
4.2%
Kae Capital
1.6%
Claris Capital
0.2%
Sara Group
< 0.1%
Central Park Securities Holding
–
Lightstone Ventures
–
QED Innovation Labs
–
IndigoEdge
–
Mahindra
24.3%
Portobello Holdco Sarl
8.7%
Equentia Natural Resources
< 0.1%
Angel
0.1%
Other People
0.2%
ESOP Pool
8.0%
Other Investors
< 0.1%
Total
100.0%
Porter Shareholding
Porter – Mergers and Acquisitions
On February 23rd, 2018, SmartShift by Mahindra, a part of the USD 19 billion Mahindra Group, announced plans to merge with Porter, a leading tech-enabled logistics solutions provider in India’s goods transportation sector. This merger is pending corporate and regulatory approvals. Once finalized, the new entity will operate under the name Mahindra SmartShift, allowing both the Porter and SmartShift brands to continue serving their existing customers and partner drivers. This strategic alliance aims to enhance operational efficiency and expand its presence across India in the shared mobility space, benefiting both companies and their stakeholders.
Logistics startup COGOS Technologies has successfully acquired the FMCG business segment of intra-city logistics firm Porter. This strategic acquisition is designed to ensure the continuity of Porter’s business vertical while aligning it with COGOS’ business model. Porter expressed that this move will also enhance their focus on core business solutions, strengthening their overall service offerings in the logistics sector.
Porter – Growth
In 2023, Porter made a strategic move by expanding into the packaging and movers vertical, catering to both business and individual customers. This new offering introduced courier services for shipping goods, including high-volume and bulky items, leveraging Porter’s extensive and dependable fleet.
By utilizing their existing resources, Porter quickly gained traction in the market with affordable and accessible packaging solutions, allowing them to capture additional market share and increase revenue. This expansion not only diversified their service offerings but also solidified Porter’s position as a comprehensive, tech-driven logistics provider in the B2C space. As urban demand for faster and more reliable deliveries surged, Porter’s asset-light, technology-first approach was perfectly aligned to meet this growing need.
Porter Financials FY24
Porter Financials
2023
2024
Operating Revenue
INR 1753.8 crore
INR 2733.8 crore
Total Expenses
INR 1964 crore
INR 2862 crore
Profit/Loss
Loss of INR 174.6 crore
Loss of INR 95.7 crore
Porter Financials FY24
In 2023, Porter’s operating revenue was INR 1,753.8 crore, which increased to INR 2,733.8 crore in 2024, marking a growth of about 56%. Their total expenses also rose from INR 1,964 crore in 2023 to INR 2,862 crore in 2024, an increase of around 46%. Despite these rising expenses, Porter’s loss reduced significantly—from INR 174.6 crore in 2023 to INR 95.7 crore in 2024—resulting in a 45% improvement in losses.
While this diversification opened new opportunities, it also added layers of operational complexity. Nonetheless, the initiatives yielded impressive results, with revenue skyrocketing from INR 848 crore in FY22 to INR 1,754 crore in FY23. However, the rapid growth came with challenges, as losses increased by 43%, reaching INR 175 crore during the same period.
Despite these financial hurdles, Porter remained committed to its scale and customer satisfaction strategy. Driver-partners benefited significantly, enjoying a 30% boost in earnings compared to traditional models, while customers experienced up to a 20% reduction in logistics costs. This win-win scenario helped Porter maintain its growth trajectory.
By the end of 2023, Porter had expanded its footprint to 15 cities, boasting a user base of over five million customers and a fleet exceeding 200,000 drivers. Looking ahead, Porter is well-positioned to continue refining its logistics solutions as it strives for profitability and sustainable long-term growth.
Porter – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
Porter has unveiled its inaugural brand campaign, “Delivery Hai? Ho Jayega,” designed to tackle common concerns surrounding item shipments while assuring customers of its top-notch service and convenience.
This campaign underscores Porter’s dedication to trust and quality, showcasing its extensive array of logistics services.
Through this initiative, the company aims to highlight its vast fleet of vehicles, which includes two-wheelers and light commercial vehicles. Porter seeks to position itself as an integrated delivery solution, aspiring to become the go-to destination for all delivery needs for its customers.
