Handpickd Raises INR 21.7 Cr Funding Led by Genesia Ventures, Nitin Gupta
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
Fresh farm produce startup Handpickd (formerly Sorted) has secured INR 21.7 crore (approximately USD 2.5 million) in an extended seed round led by Genesia Ventures and Nitin Gupta, alongside participation from BEENEXT, Stargazer Ventures, Eximius Ventures, and Sunrise Sunset Family Trust, among others.
As per regulatory filings accessed in March 2025 from the Registrar of Companies, Handpickd's board approved the issuance of 10,547 Series Seed B CCPS at a price of INR 20,566 per share. Nitin Gupta, via GG Enterprises, invested INR 6.48 crore, with Genesia Ventures adding INR 6 crore.
BEENEXT followed with INR 2.16 crore, and the Sunrise Sunset Family Office pledged INR 2 crore. Other contributors include Infinyte Club Angel Fund, Stargazer Ventures, Eximius Ventures, and Ankit Agarwal.
The startup has already received INR 10.16 crore, with the rest expected shortly. According to estimates by Entrackr, the Blume Ventures-backed Handpickd is now valued at around INR 300 crore (USD 35 million).
Founded by Anant Goel, Nitin Gupta, and Sahil Madan, Handpickd operates on a B2B2C model, sourcing fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farmers and local vendors. The startup utilises a tech-enabled supply chain and a network of micro-entrepreneurs to streamline last-mile delivery.
According to data from TheKredible, Handpickd has raised around USD 9 million to date, with investors including Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal. The company saw a 2.3X growth in operating revenue, reaching INR 17.5 crore in FY24 from INR 7.4 crore in FY23, while keeping its losses steady at INR 2.1 crore.
Handpickd competes with other agri-tech startups like Otipy, Fraazo, Deep Rooted, and celebrity-backed Pluckk.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Canada wants new trade partners. But markets like India and China come with major obstacles
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu says Canada has a chance to build new partnerships as U.S. tariffs continue to pummel world economies. But landing deeper ties with major markets like the U.K., India and China means overcoming irritants and fraught diplomatic relationships. "There's an appetite with partners and allies all around the world to do more with Canada," Sidhu said in an interview with CBC's The House. "There is an opportune window that we have to jump on." Sidhu told guest host Janyce McGregor that success to him is "getting businesses more comfortable dealing with overseas markets." He said Canada "should be screaming at the top of our lungs" about what it can offer the world. Since becoming minister of international trade, Sidhu has helped Canada deepen its trade relationship with countries like Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates. But larger markets like the United Kingdom, India and China that could play a big role in easing Canada's reliance on the U.S. are much more complicated. Canada has tried to deepen its economic ties with these countries before, but trade discussions either fizzled out or diplomatic tensions stymied discussions. In January 2024, the British government walked away from trade negotiations. A major sticking point was how much tariff-free access U.K. producers should have to the Canadian cheese market. Sidhu said the U.K. "is an important partner for Canada" and he met with his counterpart, British Secretary for Businesses and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, to discuss how to build up Canada-U.K. relations. When asked whether Canada's new law to protect supply management is blocking the U.K. from returning to trade discussions, Sidhu said Canada "has always remained at the negotiating table," the Liberal government will "never dismantle supply management" and that he wants to focus on trade "opportunities." There are signs of progress. In May, British High Commissioner Rob Tinline said the U.K. wants Canada to put forward a bill ratifying its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Weeks later, Ottawa announced plans to do so this fall, allowing the British to enjoy trade with Canada under the terms of that agreement. During the G7 summit, Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to designate new high commissioners. Both countries expelled top diplomats after the RCMP accused agents of the Indian government of playing a role in "widespread violence" in Canada, including homicides. When asked whether he sees a path for trade talks to resume between Canada and India, Sidhu said his constituents and Canadians at large are asking for "more connectivity between Canada and India." Sidhu also said trade and other business-to-business dealings have "been continuing over the last number of years on an upward trajectory." He said the government is taking a "step-by-step approach," and that restoring diplomats is an important step. Canada has also been making trade moves with China. Sidhu said the two countries have agreed to convene the Joint Economic and Trade Commission "to work through some of these issues and problems." In March, China announced it would apply tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products as retaliation against levies Ottawa introduced last year on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. China applied a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil, oil cakes and pea imports, and a 25 per cent duty on Canadian aquatic products and pork. Sidhu said he sees an openness to addressing Canada-China trade issues "and so we'll continue building on that. But the first part is to have those conversations being started… "Diplomacy can do wonders and we need to make sure that we're able to have those conversations with countries around the world. And that's exactly what I'll be doing."
