In an effort to revolutionise how consumers find and purchase clothes, InMobi’s mobile content platform Glance has introduced Glance AI, a generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) commerce engine.
The site combines AI-styled looks with photorealistic try-ons, including avatar modelling, to provide a customised shopping experience. A similar application that allows customers to visually try on clothing was also introduced by Google earlier this week in the United States.
According to Glance CEO Naveen Tewari, the company has collaborated with Google and a few other players, and then all of the components were put together at Glance’s end and adjusted the model to function flawlessly. Almost $100 million, if not more, would be needed to get it here.
Glance runs digital platforms like the trends-first platform Roposo and lock screen search Glance. In addition to Google, Glance, an InMobi subsidiary, is backed by Jio Platforms and Mithril Capital. Now accessible globally on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, the latest product from the Singapore-based company is available.
Expansion Plans of Glance
The Glance intends to expand into more recent sectors like beauty, accessories, and travel later this year, even if the original model is educated in fashion. The model itself is trained on Google’s Gemini and Imagen on Vertex AI, providing consumers with individualised, incredibly lifelike experiences.
The foundation of Glance’s AI model is an open architecture with extensive hardware and software connections with telecom providers, manufacturers, and brands. It transforms brand shopfronts into AI shopfronts, TVs into home commerce gadgets, and phones into AI phones.
According to Glance, the site has more than 1.5 million active users in a few weeks. Over 40 million style requests have been made by users, of whom 50% have downloaded or shared their customised looks and 40% have tapped through to start a shopping adventure.
Glance AI’s unique selling proposition, according to CEO Naveen Tewari, is that it enables consumers to find their AI-curated, stylised looks, in contrast to traditional e-commerce sites that merely present a variety of products for browsing or searching.
Offering Users 400 Global Brands on Just One Click
With a single click, customers may buy from more than 400 international brands. Users will continue to have control over their data, according to Glance. Regarding pricing, CEO Naveen Tewari claimed that Glance AI is the most sophisticated and economical picture-generating system available today.
“That’s among the most important concepts we collaborate with Google on. If the prices had been ten times greater, we couldn’t have made this sustainable,” the CEO continued.
Tewari added that he anticipates cost reductions as the brand develops. He went on to say that one of their most valuable intellectual properties is the low-cost, high-fidelity image.
According to the corporation, the model is trained using data from almost 20 years of international trade, picking up fresh insights from emerging trends, cultures, and consumer behaviour. Additionally, the transaction journey model’s agent AI recognises shoppers’ intentions before they do.
Consumer internet company, Glance, and Google Cloud today announced a strategic partnership to bring the power of generative AI (gen AI) to millions of Glance-enabled smartphones worldwide. Through this collaboration, Glance will leverage Google’s AI models to develop consumer-facing AI applications designed to enhance and enrich user experiences on smartphone lock screens and ambient TV screens.
Glance, a pioneer in delivering AI-powered smart lock screen experiences, currently powers more than 450 million Android-based smartphones worldwide. The company has an active user base of more than 300 million across India, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and other countries. It is now building the next generation of Glance, which aims to turn every user’s lock screen into the center of their digital experiences, integrating their news, sports, games, entertainment, fashion, and shopping with gen AI to create a ‘personal internet’ for the user.
Glance will leverage Google Cloud’s Gemini intelligence capabilities and Imagen’s state of the art image generation capabilities via Vertex AI to power Glance’s next-gen experiences. One of the first experiences is an immersive, gen AI-enabled commerce feature for the lock screen. This feature allows users to upload a single image (selfie or upload from gallery), which is then analyzed to infer their interests and preferences. Users can then use gen AI to generate personalized images that place them in relevant contexts, transforming their lock screen wallpapers. As users visualize themselves with various products, they can make real-time purchase decisions seamlessly from their lock screens.
“Our mission at Glance is to inspire users to become the best version of themselves through discovery-led experiences on surfaces powered by AI. We want to be the world’s largest consumer tech platform, reaching a billion screens by 2028, and our partnership with Google Cloud is key,” said Naveen Tewari, Founder & CEO of InMobi & Glance. “Our combined knowledge, AI capabilities, and expertise uniquely position Glance to deliver the next level of AI-driven experiences for smartphone users, supported by viable business models such as commerce and advertising.”
The partnership comes as Glance prepares to launch ‘Glance AI,’ a gen AI-powered platform designed to deliver immersive discovery experiences on both smartphone lock screens and TV ambient screens. To be launched in the U.S. market first, Glance AI aims to supercharge ordinary smartphones into AI phones through experiences that redefine content and commerce.
Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud added, “Generative AI technologies have the power to transform experiences for people around the world, and mobile phones are a key touchpoint. Glance can now harness Google Cloud’s cutting-edge gen AI technologies to develop groundbreaking applications across commerce, content, and more that will unlock new possibilities for customers.”
Launched in 2019, Glance is one of the earliest to unlock the potential of the smartphone lock screen, providing unique AI-driven personalized content discovery experiences. The Glance smart lock screen is delivered in partnership with OEMs and telcos. All functions are customizable, opt-in, and do not access user data, while maintaining user privacy. The platform relies on usage patterns to continually refine its recommendation engine and provide the best-in-class experience to the consumers.
About Glance Founded in 2019, Glance is a consumer technology company that operates some of the most disruptive digital platforms including Glance, Roposo, and Nostra. Glance has redefined the way the internet is consumed on the lock screen, removing the need for searching and downloading apps. Over 450 million smartphones now come enabled with Glance’s next-generation internet experience. Roposo has revolutionized commerce by launching a destination for creator-led live entertainment commerce. Headquartered in Singapore, Glance is an unconsolidated subsidiary of InMobi and is funded by Jio Platforms, Google, and Mithril Capital.
About Google Cloud Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.
Naveen Tewari, whose name has become synonymous with entrepreneurial excellence, is the genius behind not just one but two multi-billion-dollar companies: InMobi and Glance. But behind every success story is a tale of struggle, which in Naveen’s case started from the serene streets of Kanpur and became a world empire.
Tewari’s path has been anything but ordinary—from launching India’s first unicorn to shaking up mobile advertising and content delivery. He has turned adversity into opportunity, using a foundation of innovation, resilience, and deep knowledge of technology’s power to change the world and build his legacy. This StartupTalky article will tell the amazing story of the man who didn’t just ride the wave of change but made it.
In this StartupTalky article, we will explore Naveen Tewari’s success story, including his early life, history, childhood, personal life, education, achievements, and more.
Naveen Tewari’s life of entrepreneurial success was carved out in an environment he grew up in, one of learning and nurturing curiosity and innovation. He was born into a nurturing home and developed by a pedagogic father whose very essence, like his mother’s, was the urge for intellectual exploration and ambition. Their encouragement fostered Naveen’s entrepreneurial spirit, laying a strong foundation for a future leader.
From a young age, Naveen was naturally curious about technology and problem-solving. He was raised to think for himself and follow big ideas, qualities that made his career.
Naveen began pursuing Computer Science Engineering at the illustrious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. IIT Kanpur is famous for its challenging course curriculum and competitive culture, which became the cradle in which Naveen’s passion for technology and entrepreneurship began to develop. He excelled in the scholastic fraternity and participated in surreal technical and entrepreneurial ventures, leading to practical innovation and leadership experiences. Those experiences refined his technical capabilities and helped seed his advent into entrepreneurship for the future.
Naveen took an MBA at Harvard Business School to complement his technical background with a strong understanding of business.
Naveen Tewari – Career
In 2000, Naveen started his career as an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company, where he drove the development of strategies for the top conglomerates of India. However, it was at McKinsey that he learned about how business dynamics and market strategies work.
Naveen, in 2007, along with three friends, began mKhoj, a mobile search engine, but that did not materialize. However, the group soon shifted to mobile advertising and began InMobi in 2008.
Alongside his tenure at InMobi, Naveen cofounded Glance in 2019, helping the business amass a strong reputation for quickly delivering custom content. He was also a member of the Narayana Health Board of Directors (2023–present), Anuva Board of Directors (2023–present), and Paytm Board of Directors (2015–2017). He invested in over 30 startups, including Razorpay and NestAway, and co-founded iSPIRT, which encourages entrepreneurs and product innovation in India.
Glance Financials FY24
In FY23, the company reported an operating revenue of INR 325 crore, total expenses of INR 1,448 crore, and a loss of INR 1,094 crore. In FY24, revenue increased to INR 614 crore, while expenses rose to INR 1,569 crore, resulting in a reduced loss of INR 929 crore.
Naveen Tewari, the founder and CEO of InMobi, is an entrepreneur and a reputed angel investor powered by strategic investments in many startups and different business lines. His investment portfolio is stunning, spanning from seed to Series A. Here’s a detailed overview of his investments:
Bright Money
Fintech company Bright Money helps people manage and optimize their finances. Its goal is to use data-driven approaches to help people pay off debt and save effectively. Naveen invests in fintech startups that use technology to solve real-world problems.
