[Funding alert] Three startups raise Rs 3.5 Cr at a 'Shark Tank' event organised by JITO Angel Network

Three startups from different sectors including AI-based fitness app FitPhilia Solutions Private Limited, online pharmacy Sabse Sasta Dukaan, and smart floatation device manufacture GoFloat have raised Rs 3.5 crore at the first 'Shark Tank' event organised by JITO Angel network.

A total of Rs 45 lakh was also raised as seed funding by five startups (Rs 9 lakh each). These startups included GoFloat, Fitphilia, Monech, Medicus, and Teach Us. 

The total seed cum shark funds raised by startups through the event hence touched Rs 4 crore. Some of the investors who turned seed givers include Pradeep Rathod from Cello Group, Abhaya Srisrimal Jain from LifeCell, and Anil Jain of Refex Group.

Pradeep Rathod, Chairman, Cello Group, said,

“At JITO, our constant endeavour has been to act as a facilitator and catalyst to spur India's entrepreneurial revolution, and we are very happy to be playing a critical part in the same. Some of the startups which managed to raise investments have also been incubated at JITO's Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF)." 

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This was the first Shark Tank organised by JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF) in association with JITO Youth Wing. In a statement, the organisation said it is looking forward to more such events at regular intervals. 

The startups pitched their startup ideas and business models in front of distinguished JITO Sharks - Abhaya Srisrimal, Manoj Mehta, Hitesh Doshi, Vijay Bhandari, Sunil Singhvi, Shilpin Tater, Vinod Duggar, and Amit Jain, and the event saw participation of over a thousand people.

"For long, startups and entrepreneurs in India have struggled due to lack of mentoring, networking, and platforms to pitch their ideas to potential investors. This is gradually changing with the emergence of proactive angel networks and incubation centers that act as conduits between entrepreneurs and the industry. At JITO, we are proud to be playing a leading role in this shift through one of India's largest angel networks," added Abhaya Srisrimal Jain, Chairman, Lifecell.

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