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
HD Hyundai to Transplant 'Korean Shipbuilding DNA' into India
Signed comprehensive MOU for cooperation in shipbuilding with Cochin Shipyard Limited, India, on July 4 To provide ship design, equipment support, and technical collaboration — marking HD Hyundai's full-scale entry into the Indian market "Accelerating India's national maritime vision — forging new market opportunities through partnership" SEOUL, South Korea , July 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai is joining forces with India's largest state-owned shipyard to strengthen its influence in the Indian and global markets. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediate holding company overseeing HD Hyundai's shipbuilding operations, announced on Sunday, that it has signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India's largest state-owned shipbuilder, to establish long-term cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. CSL, with its main yard located in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Kochi, is the largest shipbuilding yard in India, with the Indian government holding a 67.91% stake. The company has extensive capabilities in the design, construction, and repair of a wide range of vessels, from commercial ships to aircraft carriers. Over the past five years, CSL has successfully delivered a total of 70 vessels, including 60 small commercial ships and 10 naval vessels. Through this agreement, the two companies will pursue strategic cooperation across a range of areas, including design and procurement support for CSL, technical collaboration to enhance productivity and ensure global-quality standards, and the advancement of workforce capabilities through improved training systems. In particular, both parties have agreed to jointly explore new shipbuilding orders in the Indian and international markets. The partnership aligns with India's maritime development roadmaps, including the 'Maritime India Vision 2030' and the 'Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,' both announced by the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to foster growth in the maritime industry. In support of these visions, India established a Maritime Development Fund worth approximately INR 250 billion (KRW 4 trillion) this year and is expanding policy support to strengthen its domestic shipbuilding sector and maritime infrastructure. India's shipbuilding industry has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. According to market research firm Ken Research, the country's shipbuilding and repair market, valued at approximately USD 90 million in 2022, has surged to over USD 1.12 billion by 2024, a more than twelvefold increase. The market is expected to continue expanding at an average annual growth rate exceeding 60% until 2033. Through this partnership, HD Hyundai aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian market, the world's most populous country, while further enhancing its global competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry. "This collaboration will serve as a springboard for both HD Hyundai and CSL to reach new heights, while also marking a turning point in accelerating India's national maritime vision," said an HD Hyundai official. "By leveraging HD Hyundai's accumulated technological expertise and experience, we will support CSL in enhancing its global competitiveness, while also seeking opportunities for shared growth with Korean equipment suppliers." Meanwhile, HD Hyundai is actively expanding its global collaboration network beyond India. In April, the company signed an MOU with Huntington Ingalls Industries, the largest defense shipbuilder in the United States, followed by a strategic partnership agreement with Edison Chouest Offshore in June. In addition, HD Hyundai has been accelerating efforts to create synergies in the global shipbuilding sector by expanding defense cooperation, such as joint submarine development, with Peru's state-run SIMA shipyard in November of last year. Maritime India Vision 2030 A mid-term strategy established by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to enhance the competitiveness of India's maritime industry and position the country as a global hub for shipping and shipbuilding. The plan aims to elevate India into the ranks of the world's top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030. Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 A long-term maritime development roadmap created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of India's independence in 2047. It identifies sustainable port development and the advancement of the shipbuilding industry as core priorities, with the goal of positioning India among the world's top five shipbuilding nations by 2047. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE HD Hyundai Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
How China is leading the humanoid robots race
I've worked at the bleeding edge of robotics innovation in the United States for almost my entire professional life. Never before have I seen another country advance so quickly. Psychologists now know exactly what makes someone cool. Turns out, the definitions are universal 3% mortgage rates aren't dead—housing market sees 127% increase in buyers taking over old loans There's a reason your Sam's Club rotisserie chicken looks different In the span of the last few years, China has overtaken the U.S. as the leader in the robotics race, especially when it comes to humanoid robots designed to mimic the human body and behavior. Earlier this year China literally raced robots against human counterparts, and they show no sign of slowing down. While AI steals the investment and media spotlight, the competition for humanoid robotics supremacy has been quietly accelerating for 50 years, and we're now on the cusp of a momentous breakthrough. Mass-produced humanoid robots may reach us within the next 3–5 years, and the market is predicted to grow to $38B within just 10 years. China is poised to capture the lion's share of this industry: Morgan Stanley found that 56% of robotics companies are already based