Factors.AI
Factors.AI is focused on automating business operations using AI and machine learning. They propose to predict the needs and trends in real-time to make business processes more efficient. When Naveen invests in a startup, it indicates that he sees potential for AI-driven companies that can disrupt traditional.
Klub
Investments in specific sectors, such as consumer goods and wellness, can enhance quality of life. Naveen joined Klub to help SMBs access more flexible financing options.
Kaarva
Kaarva is a women’s health and wellness brand dedicated to creating personal and intimate care products. Tewari’s interest in innovative consumer goods and wellness sectors, which seek to enhance the quality of life, is evident from his investment here.
PiggyRide
PiggyRide is a ride-sharing platform connecting parents to secure and reliable rides for their children. Backed by Techstars and Tewari, it stands for family-oriented tech solutions that aim to improve everyday living for all young families.
Dextra
Dextra is a custom software development company that provides businesses with a platform for accessing scalable tech solutions. Naveen invested in this company because he believes businesses need software development to grow efficiently.
Yulu is an electric mobility startup that provides eco-friendly and cost-effective transportation solutions in urban areas. Its products include electric bikes and scooters. Tewari’s investment signals his faith in sustainable transport solutions, which are becoming more important in cities today.
Wooplr
Wooplr is a social discovery platform where users share and discover products. It combines social media with e-commerce, creating a unique shopping experience. Naveen’s investment focused on supporting platforms that bridge the social media and commerce gap.
Springboard
Springboard is an online learning platform that offers mentoring-based courses on various subjects. Its main purpose is to help people develop their careers. Tewari supports this platform because he believes in education and skill development.
Indus OS
Indus OS is a mobile operating system that delivers regional language support and helps bridge the language gap for non-English users. Tewari backs this startup because he’s interested in technology that democratizes access to digital tools for the underserved.
In 2020, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined InMobi for tracking user locations without consent. Google’s fine, which amounted to $950,000, was much smaller, at $2.7 billion for a similar issue. However, Naveen Tewari cleared the air and said that the violation was not deliberate but a software glitch. He also stressed that InMobi took the initiative to report the problem to the FTC and has proactively rectified the mistake.
Tewari pointed out that Google’s fine resulted from longstanding issues, while InMobi’s was a one-off, unintentional oversight. InMobi’s speedy disclosure of the glitch and willingness to do so openly stood out as a reflection of the company’s integrity and proactive attitude toward privacy regulations.
Naveen Tewari – Awards and Recognitions
Naveen Tewari has received many distinguished honors and accolades for his exemplary leadership in the technology and entrepreneurship eras. As a tending entrepreneur, the Prime Minister, who honored him with India’s Future Leaders Award in 2015, shook hands with Naveen. That same year, Fortune included him on the 40 Under 40 list, which described him as one of the most potent and respected businesspeople.
Naveen was awarded the Pathbreaker of the Year award for revolutionizing the industry. He received the Forbes India Leadership Award for Best Startup earlier, further proving his entrepreneurial ability. His work within the technology field was so revolutionary that it was one of the world’s 100 Most Creative People, a testimony to his global influence.
In 2013, Naveen won the ‘Distinguished Alumnus’ award for Entrepreneurship Excellence at IIT Kanpur. Also, in 2013, the Pathbreaker of the Year was brought to him by the Narendra Modi government, which greatly respected him. 2013 had him shipping along as the seventh most important man on Business Insider’s Mobile Power List and 2012 at the second. In 2013, he was also named by The Drum’s Mobile Top 50, which denotes his international eminence in mobile technologies.
Naveen Tewari – Quotes
💡
The most important lesson to remember is that failure is inevitable, but so is success, so rebound.
FAQs
Who is Naveen Tewari?
Naveen Tewari is the founder and CEO of InMobi, a global mobile advertising technology company.
What is Naveen Tewari education?
Naveen Tewari is an IIT Kanpur graduate and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Glance, a trailblazing innovation by the InMobi Group is redefining smartphone engagement through its revolutionary lock screen technology. With its presence on over 400 million smartphones, Glance transforms the lock screen into a gateway for immersive experiences, granting users instant access to real-time updates, entertainment, and dynamic content—all without the need to open multiple apps.
Central to Glance’s innovation is its AI Wallpaper feature, a state-of-the-art application of artificial intelligence that creates personalized and ever-changing backgrounds. Unlike traditional static wallpapers, AI Wallpaper dynamically adapts to user preferences, curating a visual journey that resonates with individual interests. From breathtaking landscapes to iconic cultural landmarks and celebrated sports personalities, the lock screen evolves into a vibrant canvas of tailored content, refreshing with every glance.
