Smart Start Fund

The SmartStart is a specialized resource for startup teams in the emerging markets of the world. Around us, we see a generous sprinkling of ideas and teams working on life changing innovations, despite the lack of supporting ecosystems in most parts of the emerging world. These entrepreneurs, far sighted and far ahead of their times, are forced to work with limited resources, in intellectually cramped surroundings, and very often, forced to give up their dreams half way through their quest.

Prashant Gulati

Co-Founder

Singhal, Amit

Co-Founder

11 past transactions

Chalo

Series D in 2023
Chalo develops a transport application that delivers real-time transit information such as live tracking, get transit arrival time, and more. From live tracking buses to providing digital solutions focusing on cashless rides, Chalo dreams to make public transport accessible, affordable, and hassle-free for Indian commuters. The Chalo App provides live tracking of over 15,000 buses in 21 cities and has more than 70 lakh downloads as of July 2021. The Chalo Card, a contactless tap-to-pay travel card, is a successful bus travel card. Chalo also offers products like mobile tickets, mobile bus passes, and multi-trip 'Super Saver' plans that can be bought on the Chalo App as well as through the Chalo Card. Chalo partners with bus operators to deploy this technology and improve the bus travel experience.

YouPlus

Seed Round in 2019
Youplus Inc. is a technology company that specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze video content and extract insights into consumer opinions and emotions. Founded in 2013 and based in Santa Clara, California, the company has developed a platform that utilizes advanced techniques, including voice modulation, natural language processing, and machine vision, to identify key moments in videos. Their flagship technology, VOISE, serves as a video opinion search engine that scans and processes video data to understand the underlying reasons behind viewer sentiments and behaviors. By offering access to these insights, Youplus aims to assist businesses in strategic planning and product development, ultimately enhancing decision-making processes based on the qualitative data derived from videos.

Stilt

Seed Round in 2019
Stilt Inc. is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. It specializes in providing collateral-free personal loans to international students, graduates, and other underserved individuals, including immigrants and visa holders, who often lack a credit history in the United States. Stilt's lending platform utilizes both proprietary and public data sources to assess the creditworthiness of these individuals, allowing the company to offer short-term loans at lower interest rates. By doing so, Stilt enables immigrants to access capital and build their credit, addressing a significant gap in the traditional lending market.

Wand Labs

Venture Round in 2019
Wand Labs, Inc. is a technology company based in Foster City, California, that focuses on developing a mobile application for sharing various types of media. Established in 2013, the application enables users to share music, videos, contacts, and other files with friends through an intuitive, chat-like interface. This platform aims to enhance social interaction by allowing users to easily connect and share content with one another.

Truly Financial

Seed Round in 2016
Truly Financial is an innovative banking platform tailored for small businesses, offering a modern alternative to traditional banking services. It simplifies business banking by providing a comprehensive account that merges checking and credit card functionalities, along with a multi-currency account. This enables small business owners to efficiently manage payments to both local and international suppliers while streamlining their expenses. By replacing outdated payment methods such as wire transfers and card systems, Truly Financial offers a cost-effective, secure, and rapid solution for initiating payments and collections. The platform is designed to support the growing needs of global commerce, allowing small businesses to operate more effectively in the international market.

zophop

Seed Round in 2015
zophop will help you commute faster, smarter and cheaper in your city. You can search for stations, routes, timings and costs for all public transport modes - bus, train, metro, monorail and Uber cabs

OneShop

Venture Round in 2015
We're knocking down every barrier between you and your online store. Our goal is to get you up and running in less than 60 seconds, and we won't stop until we get there.

Shifu

Seed Round in 2015
Shifu is a mobile application designed to enhance task management by leveraging user behavior data. It observes how individuals interact with their smartphones to identify important tasks and activities that require attention. By analyzing past usage patterns, Shifu provides timely reminders for various actions, such as contacting friends on their birthdays, returning missed calls, or visiting favorite locations. The app aims to facilitate everyday life by prompting users in a non-intrusive manner, ensuring that they do not overlook important commitments or opportunities. Ultimately, Shifu serves as a personal assistant that helps users manage their time and responsibilities more effectively.

Pext

Angel Round in 2015
Pext is a mobile application that turns messages into memes. It helps individuals to discover images they need. They can send them to a group or person through social media such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Pext is a U.S.-based company and it was acquired by Pinterest on December 8, 2015.

GOQii

Venture Round in 2015
GOQii Inc. offers digital health and wellness solutions globally, primarily through its activity tracker wearables and a mobile application. The app monitors users' sleep, steps, active time, distance, and calories burned, while also providing features like caller ID, SMS and WhatsApp alerts, alarms, and notifications from health coaches. Users can connect with a range of health and fitness professionals, including nutritionists and personal trainers, who provide personalized advice based on individual health data via private chats or video calls. Additionally, the app facilitates access to medical consultations and diagnostic tests, allowing users to store health records securely in the cloud. Founded in 2013, GOQii is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with additional offices in Mumbai and Shenzhen, and aims to promote healthier lifestyles through a combination of advanced technology and expert guidance.
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