DesignX, a startup transforming manufacturing industry digitally, raises $1 million

DesignX, a startup transforming the manufacturing industry digitally, has raised $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Piper Serica Angel Fund.

In 2021, the startup had raised $300,000 in equity from Modular Capital, Accel, and a few manufacturing industry veterans.

What does DesignX do?

Founded by engineering graduates and manufacturing veterans— Rajat Srivastava and Nishant Srivastava, DesignX focuses on hyper-automation for manufacturing shop floors.

The startup's product — The Df-OS platform, helps Lighthouse factories enhance productivity and sustainability through real-time data analytics. It serves sectors like automotive, FMCG, and consumer electronics by reducing waste and lowering carbon footprints.

DesignX aims to transform manufacturing with minimal infrastructure investment, akin to the impacts of UPI and 4G technologies.

Purpose of fundraising

With the fresh funding, DesignX plans to expand its Df-OS in key markets like APAC, Japan, and Europe.

The startup said that the capital will help factories achieve Lighthouse status, focusing on AI-driven analytics and sustainability. The initiative aims to enhance product development and disrupt global manufacturing processes as part of DesignX's mission to "Disrupt without Disruption."

“We started with an idea that has now taken shape as a powerful product that will redefine global manufacturing. This funding will help ensure the world knows about our innovative solutions," said Rajat Srivastava, CEO and Co-Founder of DesignX.

Nishant Srivastava, CTO and Co-Founder, added, “DesignX is committed to building advanced technology for the manufacturing industry. The new investment will enhance our Df-OS application, ensuring improved performance and faster adoption.”

It claims to have partnerships with major industry players, such as Unilever, Hero Moto, and Dabur.

Industry growth potential

Digital transformation poses significant challenges for many manufacturers due to outdated processes and insufficient infrastructure. DesignX's Df-OS tackles these issues by significantly reducing both the time and cost involved in transforming factory processes. This enables manufacturers to quickly adapt to contemporary demands.

The factory process application market is experiencing significant growth, currently valued at approximately $34 billion annually. DesignX aims to capture a 50% share of this market over the next 7 to 10 years.

Ajay Modi, Investment Director at Piper Serica, remarked, “India is at the cusp of a manufacturing revolution. DesignX's Df-OS offers a flexible, cost-efficient solution that understands manufacturing processes better than ever. We are excited about the potential of this tool and the strong demand we foresee in the manufacturing ecosystem.”

Aiming to double its customer base

In the past three years, DesignX has digitized over 10,000 processes across more than 500 factories, connecting over 1,400 machines in real-time and securing more than 405 customers.

The startup now aims to double its customer base, expand into new regions, and achieve significant annual reductions in CO2 emissions through optimized manufacturing processes.