When IIT Kharagpur alumni identify a behavioral gap between Indian and US markets and build an AI solution that bridges both worlds, you get the kind of cross-cultural innovation that excites us at GIA. Zoca’s journey from Bengaluru to the US market exemplifies how Indian startups can leverage deep market insights to scale globally!
What is the news?
- AI startup Zoca has raised $6 million in funding led by Accel, with participation from GTMfund, Elevation Capital, and Better Capital.
- Founded in 2024 by IIT Kharagpur alumni Ashish Verma and Robin Chauhan, the platform uses AI agents to help hyperlocal businesses with their marketing needs.
Why is it interesting?
- The founders identified a brilliant market arbitrage opportunity: while Indians call businesses to build trust, 70% of US consumers prefer visiting websites for authenticity checks. Zoca’s AI agents bridge this behavioral difference by optimizing local search rankings, managing rebookings, and creating social media content.
- Their traction metrics validate the product-market fit: over 1,000 local beauty and wellness businesses generating $10+ million in revenue and 120,000+ appointments. With a 54-member team in Bengaluru and plans to expand hiring in the US, Zoca demonstrates how Indian tech talent can build solutions that understand and serve diverse global market behaviors.
Read more: AI startup Zoca raises $6 million from Accel, Elevation Capital, others