4 rising startups in India – Feb 26

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An Internet of Things startup scrounged up some seed funding today, while a youth vocational training skills center and a user engagement portal also brought in money. In the meantime, an Indian handicraft site made a delicious acquisition. Kick back and relax with us, and check out our choices for rising startups today.

Freedom.desi

Delhi-based Internet of Things (IoT) startup Freedom.desi has raised US$145,000 in seed funding from Kapil Goel, managing director of DCS Chain, a retail group. Freedom.desi is owned by Freedom Smart Labs.

Founded by Yogesh Huja, Freedom Smart Labs offline retailers target their customers using IoT. Freedom.desi uses wifi monitors to help businesses monitor customer numbers around store outlets.

Freedom.desi is available in Delhi-NCR, and the company plans to launch in Dubai and Turkey as well.

EduBridge

Edubridge, which trains low-income youth in vocational skills, raised US$2.5 million in a series A round from Insitor Impact Asia Fund and its existing investor Acumen Fund.

The Mumbai-based startup mostly provides physical training at centers across 12 states but is looking to provide online and offline skill development training. It claims to have employed almost 50,000 unemployed youth with a 67 percent placement rate.

The funding will be used to expand to Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar in the next 12 months.

Craftsvilla

Mumbai-based Indian product online retailer Craftsvilla has acquired Indian speciality foods startup PlaceofOrigin in an all-stock deal. Other details of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded by Ashish Nichani and Sudarsan Metla, PlaceofOrigin is owned by Arthazauca Ventures and curates and lists producers of local Indian food and specialties

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