This seamless integration of personalization and functionality exemplifies Glance’s commitment to enhancing user experiences. Whether it’s delivering engaging content, stunning visuals, or a quick snapshot of the latest news, Glance ensures that the smartphone lock screen is no longer a static barrier but a dynamic, engaging touchpoint. By merging cutting-edge AI with intuitive design, Glance continues to captivate users and set new benchmarks in mobile technology.
This post provides you with information about how Glance started, its Startup Story, History, Tagline, Logo, Business Model, Funding, Revenue, Competitors, Growth, and more.
Glance – Company Highlights
Name
Glance Smart Lock Screen
Headquarters
Bengaluru, India
Sector
Artificial Intelligence
Founder
Naveen Tewari, Abhay Singhal, Mohit Saxena and Piyush Shah
Glance revolutionizes the smartphone experience with its smart lock screen, delivering personalized content, news, and entertainment directly to users without the need to unlock their phones or download additional apps. It transforms the lock screen into a dynamic space for discovery and engagement.
In addition to curated content, Glance offers Glance Games, a free gaming service that includes popular titles like Fruit Chop, Bubble Shooter, and Snake vs Block. With these games accessible right from the lock screen, users can enjoy quick, entertaining breaks anytime, enhancing their overall smartphone experience. Glance transforms your smartphone lock screen into an engaging, personalized experience. With visually stunning content and interactive features, Glance ensures every time you unlock your phone, something is exciting waiting for its user.
A standout feature is Glance Games, offering a wide range of options—from mind-stimulating puzzles to adrenaline-pumping adventures. These games provide a quick escape and a fun way to recharge during a busy day. Plus, Glance uses advanced algorithms to curate content and games tailored to individual preferences, ensuring your lock screen reflects your interests and passions, and making every interaction both entertaining and meaningful.
Glance transforms mobile lock screens into a smart, interactive hub for content management and advertising. The platform delivers personalized, real-time content in the user’s preferred language, offering everything from news updates and short videos to gaming experiences. This direct, user-first approach makes Glance a standout player in the mobile ecosystem.
As part of InMobi, Glance combines cutting-edge technology with innovative monetization strategies, setting a new standard for how content and commerce intersect on mobile devices.
Glance – Industry
India’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry is on a rapid growth trajectory. The AI market, valued at $8 billion in 2025, is expected to surge to $17 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 25-35%. Demand for AI talent is also rising, with a projected 15% CAGR, and India boasts the second-largest AI talent pool globally, with 420,000 professionals. Companies are increasingly adopting AI with structured frameworks and dedicated leadership driving innovative use cases.
Glance – Founders and Team
Naveen Tewari
Naveen Tewari – Founder and CEO of Glance and InMobi
Naveen Tewari is the Founder and CEO of Glance and InMobi. Naveen Tewari is an accomplished entrepreneur with a Bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Tewari has been instrumental in shaping Glance and InMobi into globally recognized companies at the forefront of innovation in mobile technology and advertising.
Piyush Shah
Piyush Shah – Co-founder of InMobi, President & COO of Glance
Piyush Shah is the Co-founder of InMobi and President & COO of Glance. Piyush Shah brings extensive expertise in strategy and product development. He holds an MBA in Strategy and Marketing from the Indian School of Business (ISB) and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering. Shah previously led InMobi’s Marketing Cloud and played a pivotal role in building its performance advertising business and developer platforms.
Mohit Saxena
Mohit Saxena – Co-founder and CTO of InMobi and Glance
Mohit Saxena is the Co-founder and CTO of InMobi and Glance. Mohit Saxena has a deep background in technology and telecommunications. Prior to InMobi, Saxena worked at Virgin Mobile and AT&T, where he contributed to innovative solutions and filed several telecommunications patents. His technical acumen drives InMobi and Glance’s tech-forward strategies.
Abhay Singhal
Abhay Singhal – Co-founder and CRO of InMobi
Abhay Singhal is the Co-founder and CRO of InMobi. Abhay Singhal is a visionary entrepreneur with a Bachelor’s degree from IIT Kanpur, where he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013 for his excellence in entrepreneurship. At InMobi, Singhal oversees global revenue strategies, having previously spearheaded the company’s expansion in Europe and led HR initiatives. His career reflects a passion for growth and innovation.
