Social Commerce Rozana raises $22.5 million in funding

Rozana, a startup dedicated to offline commerce in rural areas, has secured a significant investment of USD 22.5 million (approximately Rs 186 crore) from Bertelsmann India Investments, Fireside Ventures, and existing investors. According to a statement released by Rozana on Wednesday, Vivek Gupta, co-founder of Licious, also participated in the funding round.

Established in 2021 by Ankur Dahiya, Adwait Vikram Singh, Mukesh Christopher, and Prithvi Pal Singh, Rozana operates a commerce platform and logistics network explicitly tailored to cater to the requirements of rural communities. The startup boasts coverage of over 12,000 villages across 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Rozana employs a hyperlocal model that leverages village-based peer partners to facilitate last-mile deliveries. This approach ensures doorstep delivery convenience for rural customers and enables the company to maintain cost-effectiveness. Currently, Rozana boasts a network of more than 18,000 peer partners.

The infusion of funds will fuel Rozana’s expansion initiatives, particularly in warehousing and logistics, targeting new districts. The company plans to enhance its technology platform and bolster its workforce across technology, product development, and operations teams.

Ankur Dahiya, CEO of Rozana, expressed enthusiasm about the funding, highlighting its commitment to fortifying logistics and supply chain infrastructure to extend its reach to untapped districts. He emphasized Rozana’s overarching goal of empowering rural communities by providing them access to essential products.

The investment marks a significant milestone for Rozana, underscoring investor confidence in its unique business model and growth potential. With an ever-expanding presence in rural areas and a customer-centric approach, Rozana aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural markets while driving socio-economic development in underserved communities.

In conclusion, the infusion of USD 22.5 million in funding will propel Rozana’s expansion endeavours, enabling the company to strengthen its position as a critical player in rural-focused offline commerce. By leveraging technology and a robust logistics network, Rozana is poised to revolutionize the way essential products reach rural consumers, ultimately contributing to inclusive growth and development.