KiranaPro, a fast-growing quick commerce startup that works closely with India’s neighborhood kirana stores and is fully connected to the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has welcomed Arjun Vaidya onboard as both an investor and advisor. Vaidya, cofounder at V3 Ventures and a respected name in India’s D2C space, will now help steer the company as it scales up.
Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad
Though the company hasn’t disclosed the size of the investment, it’s clear that Vaidya’s involvement goes beyond funding. He’ll be helping KiranaPro forge new alliances with D2C brands and strengthen its tech capabilities, especially around its AI offerings. Founder and CEO Deepak Ravindran called the partnership a big step forward.
“Arjun’s experience building a D2C brand from scratch and navigating India’s consumer market is unmatched. His belief in what we’re building energizes the whole team. With him in our corner, we’re looking to form powerful brand collaborations and take KiranaPro to the next level—transforming the local kirana ecosystem,” said Ravindran.
What’s KiranaPro all about?
Launched in 2024 by Ravindran and Dipankar Sarkar, KiranaPro is taking a grassroots approach to quick commerce. Rather than relying on warehouses and dark stores, the platform empowers small neighborhood shops with AI tools to improve their operations and serve customers better.
The company is betting big on scale, with plans to work with a million kirana stores and reach over 100 million customers by year’s end. It also offers flexible ways for store owners to generate revenue, aiming to make tech adoption as simple and rewarding as possible.
Vaidya, reflecting on the partnership, said he was excited to be part of something that could reshape retail at the ground level.
Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market
“Kirana stores have always been at the heart of Indian retail. KiranaPro is giving them a modern edge without taking away what makes them special. Having seen firsthand how digital tools can change the game for consumer brands, I’m thrilled to support a company that’s helping these small shops thrive in a digital world,” he said.
