Bengaluru-based materials science startup Whizzo raises $25 million (around Rs 240 crore) from Bertelsmann India Investments in a fresh funding round. The deal could value the company at $110-120 million, more than double its previous valuation of around $50 million.
Founded in October 2024 by Shrestha Kukreja, former head of textiles at manufacturing platform Zetwerk, Whizzo works across technical textiles, fashion fabrics, yarns and sustainable fibres.
The startup aims to bring research, product development and large-scale manufacturing together under one roof. Its business model helps manufacturers develop new materials, test products and move from early designs to commercial production.
Key Numbers to Know
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$25 Mn: Proposed fresh funding from Bertelsmann India Investments.
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$110-120 Mn: Expected valuation in the ongoing funding talks.
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120+ Partners: SME and MSME manufacturing partners reported at the time of its Series A round.
Whizzo raised around $3 million in its seed round in late 2024, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and other investors, at a valuation of roughly $15 million. In November 2025, it secured around $15 million in a Series A round led by Fundamentum and South Korea-based LB Investment. Lightspeed and BEENEXT also participated.
Whizzo works with businesses across several industries, including agriculture, construction, industrial manufacturing and protective clothing. Its products include geotextiles, flame-retardant materials, specialty yarns, engineered apparel textiles and industrial composites.
The company is also growing its international business. Nearly 40% of its revenue came from exports at the time of its Series A funding, and it planned to expand into more than 30 export markets, up from 15.
- Focus on Research and Sustainable Materials
Whizzo plans to invest in materials science research, proprietary technology, patents and manufacturing capabilities. Its materials science laboratory in Gurugram supports research and product development, while the company is also expanding its presence across key Asian manufacturing hubs, including Vietnam, China, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
By developing new materials and improving manufacturing processes, Whizzo aims to help businesses reduce product development time and build more specialised products. Its focus on sustainable fibres also reflects the growing interest in materials that can support more responsible manufacturing.
The proposed investment from Bertelsmann India Investments would mark another major step in Whizzo’s growth journey, as investors look towards Indian manufacturing startups combining research, technology and large-scale production.
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