Glance – Startup Story
Glance, conceptualized in 2015 and officially launched in 2017, emerged after extensive iterations to perfect its product-market fit. Over the years, InMobi has played a pivotal role in shaping Glance’s trajectory across four critical domains: product development, content curation, OEM partnerships, and team building.
Designed with the Indian consumer in mind, Glance integrates unique features catering to regional language preferences, ensuring accessibility and relevance for its diverse user base. Employing advanced algorithms, Glance delivers a personalized array of “glances” tailored to individual user preferences, much like the curated experiences found on platforms such as Twitter now X, Facebook, and Instagram.
While Glance has already captured the attention of millions with its innovative lock screen experience, the platform remains in an exploratory phase regarding monetization strategies.
Glance focuses on reinventing how users find and interact with content. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning, they deliver curated, relevant updates that save time and enhance engagement—ensuring users get what they need when they need it.
Their Vision
They strive to make content a tool for empowerment rather than a source of distraction. Glance helps individuals enjoy an effortless flow of information while making it easy to step back and reconnect with the real world, promoting a healthier balance between digital and physical life.
Glance is more than just a platform—it’s a gateway to a smarter, more thoughtful way of experiencing content, designed to enrich life without overwhelming it.
Glance – Name, Tagline and Logo
Glance Logo
The vibrant yet balanced color palette symbolizes energy, creativity and focus. Together, these elements make the logo memorable and reflective of the brand’s ethos—delivering value at a glance.
Tagline: “Content in a Snap”—this tagline captures the essence of Glance’s offering. It emphasizes how users can access meaningful content instantly without unnecessary clutter.
Glance’s name, tagline and logo come together to represent a dynamic and user-centric platform, redefining how people connect with digital content.
Glance – Business Model
Glance has carved out a unique niche in the mobile ecosystem by leveraging lock screens as a dynamic space for both content delivery and advertising. Here’s a closer look at its business model and how it works:
Content: Glance curates a rich variety of content in multiple languages, ranging from real-time news updates to engaging short videos and interactive gaming experiences. The content is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, ensuring it is personalized and relevant to each user’s preferences and behavior.
Advertising: Advertising forms the backbone of Glance’s business, contributing a significant 76% of its operating revenue in FY23. By delivering ads directly on the lock screen, Glance provides brands with a unique and highly visible platform to connect with users in an unobtrusive yet effective manner.
Lock Screen Innovation: The lock screen is Glance’s core touchpoint, transformed into a “smart surface” that offers curated experiences aligned with the user’s intent. By meeting users directly on their phones—without requiring app downloads or additional steps—Glance maximizes engagement and creates valuable opportunities for advertisers.
Glance – Revenue Model
Glance, a B2C unit of the advertising technology giant InMobi, has built a robust revenue model centered around three primary streams:
Mobile Advertising: The cornerstone of Glance’s revenue is mobile advertising, contributing a significant 76% of its operating revenue in FY23. By leveraging its lock screen platform, Glance provides advertisers with a unique, high-visibility space to engage users directly, delivering targeted ads alongside personalized content.
Creator- or Influencer-Driven Commerce: Glance taps into the power of creators and influencers to drive commerce. By seamlessly integrating product promotions and collaborations into the platform, Glance creates opportunities for users to discover and purchase items endorsed by trusted voices.
Digital Commerce: In addition to influencer-driven sales, Glance also generates revenue through direct digital commerce initiatives. The platform’s curated content and interactive experiences serve as a springboard for engaging users in online shopping activities.
As a platform hosting diverse and dynamic content, Glance faces the challenge of ensuring all material aligns with high standards of appropriateness. To address this, Glance employs a hybrid moderation model:
AI Moderation: Automates content screening at scale, detecting potentially inappropriate or harmful material swiftly.
Human Oversight: Complements AI by leveraging human judgment for nuanced and context-sensitive decisions, ensuring the integrity of content standards.
This dual approach allows Glance to balance efficiency with accuracy, catering to the varied expectations of its audience.
Scalability and Personalization
Glance’s ability to handle massive user engagement while delivering tailored experiences is driven by its robust AI infrastructure:
Advanced Techniques: Utilizes distributed programming, clustering and machine learning algorithms to manage enormous volumes of user data and interactions.
Experienced Team: Engineers with expertise from global ad networks have developed sophisticated systems to ensure seamless scalability and personalization.
User-Centric Content Creation
Glance’s content strategy starts with a deep understanding of its users, ensuring that personalization is both relevant and engaging. By leveraging AI-driven insights and user behavior patterns, the platform creates experiences that resonate, while maintaining a strict focus on appropriateness and quality.