Delivery hai? #HoJayega | Deliver parcels big & small with Porter
Porter – Competitors
The on-demand logistics booking landscape in India is rapidly growing, with several competitors successfully operating alongside Porter. Here are some popular apps that are making waves in the logistics sector:
Goody: This app provides a streamlined service for users looking to book deliveries quickly and efficiently, offering various vehicle options to meet different logistical needs.
Vahak: Known for its user-friendly interface, Vahak connects users with truck owners and offers real-time tracking and booking capabilities, making it a strong contender in the market.
Mover: Mover specializes in making the process of moving goods straightforward, catering to both individual and business logistics needs with a focus on reliability.
Packers & Movers by NoBroker: This platform simplifies the moving process for users by connecting them directly with trusted packers and movers, eliminating the middleman and offering competitive pricing.
Shiprocket: Aimed primarily at eCommerce businesses, Shiprocket offers logistics solutions that include shipping, warehousing, and fulfillment services, ensuring a comprehensive approach to delivery.
Porter – Future Plans
Porter is excited to announce its expansion into Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam as part of its mission to enhance intracity logistics nationwide.
In Thiruvananthapuram, Porter plans to utilize 2-wheelers to streamline goods transportation, addressing the city’s growing logistics needs amid significant infrastructure advancements. In Visakhapatnam, the focus will be on enhancing the city’s logistics framework, reinforcing its role as a key trade hub.
Ankit Dwivedi, Vice President of Expansion at Porter, highlighted that this initiative aims to solidify Porter’s presence across the country while actively supporting local MSMEs and delivery partners in these areas.
With an ambitious plan to expand to 35 cities within the next two years, Porter intends to recruit a substantial number of driver-partners in each new location. This growth strategy is not only about increasing service reach; it also aims to foster job creation and stimulate local economies. Porter is dedicated to providing dependable, affordable, and tech-savvy logistics solutions, ensuring that intracity transportation in India continues to evolve and improve.
FAQs
What is Porter?
Porter is a technology-driven logistics company providing a range of intracity and intercity delivery services.
Who are Porter founders?
The owners of Porter are Pranav Goel, Uttam Digga, and Vikas Chaudhary.
Who is the CEO of Porter?
Uttam Digga is the Co-founder and CEO of Porter.
Who are the competitors of Porter?
Some of the main competitors of Porter include Goody, Vahak, Mover, Shiprocket and many more.
In this exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, Aaditya Sharda, Co-founder of Infra.Market, shares how the company evolved from a bootstrapped startup to a unicorn leader in the building materials industry. Starting with an asset-light model that fueled early profitability, Infra.Market pivoted to owning manufacturing facilities to better control supply chains as demand grew. Sharda also discussed the company’s unique strategy, which includes a focus on private-label products and a diverse product portfolio, helping position it as an industry leader. With plans for aggressive expansion and technological upgrades, Infra.Market is now preparing for an IPO as part of its long-term growth vision.
StartupTalky: Being the co-founder, what inspired you to start Infra.Market, and how has the company grown over the years?
Mr. Sharda: For the first three years, we were a bootstrapped but profitable company. The idea behind Infra.Market was simple: we wanted to aggregate demand from multiple projects and tap into underutilised manufacturing capacities. This is to create our own private label products for demand fulfilment. In most categories, we focused on manufacturing and supplying under our own private label, while in select categories, we distributed competitor brands.
However, our approach was very clear, the moment we launched our private label in any category, we would completely stop distributing any competing brand within that space. This asset-light model allowed us to remain profitable while being bootstrapped. This strategy also gave us a deep understanding of market dynamics, customer preferences, and supply chain gaps. It helped us identify categories where we could build stronger value propositions with our own private-label products.
As the demand scaled, especially from large projects where we were already empanelled, we started facing fulfilment challenges. Third-party manufacturers often struggled to meet our growing demand, creating bottlenecks in delivery and execution. This became a pivotal moment, prompting a strategic shift towards owning our own manufacturing facilities and controlling the supply chain end-to-end. This transition, from a managed marketplace model to a vertically integrated platform, enabled us to ensure product consistency, improve margins, and most importantly, meet customer demand at scale with greater reliability.
