Introduction
Peyush Bansal, the CEO and founder of Lenskart, is not just an eyewear sector disruptor but a vision-driven investor in Indian start-ups. His shrewd business acumen and entrepreneurial passion have encouraged him to invest in some of the innovative start-ups. With his very high profile as a prominent Shark Tank India judge, Peyush has made a big difference by providing strategic guidance and investment to budding start-up owners.
His investment principle is based on discovering potential disruptors in various industries, from technology to sustainable business. Rather than investing in startups, he is very confident in mentoring and advising entrepreneurs in a way that they can scale their businesses effectively. Bansal’s investments also show his confidence in the future of digitalization, sustainability, and healthcare as he continues investing in companies capable of causing massive disruption in India and worldwide.
Peyush Bansal has also previously invested in various startups, some of which have been super successes. His investments are proof of his belief in innovation, customer-centric solutions, and entrepreneurial incursion. In this article, we detail the excellent Peyush Bansal-backed startups list. All the startups are innovative concepts, differentiated value propositions, and disruptor potential in the market.
Source: Entrepreneur
| S. No. | List of Startups funded by Peyush Bansal |
| Thinkerbell Labs | |
| Ditto Insurance | |
| Roadbounce | |
| Zero Cow Factory | |
| Sunfox Technologies | |
| Humpy A2 | |
| Jugaadu Kamlesh | |
| In ACan | |
| Shiprocket | |
| DailyObjects.com | |
| Ariro | |
| HealthFab | |
| Sonic Lamb | |
| Hair Originals | |
| The Naturik Co | |
| Conclusion |
- Thinkerbell Labs
Thinkerbell Labs is an EdTech startup that empowers visually impaired students with its product, ‘Annie.’ Annie is a Braille literacy device that makes learning Braille an effective process. It provides an interactive and game-like learning process, making Braille easily learnable by kids. Experienced its path-conquering impact, Peyush Bansal invested in the company on Shark Tank India to enable inclusive learning and technology innovation. Several government and non-for-profit bodies have also awarded the startup for enabling inclusive education.
| Sector | EdTech |
| Founders | Dilip Ramesh, Aman Srivastava, Sanskriti Dawle, and Saif Shaikh |
| Investment Size | INR 50 Lakhs |
Source: The Financial Express
- Ditto Insurance
Ditto Insurance debunks the complexity of life and health insurance with tailored advisory solutions. Other insurance platforms function traditionally, whereas Ditto provides one-on-one advice to clients to enable them to read policies in plain language, making them choose correctly. Customer approach-oriented, Peyush Bansal had massive potential in Ditto’s aim of simplifying insurance for Indian consumers and making it more human. The company has expanded unprecedentedly and is a go-to for millennials looking for impartial financial services.
| Industry | FinTech and InsurTech |
| Founder | Subham Anand and Subham Mukherjee |
| Amount Invested | Lenskart has invested $1 Million in Ditto Insurance. Peyush Bansal is the Founder of Lenskart |
Source: Facebook
- RoadBounce
RoadBounce is a data analytics and artificial intelligence technology startup that tracks road conditions and improves infrastructure planning. RoadBounce technology enables governments to track road quality in real-time and perform maintenance work in the best possible manner. Since Peyush was very keen on data-driven solutions, the investment was a match for his passion for technology-driven social impact. The startup has already worked with several municipal corporations and government departments to plan road infrastructure in several cities.
Source: Harchwise
| Industry | Infrastructure & AI |
| Founder | Hemant Purohit |
| Size of Investment | INR 80 Lakhs |
- Zero Cow Factory
Zero Cow Factory is a future-tech firm that produces dairy-free dairy using biotechnology. Sustainable and animal-free milk can disrupt the traditional dairy industry. Using precision fermentation, the company makes milk proteins similar to cow’s milk without involving animals. Peyush Bansal, who recognized the potential of the startup to bring environmental and ethical transformations, invested in and mentored the founders. The firm has diversified its business and seeks to provide plant-based and cultured dairy alternatives, fulfilling the growing global demand.