Glance – Funding and Investors
Glance has secured funding from prominent investors, to drive its growth, innovation and expansion in the smart lock screen and content delivery ecosystem.
Announced Date
Transaction Name
Money Raised
Lead Investors
Feb 14,2022
Series D
$200M
Reliance Jio
Dec 22, 2020
Series C
$145M
Google
Sept 10, 2019
Venture Round
$45M
Mithril Capital
Glance – Investments
Glance invested in Collective Artists Network on October 25, 2021, to strengthen its content ecosystem and creator-driven commerce capabilities.
Glance – Mergers and Acquisitions
Glance strengthened its ecosystem through strategic acquisitions
Acquiree Name
Announced Date
NostraGamus
Mar 24, 2022
Shop 1
Jun 4, 2021
Glance – Growth
Fiscal Year
Operating Revenue
Total Expenses
Profit/Loss
FY23
INR 325 crore
INR 1,448 crore
INR -1,094
FY24
INR 614 crore
INR 1,569 crore
INR -929
Glance Financials FY24
In FY23, the company reported an operating revenue of INR 325 crore, total expenses of INR 1,448 crore, and a loss of INR 1,094 crore. In FY24, revenue increased to INR 614 crore, while expenses rose to INR 1,569 crore, resulting in a reduced loss of INR 929 crore.
FY24 Key Metrics: Glance’s ROCE was -1191% and its EBITDA margin stood at -134.9%.
Efficiency Improvement: The company spent Rs 2.55 to earn Rs 1 of revenue in FY24, reflecting an improvement in operational efficiency compared to FY23.
Glance – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
JUNG-E GLANCE: A Breakthrough Esports Campaign
JUNG-E GLANCE: A Breakthrough Esports Campaign
Glance’s latest advertisement campaign, “JUNG-E GLANCE,” made waves in the esports community by showcasing an exciting esports league featuring a lineup of popular games. Titles such as Valorant, Grand Theft Auto 5, Clash of Clans, Call of Duty, Freefire Max and Apex Legends were among the highlights of this groundbreaking initiative.
The campaign was powered by BattleXO, a homegrown Indian e-gaming platform, bringing an authentic and localized touch to the event. Launched on September 17, 2022, the league was streamed live on Glance’s website, drawing significant attention and engagement.
A Resounding Success
The esports league captivated India’s vibrant gaming community, attracting numerous young gamers nationwide. This successful campaign not only reinforced Glance’s position as an innovative advertising platform but also demonstrated its ability to connect with the ever-growing gaming audience in India.
Glance – Awards and Achievements
Award-Winning Campaigns
American Tourister: A creative and engaging campaign that leveraged Glance’s smart lock screen to captivate audiences and elevate the brand’s visibility.
Kuku FM: Showcased Glance’s strength in driving personalized content experiences, helping Kuku FM reach its target audience effectively.
Nerolac: An impactful campaign that utilized Glance’s unique platform to deliver immersive advertising experiences, enhancing brand engagement.
Glance – Competitors
Glance faces competition from players like the following which also provide personalized content and entertainment experiences on smart devices.
My LiveChat
GiosgBold
Chat
Glance – Future Plans
Glance is set to revolutionize content delivery with the upcoming Glance Developer Platform, designed to offer developers significant opportunities to craft premium, immersive experiences for users.
Initial Rollout and Success
Glance TV, the first phase of this initiative has already launched on over 1 million Airtel Xstream devices, showcasing impressive engagement metrics.
Users are spending an average of 200 minutes across three sessions daily, reflecting the platform’s strong resonance with audiences.
Future Expansion Plans
Glance aims to extend its reach to 4 million devices in India by June 2025, solidifying its presence in the domestic market.
Global ambitions are also in sight, with plans to expand the platform to select international markets, paving the way for a broader impact.
This initiative underscores Glance’s commitment to empowering developers while enhancing user experiences, further positioning itself as a leader in the content and advertising ecosystem.
FAQs
What does Glance do?
Glance is an Indian technology company known for its lock screen content platform, delivering personalized news, entertainment, games, and shopping experiences directly on smartphone lock screens.
Who are Glance founders?
The founders of Glance are Naveen Tewari, Abhay Singhal, Mohit Saxena, and Piyush Shah.
In recent years, India has witnessed a remarkable surge in startups achieving the prestigious “unicorn” status. These privately held startup companies, valued at over $1 billion, signify the vibrant growth of India’s startup ecosystem. While the United States and China lead globally in the number of unicorns, India has secured a spot in the top three countries, showcasing the rapid development of its startup landscape.
