In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technology and healthcare, support for fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and healthcare has become important. The intertwining of these two sectors holds promise, not just in terms of scientific advancement but also in its capability to impact the well-being of individuals and societies at large. Keeping these two sectors at the center stage, venture capital firm Peak XV, formerly known as Sequoia Capital India and South East Asia, has announced the launch of its new startup cohort, Spark 03.
“Out of the many applications we received for this cohort of Spark, these 16 founders really impressed us with their ambition, first principles thinking, and rich operating experience. Many of them are second-time founders. We’re excited to see them develop into leaders of tomorrow,” Peak XV managing director Sakshi Chopra said in a statement.
In a step towards fostering innovation and empowering female entrepreneurs, this cohort consists of 14 companies and 16 female founders.
The Spark program by Peak XV Partners is a powerful initiative empowering female founders in AI and healthcare startups where it offers mentorship, financial support, and a community for startups to grow. In a landscape filled with gender disparities, Spark aims to uplift women in their startup journeys, providing tools and resources for their visionary ideas.
“AI and health tech dominate this cohort with four companies in AI and four in health tech. Others are building across SaaS, consumer, and B2B,” the statement from Peak XV Partners said.
With a structured curriculum, founders gain essential skills for entrepreneurship and guidance from experienced mentors who offer insights and personalized advice, fostering lasting connections. Financially, Spark provides a $100K grant to selected founders with additional access to perks worth over $1 million from partner companies, ranging from cloud credits to essential tools and analytics.
To date, PeakXV has covered three cohorts, spanning 48 founders and 41 startups across over 10 sectors.
“If 1999 was the start of the consumer internet era, then 2023 will be the beginning of the AI era,” Shailendra Singh, managing director of Peak XV, said in a phone interview. “The last six months have been pivotal as AI systems are showing efficacy and can be used to build crucial applications.” Singh added “We are in the very early days of a multi decade AI trend.”
In less than three years, Spark has become a community that helps foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and growth opportunities. Spark 03 will also feature mentors like Peak XV’s Managing Directors Shailendra Singh, Sakshi Chopra, Mohit Bhatnagar, GV Ravishankar, and Rajan Anandan, along with esteemed founder-mentors such as Mamaearth’s Ghazal Alagh and Varun Alagh, Clevertap’s Anand Jain, and Wakefit’s Chaitanya Ramalingegowda.
With a focus on AI and deep tech startups, Peak XV is at the forefront of nurturing groundbreaking innovations. Hailing from diverse regions such as India, Southeast Asia, and Australia, these startups represent a global blend of innovation.
One startup is currently in stealth mode. Here is a list of all the other startups selected for the program:
1. RaptorX.AI
Founder: Pratyusha Vemuri
Sector: Computer and Network Security.
RaptorX.AI is a powerful tool that helps businesses make smarter decisions using data. With RaptorX, businesses can learn about their customers’ spending habits, what they usually buy, and how they make payments. This information helps businesses understand their customers better and make decisions that improve their products and services.
Website: Link
2. FOBOH
Founder: Kshitija Deshmukh & Bethany Lovell
Sector: Software Development
FOBOH is a platform that helps food distributors and suppliers grow their businesses. With FOBOH, food distributors and suppliers can streamline their operations and improve customer satisfaction. The platform provides tools and insights that help businesses understand their customers’ needs better allowing them to offer personalized services, optimize their inventory, and deliver products more efficiently.
Website: Link
3. Traverse
Founder: Sushmita Rawat
Traverse is a company yet to be launched that operates at the exciting intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the travel industry. Traverse uses AI technology to enhance the travel experience for both businesses and travelers by developing innovative solutions that help businesses in the travel industry better understand their customers, predict trends, and optimize their services.
