The startup ecosystem continues to thrive in 2025, with January 15 marking a day of significant funding announcements across diverse sectors. From travel tech to sustainability-focused SaaS platforms, these funding rounds highlight the innovation and growth potential in India and beyond. Here’s a detailed look at the top funding rounds announced on this date.
VELOCITY.travel Raises $10 Million to Revolutionize Corporate Travel
Amount Raised: $10 million
Investor: Raj Shah (New York-based angel investor)
Key Initiative: Launch of ZIPPY in April 2025
Travel platform VELOCITY.travel secured a major milestone by raising $10 million to redefine corporate travel and lifestyle management globally. The funding comes as the company prepares to launch ZIPPY, a platform designed to revolutionize the corporate travel experience.
Company Journey
Founded in 2013 as wtfares, the company was India’s first platform to offer free flight cancellations, a feature that disrupted the travel industry. By 2023, the company rebranded as VELOCITY.travel, focusing on solving the pain points of business travel. Today, its client portfolio includes over 200 enterprises like Clevertap, Aries Agro Ltd, and Haldirams.
CEO Insight
Varun Sarda, CEO of VELOCITY.travel, said,
“Indian business travel today is where leisure travel was in 2004—stuck offline but on the brink of a digital revolution. With ZIPPY, we’re reimagining what concierge services can be for frequent travelers and enterprises alike.”
TyrePlex Secures $2.4 Million for Geographic Expansion
Amount Raised: $2.4 million
Lead Investor: PeerCapital
Participants: Titan Capital Winners Fund, Sattva Family Office, 100 Unicorns
TyrePlex, a B2B tyre marketplace, closed a funding round of $2.4 million to expand its operations into India’s top 25 cities. Known for empowering tyre dealers by increasing demand and optimizing working capital, the company aims to enhance profitability through data-driven solutions.
CEO Statement
Puneet Bhaskar, Co-Founder and CEO of TyrePlex, emphasized the company’s commitment to relentless innovation, stating:
“With this new funding, we’ll supercharge our growth and broaden our geographical footprint.”
Sukoon Unlimited Raises $430,000 for Age-Tech Solutions
Amount Raised: $430,000
Lead Investor: Anchorage Capital Partners
Participants: Dr. Vinay Jain, Manish Dureja, Rahul Dash, and others
Sukoon Unlimited, an age-tech startup, raised pre-seed funding to scale its operations and expand its senior-focused community across India. The platform addresses emotional and social needs, offering seniors a sense of purpose and connection in their later years.
Founder’s Vision
Vibha Singal, Founder and CEO, shared the inspiration behind the company:
“Aging often leaves people emotionally vulnerable. By joining hands with like-minded individuals, we aim to ensure that no senior has to navigate aging alone.”
OrbitAID Secures $1.5 Million to Advance Space Tech
Amount Raised: $1.5 million
Lead Investor: Unicorn India Ventures
Participants: TANSIM (Government of Tamil Nadu)
Chennai-based space tech startup OrbitAID raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to focus on in-space operations such as docking and refueling. The company plans to scale its Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP) to commercial readiness and expand facilities for on-orbit servicing.
Key Initiatives
- Conduct in-space demonstrations of docking and refueling operations.
- Scale team capabilities to align with upcoming projects.
GreenStitch Raises $1.2 Million to Drive Sustainability in Fashion
Amount Raised: $1.2 million
Lead Investor: Equirus InnovateX Fund
Participants: Ivycap Ventures, Warmup Ventures, Zeca Ventures
GreenStitch, a SaaS platform focused on sustainability in the fashion and textile industry, closed its seed round to further its mission. The platform integrates with enterprise ERP and PLM systems to consolidate supply chain information, identify data gaps, and use AI to fill missing details.
Founders’ Vision
Narendra Makwana and Arpit Samdani aim to revolutionize the fashion industry by combining sustainability with cutting-edge technology. The platform’s solutions help companies track their environmental impact and make informed decisions.
ParkMate Secures $1.2 Million for Parking Innovations
Amount Raised: $1.2 million
Lead Investor: Cactus Partners
Participants: Venture Catalysts, Marwah Group Family Office
ParkMate, a company focused on innovative parking solutions, raised $1.2 million to expand its operations and boost its business development team. The company’s cutting-edge technology aims to optimize parking experiences in urban areas.
Use of Funds
- Expand operations into new regions.
- Invest in advanced parking technologies.
House of Chikankari Gains Support from Angel Investors
Funding: Undisclosed seed round
Investors: Tudip Ventures, Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Manoj Meena (Atomberg), Ankit Nagori (Curefoods), and others
Delhi-based D2C brand House of Chikankari, specializing in artisanal ethnic wear, secured seed funding to expand its reach. Founded by Aakriti and Poonam Rawal, the brand collaborates with artisan clusters to ensure authenticity and quality.
CEO Perspective
Aakriti Rawal highlighted the challenges of the unorganized Indian crafts market, stating:
“We address these challenges by directly collaborating with artisan clusters. Our contemporary designs make traditional crafts resonate with younger audiences.”
Key Trends and Insights from January 15, 2025
1. D2C Growth in Niche Markets
Both VELOCITY.travel and House of Chikankari exemplify the rise of D2C brands catering to specific market segments. By focusing on customer-centric solutions and leveraging technology, these companies are redefining traditional business models.
2. Sustainability and Technology
Startups like GreenStitch are at the forefront of combining sustainability with SaaS technology, reflecting the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions in traditional industries.
3. Space Tech on the Rise
With OrbitAID’s focus on in-space operations, the Indian space tech sector is gaining momentum. Investments in this field underscore the increasing commercialization of space technology.
4. Age-Tech Solutions
Sukoon Unlimited’s funding highlights the potential in addressing the emotional and social needs of seniors, an underserved segment with significant growth opportunities.
Conclusion
January 15, 2025, showcased the diversity and innovation of the startup ecosystem, with funding announcements spanning travel, space tech, sustainability, and more. These funding rounds underscore the importance of strategic partnerships, customer-centric approaches, and technological advancements in driving growth.
As startups like VELOCITY.travel, TyrePlex, and OrbitAID scale their operations, they pave the way for a dynamic and competitive market landscape, making 2025 a promising year for innovation and entrepreneurship.