Several Indian startups have attained unicorn status unprecedentedly, earning the title of fastest unicorn. This growth can be attributed to factors such as increasing smartphone and internet penetration, urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and substantial funding opportunities supported by government initiatives like Startup India and Digital India.
This article analyzes some rapidly evolving Indian firms that have quickly earned association in the elite unicorn club. These fastest unicorns’ unique ideas have gained funding and validation from top global investors. They are also driving a revolution in India’s major industries.
Bhavish Aggarwal and Krishnamurthy Venugopala Tenneti
India’s Unicorn Companies – Krutrim
Launched in December 2023, Krutrim Ai Designs was founded by Bhavish Aggarwal and Krishnamurthy Venugopala Tenneti. Krutrim is a large language model (LLM) that comes in two versions: the base Krutrim model, which comprehends 22 Indian languages and can generate content in 10 languages, and the more advanced Krutrim Pro.
Developed entirely in India, Krutrim aims to align with Indian cultural nuances and cost structures to support the advancement of AI in the country. In a remarkable feat, Krutrim swiftly secured $50 million in funding, catapulting its valuation to an impressive $1 billion. This rapid ascent not only marks Krutrim as India’s first unicorn of 2024 but also positions it as the fastest startup in the country to achieve this milestone, accomplishing it within just one month of launching its large language model.
Mensa Brands is a technology-led investment platform that helps founders of digital-first brands grow their businesses using data, technology, and team expertise. It is an Indian startup that acquires direct-to-consumer brands and helps them scale within the home market and overseas. Mensa Brands currently houses 12 brands, 80% of which are run by women, and operate in three categories- apparel, beauty and personal care, and home.
Mensa became a unicorn, with a valuation of more than one billion dollars, just six months after it was founded. Ananth Narayanan launched it in May 2021; by November 2021, it was a unicorn. It raised $135 million in a Series B fundraising round headed by Falcon Edge’s Alpha Wave Ventures, valued at $1.2 billion.
GlobalBees
Company
GlobalBees
Founded
2021
Founders
Nitin Agarwal and Supam Maheshwari
India’s Unicorn Companies – GlobalBees
GlobalBees, founded in 2021 by Nitin Agarwal and Supam Maheshwari, brings digitally native brands into its fold, spanning various categories like beauty, personal care, home and kitchen, food and nutrition, and sports and lifestyle. These brands typically generate revenue ranging from $1 million to $20 million. GlobalBees assists these firms in expanding their reach by partnering with them and facilitating sales through marketplaces and other channels, both within India and internationally.
In December 2021, GlobalBees achieved unicorn status after successfully raising $110 million in its Series B funding round. The round was spearheaded by Premji Invest, the investment firm led by Wipro’s Azim Premji, with participation from existing investors, including Steadview Capital, Lightspeed, SoftBank, and FirstCry. With this infusion of funds, GlobalBees aimed to strengthen its product portfolio, drive further innovation, enhance the customer experience, recruit top talent, and scale its operations.
Ola Electric is an electric vehicle (EV) company dedicated to shaping a brighter, safer, and more sustainable future. Its vision is to establish India as the global hub for EVs by fostering an ecosystem of innovative products, services, and technologies. Ola Electric offers the Ola S1 electric scooter in variants like the Ola S1 Air, Ola S1X, Ola S1, and S1 Pro.
The company’s manufacturing facility, sprawled across a 500-acre, fully automated complex in Pochampalli town, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, is set to become the world’s largest two-wheeler factory. With an impressive annual production capacity of 10 million units, it aims to revolutionize the EV industry globally.
Ola Electric achieved unicorn status within just two years of its founding, having raised $250 million from SoftBank in a Series B funding round. This investment valued Ola Electric at over $1 billion, solidifying its position as a key player in the EV market. Additionally, Bhavish Aggarwal, the company’s founder, announced plans to establish the Battery Innovation Center (BIC) in Bangalore. This facility, considered Asia’s largest Cell R&D facility, signifies Ola Electric’s commitment to driving innovation and advancing EV technology.
Udaan
Company
Udaan
Founded
2016
Founders
Sujeet Kumar, Amod Malviya, and Vaibhav Gupta
India’s Unicorn Companies – Udaan
Udaan, established in late 2016 by former Flipkart executives Sujeet Kumar, Amod Malviya, and Vaibhav Gupta, is a unique B2B marketplace connecting manufacturers and wholesalers with retailers online. Unlike many startups, Udaan operates without a CEO by choice, setting it apart in the industry.
