Online parenting resource startup bags seed funding from i2India Ventures

ZenParent, an online parenting resource for new-age Indian parents, has raised US$500,000 from Bengaluru-based i2India Ventures. The startup plans to use the funds to expand its operations in multiple cities across India, as well as investing in new hiring, enhanced service offerings, and marketing.

ZenParent, which is accessible both through its website and app, provides parenting solutions, resolves queries, and offers content encompassing all aspects of a child’s life – be it personality, interests, or life skills.

The company was founded in August 2014 by graduates Supriya Hiremagalur of the Indian School of Business (ISB) and Vinay Rao of the National Institute of Technology Surathkal (NIT).However, ZenParent officially launched operations in March this year, and has since been experiencing rapid growth. Hiremagalur tells Tech in Asia that the startup has been registering 100 percent month-on-month growth since launch. ZenParent is also currently incubated at i2India Venture Factory.

i2India Venture Factory was founded six years ago as an incubator-cum-venture capital center, with an initial funding of US$10 million from Imperial Innovations (technology transfer office for Imperial College, London), CMG Partners of UK, and Tata Sons. If a startup proves itself as a potentially profitable venture, then it can apply for further funding from the company’s investment arm (i2India Ventures).

ZenParent plans to raise more funding in the near future to scale its service offerings. “Certain services like events and activities are currently limited to the Bangalore market. This will soon be available in other cities like Mumbai and New Delhi,” says Hiremagalur.

IndiaParenting, Babycenter.in, and Parentune are a few of ZenParent’s domestic competitors. Parentedge.in is another parenting resource portal that is also available as a bi-monthly magazine. Hiremagalur, however, remains unperturbed by the competition and claims that ZenParent’s combination of offerings is unique and therefore sets it apart.

(Editor’s note: The figure of funding amount has been corrected.)