| Sector | FoodTech (Alternative Dairy) |
| Founder | Parini Makwana, Sohil Makwana |
| Investment Amount | $4 Million raised in the seed round |
Source: LinkedIn
- Sunfox Technologies
Sunfox Technologies has created the path-breaking Spandan ECG device, an inexpensive handheld heart-monitoring machine. The device is handheld, lightweight, and plug-in to a smartphone; thus, it is within everyone’s reach in rural India. It offers dependable heart readings, which facilitate the diagnosis of likely cardiac ailments at the early stage. Peyush’s investment in Sunfox is a testament to his belief in inexpensive healthcare and technology-driven interventions that can prove life-altering. The firm has expanded its footprint in India since then and has been at the forefront of providing cost-effective diagnostic solutions.
| Industry | HealthTech |
| Founder | Rajat Jain, Arpit Jain, Nitin Jain |
| Amount Invested | INR 20 Lakhs |
Source: Entrackr
- Humpy A2
Humpy A2 provides top-class A2 milk and dairy products produced from Indian Gir cows. A2 milk, as compared to regular milk, is digestible and has more health benefits. The firm promotes sustainable and moral dairy farming, giving customers a healthier alternative. With the rise in demand for organic and natural milk, Peyush Bansal considered it an opportunity to invest in a local and sustainable venture. The firm has also established a good customer base and diversified its products into A2 ghee, paneer, and other milk-based products.
| Business | Wellness and Dairy |
| Founders | Yash Javeri, Abhijit Javeri |
| Investment Size | INR 33.3 Lakhs |
Source: Entrackr
Peyush Bansal Invested Startups in Fashion and Lifestyle
- Jugaadu Kamlesh
Jugaadu Kamlesh’s business was a new pesticide spray cart intended for farmers. It’s lightweight, cost-effective, and pedal-powered, unlike the heavy pesticide sprays, which farmers carry with them if they have not done anything. Peyush’s investment was not just financial but also accompanied by the testimony of his acceptance of rural entrepreneurship and innovation through investment in rural businessmen. The farmers have greatly appreciated the product, so the output and sales have grown.
| Domain | Agriculture Tech |
| Founder | Kamlesh Nanasaheb Ghumare |
| Amount Invested | Rs. 10 Lakh in exchange of 40% equity |
Source: Marshable India
- InACan
InACan is a premium ready-to-drink cocktail in a can. InACan is connecting with urban millennials who want quality and convenience in a drink. With new flavors and green packaging, InACan is changing the face of the drinks business. Peyush Bansal recognized the brand’s potential in the rapidly expanding beverage segment and invested in it. Since then, InACan has expanded its business to large retail chains and online channels.
Source: LBB
| Business | Drink |
| Founder | Swapnil, Abhay, and Anuja |
| Amount of Investment | INR 20 Lakhs |
- Shiprocket
Shiprocket is an e-commerce supply chain and logistics solution firm that streamlines shipping for e-commerce firms. Shiprocket offers shipping automation through AI, shipping cost savings, and assistance from various courier partners. With enhanced efficiency of the shipping process and reduced shipping time, Shiprocket changed the game of logistics for small and medium businesses. Peyush Bansal saw tremendous potential in the company’s ability to fuel India’s booming e-commerce sector and placed a bet on its vision of logistics becoming hassle-free. Shiprocket enables thousands of Indian sellers to take their business to the next level.
| Type Founder | E-Commerce Logistics |
| Founder | Saahil Goel, Gautam Kapoor, and Vishesh Khurana |
| Investment Amount | INR 1405 Crores (with other investors) |
Source: Product Monk
- DailyObjects.com
DailyObjects.com is a brand of lifestyle accessories offering high-end and trendy fashion and technology accessories like phone covers, laptop covers, handbags, and wallets. It is popular for its workmanship and quirky design details for urban millennials. Peyush Bansal acquired DailyObjects.com for growing operations, more product lines, and online visibility with the vision of taking high-quality but inexpensive accessories to scale. The company has expanded manifold and has been in great demand with its design-led and utility-based products.