The platform simplifies the onboarding process for merchants, requiring minimal information, and provides effective catalog tools for product presentation. This creates a dynamic, two-way channel for trade, enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, Udaan offers various services, such as credit financing and logistics, to facilitate connections between manufacturers and retailers. Notably, Udaan’s logistics service, Udaan Express, handles 65% of the company’s orders, further streamlining operations.
Recognized as one of the fastest companies to achieve unicorn status, Udaan attained this milestone in September 2018. This underscores its rapid growth and success within the B2B marketplace, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.
On September 15th, 2021, Bengaluru-based Apna achieved unicorn status after securing $100 million in Series C funding led by Tiger Global, valuing the company at $1.1 billion. This remarkable milestone was reached just 21 months after its inception.
Apna provides a platform for job seekers to create profiles showcasing their skills, education, and work experience. Users can search for job opportunities, directly contact companies, schedule interviews, and ultimately secure employment. With India boasting over 300 million blue-collar workers, which is expected to rise annually by approximately 10%, platforms like Apna hold immense potential in this sector. Apna has a robust user base of 16 million individuals, with over 150,000 businesses utilizing the platform for recruitment. Impressively, apna facilitates more than 18 million job interviews every month, underscoring its significance in the Indian job market.
BharatPe is an Indian fintech firm formed in 2018. It offers a QR code-based payment solution software that enables offline businesses and shops to accept digital payments. It was created by Ashneer Grover and Shasvat Nakrani, both IIT Delhi alumni.
It enables retailers to accept payments from over 100 mobile apps with a single QR code that is automatically deposited to their bank account in real-time. The firm has experienced tremendous development, with a monthly transaction value of INR 1500 crores. It is the fourth largest player in the offline payments industry. It raised $370 million in a primary and secondary mix as part of a Series E investment round led by a new investor, New York-based Tiger Global Management. It propelled it to the list of Unicorn Companies.
Founded in 2014 by Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy, and Rahul Jaimini, Swiggy is an Indian online food delivery platform. The founders, despite facing setbacks in previous ventures, pooled their expertise from IIT/IIM backgrounds and startup experience to launch Swiggy. The surge in India’s urban population and the rise of nuclear families where both partners work have fueled the demand for FoodTech services like on-demand delivery, cloud kitchens, and restaurant discovery.
Swiggy distinguished itself by prioritizing logistics and operating its delivery fleet instead of relying on restaurants or third-party services. This strategic move provided a significant competitive edge. Recently, Swiggy joined India’s unicorn club after securing $210 million in funding led by DST and Naspers, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. The funds were utilized to expand its supply chain network, venture into new markets, and bolster its engineering and technology teams.
Naveen Tewari, Abhay Singhal, Mohit Saxena, and Piyush Shah
India’s Unicorn Companies – Swiggy
Glance is an Indian artificial intelligence-based software company that delivers personalized content directly to smartphone lock screens. Its mission is to transform mobile shopping through a unique creator-led commerce strategy, leveraging influencers and celebrities to promote products directly to users on their phone’s lock screen. Co-founded in 2019 by Naveen Tewari, Abhay Singhal, Mohit Saxena, and Piyush Shah, Glance operates as a subsidiary of InMobi.
In an impressive feat, Glance achieved unicorn status within just 20 months by securing $145 million in primary investment from Google and existing investor Mithril Capital. This substantial funding valued Glance at over $1 billion, cementing its status as one of India’s fastest-growing startups at the time.
Glance acquired Roposo, a short-form video platform, to further enhance its offerings to integrate vernacular video content into its platform. The funding was also directed towards strengthening AI capabilities across Glance and Roposo, expanding the technology team, launching new services, enhancing the brand, and facilitating global expansion.
FAQs
Which are the key sectors driving the emergence of fast-growing unicorns?
Key sectors driving the emergence of fast-growing unicorns include financial services, software-as-a-service (SaaS), logistics, transportation, and education technology.
When did Mensa Brands become a unicorn?
Mensa Brands became a unicorn, with a valuation of more than one billion dollars, just six months after it was founded. It raised $135 million in a Series B fundraising round headed by Falcon Edge’s Alpha Wave Ventures, valued at $1.2 billion.
What is Apna?
Apna provides a platform for job seekers to create profiles showcasing their skills, education, and work experience. Users can search for job opportunities, directly contact companies, schedule interviews, and ultimately secure employment.
Which are rapidly evolving Indian unicorn firms?
Some rapidly evolving Indian firms that have quickly earned association in the elite unicorn club are as follows:
