AI-powered childcare management startup illumine has raised $2.5 Mn (approximately INR 21.68 Cr) in a seed funding round led by Prime Venture Partners. The Bengaluru-based startup plans to use the funding to enhance product development and scale its presence across international markets.
Founded in 2018 by Navneet Rastogi, Sourabh Agarwal, and Purva Goyal, illumine aims to modernize the childcare sector by replacing fragmented systems and manual operations with a unified, AI-driven SaaS platform tailored specifically for childcare providers.
“Whether it’s a single preschool or a multi-center operation, the system is built to flex and adapt to each centre’s unique needs,” said Goyal.
Currently, the platform is used by over 3,000 childcare centers across 56 countries, including the US, UAE, Southeast Asia, Europe, and India. Prior to this round, illumine had secured $800K in angel investment from undisclosed investors.
The funding comes amid a cautious rebound in the Indian edtech space following a challenging period marked by funding slowdowns, operational issues, and investor pullback. The adoption of AI across educational platforms has recently sparked renewed interest among investors.
According to Inc42’s Annual Funding Report 2024, Indian edtech startups collectively raised over $568 Mn in 2024, nearly double the $283 Mn recorded in 2023, despite a drop in total deal count from 47 to 29.
Karnataka, home to illumine, continues to be a leading hub for edtech innovation, supported by its strong tech ecosystem, talent pool, and favourable policy environment. The state boasts over 17,100 DPIIT-recognised startups, including key players such as Vedantu, Cuemath, Leap Scholar, Teachmint, and Thinkerbell Labs.
Earlier this year, Leap raised $65 Mn in Series E funding, and Centa secured INR 20 Cr to strengthen its tech infrastructure.
Despite the current momentum, projections suggest edtech funding could dip to $400 Mn in 2025, indicating a more measured investor approach moving forward.
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