| Industry | Lifestyle & E-Commerce |
| Founder | Pankaj Garg |
| Amount Invested | INR 9.8 Crores (with other investors) |
Source: Adgully.com
- Ariro
Ariro is a venture firm retailing wooden Montessori-based toys that are eco-friendly for kids. The firm plans to provide toxin-free, green, and safe plastic-free toys. Their product line includes development and learning toys that support motor skills and brain development in early childhood phases. Peyush Bansal backed Ariro as he wanted to invest in eco-friendly products, which not only took care of children’s health but also supported local craftsmanship. Post-funding of Ariro initiated more market penetration online and offline towards green parents.
| Business | Wooden Toys and Children’s Products |
| Founder | Vasanth Vaithilingam and Nisha Vasanth |
| Investment Amount | INR 25 Lakhs |
Source: Indian Startup Times
- HealthFab
HealthFab is a start-up venture that handles personal hygiene solutions with an emphasis on green, reusable sanitary pads. GoPadFree, the company’s launch product, is India’s first reusable underwear for periods designed to provide users with a green, comfortable, and safe solution alternative to the standard disposable pad. The company aims to transform the menstrual hygiene space culture by propelling sustainability and stopping wastage. Investor Peyush Bansal invested in HealthFab because it was a mission-based business model with a solid foundation and an opportunity to do something good for the earth. The company expanded its product portfolio quickly and even established itself in the market.
| Industry | Personal Hygiene |
| Founder | Sourav Nandi, Parimal Chaudhuri |
| Investment Size | 2 Crores for 7% Stake (Peyush Bansal invested along with Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, and Vineeta Singh) |
Source: Health Fab
- Sonic Lamb
Sonic Lamb is a sound technology firm of the new age that strives to change how individuals experience sound by changing the hardware aspect of hearing. Their patented audio technology blends acoustic and haptic feedback elements so that users hear and feel the sound. Sonic Lamb headphones, the company’s star product, seek to provide a high-fidelity and immersive listening experience. Peyush Bansal saw the market growth opportunities in this revolutionary technology and invested in the company to help scale its manufacturing and distribution.
Source: India TV News
| Industry | Consumer Electronics |
| Founder | Abhishek Mendhe, Kaushal Pradhan |
| Size of Investment | INR 50 Lakhs for 1% equity |
- Hair Originals
Hair Originals is a pioneering start-up company specializing in pure natural hair wigs and extensions. The company is concerned with trading better human hair and is opting for eco-friendly processing methods to make a range of styling products. With a rise in demand for improved extensions in the domestic and foreign markets, Peyush Bansal saw business opportunities to invest in an indigenous business venture that could compete globally. Hair Originals managed to diversify products and establish itself within the fashion and beauty sector.
| Business | Beauty and Hair Extensions |
| Founder | Ashutosh Valani, Jitendra Sharma, and Sandeep Daga |
| Investment Size | INR 60 Lakhs for 4% stake (Ashneer Grover, Anupam Mittal, and Peyush Bansal together invested) |
Source: Hair Originals
- The Naturik Co
The Naturik Co is a business firm that deals with developing natural and organic skincare products free from harmful chemicals. The business deals in herbal face creams, serums, and hair treatments, focusing on maintaining quality and green beauty options. The investment of Peyush Bansal in the company comes as an effort on his part to believe that he has green and skin-friendly products in the beauty line. The business has earned recognition for its dedication to sustainability and quality, which has been attracting increasingly more consumers looking for chemical-free skin care products.
| Business | Beauty and Hair Extensions |
| Co-partners | Sahil Vohra and Isha Chadha |
| Investment Size | INR 50 Lakhs at a 2.5 percent equity stake |
Source: The Naturika Co
Conclusion
Peyush Bansal’s investment portfolio is as varied as his business acumen. Ranging from technology startups to green companies and health tech, his investments speak of his vision for the future.
By investing in startups with great value propositions, he invests money and gives entrepreneurs the right inputs and resources. His efforts do not stop at investments; he also mentors founders himself, making them design business models, scale up their businesses, and create lasting impact.
His ability to spot future directions has helped many startups find competitive market space. With India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem, the investment and mentorship of Bansal will remain invaluable in building the next generation of entrepreneurs. Success for these start-ups has only begun, and with Peyush Bansal’s assistance, they will reach skies even higher in the upcoming years!
