Whizzo, a materials science manufacturing start-up focused on engineered fashion and technical textiles, has secured US $4.2 million (approximately Rs 36 crore) in funding.
In a seed funding round led by the international multi-stage venture capital firm Lightspeed, Whizzo, a start-up focused on materials science and specializing in engineered fashion and technical textiles, has successfully raised US $4.2 million (approximately Rs 36 crore). The company plans to allocate these funds towards research and development (R&D) in materials science, the creation of a fashion-engineered textile design laboratory, and enhancements to its supply chain infrastructure across Bangladesh, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and India. Shrestha Kukreja, the Founder of Whizzo, emphasized the brand’s ambition to establish itself as a leader in fashion-engineered and technological textiles, driven by intellectual property. To address significant gaps and transform the textile industry through innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity, the company is developing proprietary blends and a cross-border Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) model. Romit Mehta, Vice President of Investments at Lightspeed, remarked that the future of the textile industry is rooted in man-made fibers and technical fabrics. With strong governmental support and visionary entrepreneurs, India is poised to become a global center for innovation in this sector. Saksham Pant, Principal at Beenext, noted that India’s textile industry, one of the oldest in the world, requires innovation to tackle modern challenges such as efficiency and sustainability. Whizzo is at the forefront of this transformation, utilizing advanced technology and eco-friendly practices. Founded in 2024 by Kukreja and based in Bengaluru, the firm specializes in engineered and technical textiles, employing woven, non-woven, and composite technologies to provide solutions across various sectors, including Medtech, Packtech, Indutech, and Clothtech. The company develops textile blends specifically designed for different industries, incorporating both cellulosic and polymer-based fibers.