Today, we own over 250 manufacturing plants across 15+ product categories, with nearly 65% of our revenue driven by our private-label products. Supported by in-house technology for real-time demand planning and logistics optimisation, we now execute over 10,000 deliveries every day. It positions Infra.Market as a one-stop building materials platform catering to infrastructure, real estate, and retail customers across the construction ecosystem.
StartupTalky: What is the core business model of Infra.Market, and how is it different from traditional players?
Mr. Sharda: Infra.Market is a leading building materials platform offering 15+ product categories through a strong network of 250+ tech-integrated manufacturing facilities across the country. Our strategy has always been focused on increasing our wallet share from every project and customer we engage with. While we are amongst the top 3 players nationally in categories like Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC), AAC Blocks, Tiles and more, our real strength lies in how we enter and expand within a project.
Concrete is the very first material required at the start of any construction, whether infrastructure, commercial, or residential. With over 200 RMC plants, Infra.Market ensures early entry into projects by becoming the preferred concrete partner. Once we have entered, as the project progresses, the demand for other building materials naturally follows, from AAC Blocks, Plumbing, Tiles, Sanitaryware, and Paints to MDF, Plywood, Electricals, Modular Kitchens, and Appliances. Our in-house technology tracks the progress of each project in real-time, enabling seamless lead handover across business verticals. This integrated approach allows us to cross-sell and upsell multiple product categories within the same project. It resulted in a significantly higher wallet share in a project compared to traditional players.
With 250+ manufacturing plants across diverse product lines, Infra.Market ensures control over product quality, availability, and timely delivery, solving industry’s biggest pain points.
What truly sets us apart is our vertically integrated business model. Unlike conventional marketplaces that simply connect buyers and sellers, we have built deep capabilities in manufacturing, distribution, and technology. It allows us to deliver a consistent customer experience at scale. As platform adoption grows and technology penetration deepens, our integrated approach will continue to drive strong growth and long-term differentiation in the building materials industry.
StartupTalky: How does your multi-category portfolio of 15+ product lines help Infra.Market stay ahead of competitors in the construction materials space?
Mr. Sharda: Infra.Market is building India’s first multi-product and multi-channel building material platform, and that’s exactly what sets us apart. While most players focus on gaining leadership in one product category, our strategy is to create a larger impact by capturing a higher wallet share from every project by offering multiple building material categories.
With a strong focus on in-house manufacturing and a pan-India presence, we try and offer everything to a project from foundation (concrete) to finish (Modular kitchens). This, in turn, helps us to get the highest wallet share from that project, thereby helping us stay ahead of the competition in any project supply.
The vast category of products offered includes RMC, AAC blocks, steel, aggregates, tiles, plumbing, MDF, plywood, laminates, electrical, sanitaryware, and even modular kitchens and appliances. This allows us to stay present across every phase of construction, starting with concrete, the first product required on-site, and expanding as the project progresses, capturing the larger wallet share of the project. It not only ensures consistent supply and better control over quality but also strengthens our brand visibility.
Adding to this is our unique proposition of building a “House of Brands” within the construction ecosystem, a first-of-its-kind in the industry. With a portfolio that includes RDC Concrete, Shalimar Paints, IVAS, Emcer, Millennium, Amstrad and many more fully owned brands, we are creating a one-stop platform that caters to the entire spectrum of construction needs. This has not only strengthened our product offering but also helped build trust and recall across infrastructure, real estate, and retail customers alike.
StartupTalky: What tools and technologies do you use to manage operations and optimise the supply chain?
Mr. Sharda: We have built a tech-first platform that integrates AI-driven demand forecasting, real-time inventory management, and GPS-enabled logistics, allowing us to predict material needs accurately, optimise stock, and ensure faster, cost-effective deliveries.
Our in-house tech tracks project progress in real-time, enabling seamless lead handover across business verticals and driving cross-sell and upsell opportunities within the same project. It helped us capture a larger wallet share of the project.
With advanced data analytics and CRM integration, we proactively recommend products based on project needs and past purchases. It creates a smarter, more agile supply chain that sets Infra.Market apart in the industry.
