Nexus Invests $2.5 Mn In Chat-Based Commerce Platform, Goodbox

Bangalore-based Goodbox, an app that connects businesses to consumers, has raised about $2.5 Mn (INR 16.51 Cr.) in Series A round of funding from Nexus Venture Partners.

The company plans to use the funds to upgrade its technology, expand operations and acquire more merchants.

Founded this year by Abey Zachariah, Mayank Bidawatka, Nithin Chandra, Mahesh Herle, Anand Kelaginamani, Mohit Maheshwari and Charan Shetty, Goodbox app, allows users to chat directly to businesses. The startup lets users book groceries, bus tickets or spa treatment near them by searching for the relevant category or item.

Currently, creating or maintaining an app is a very costly and complex situation, this is where Goodbox steps in. The startup offers SME businesses with an app presence within 5 minutes at a low price, along with a payment gateway. Businesses can host their menu on the app and create their business profile in order to interact with their customers in real-time.

“We feel like this works, because, many businesses, be it a grocery store, a company or even a hospital, rarely have such apps of their own. This will really help speed up processes and help both parties,” said co-founder Mayank Bidawatka, who was a core team member at ticket booking platform redBus.

Goodbox aims to get every business to create their store on the app and interact with customers. Currently, the startup has tied up with over 1,200 merchants in Bangalore including supermarkets, restaurants, laundry chains, rental providers, movers & packers, canteens, salons and thali services.

The company raised seed funding earlier this year from the Manipal Group, TaxiForSure co-founder Aprameya Radhakrishna and redBus cofounder Charan Padmaraju. Similar startups like Lookup and Haptik also operate in this space.

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