Merak Ventures makes its first investment in B2B commerce SaaS platform Rupyz

• Rupyz aims to revolutionise B2B commerce in India with its integrated SaaS platform enhancing omni-channel distribution
• The investment also marks Merak Venture’s maiden investment in the market

Merak Ventures, a sector-agnostic early-stage venture capital (VC) firm, announced its first investment with Rupyz, an integrated SaaS platform enabling B2B commerce & omnichannel distribution for FMCG and consumer brands.  The firm has invested $1.2 million in seed funding into Rupyz as the lead investor, alongside other angel investors.

Numerous Indian Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) face significant obstacles in maximizing their growth potential due to inadequate digital commerce capabilities. This gap is particularly concerning in an era where B2B commerce is not just an advantage but a necessity. Rupyz brings its integrated SaaS solution to enable these businesses to have an omni-channel commerce interface to automate and scale their existing offline and online distribution, boosting sales and fulfilment channels. The startup focuses on distribution led B2B businesses, especially in the Food, FMCG, Personal Care, and Lifestyle sectors. Rupyz presently oversees a network inclusive of 85 brands, exceeding 6,500 distributors, and more than 250,000 retailers.

Manu Rikhye, Partner at Merak Ventures, said, “Rupyz is addressing a critical need by enhancing omni-channel distribution by digitally transforming the B2B businesses of India. These businesses are essential for the economy and for providing access to their products to last-mile consumers. Rupyz’s commitment to solving real-world challenges in distribution led businesses aligns with our thesis of values-driven investment. We are excited to support their journey towards transforming India’s B2B commerce landscape.”

The Rupyz team is led by co-founders with strong backgrounds and experience. Dhaval Radia, Founder & CEO, is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in spearheading lending policies and managing substantial SME loan portfolios. Gourav Gupta, Co-founder & COO, also a Chartered Accountant, is known for his adept handling of significant loan books in the banking sector. Akshay Gupta, an IIT-B alumnus, Co-founder & CBO, brings a fusion of technological insight and entrepreneurial flair. Palash Lunia, Co-founder & Sales Head, adds another layer of financial acumen to the group with his expertise in banking, particularly in managing critical divisions. This diverse team, with its blend of financial expertise and innovative entrepreneurship, sets a solid foundation for rapid scaling in the dynamically evolving e-commerce landscape.

“In light of next-generation leaders being inducted in ~75% of family businesses[1], a pivotal shift towards digitization emerges. This trend underscores a significant opportunity for the digital transformation of family enterprises, signalling a promising evolution in the B2B commerce landscape. Rupyz’s unique omni-commerce approach is not just enhancing operational efficiencies but is amongst the first brands to completely redefine how firms, distributors, and retailers connect, communicate, and do business. We are privileged to have Merak Ventures join us as we plan to bridge the gap between traditional practices and digital proficiency. Our commitment is to unlock the full potential of India’s B2B e-commerce and supply chain,” said Dhaval Radia, Co-founder and CEO of Rupyz.

Rupyz is embarking on an ambitious growth trajectory, aiming to onboard over 3000 businesses in the next 12 to 15 months. This expansion reflects the startup’s commitment to broadening its impact and reach within the SMB sector. The latest investment will be strategically utilized to strengthen Rupyz’s core technological offerings, ensuring robust and scalable solutions that cater to the evolving needs of small and medium-sized businesses.

About Merak Ventures:

Merak is a sector-agnostic, early-stage venture fund investing in B2B and emerging technologies companies that are solving real problems and creating large-scale impact. The Merak team has been investing in the Indian ecosystem for a decade now, of which the last eight have been sharply focused on B2B and deep/ emerging tech. The Merak fund is managed by Manu Rikhye and Sheetal Bahl, both experienced operators and investors with 20+ years of experience each. For more information, please visit: https://merakventures.com/

About Rupyz:

Rupyz is a SaaS platform for B2B e-commerce, enabling brands to digitise and scale their distribution offline & online. Rupyz’s platform serves as a digital infrastructure that maps entire supply chain for a brand, helping these brands to streamline their supply chain processes and grow their business faster and more efficiently.

Rupyz’s platform serves as an inventive omni-channel solution, linking over 85 brands, 6,500 distributors, and 250,000 retailers nationwide, creating a robust B2B commerce network. Rupyz’s platform leverages cutting-edge technology to transform the entire supply chain for brands, delivering 20% to 30% improvement in ROI and operational efficiency. Rupyz is revolutionizing B2B commerce in India with its integrated SaaS platform.