StartupTalky: How has Infra.Market implemented automation in its operations to scale effectively?
Mr. Sharda: Infra.Market has embedded automation across key functions to drive scale and efficiency. From digitising core workflows at manufacturing units to leveraging IoT-powered systems, our operations are built for speed and precision. For instance, real-time data from sensors on our trucks helps us optimise routes, track deliveries, and monitor material conditions in transit. This not only enhances operational reliability but also ensures faster, smarter, and more predictable deliveries for our customers.
StartupTalky: Infra.Market saw a 2.4x rise in its profits in FY24, which is largely driven by private labels. What are the key drivers behind this growth?
Mr. Sharda: Our growth has been largely fueled by our focus on private-label manufacturing, which has significantly improved margins and overall profitability. We have built strong private-label brands across both B2B categories like Concrete, AAC Blocks, Plumbing, MDF, and Steel, and B2C categories like Tiles, Sanitaryware, Electricals, Modular Kitchens, Laminates and Appliances.
Today, nearly 65% of our sales come from our own brands, with 60% of these products fully manufactured in-house. This gives us better quality control, a wider product range, and deeper customer trust. Our private-label products now power large-scale infrastructure projects like airports, metros, and highways. This pivot has helped us transition from a managed marketplace model to a full-stack building materials platform, while also enabling us to expand deeper into Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets and grow our wallet share across projects.
StartupTalky: With Hella Infra Market Limited preparing for an IPO, what are your plans, and how will this shape the company’s future?
Mr. Sharda: We are building India’s first multi-product, multi-channel building materials platform, a one-stop solution catering to infrastructure projects, builders, and dealers. Our model is built on a simple but powerful belief: the same customer is willing to buy multiple construction products from a single trusted supplier.
As we scale and move closer to IPO, this becomes a critical business thesis investors will evaluate: our ability to capture higher wallet share from projects. The more we succeed in deepening our presence within a project across product categories, the stronger the validation of our model, and the greater the investor confidence in our platform’s scalability and profitability. But as we look to scale the business, it is becoming evident that capital infusion is critical and going to capital markets with an IPO is also a route we are evaluating.
StartupTalky: What are the requirements and process for setting up an Infra.Market franchise, and how does it benefit entrepreneurs looking to partner with you?
Mr. Sharda: Most of the dealers and retailers in the building material industry trade in only one category of products offering multiple brands. The ecosystem of dealers has been made in this manner by leading building material companies because they all supply one category and aspire to become leaders by increasing their distribution footprint. Therefore, a paint dealer largely sells only paint products, and a plywood dealer mostly sells only plywood, MDF and laminates.
Infra.Market, due to its wide variety of products and in-house brands, is helping dealers scale their business from their same retail space, thereby improving their ROI. A tile dealer is taking up modular kitchen distribution too, and a plumbing dealer is looking to include electrical products in his store. Some are even looking at selling 3-4 categories from their existing space. This helps a dealer extract a higher wallet share from their customer, architect, contractor or project, whomsoever they are supplying.
Hence, slowly and steadily Infra.Market is improving the supply infrastructure of this industry across India. Today, it boasts 12k+ direct dealers/distributors, and many of them are buying multiple categories of products. Some who are keen on retailing at a larger scale, set up a 3000-5000 sq ft franchisee store too. We have 30+ such stores across the country. All our dealers and franchisees get our tech support, which in turn helps them optimise their inventory norms and manage timely stock turn ratios.
This omnichannel product strategy helps us get entry into big dealer stores by expanding their offering rather than competing with their bestselling brand at the counter.
StartupTalky: What challenges do you foresee as Infra.Market scales, and how are you preparing to address them?
Mr. Sharda: While Infra.Market has seen strong growth, building materials remain a capital-intensive business with long payment cycles and high credit risk due to their unorganised nature. Margins are also low if the model is a pure distribution. Managing cash flows and delayed payments continues to be a key challenge, especially as we scale and expand into new markets.
Efficient working capital management is critical, and we are actively strengthening our financing ecosystem. Self-owned manufacturing and higher contribution from private labels help us improve on margins too. Even as we navigate these challenges, our focus remains on driving value for our customers while maintaining operational efficiency and financial discipline.
