Retail advisory platform Univest has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round, led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII). This marks a significant milestone for the Gurugram-based startup, which aims to simplify retail investing through expert insights and advanced technology.
From Seed Funding to Series A: A Growing Vision
Univest’s latest funding round comes on the heels of a $1.5 million seed round supported by Trinity Media Group, Akash Anand, Deep Bajaj, and other notable investors.
The company, co-founded in 2022 by Pranit Arora, Avneet Dhamija, and Vikash Agarwal, plans to channel these fresh funds into expanding its offerings. The primary focus is on democratizing access to high-quality research while developing a full-stack brokerage model to serve retail investors better.
“Delivering seamless, personalized, and actionable insights will remain at the heart of our mission,” said Pranit Arora, co-founder and CEO of Univest. “We’re excited to redefine the brokerage experience and establish Univest as the leading platform for retail investors in India.”
What Makes Univest Stand Out?
Univest positions itself as a research-first stock market super app, blending human expertise with cutting-edge algorithms. Its key features include:
- SEBI-registered advisory services: Delivered via Uniresearch, offering recommendations for stocks, derivatives, and commodities.
- Subscription plans: Flexible options for equity, futures, options, and commodities, ranging from 3 months to 5 years.
- Live market guidance: Real-time entry and exit signals from SEBI-registered analysts ensure timely and accurate decisions for investors.
The platform’s unique selling point lies in its ability to provide reliable trading recommendations during live market hours, a feature that has resonated with retail investors.
Impressive Growth Trajectory
Since its inception, Univest has attracted over 3 million sign-ups and amassed more than 150,000 paying subscribers. The platform boasts an impressive success rate of 85% on profitable calls, with 60% of recommendations achieving their target prices.
These achievements have not gone unnoticed. Univest was recently selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator Cohort 2024, cementing its reputation as one of India’s top 20 startups with transformative potential.
Democratizing Retail Investing in India
Retail investors often face challenges ranging from picking the right stocks to making timely exits. Univest addresses these pain points by combining expert advice with real-time analytics. The platform aims to empower individual investors with tools and insights typically accessible only to institutional players.
The Road Ahead
As Univest scales up, its ambition is clear: to become India’s most trusted platform for retail investors. The $10 million infusion will enable the startup to expand its research capabilities, improve its technology stack, and roll out new features.
By focusing on accessibility and transparency, Univest hopes to set a new standard for retail investing in India. With strong backing and a growing user base, the company seems poised to achieve its lofty goals.
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