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Tag: KiranaPro

  • KiranaPro Hacked: Servers Wiped Out in Major Breach, Confirms CEO

    The founder of the Indian grocery delivery startup KiranaPro told a media outlet that the company had been hacked and all of its data had been erased.

    Deepak Ravindran, co-founder and CEO of KiranaPro, told a media source that among the deleted data were the company’s app code and its servers that included banks of private client data, such as names, mailing addresses, and payment information.

    Established in December 2024, KiranaPro functions as a buyer app on the Open Network for Digital Commerce of the Indian government, enabling users to buy goods from neighbouring supermarkets and local stores.

    According to the company, KiranaPro has 55,000 consumers, with 30,000–35,000 active purchasers spread throughout 50 cities, placing 2,000 orders per day.

    In contrast to other grocery delivery apps, KiranaPro has a voice-based interface that lets users utilise voice commands in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and English to place orders from nearby stores.

    KiranaPro was Planning to Expand to 100 Cities in 100 Days

    According to Ravindran, the business had intended to reach 100 cities in the 100 days prior to the tragedy. Executives at KiranaPro learnt of the incident on May 26 while accessing their Amazon Web Services account.

    Ravindran told the media that hackers were able to access KiranaPro’s root accounts on GitHub and AWS.

    A file with a sample of activity logs from around the time of the event and a few screenshots of the GitHub security logs were supplied by Ravindran, indicating that the hack occurred after someone obtained access to their systems using a former employee’s account.

     According to Saurav Kumar, chief technology officer at KiranaPro, the attack occurred between May 24 and 25.

    KiranaPro Used Google Authenticator

    The business claimed to have implemented multi-factor authentication on its AWS account using Google Authenticator.

    When they attempted to enter their AWS account last week, Kumar said, the multi-factor code had changed, and all of their Electric Compute Cloud (EC2) services—which provided clients with virtual computers to run their apps—were erased.

    He pointed out that the KiranaPro team can only access the system by using their IAM [Identity and Access Management] account, which allows them to see that the EC2 instances are no longer there.

    However, because they lack the root account, they are unable to obtain any logs or other information. According to Ravindran, KiranaPro has contacted GitHub’s support staff to assist in locating the hacker’s IP addresses and any evidence of the incident.

     Ravindran added that the business is bringing legal action against its former workers, claiming that they failed to provide their login information so that they could access their GitHub accounts and view their logs.

    The manner of the attack remains unknown. Credential theft, including the installation of malware that steals passwords on an employee’s laptop and the absence or non-enforcement of multi-factor authentication, was the source of some of the largest assaults in recent years, including LastPass, Change Healthcare, and Snowflake.

  • Arjun Vaidya of V3 Ventures Invests in KiranaPro, Joins as Mentor to Drive Retail Innovation

    • Arjun Vaidya’s expertise will drive strategic D2C partnerships and enhance KiranaPro’s AI-powered platform, fuelling the brand’s growth and nationwide expansion.
    • His hands-on experience in scaling consumer-facing brands will be instrumental in guiding KiranaPro as it extends its reach to millions of customers nationwide.

    KiranaPro, India’s fully ONDC-integrated, AI-powered quick commerce platform, has strengthened its leadership circle with Arjun Vaidya, Co-Founder of V3 Ventures, joining the brand as an investor and mentor. Inspired by KiranaPro’s mission to empower 12 million neighbourhood kirana stores in the country with a tech-driven approach, Vaidya will also invest an undisclosed amount in the company.

    Arjun will play a key role in shaping the company’s next phase of development. His expertise will be crucial in building strategic partnerships with leading D2C brands, while also exploring new opportunities to enhance KiranaPro’s AI-powered platform. As Mentor, Arjun will closely collaborate with KiranaPro’s leadership team, providing invaluable strategic guidance focused on the company’s growth, expansion, and product innovation.

    Arjun’s entrepreneurial success, particularly as the founder and CEO of Dr. Vaidya’s, a new-age Ayurvedic products company, positions him as a valuable asset to KiranaPro’s journey. Under his leadership, Dr. Vaidya’s scaled rapidly, reaching 5,000 orders a day and building a customer base of 2 million across 16,500 pin codes. He also played an instrumental role in launching more than 80 products of the brand. His hands-on experience in scaling a consumer-facing brand will be instrumental in guiding KiranaPro as it extends its reach to millions of customers nationwide.

