Koo co-founder Mayank Bidawatka’s new startup Billion Hearts raises $4 million funding
-
Funding Round: Billion Hearts Software Technologies, co-founded by Mayank Bidawatka, secured $4 million in a seed funding round led by notable investors including Blume Ventures, General Catalyst, and Athera Venture Partners, following a previous angel round of $250,000.
-
Product Development: Founded in August 2024, the startup is focused on creating a digital consumer product intended for a global audience, with plans for a beta launch in the coming months.
-
Founder’s Background: Mayank Bidawatka has a strong entrepreneurial background, having previously co-founded Koo, Goodbox, and The Media Ant, and holds experience in banking with ICICI Bank, managing a significant portfolio.
-
Investors’ Confidence: Investors like Neeraj Arora from General Catalyst and Rutvik Doshi from Athera Venture Partners expressed high confidence in Bidawatka’s leadership and the startup’s potential to address global user needs with innovative products.
- User Engagement: The startup has already garnered interest, with thousands of users subscribing for early access to its beta product, highlighting the anticipation and potential demand for its upcoming offering.
Koo co-founder Mayank Bidawatka’s new startup Billion Hearts Software Technologies has raised $4 million in a seed funding round led by Blume Ventures, General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners.
The latest funding comes after the startup raised $250,000 in an angel funding round from co-founders of redBus, Ola, Myntra, InMobi, MoEngage, Jaypore, Udhyam and Healthi, and other investors.
Focused on developing digital consumer product
Founded in August 2024, Billion Hearts is currently working on a digital consumer product that’s relevant for a global market and audience.
The startup is preparing to beta launch its first product in the coming months. Initially, it will be made available to a select group before being opened to users who sign up for the beta on the Billion Hearts website.
Who is Mayank Bidawatka?
Before launching Billion Hearts, Mayank Bidawatka has built multiple startups in the past, including Koo, Goodbox, and The Media Ant. He’s been a banker with ICICI Bank, where he managed a portfolio of $5 billion, and is a graduate of the Asian Institute of Management, Manila.
“I look forward to bringing happy products to users around the world with a commitment to build world-class products from India. While our product is still in stealth, I’d like to say that almost everyone with a smartphone will want this product, with no exception. Thousands of enthusiasts have already subscribed for our beta. We’ll soon announce something special for all those who sign up for early access,” said Bidawatka.
Investors comment
Neeraj Arora, Managing Director at General Catalyst, said “We back audacious entrepreneurs building global products with positive powerful impact. Mayank and the Billion Hearts team have insight and a distinctive approach toward building a solution that caters to a wide and unmet need of users globally. Mayank is a proven leader, who has built successful internet ventures in the past.”
Rutvik Doshi, Partner at Athera Venture Partners, said “We’ve known Mayank for over 15 years when we first backed redBus. He’s one of the few entrepreneurs that has built multiple products across B2C, B2B, B2B2C, be it in travel, social or in the media space and has done this effortlessly on the basis of deep user insights.”
Here is the summarized information from the provided content regarding the startup Billion Hearts Software Technologies, its founders, investors, funding rounds, and related details:
Startup Information
- Startup Name: Billion Hearts Software Technologies
- Founder: Mayank Bidawatka
- Founded: August 2024
Funding Information
-
Latest Funding Round:
- Amount Raised: $4 million
- Funding Series: Seed Round
- Lead Investors:
- Blume Ventures
- General Catalyst
- Athera Venture Partners
- Previous Funding Round:
- Amount Raised: $250,000
- Type: Angel Funding
- Notable Angel Investors:
- Co-founders of redBus
- Co-founders of Ola
- Co-founders of Myntra
- Co-founders of InMobi
- Co-founders of MoEngage
- Co-founders of Jaypore
- Co-founders of Udhyam
- Co-founders of Healthi
Founder Background
- Name: Mayank Bidawatka
- Previous Ventures:
- Koo
- Goodbox
- The Media Ant
- Prior Experience: Banker at ICICI Bank (managed a portfolio of $5 billion)
- Education: Graduate of the Asian Institute of Management, Manila
Comments from Investors
-
Neeraj Arora (Managing Director at General Catalyst):
- Praised Mayank for his insight and distinctive approach to building global products.
- Rutvik Doshi (Partner at Athera Venture Partners):
- Highlighted Mayank’s extensive experience and success in building various products across different sectors.
Product Development
- Focus: Developing a digital consumer product aimed at a global market.
- Beta Launch: Expected in the coming months, with initial availability to a select group before wider access.
This summary encapsulates the key players, funding details, and the background of the startup and its founder.