Former Flipkart executive Ranjith Boyanapalli’s Flash.co raises $6.7 million round led by Blume Ventures

heenagupta September 20, 2023

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Former Flipkart executive Ranjith Boyanapalli’s Flash.co raises $6.7 million round led by Blume Ventures

Flash.co, a startup founded by Ranjith Boyanapalli, the former Senior VP of Flipkart, recently made headlines by securing $6.7 million in funding during a pre-Series A round. The funding was led by Blume Ventures and co-led by existing investor PeerCapital. This infusion of capital is expected to fuel the growth of the company, which was launched earlier this year.

The core offering of Flash.co revolves around simplifying the online shopping experience for users. The startup provides users with a dedicated email ID that serves as a convenient gateway for logging in and shopping across a multitude of e-commerce portals and brands’ own websites. This streamlined login process eliminates the hassle of remembering multiple login credentials for various online shopping destinations.

Retail India - [Funding Alert] Flash.co Bags $6.7 mn Pre-Series A Funding to Transform Retail in India and Beyond

Flash.co’s service is versatile, covering a wide range of platforms, including well-known names like Flipkart, Amazon, Swiggy, Boat, Ixigo, Licious, Levi’s, Bombay Shaving Company, and many others. By offering a single point of access for these platforms, Flash.co aims to enhance user convenience in the online shopping ecosystem.

Moreover, the Flash.co app includes a powerful inbox feature that allows users to monitor and manage all their orders seamlessly. This unified order tracking system simplifies the management of online purchases, making it easier for customers to keep tabs on their deliveries and transactions.

In addition to simplifying the shopping process, Flash.co has introduced a rewards program known as “Flash Perks.” Under this program, users can earn cashback and coins when making purchases from brands affiliated with Flash.co. This incentivizes users to shop through the platform and enjoy additional benefits with every transaction.

Flash.co’s recent funding success reflects the growing interest and confidence of investors in the startup’s mission to streamline the online shopping experience. With over 8 million email IDs issued to users and more than 1 million orders placed across a diverse array of brands, Flash.co has already made a notable impact in the market. Looking ahead, the company has ambitious plans, including expansion beyond India’s borders by 2024.

The startup’s vision of simplifying the digital commerce lifecycle resonates with a substantial market opportunity in India. The country is home to 25 million “power shoppers,” who significantly contribute to online shopping revenue and are expected to reach 65 million by 2030. This underscores Flash.co’s potential for growth and its importance in serving the evolving needs of online shoppers.

Flash.co, a startup led by former Flipkart Senior VP Ranjith Boyanapalli, has made significant strides since its launch earlier this year. The company recently announced a successful pre-Series A funding round, securing $6.7 million. This round was led by Blume Ventures and co-led by existing investor PeerCapital, reinforcing investor confidence in the startup’s vision.

Here's how Flash helps 'power shoppers' manage online orders and grab rewards along the way

Flash.co offers a unique solution to simplify the online shopping experience. Users are provided with dedicated email IDs, streamlining the login process for various e-commerce portals and brands’ websites. This eliminates the need to remember multiple login credentials, enhancing convenience for users.

The startup’s versatility extends to partnerships with over 70 brands, including prominent names like Flipkart, Amazon, Swiggy, and Levi’s, among others. Flash.co’s platform acts as a centralized hub for users to access these platforms effortlessly.

The Flash.co app features an inbox that allows users to efficiently track and manage their orders from multiple sources, simplifying the online shopping management process.

Additionally, Flash.co has introduced a rewards program, “Flash Perks,” where users can earn cashback and coins when making purchases from affiliated brands.

With over 8 million email IDs issued and more than 1 million orders placed across 1,000 brands, Flash.co has quickly gained traction. Looking ahead, the startup has ambitious plans, including expanding its services beyond India’s borders by 2024. This expansion aims to tap into global markets, highlighting the company’s commitment to growth and innovation in the e-commerce space.

Ranjith Boyanapalli, the CEO and Founder of Flash.co, expressed his gratitude and excitement regarding the company’s progress and recent funding round. Here’s a summary of his statement:

Milestone Achievement: Boyanapalli acknowledged the rapid growth of Flash.co, highlighting the journey from processing their very first email to reaching a milestone of 8 million email IDs within just five months.
User Trust and Support: He attributed the company’s success to the trust and support of its user community. This suggests that user satisfaction and trust are central to Flash.co’s business model.
Thanking Power Shoppers: Boyanapalli extended his appreciation to the growing community of “power shoppers,” indicating that these enthusiastic users are a crucial part of the platform’s success.
Welcoming Blume Ventures: He expressed excitement about welcoming Blume Ventures as an investor in Flash.co, suggesting that the expertise and support from Blume Ventures will be valuable for the company’s growth.
Category-Defining Product: Boyanapalli described Flash.co as a “category-defining global consumer tech product,” hinting at the company’s ambition to make a significant impact in the consumer tech and e-commerce space.Flash.co, the brainchild of former Flipkart Senior VP Ranjith Boyanapalli, has attracted substantial support from both venture capital firms and notable angel investors. Among its backers are Global Founders Capital, White Venture Capital, Emphasis Ventures, Soma Capital, and Zinal Growth, alongside influential angel investors like Binny Bansal (Co-founder of Flipkart), Kunal Shah (Founder of CRED), Sujeet Kumar (Co-Founder of Udaan), and others.
Karthik Reddy, co-founder and managing partner of Blume Ventures, expressed enthusiasm for Flash.co’s mission. He emphasized the compelling nature of the startup’s value proposition, which simplifies the digital commerce journey for individuals by consolidating it into a unified mailbox. Reddy cited Ranjith Boyanapalli’s bold ambition to create a world-class product in India with global resonance as a driving force behind their partnership.

Flash.co’s timing couldn’t be better, given the growing importance of streamlining digital commerce experiences. India, in particular, presents a substantial opportunity, with 25 million “power shoppers” who frequently engage in online shopping. These power shoppers currently contribute nearly 70% of the country’s online shopping revenue. Furthermore, Flash.co anticipates this segment to swell to 65 million strong by the year 2030.

This support from investors and the strategic alignment of Flash.co with the evolving needs of the Indian online shopping landscape positions the startup for continued growth and impact in the years ahead.