there. However, this competition isn't just about market share—it's about industrial supremacy. Fixed industrial robots now operate with productivity rates estimated to be 10 times that of humans, working almost 24/7 with virtually no errors. In this new era of free-moving humanoid robots, adaptable machines will navigate entire factory floors with equal precision and even higher productivity rates than their fixed (and human) counterparts. American companies like Boston Dynamics are building impressive prototypes but those don't win industrial wars, production does. If the U.S. continues to lag behind in the robotics race, American businesses will face increased supply chain dependence on China and citizens could see wage stagnation and job losses to robotics leaders overseas. I witnessed the U.S. lead the world in robotic advancements. Two of my humanoid robots went into space; one called 'Robonaut' now lives in the Smithsonian. Over the past decade, our momentum has slowed. To take back robotics supremacy, the U.S. must overcome four critical hurdles that could cost us this race. Yes, Chinese robotics startups are benefiting from established supply chains, local adoption opportunities, and strong national government support, but nagging domestic problems are holding the United States back, regardless of any other country's advancements. First, we're battling our own cultural fears. There's a prevailing anxiety that robots will replace human jobs, particularly in factories. While massive change in manufacturing is fast approaching, the fear of replacement is not only wrong—it's counterproductive. Humanoid robots excel at 'dirty, dark, and dangerous' jobs that often lack willing human labor anyway. To overcome U.S. cultural fears around robotics, we must think of robots not as standing in our place but standing by our sides. WWII was won as much on the mechanized manufacturing floor as on the battlefield and novel machines were essential to winning the space race. When Robonaut shook hands with a fellow astronaut aboard the International Space Station, it was proof that robots can and should support human work, not compete with it. Second, we're not cultivating the people behind the humanoids. The real challenge in winning the humanoid race isn't job displacement; it's the massive lack of skilled domestic workers to develop, operate, and maintain advanced robotics. At Texas A&M, I teach brilliant students ready to tackle real-world problems with robots. Educating the workforce about how to leverage robots will empower the next generation and dispel fear. However, across the country, preparation for careers in STEM is lacking. We need more accessible science programs, apprenticeships, and pathways into robotics now. Third, the economics still intimidate us. Developing humanoid robots involves significant upfront costs and still faces expensive technical hurdles, including improving spatial awareness and task adaptability. But here's what the bean counters are missing: once mass production kicks in, the cost of robot labor could plummet from $10 to just $0.25 per hour in as little as 10 years. The industry will transform overnight and whichever country controls this shift owns the future of manufacturing. Focusing on the future affordability of robot labor will incentivize both the private and public sector to invest now. Fourth, our policy framework is falling behind. While the U.S. offers some incentives for research and innovation, they pale in comparison to China's commitment. The Chinese government has poured over $20 billion into robotics and next-generation technologies, providing subsidies for startups and covering costs for equipment and talent acquisition. They're projected to match U.S. robotics research and development levels by 2034. Meanwhile, current U.S. tax code continues to disincentivize longer-term innovation projects by forcing companies to pay more up front for R&D. As the U.S. federal government increasingly overlaps its ambitions with AI tech companies, so too must it champion the development of humanoid robots as a national security and productivity imperative. In tandem with overcoming these inherent challenges, the U.S. must seize two unique opportunities that offer a high return on investment and a clear path to victory. Humanoid robots can maintain our edge in advanced manufacturing. Humanoids integrated with AI and embedded into the internet of things will create smart factories that enhance precision, improve product quality, and accelerate production times. The U.S. currently leads the world in the development of smart textiles—humanoid robots could accelerate production to maintain this advantage. Warehouses offer an arena for rapid humanoid adoption. The number of warehouses across the U.S. continues to expand, with Amazon recently announcing plans for dozens more across rural areas. Our vast network of warehouses is primed for humanoid robots to revolutionize its operations by automating sorting, packing, and transport alongside humans to boost efficiency and slash costs. These aren't theoretical applications: they're already being tested at sites like BMW's South Carolina plant, where robotics partners are deployed for logistics and warehousing tasks. These deployments leverage our existing strengths in technology and innovation while addressing real, immediate market needs. We don't need to wait for the perfect humanoid robot—we can start dominating these sectors today and build from there. This race not just about machines; it's about maintaining U.S. leadership in technology, safety, and industrial strength. If we want the next generation of robotics to serve American interests, we must act now or be left standing on the sidelines of the next industrial revolution. During my two decades at NASA, I saw what American innovators can achieve when given a mission. We sent robots to the Moon, Mars, and into orbit—not because it was easy, but because we believed it mattered for future generations. That same spirit must drive our investment in humanoid robotics today so we can cross the finish line first tomorrow. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter:
