In a groundbreaking move, ShareChat co-founders Farid Ahsan and Bhanu Pratap Singh have raised $3 million in seed funding for their robotics startup, General Autonomy. The funding round involved prominent investors such as India Quotient, Elevation Capital, and notable angel investors. This comes nearly a year after Ahsan and Singh stepped down from their executive roles at ShareChat, a social media unicorn.
About General Autonomy
General Autonomy, founded by Ahsan and Singh, is on a mission to transform the future of factories using AI-driven machines to automate complex tasks in labor workflows. They envision bringing agility and distribution to mass manufacturing, drawing inspiration from the efficiency of software development. Headquartered in Bengaluru, the company has a global perspective.
About the Founders
Bhanu Pratap Singh, previously the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at ShareChat, and Farid Ahsan, who held the Chief Operating Officer (COO) role, embarked on the robotics journey with General Autonomy. Ankush Sachdeva, the third founder of ShareChat, continues as the CEO of the social media unicorn.
About the Funding
The funding round saw participation from venture capital firms India Quotient and Elevation Capital, along with support from key angel investors including Srinath Ramakkrushnan (Zetwerk), Ramakant Sharma (Livspace), and Ankush Sachdeva (ShareChat). The funds, amounting to $3 million, will propel General Autonomy’s mission to develop AI-driven machines for factory automation.
General Autonomy’s Mission
Ahsan and Singh’s mission is clear: revolutionize the complexities of factories through automation. With a focus on AI-driven machines, General Autonomy aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and standardization in production processes. The term ‘general autonomy’ in robotics underscores the company’s commitment to automating diverse industrial equipment across various use cases.
Key Milestone
General Autonomy Private Limited was officially incorporated on May 10, 2023, in Bengaluru, according to Ministry of Corporate Affairs records. The company, with a paid-up capital of INR 1 Lakh, is set to be a game-changer in the realm of factory automation.
Trend of Second-Time Founders
Ahsan and Singh join the ranks of second-time founders who, after leaving their previous ventures, seek new opportunities. This trend is evident in the startup ecosystem, with examples like Teachmint’s Anshuman Kumar and GoMechanic’s Rishabh Karwa embarking on fresh journeys. The ability of these founders to quickly secure funding for their new ventures highlights the dynamic nature of the entrepreneurial landscape.
Conclusion
General Autonomy‘s successful seed funding round marks a significant step toward realizing the founders’ vision of transforming factory automation. With the backing of prominent investors, Ahsan and Singh are set to lead the charge in developing AI-driven solutions for labor workflow challenges. As the trend of seasoned entrepreneurs venturing into new territories continues, General Autonomy stands at the forefront of innovation in the robotics space.
FAQs
What is General Autonomy’s mission?
General Autonomy aims to revolutionize factory automation by developing AI-driven machines to automate the toughest parts of labor workflows, leading to safer, more efficient, and standardized production.
Who participated in General Autonomy’s funding round?
The funding round involved participation from India Quotient, Elevation Capital, and angel investors such as Srinath Ramakkrushnan, Ramakant Sharma, and Ankush Sachdeva.
When was General Autonomy officially incorporated?
General Autonomy Private Limited was officially incorporated on May 10, 2023, in Bengaluru, according to Ministry of Corporate Affairs records, with a paid-up capital of INR 1 Lakh.
