Mayank Bidawatka, former Co-founder of Koo, has successfully raised approximately $4 million in a seed funding round for his new venture, Billion Hearts Software Technologies Pvt Ltd. The funding round was led by Blume Ventures, with participation from General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners.
Key Investors and Backers
The investment is spearheaded by Karthik Reddy, Partner at Blume Ventures, who expressed enthusiasm for Bidawatka’s vision. Notable contributions also came from industry figures such as Neeraj Arora, Managing Director at General Catalyst and former Chief Business Officer of WhatsApp, and Rutvik Doshi, Partner at Athera Venture Partners. Their backing reflects confidence in Bidawatka’s ability to create impactful digital products.
Focus on Global Digital Products
Founded in August 2024, Billion Hearts aims to develop innovative digital products for a global audience. The company’s first product, which is currently in stealth mode, is designed to address a universal smartphone use case using deeptech solutions. A beta launch is anticipated in the coming months, with thousands of users already subscribing for early access.
Karthik Reddy noted, “Mayank has built and scaled multiple large ventures successfully in the past. We’re excited to partner with him once again to see his vision for Billion Hearts come to life.” This sentiment underscores the strong belief in Bidawatka’s leadership and the potential of the new venture.
Angel Round and Early Support
Prior to this funding round, Billion Hearts had raised $250,000 in an angel round from notable startup builders associated with successful ventures like redBus, Ola, InMobi, Flipkart, and Myntra. This early support has laid a solid foundation for the company as it embarks on its growth journey.
Founder’s Vision
Bidawatka expressed his excitement about the venture, stating, “I’m thrilled to announce that Billion Hearts is being backed by a set of folks I truly admire. While our product is still in stealth, I can say confidently that almost everyone with a smartphone will find it valuable.” He highlighted the enthusiastic response from potential users, noting that thousands have subscribed for the beta version.
A Proven Entrepreneur
Mayank Bidawatka has a strong track record of building successful ventures. Before founding Billion Hearts, he co-founded Goodbox in 2015 and Media Ant in 2012, and was part of the founding team at redBus in 2007. Most recently, he co-founded Koo, a homegrown alternative to Twitter (now X), which ceased operations in July 2024 after acquisition talks with DailyHunt fell through.
His extensive experience in launching and scaling startups positions him well to navigate the challenges of building a new venture in today’s competitive landscape.
What’s Next for Billion Hearts?
Billion Hearts aims to deliver world-class digital products from India for a global audience. With its first product already generating significant buzz, the startup is poised to make a notable impact in the tech industry. The focus on deeptech solutions indicates a commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to meet user needs effectively.
As the company prepares for its beta launch, it seeks to establish itself as a key player in creating innovative digital consumer products that resonate with users worldwide.
Conclusion
With $4 million secured in seed funding and a strong backing from prominent investors, Mayank Bidawatka’s Billion Hearts is set on an ambitious path toward developing impactful digital solutions. The combination of experienced leadership, early support from industry veterans, and a focus on addressing universal smartphone use cases positions Billion Hearts for success in the evolving tech landscape. As it approaches its beta launch, all eyes will be on how this venture unfolds and what unique offerings it brings to the market.
