Koo co-founder Mayank Bidawatka’s new startup Billion Hearts raises $4 million funding

Koo co-founder Mayank Bidawatka’s new startup Billion Hearts Software Technologies has raised $4 million in a seed funding round led by Blume Ventures, General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners.

The latest funding comes after the startup raised $250,000 in an angel funding round from co-founders of redBus, Ola, Myntra, InMobi, MoEngage, Jaypore, Udhyam and Healthi, and other investors.

Focused on developing digital consumer product

Founded in August 2024, Billion Hearts is currently working on a digital consumer product that’s relevant for a global market and audience.

The startup is preparing to beta launch its first product in the coming months. Initially, it will be made available to a select group before being opened to users who sign up for the beta on the Billion Hearts website.

Who is Mayank Bidawatka?

Before launching Billion Hearts, Mayank Bidawatka has built multiple startups in the past, including Koo, Goodbox, and The Media Ant. He’s been a banker with ICICI Bank, where he managed a portfolio of $5 billion, and is a graduate of the Asian Institute of Management, Manila.

"I look forward to bringing happy products to users around the world with a commitment to build world-class products from India. While our product is still in stealth, I’d like to say that almost everyone with a smartphone will want this product, with no exception. Thousands of enthusiasts have already subscribed for our beta. We’ll soon announce something special for all those who sign up for early access," said Bidawatka.

Investors comment

Neeraj Arora, Managing Director at General Catalyst, said “We back audacious entrepreneurs building global products with positive powerful impact. Mayank and the Billion Hearts team have insight and a distinctive approach toward building a solution that caters to a wide and unmet need of users globally. Mayank is a proven leader, who has built successful internet ventures in the past.”

Rutvik Doshi, Partner at Athera Venture Partners, said “We’ve known Mayank for over 15 years when we first backed redBus. He’s one of the few entrepreneurs that has built multiple products across B2C, B2B, B2B2C, be it in travel, social or in the media space and has done this effortlessly on the basis of deep user insights."