Bangalore-based online media startup, TheBetterIndia has raised undisclosed amount of funding from former Infosys CFO and Chairman of Manipal Global Education, Mohandas Pai. The new round of funding has come just after three months of its prior funding which was raised from Intellecap Impact Investment Network (I3N or I-cube-N) and Myntra’s Co-founder Raveen Sastry.
Founded by ISB’s alumni, Anuradha Kedia & Dhimant Parekh, in 2008, TheBetterIndia reports positive news of/about unsung heroes, changemakers, innovations, educators, women empowerment, history, arts & culture, social development and inspirational stories from the grassroots of India.
Anuradha Kedia believes that this is a great step ahead for the team. “Almost all the stories we write lead to impact, thanks to our large community of readers who believe in social change. Many of the unsung heroes and change-making organizations that we have written about have received funds, volunteers and much more from our readers,” she emphasised.
At a time when mainstream media is bound to report on sensational, crime and corruption news, TheBetterIndia pivots its focus to the good in nation. The startup presently has over 100 writers across the country, with over 1 Million visitors on its website every month.
Speaking on the move, Mohandas Pai said, “I had been reading and tweeting the TheBetterIndia’s articles for a while. My interest in the venture led me interacting with the founders on Twitter, before meeting them in-person and making this investment.”
Earlier in this year, he had announced an angel fund to encourage Mangaloreans, Mangaluru Angels, to start entrepreneurial units in their hometown. With a bachelor’s degree in commerce and law (LLB) Mohandas Pai has turned an avid investor in startups after quitting job from Infosys.
So far, he has invested in startups like online tax information portal, TaxSutra; Governance, risk and compliance management (GRC) focussed startup, Clonect Solutions; home solution startup, HomeLane; cloud-based solutions for compliance and finance professionals startup, Cimply Five; cyber-security startup, Uniken; and many others. He is also the Co-founder of technology focused startup fund, Exfinity, along with V Balakrishnan, which had raised INR 100 Cr last year.
