Mayank Bidawatka, the founder of the now-defunct microblogging platform Koo, has embarked on a new journey with his venture, Billion Hearts Software Technologies. This latest endeavor has already attracted considerable attention and investment, signaling a promising start in the consumer tech space.
Funding and Investor Support
Bidawatka’s new venture has secured $250,000 (approximately INR 2 Cr) in a recent funding round. This round saw contributions from a range of notable investors, including:
A total of 13 investors participated in this funding round, comprising three venture capital firms and several high-profile individuals from the consumer tech industry.
Product Launch and Market Vision
The beta version of Billion Hearts Software Technologies’ product is expected to launch between December and January next year for select users. According to Bidawatka, the product’s market potential is vast, aiming to cater to the global smartphone user base.
Bidawatka shared his vision for the new venture, stating, “Billion Hearts as a name represents the dreams of many. And hopefully the usage of billions of users around the world for whom this startup will build beautiful digital products.”
Background on Koo and Transition
Bidawatka’s previous venture, Koo, was established in 2020 but struggled to gain traction in the Indian market. The platform faced significant financial challenges, reporting revenues of INR 14 lakh against losses of INR 197 Cr for the financial year 2021-22.
In July, Koo ceased operations after acquisition talks with DailyHunt fell through. The company had to halt salary payments in April due to financial difficulties and significantly reduced its workforce from 200 in 2022 to just 80 in 2024. Bidawatka attributed the failure to a “prolonged funding winter” and a shift in focus from growth to revenue generation.
Important Information
Mayank Bidawatka’s new venture, Billion Hearts Software Technologies, marks a significant step forward in his career. With substantial funding and a clear vision for a global user base, the startup is poised to make a notable impact in the consumer tech industry.
