Materials science manufacturing startup Whizzo raises $4.2 million led by Lightspeed

Whizzo, a materials science manufacturing startup, has raised $4.2 million in a seed funding round led by Lightspeed, with participation from BEENEXT.

The startup plans to use the raised capital to drive advancements in materials science R&D, establish a state-of-the-art design lab for fashion-engineered textiles, and strengthen its supply chain infrastructure across India, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

What does Whizzo do?

Founded in 2024 by a former Zetwerk executive and an IRMA alumnus and gold medalist Shrestha Kukreja, Whizzo is redefining textile manufacturing with a full-stack approach combining innovation, sustainability, and advanced materials science.

The startup creates proprietary textile blends, including cellulosic and polymer-based fibers, that are tailored to diverse industry needs, significantly reducing time-to-market.

"Our vision is to establish Whizzo as an IP-driven leader in fashion-engineered and technical textiles. By creating proprietary blends and leveraging a cross-border Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) model, we aim to address critical gaps and transform the textile industry through innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity," said Kukreja.

Industry's growth potential

India’s technical textiles market, valued at $45 billion in 2026, is projected to grow to $123 billion by 2035, driven by sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and defence.

"Technical textiles and man-made fibers represent the future of the textile market. India is poised to become a global epicenter of innovation in this sector, driven by strong government support and visionary entrepreneurs," said Romit Mehta, VP-Investments, Lightspeed.

"Shrestha is a standout leader, demonstrating the ambition and expertise needed to build an ‘India to the world’ story in this space. We are thrilled to partner with Shrestha and the Whizzo team on this transformative journey, as they leverage advanced materials science and a full-stack manufacturing approach to position India at the forefront of technical textiles," Mehta added.

Commenting on the funding, Saksham Pant, Principal, BEENEXT, highlighted, “India’s textile industry is one of its oldest, and hence demands innovation to meet modern challenges like sustainability and efficiency. Whizzo is leading this transformation through advanced technology and eco-conscious practices. Backed by Shrestha’s vision and expertise, the company is set to position India as a leader in technical textiles within the next decade.”