    Deepak Ravindran, Founder & CEO, KiranaPro expressed, “Arjun’s journey as a D2C pioneer and his deep understanding of India’s consumer landscape make him an invaluable addition to our leadership circle. His decision to back our vision is a shot in the arm for the entire team. Arjun’s mentorship will accelerate our efforts to build strategic brand partnerships and will help us scale KiranaPro into a nationwide movement for kirana empowerment.” 

    “KiranaPro is redefining how technology can uplift India’s most trusted retail format—the kirana store. Having built and scaled a D2C brand from the ground up, I understand the power of combining digital innovation with deep consumer trust. I’m excited to support KiranaPro’s mission to empower millions of small retailers while bringing modern commerce to every corner of India,” said Arjun Vaidya, Co-Founder, V3 Ventures.

    Since its inception, KiranaPro has made impressive progress, onboarding over 30,000 kirana stores and racking up close to 1000 daily orders across 35 cities. The company is now on track to onboard 1 million kirana stores and serve nearly 100 million customers by the end of 2025. With Arjun’s mentorship and strategic investment, KiranaPro is poised to continue its upward trajectory, solidifying its position as a leader in the digital retail space.

    About KiranaPro

    Founded by Deepak Ravindran, KiranaPro is India’s fully ONDC-integrated, AI-powered quick commerce platform focused on empowering local kirana stores with cutting-edge technology. By enabling 10-minute deliveries and pioneering the no-commission, ad-led revenue model, KiranaPro ensures kirana stores stay competitive in today’s fast-paced retail landscape. 

    KiranaPro Welcomes PV Sindhu as Investor and Brand Ambassador
    KiranaPro, a top AI-powered quick commerce platform in India, has gained strong support with PV Sindhu joining, India’s renowned badminton star, as both an investor and brand ambassador.
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  • ZuperAI and KiranaPro Collaborate to Provide AI-Powered Retail Market Solutions

    Quick commerce platform KiranaPro has teamed up with B2B management platform ZuperAI to provide its users with AI-based retail market solutions, only days after enlisting PV Sindhu as an investor. In order to help consumers and merchants with product discovery, inventory optimisation, and supply chain efficiency, KiranaPro will incorporate ZuperAI’s “Matchmaking AI” technology as part of this collaboration. The connection would help businesses grow their business while also making it easier for users to find products. The fast commerce startup hopes to create a tailored shopping experience while bridging the gap between consumers and retailers. Deepak Ravindran, the founder and CEO of KiranaPro, stated that this partnership is revolutionary for AI-powered business, opening up new possibilities for accuracy, customisation, and operational effectiveness.

    Joining Network of ONDC

    The fast commerce company just joined ONDC, making it the first platform in India to access the nation’s network of more than 7 lakh registered merchants. Before expanding farther into Kerala, the ONDC-powered platform will first begin operations in Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. KiranaPro was founded in 2024 by Ravindran and Dipankar Sarkar with the goal of transforming traditional kirana (retail) establishments by providing them with a flexible income model and an AI-driven interface that aids in managing their digital operations. KiranaPro links local mom-and-pop shops with consumers directly, in contrast to other quick commerce systems that rely on dark stores. Because of its collaboration with ONDC, the firm operates throughout India.

    Why Quick Commerce Companies are Keeping its Platform Hi-Tech and Updated?

    To increase its presence in the hyperlocal retail market, it also purchased Joper.app, a hyperlocal grocery delivery business, earlier this month. In addition to bolstering KiranaPro’s position in the hyperlocal commerce market, the acquisition of Joper.app guarantees local business owners superior tech-enabled solutions that enhance productivity and customer satisfaction, according to Deepak Ravindran, co-founder and CEO of KiranaPro. The action is in line with KiranaPro’s goal of enabling small merchants to take on the big rapid commerce titans. KiranaPro and the merchants collaborating with the brand will benefit from Sumit Gorai’s (founder of Joper.app) knowledge and insights on the mechanics of operating a retail business in India, which he frequently discusses on his YouTube channel.