StartupTalky: What are Infra.Market’s major growth plans and priorities for the next 2-3 years?
Mr. Sharda: ,Our revenue growth has allowed us to expand into new product categories, strengthen manufacturing, and improve supply chain efficiency. We look to add 50 Plants per year for our concrete business and mirror the footprint of these plant locations basis wherever the residential and commercial growth is happening. This is fueled by ambitious infrastructure spending by both the government and the private sector.
Infrastructure growth remains one of the top priorities for the Government, as seen in budget allocations. And the need for smart cities, highways, airports and roads is only on the rise, which is a strong tailwind fueling our growth plans. We are the country’s biggest AAC Blocks manufacturer with nine operational plants and look to add 5-6 more as the industry pivots from Red Brick to AAC Blocks for long-term sustainability and strength.
On similar lines, our state-of-the-art Pipes and Fitting Plant is coming up in Naidupeta. A couple of plants have already been commissioned for Wood Panels in Rudrapur and Yamuna Nagar, and capacity expansion is planned there too. Tiles is another sector where we are second in the country in terms of manufacturing capacity, and we intend to boost that further to become industry leaders.
Other categories will also see similar expansion in manufacturing capacity, and further, we look to expand our dealer network. An extensive dealer network enables deeper penetration into projects across Tier B and C cities, where distribution remains highly fragmented. Continued technology upgrades and increased presence in these regions are key drivers of long-term growth.
As platform awareness and tech adoption rise, we anticipate entering more projects, strengthening existing relationships and sustaining our growth momentum across infrastructure, real estate, and retail markets.
In the last few years, Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) startups have completely rewritten the Indian retail playbook. By eliminating middlemen, mastering storytelling, and delivering superior customer experiences online, these brands have earned love, loyalty and in many cases, unicorn status.
The D2C wave in India is an exciting combination of innovation, agility, and consumer obsession. It includes skincare, smartwatches, snacks, and sleep solutions. And what’s even more exciting? There is still a lot to be done in the market.
According to a report by Statista, the Indian D2C market is expected to reach $60 billion by 2027, up from just $12 billion in 2022. That’s a 5x growth in just three years driven by increasing internet penetration, digital payments, and consumer demand for curated, quality-first experiences.
Startups are now not just launching online they’re scaling with omni-channel playbooks, influencer-led marketing, and personalized customer journeys. Backed by investors and loved by millions, these brands are setting new standards. Here’s our handpicked list of 30 top D2C startups in India that are leading this retail revolution in 2025.
Minimalist was launched in 2020 and is now a leading D2C skincare brand in India, highlighting ingredient transparency and science-backed formulations. In January 2025, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced the acquisition of a 90.5% stake in Minimalist for INR 2,955 crore, aiming to bolster its presence in the premium skincare segment.
SUGAR Cosmetics is a renowned cosmetic brand known for offering cruelty-free range for different Indian skin tones. In FY23, the company reported an 89% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching INR 420 crore, while maintaining a net loss of approximately INR 76 crore.
The Whole Truth
The Whole Truth – D2C Startups in India
The Whole Truth is on a mission to bring back trust in packaged products with 100% clean-label snacks. The brand achieved an 81% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching INR 65.3 crore in FY24, up from INR 35.9 crore in FY23.
Licious
Licious – D2C Startups in India
Licious has transformed India’s meat industry by offering a tech-driven, farm-to-fork model that ensures fresh and high-quality products are delivered directly to consumer’s doorsteps. Licious targets a $2 billion valuation for an IPO in 2026, plans to become profitable through category expansion and deeper market penetration.
boAt
boAt – D2C Startups in India
A youth favourite, boAt blends stylish audio wear with affordability. In FY24, boAt’s revenue slightly declined by 5% to INR 3,122 crore from INR 3,285 crore in FY23.
Dot & Key
Dot & Key – D2C Startups in India
Dot & Key entered India’s skincare market with its fruit-based formulations targeting young consumers. In August 2024, Nykaa increased its stake in Dot & Key from 51% to 90% by investing INR 265 crore, underscoring the brand’s significant growth potential.
