Whizzo, a Bengaluru-based startup specialising in materials science and  manufacturing, has successfully raised $15 million in a Series A funding round. The  round was led by Fundamentum, with contributions from Korea’s deep-tech investor LB  Investment, alongside existing backers Lightspeed and BEENEXT. Notably, this marks LB  Investment’s inaugural direct investment in India. 

The newly acquired funds will be directed towards bolstering Whizzo’s research and  development capabilities, expanding its science and engineering teams, and  strengthening manufacturing partnerships as the company seeks to scale its technical  textiles platform in global markets. 

Creating a Materials-First Manufacturing Ecosystem 

Founded in 2024 by Shrestha Kukreja, a former executive at Zetwerk, Whizzo operates  as a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) that focuses on  technical textiles—high-performance materials engineered for use in infrastructure,  agriculture, protective gear, and various industrial applications. 

In contrast to traditional manufacturing models, Whizzo integrates materials research,  formulation, prototyping, process engineering, and large-scale production into a single  cohesive platform. This comprehensive approach enables clients to transition swiftly  from product concept to mass production while ensuring consistent quality throughout. 

The global market for technical textiles is projected to exceed $250 billion and is  anticipated to surpass $400 billion by 2030, driven by infrastructure advancements,  climate-centric applications, and industrial demand. However, the sector faces  challenges due to fragmented innovation and limited flexibility for rapid  experimentation. Whizzo aims to bridge this gap by streamlining development cycles  and simplifying product development for its clients.

Broadening Global Reach and Supply Chain 

Currently, Whizzo collaborates with over 120 small and medium-sized enterprises  (SMEs) and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and exports to more than 15  countries. The company has plans to expand its export markets to over 30 within the  next year while enhancing its supply chain presence across India, Vietnam, China,  Bangladesh, and Indonesia. 

Additionally, Whizzo is investing in upstream materials science research and intends to  start filing patents as its in-house R&D pipeline progresses. 

“With nearly 40% of our revenue already generated from exports, this funding will  enable us to fast-track our materials science initiatives and expand our manufacturing  network to meet global demand,” stated Kukreja. “We aim to increase our  manufacturing partners to over 200 by the end of this financial year while heavily  investing in intellectual property creation and establishing faster, more predictable  development cycles.” 

R&D as a Sustainable Competitive Edge 

Whizzo currently employs a team of 65, with approximately 10% dedicated to research,  including scientists and engineers specialising in polymer science, process  engineering, sustainability, and advanced textile technologies. The company’s materials  science laboratory in Gurgaon serves as the cornerstone of its R&D efforts. 

Ashish Kumar, Co-Founder and General Partner at Fundamentum, who will join  Whizzo’s board, expressed that the company aligns closely with the firm’s deep-tech  investment philosophy. 

“Whizzo merges rapid business scaling with defensible innovation at its core,” Kumar  remarked. “Its materials science lab represents a significant long-term advantage,  facilitating upstream research, rapid iteration, and IP creation. This capability positions  India as a potential global innovation hub for technical textiles.” 

Investor Confidence in Whizzo’s Integrated CDMO Model 

LB Investment underscored Whizzo’s integrated CDMO structure and emphasis on  materials science as pivotal factors for their investment. 

“Whizzo unifies research, formulation, prototyping, and manufacturing within a single  platform,” noted Alex Lee, Head of Global Investment at LB Investment. “This integrated  model accelerates development cycles and fosters long-term differentiation through intellectual property. It exemplifies how technology-driven manufacturing from India  can evolve into a globally competitive enterprise.”

With fresh funding and a robust focus on R&D, Whizzo is poised to establish itself as a  next-generation manufacturing platform, set to redefine innovation in the technical  textiles sector on a global scale.