    The growth coincides with intense competition in India’s fast commerce market. Leading companies like Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto are rapidly growing their quick commerce services, which allow them to deliver food and household necessities in as little as ten minutes. These companies have recently introduced a number of rapid commerce services, such as Swiggy’s SNACC, Zomato’s Bistro, and Zepto Cafe, among many more. Additionally, Zomato’s Blinkit launched a 10-minute ambulance service last month. Notably, the three giants collectively recorded over $1 billion in revenue in FY24, and a survey indicates that sales in India’s rapid commerce sector have increased by 280% over the past two years.

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  • KiranaPro Welcomes PV Sindhu as Investor & Brand Ambassador to Boost Quick Commerce

    KiranaPro, a top AI-powered quick commerce platform in India, has gained strong support with PV Sindhu joining, India’s renowned badminton star, as both an investor and brand ambassador. This is the first investment in KiranaPro’s seed funding round, supporting its mission to modernise India’s retail sector by helping small kirana stores adopt advanced technology.

    The partnership was arranged by Cornerstone Sport, ensuring a strong alignment between Sindhu and KiranaPro’s long-term goals. It will help small retailers go digital and expand KiranaPro’s presence in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

    PV Sindhu’s Role in KiranaPro

    PV Sindhu’s involvement extends beyond financial backing. She will actively contribute to KiranaPro’s growth and brand vision, helping kirana store owners adopt technological solutions for improved efficiency and profitability. As the brand’s official ambassador during IPL 2025, she will help enhance KiranaPro’s national visibility, strengthening its position in quick commerce.

    Sindhu’s values of perseverance, excellence, and trust align well with KiranaPro’s mission. Just as she has broken barriers in sports, KiranaPro is pushing the boundaries of quick commerce by integrating AI technology to empower small retailers. Following this partnership, she will appear in multiple digital and traditional media campaigns and feature the KiranaPro logo on her jersey, helping build a stronger connection with consumers and retailers.

    KiranaPro’s Leadership on the Partnership

    Deepak Ravindran, Co-Founder and CEO of KiranaPro, welcomed Sindhu’s support, stating, “This partnership marks a significant milestone for KiranaPro. PV Sindhu is the embodiment of skill and determination. We have taken on the task of building a nationwide network connecting lakhs of kirana stores to millions of local customers. Sindhu’s support is a recognition of our efforts and will act as a catalyst for us to work even harder towards the cause of empowering local communities.”

    Dipankar Sarkar, Co-Founder and CTO, KiranaPro, said, “We are extremely excited that a national icon like PV Sindhu has decided to back our vision to empower neighborhood kirana stores. Her support for our tech-driven and AI-powered solutions will help accelerate the digital transformation of small businesses across the country. Together, we can bring positive change to smaller cities and towns in India.”

    PV Sindhu on Joining KiranaPro

    Expressing her excitement about the partnership, PV Sindhu said, “I’ve always believed in the power of empowerment, and KiranaPro is making a real difference by helping neighbourhood kirana stores embrace technology, unlock new opportunities, and thrive in an increasingly digital world. This goes beyond retail—it’s about transforming the rural economy and contributing to India’s overall development. I’m proud to join KiranaPro, both as brand ambassador and investor, to support this meaningful mission of empowering communities and creating a lasting impact.”

    Jogesh Lulla. Co-founder and COO, Cornerstone Sport, said, “PV Sindhu has always been an advocate for excellence and empowerment, both on and off the court. Her partnership with KiranaPro is more than just a collaboration—it’s a shared vision to uplift small businesses and bring digital transformation to India’s kirana stores. At Cornerstone Sport, we are proud to have facilitated this association and look forward to seeing it create a lasting impact.”

    KiranaPro’s Growth and Future Plans

    KiranaPro has already integrated over 30,000 kirana stores into its AI-powered platform, making it the first ONDC-integrated quick commerce company in India. The recent acquisition of Jopper.app has further accelerated its expansion. With PV Sindhu’s involvement, KiranaPro aims to scale its operations and solidify its leadership in AI-powered quick commerce.

    Additionally, KiranaPro is launching a community investment round, allowing everyday customers and supporters to participate in the future of commerce—alongside PV Sindhu. This initiative aims to create a more inclusive investment model while strengthening the company’s vision for digital transformation in the retail sector.

    With this strategic partnership, KiranaPro is all set to redefine the quick commerce space, empowering kirana stores with AI solutions and expanding its footprint across the country.

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