Mamaearth
Mamaearth – D2C Startups in India
Founded by Ghazal and Varun Alagh, Mamaearth transformed India’s personal care market with its toxin-free, nature-inspired range. It holds about 5.4% of the online beauty and personal care (BPC) market and 1.5% of the overall BPC market in India.
Wakefit
Wakefit – D2C Startups in India
What started with memory foam mattresses is now a full-fledged home solutions brand. Wakefit’s data-driven design and D2C pricing disrupted a sleepy industry, pun intended. It raised $105M in funding with a current valuation of $275M.
Innovist
Innovist – D2C Startups in India
Innovist is a science-led personal care company, founded in 2018 by Rohit Chawla, Sifat Khurana, and Vimal Bhola, that operates a house-of-brands model. Moreover, the brand achieved a 61.7% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching INR 333 crore in FY24.
Sleepy Owl
Sleepy Owl – D2C Startups in India
This D2C coffee brand offers cold brews, ground coffee, and more. With chic packaging and bold marketing, it’s made specialty coffee more mainstream in India. It has an authorized share capital of INR 50 lakh with a paid-up capital of INR 40.86 lakh.
Lenskart
Lenskart – D2C Startups in India
Despite being omnichannel today, Lenskart was originally a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand. It continues to innovate in customer experience with 3D try-ons and AI-powered fittings. It commands a 79% market share in India’s eyewear sector.
House of EM5
House of EM5 – D2C Startups in India
House of EM5 offers premium, long-lasting perfumes at affordable prices, committed to make luxury fragrances accessible to everyone in India. The brand also secured a INR 1 crore investment on Shark Tank India Season 4, with Aman Gupta backing the brand.
Nua
Nua – D2C Startups in India
Nua is a women’s wellness brand that offers high-quality, sustainable period care with personalized wellness subscriptions. It stands out for its strong community and content-led engagement. The founders own 24.74%, while funds hold 57.70% of the company.
Plum Goodness
Plum – D2C Startups in India
Plum is an eco-friendly personal care brand that offers clean beauty with vegan formulations. Its success lies in balancing sustainability with affordability. Plum Goodness reported a revenue run rate of INR 350 crore at the close of the 2024 financial year.
mCaffeine
mCaffeine – D2C Startups in India
Founded in 2016, mCaffeine is India’s first caffeinated personal care brand, offering a range of products infused with caffeine, such as body scrubs, face washes, and shampoos. In FY24, mCaffeine’s revenue declined by 6% to INR 193 crore from INR 205 crore in FY23, attributed to a decrease in the sales of caffeinated beauty products.
Happilo
Happilo – D2C Startups in India
Happilo was founded in 2016 by Vikas D. Nahar and is one of the leading D2C brands in the Indian healthy snacking segment. It offers premium dry fruits, trail mixes, and nuts. It has expanded to over 15,000 general trade stores and maintains a strong online presence, generating approximately INR 40 crore in monthly revenue, primarily through e-commerce platforms.
Rage Coffee
Rage Coffee – D2C Startups in India
Rage Coffee is a Delhi-based D2C brand offering plant-based, vitamin-infused instant coffees. The company has expanded its product range to include cold brew bags, frothers, and gluten-free snack bars. In August 2024, GRM Overseas acquired a 44% stake in Rage Coffee’s parent company, Swmabhan Commerce, to expand its presence in the Indian coffee market.
SuperBottoms
SuperBottoms – D2C Startups in India
SuperBottoms is a Mumbai-based D2C brand specializing in eco-friendly, reusable cloth diapers and baby care products. With over 2 lakh parents using its products, SuperBottoms has established a strong customer base. The brand has also ventured into offline retail, opening its first kiosk in a Mumbai mall in October 2022.
The Moms Co.
The Moms Co. – D2C Startups in India
The Moms Co. is a Gurugram-based D2C brand offering toxin-free personal care products for mothers and babies. It was acquired by The Good Glamm Group in 2021; the brand has expanded its product range and market presence. Served over 2 million customers, offering more than 50 products across various categories.
