Namma Yatri, a community-led mobility app operating in India, has raised $11 million (₹92 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round. The investment, led by Blume Ventures and Antler, with participation from Google and other investors, will fuel the company’s growth and product development efforts.
Not too long ago, we also reported about how ex-Lightyear execs’ Dutch solar car maker Squad Mobility received €1.35M grant. It’s an interesting story too.
How will the funds be used
The funds will be directed towards technological advancements, research and development (R&D), and product innovation. Namma Yatri aims to leverage these resources to empower drivers, integrate public transportation options within its platform, and ultimately enhance the customer experience.
This focus on driver empowerment aligns with the company’s stated mission. “With our people-first approach, our goal is to build empathetic products and tech that are 10x better,” said Magizhan Selvan and Shan MS, Chief Product Officer and Chief Growth Officer of Namma Yatri, respectively, in a joint statement. They further emphasised collaboration with key stakeholders, stating their aspiration to create an impact “similar to UPI in India and Linux worldwide” through cooperation with “samaaj (community), sarkar (government), and bazaar (business).”
Investors participating in the funding round expressed confidence in Namma Yatri’s vision for the future of mobility. Fady Abdel-Nour and Nitin Sharma, Partners at Antler, highlighted the company’s “pioneering” focus on digital public infrastructure (DPI) and its potential to build a more “inclusive, efficient, and sustainable” mobility landscape. They expressed their enthusiasm in supporting Namma Yatri’s continued growth.
Recent launch and early achievements
Founded in November 2022 by Juspay (a payments company) in collaboration with the BECKN Foundation (founded by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani) and supported by the Bengaluru Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU), Namma Yatri has experienced a rapid initial rollout. According to the company’s website, drivers have earned a collective ₹1.88 crore through 1.2 lakh trips facilitated by the platform.
Expansion and diversification
Namma Yatri initially launched in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Kochi. The company subsequently expanded its reach to Kolkata under the name Yatri Saathi. Most recently, Namma Yatri entered the Chennai market, where it offers a unique feature: facilitating metro ticket bookings directly through its platform. This integration of public transport options reflects the company’s commitment to a more comprehensive mobility ecosystem.
What do we think about the startup
With this significant funding round, Namma Yatri is well-positioned to solidify its presence in the Indian mobility market. The company’s focus on driver empowerment, technological innovation, and public transport integration could potentially disrupt the existing landscape.
Whether Namma Yatri can achieve its ambitious goals and create a lasting impact remains to be seen, but the company’s early growth and investor confidence suggest a promising future.