4. Wordsworth AI
Founders: Harsha Mulchandani, Siddhant Manocha, Shreyas Nair
Sector: Artificial Intelligence
Wordsworth AI is a passionate team working behind the scenes to revolutionize the world of e-commerce. They are on a mission to apply the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create seamless and next-generation shopping experiences. At Wordsworth AI, the focus is on empowering e-commerce businesses to provide customers with smooth and personalized shopping journeys.
Website: Link
5. BabyMD
Founders: Deeksha Senguttuvan and Hrishikesh Thite
Sector: Healthcare
BabyMD is the trusted partner in the journey of parenting, offering valuable support and confidence. Parents can find a wealth of resources on BabyMD, including tips on child development, nutrition, and managing common illnesses. With BabyMD, parents have a reliable source of information to navigate the joys and challenges of raising happy and healthy children.
Website: Link
6. Soulside
Founders: Surabhi Bhandari
Sector: Healthcare
Soulside is on a mission to make mental health support more accessible and straightforward for every high-risk adult. The platform aims to radically expand access to mental health resources, offering a simplified approach to seeking support. Soulside provides a range of tools and resources designed to empower individuals in managing their mental well-being.
Website: Link
7. Evenly
Founders: Aastha Pitalia, Shraddha Pitalia
Sector: Healthcare
Evenly is a specialized dermatology clinic that prioritizes cutting-edge treatments delivered by expert dermatologists. At Evenly, the focus is on providing advanced and specialized dermatological care to patients seeking innovative solutions for their skin concerns. The clinic is dedicated to staying at the forefront of dermatological advancements, ensuring that patients receive the latest and most effective treatments available.
Website: Link
8. Profit Peak
Founder: Carla Penn-Kahn
Sector: SaaS
Profit Peak offers a revolutionary platform for businesses to achieve real-time intelligence using their own 1st party data. With Profit Peak, businesses can scale their profits by accurately measuring and optimizing various aspects such as digital advertising, influencer marketing, inventory management, and customer data. Businesses can now make informed decisions on the go, utilizing the power of real-time data to drive profitability and growth.
Website: Link
9. Fix My Curls
Founder: Anshita Mehrotra
Sector: Healthtech
Fix My Curls offers a range of products that are designed to meet all hair care needs, from pre-wash to post-wash. The product line includes shampoos, conditioners, styling products such as curling creams and gels, and satin accessories. These products are specially crafted with Indian textures in mind, ensuring they work effectively for those with frizzy hair.
Website: Link
10. Meritic
Founder: Pallavi Chakravorty, Swapnil Basak, and Nipun Gupta
Sector: SaaS
Meritic is on a mission to revolutionize business operations by equipping teams with advanced generative AI tools. The platform offers a suite of tools designed to automate mundane tasks, enhance efficiencies, and empower teams to become strategic powerhouses. With Meritic, business teams can streamline their workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and unlock valuable time for strategic decision-making.
Website: Link
11. Melvvi
Founder: Biswajita Mishra
Melvvi is an upcoming brand dedicated to creating handmade and sustainable lifestyle products. With a focus on sustainability, Melvvi is committed to crafting products that are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Each product from Melvvi is handmade with care, ensuring unique and high-quality items for conscious consumers.
12. CHOSEN
Founder: Dr Renita Rajan
Sector: Healthcare
CHOSEN is a platform that creates high-performance products that help manage skin, hair, and body goals independently. Their products are carefully curated by dermatologists who prioritize safety and effectiveness. Their range is designed to elevate daily routine, offering products that deliver results that can seen and felt.
Website: Link
13. A-Sourced
Founder: Sisi Song
Sector: SaaS
A-Sourced is on the brink of transforming the retail industry with its innovative AI-powered consignment platform, yet to be launched. The platform is designed to eliminate middlemen wholesalers, allowing retailers to source and customize products directly from manufacturers at factory prices. With A-Sourced, retailers can bypass traditional supply chains, gaining access to a vast network of manufacturers and a wide range of products. This direct connection not only streamlines the sourcing process but also enables retailers to offer customized options to meet the unique demands of their customers.
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