- ByStartupStory | December 24, 2024
Retail advisory platform Univest has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), the strategic investment arm of German conglomerate Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. This funding milestone positions Univest for accelerated growth as it aims to democratize access to high-quality research and develop a full-stack brokerage offering.
This latest funding round builds on the company’s previous $1.5 million seed funding, which came from investors including Trinity Media Group, Akash Anand, and Deep Bajaj.
Commenting on the development, Pranit Arora, Co-founder and CEO of Univest, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Bertelsmann India Investments, a firm that shares our vision of empowering retail investors. Over the past two years, Univest has grown remarkably, helping millions make informed investment decisions. With this funding, we aim to create India’s first true stock market superapp for retail investors.”
Founded in 2022 by Pranit Arora, Avneet Dhamija, and Vikash Agarwal, Univest combines human expertise with advanced algorithms to provide actionable, real-time trading recommendations. Operating through its SEBI-registered research advisory entity Uniresearch, the platform delivers expert advice across equities, derivatives, and commodities.
Since its inception, Univest claims to have attracted over 3 million sign-ups, with over 150,000 paying subscribers. The platform also boasts an 85% success rate on profitable investment calls.
Univest provides a range of subscription plans tailored to diverse investor needs, including options for 3, 6, and 12 months, as well as plans extending up to 5 years. Subscribers benefit from entry and exit signals provided by SEBI-registered analysts during live market hours, ensuring accurate and timely decision-making.
Beyond its core advisory services, Univest aims to create a one-stop platform for retail investors by integrating research, trading tools, and educational resources into a single app. Its innovative approach and growth potential were recently recognized through its selection for the Google for Startups Accelerator Cohort 2024.
Pankaj Makkar, Managing Director at Bertelsmann India Investments, highlighted the significance of Univest’s mission, stating, “Current solutions primarily cater to affluent segments, leaving retail investors underserved. Univest bridges this gap with a seamless, user-friendly platform that democratizes access to quality advisory services. As the retail investor base grows, platforms like Univest will play a pivotal role in unlocking wealth potential.”
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