Bombay Shaving Company
Bombay Shaving Company – D2C Startups in India
Bombay Shaving Company began as a D2C men’s grooming brand founded in 2015 by Shantanu Deshpande and the team, offering shaving kits, skincare, fragrances, and hair removal solutions. The brand raised $52.7 million in funding from investors like Colgate-Palmolive, Sixth Sense Ventures, and Malabar Investments, with a current valuation of $94.4 million as of January 2024.
Country Delight
Country Delight – D2C Startups in India
Country Delight is known for sourcing milk directly from farmers; the brand ensures its products are fresh and pure. It made INR 1,380 crore in revenue for FY24, marking a 46% increase from INR 943 crore in FY23.
Slurrp Farm
Slurrp Farm – D2C Startups in India
Slurrp Farm specializes in millet-based packaged foods for children. The brand offers a range of healthy snacks and meal options, aiming to provide nutritious alternatives for young consumers. The brand made INR 73.2 crore in revenue for FY24, reflecting significant growth in the healthy snacking segment.
Scooboo
Scooboo – D2C Startups in India
Scooboo is a stationery brand that has transformed the Indian stationery market by offering a curated selection of over 15,000 products from more than 200 global and domestic brands. It made INR 7.7 crore ($959K) in revenue for FY23, reflecting its growing presence in the online stationery segment.
Snitch
Snitch – D2C Startups in India
Snitch is a fast-growing men’s fashion brand that has rapidly expanded its presence both online and offline. Commands a 2.4% market share in India’s men’s fashion e-commerce segment, competing with international brands like Zara and H&M.
HealthKart
HealthKart – D2C Startups in India
HealthKart is a health and nutrition brand specializing in dietary supplements, protein powders, and wellness products. It made INR 1,069 crore in total revenue for FY24, marking a 23% increase from INR 869 crore in FY23.
Flatheads
Flatheads – D2C Startups in India
Flatheads is a Bengaluru-based D2C sneaker brand that gained national attention after its appearance on Shark Tank India. The products are available in India, with plans to expand into the US and UAE markets.
Baaya Design
Baaya Design – D2C Startups in India
Baaya Design is a Mumbai-based interior décor studio founded in 2009 by Shibani Jain. In July 2024, Baaya Design transformed its flagship store in Mumbai into an immersive Experience Center, enhancing customer engagement through interactive displays and curated installations
Earth Rhythm
Earth Rhythm – D2C Startups in India
Earth Rhythm is a Gurugram-based clean beauty brand founded in 2019 by Harini Sivakumar, a former banker and cosmetic chemist. In August 2024, Nykaa acquired a majority stake in Earth Rhythm, making it a subsidiary of Nykaa.
Candes
Candes – D2C Startups in India
Candes is a Delhi-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) home appliances brand founded in 2010 by brothers Sandeep and Vipin Aggarwal. Approximately 80% of Candes’ business is derived from digital platforms, reflecting the shift in consumer buying behavior towards online channels.
Juicy Chemistry
Juicy Chemistry – D2C Startups in India
Juicy Chemistry is a Coimbatore-based D2C organic personal care brand founded in 2014 by Megha Desai Asher and Pritesh Asher. The brand offers a range of skincare, haircare, and body care products formulated with natural ingredients. It made INR 29 crore in revenue for FY22, marking a significant increase from INR 25 crore in FY21.
Conclusion
The D2C model will become stronger as India embraces online shopping and digital-first experiences. The success of these brands can be attributed to their ability to meet customer needs directly while delivering exceptional products.
FAQs
What are D2C brands?
Direct to consumer marketing (D2C) brands are companies that promote and sell a product or service directly to consumers.
What are some of the top D2C brands in India?
Mama Earth, boAt, Plum, Minimalist, Sugar Cosmetics, HealthKart, Slurrp Farm, Licious are some of the top D2C brands in India.
Why are D2C brands successful?
Most D2C brands are successful because they don’t have to share first-party data with retailers as they directly sell the products to consumers.
What is the D2C full form?
D2C can be elaborated as Direct to Consumer. This model is used to denote the companies that ship their products directly to the customers without any middlemen or the involvement of any other external sources.
Vivek Dev Jacob
